The method by which battery cells can be thermally controlled is a matter of current development for the automotive traction battery market. As compared to applications in consumer products, where the thermal condition of a given battery cell is adequately maintained in normal use by thermal convection with the surroundings, automotive traction batteries are exposed to inhospitable temperatures and packaged so that natural thermal exchange is inadequate. Choosing the thermal design involves debate which meaningfully influences application attributes including cost, safety, longevity, performance, design integration, and required vehicle support systems. This paper introduces thermal control options considered for prismatic Lithium-ion battery cells in either soft pouch or hard can configuration. Thermal models are compared to illustrate how in the early design down-selection phase computationally efficient models yielding physical insight are beneficial. With transient behaviour considered an important performance attribute these models quickly guide the choice of cell cooling surfaces, allowable conduction path and choice of cooling fluid. It is an objective of the paper to enlighten the reader on the performance aspects of cooling solution design in preparation for the unavoidable design evolution as e-mobility matures.
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