Summary
This technical report discusses the thermal management of lithium-ion battery packs used in electric and hybrid vehicles, focusing on the development efforts at the Fiat Research Center in Orbassano, Italy. The report outlines the importance of maintaining optimal temperature ranges for battery packs to ensure operational safety and efficiency. It details the methods employed to combine multiple lithium-ion battery pouch cells into packs while addressing cooling challenges. The use of COMSOL Multiphysics for modeling temperature distribution within the battery packs is highlighted, along with the findings that assist in identifying hot spots and optimizing cooling methods. The report also mentions the reduction of design time by 70% due to modeling, which allows for smaller and lighter battery packs that can be adapted to various vehicle types. Future projects are indicated to explore battery performance in extreme cold conditions, aiming to enhance charging capabilities under such circumstances.
