Zigzag Battery Module Interconnections for Heat Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional battery modules generate excessive heat due to electrical resistance in interconnections, which affects efficiency and lifespan, and requires effective temperature control for safety and performance.

Innovation Solution

The battery cells are arranged in a zigzag pattern with interconnections configured to minimize current path length, with parallel connections made along one axis and series connections along another, reducing heat generation and improving current supply efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If conventional interconnection configurations are used to connect battery cells, then electrical current can be supplied to the battery module, but excessive heat is generated due to electrical resistance in the interconnections

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat generationVSAvoidtemperature control
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from planar interconnection layouts to a three-dimensional configuration where interconnections are arranged in multiple layers and levels. This spatial dimensionality change allows current paths to be optimized for shorter lengths while maintaining proper electrical connections, thereby reducing resistive heat generation without compromising reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The interconnection system is divided into multiple segments distributed across different spatial locations and layers. This segmentation allows the total current path to be broken into smaller, more efficient segments that collectively reduce electrical resistance and heat generation while maintaining the overall electrical function of the battery module

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of energy

If interconnections are arranged to minimize current path length, then heat generation is reduced, but the complexity of the interconnection layout increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat generationVSAvoidinterconnection layout
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By utilizing three-dimensional space with multiple layers and levels, the patent achieves shorter current paths without increasing planar complexity. The vertical dimension provides additional routing options that simplify the overall layout while minimizing resistance, effectively resolving the contradiction between path length optimization and layout complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Volume of stationary object

If battery cells are densely packed to optimize space usage, then the battery module size is reduced, but heat dissipation becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery module sizeVSAvoidheat dissipation
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The three-dimensional interconnection architecture creates natural thermal pathways through multiple layers, enabling heat to dissipate in vertical and lateral directions simultaneously. This multi-directional heat flow capability allows dense cell packing while maintaining effective thermal management, as heat can escape through the layered structure rather than being trapped in a single plane

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration significantly reduces heat generation and enhances the efficiency of current supply by minimizing electrical resistance, thereby improving the performance and lifespan of battery modules.

Implementation Method 1

battery cells and interconnections usually produce a considerable amount of heat

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

heat generation of the battery module due to the flow of electrical current in the interconnections

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical resistance: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentEP4228080A1Battery module
Publication Date: 2023.08.16 RIMAC TECH LLC
  • EP4228080A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4228080A1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4228080A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a battery module. The battery module comprises at least a first battery cell, a second battery cell arranged in a first direction with respect to the first cell, and a third battery cell arranged in a second direction with respect to the first cell. The battery module also comprises a first interconnection arranged at least partially in the first direction and a second interconnection arranged at least partially in the second direction. The first interconnection is configured to connect the first battery cell and the second battery cell in parallel and the second interconnection is configured to connect the first battery cell and the third battery cell in series. Either the battery cells are aligned along a line in the second direction (y-axis), and immediate neighbouring battery cells in the first direction (x-axis) are disposed in a zig zag pattern in the plane defined by the first direction and the second direction. Or the battery cells are aligned along a line in the first direction (x-axis), and immediate neighbouring battery cells in the second direction (y-axis) are disposed in a zig zag pattern in the plane defined by the first direction and the second direction.