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Manufacturing Technology Insights | Monday, January 02, 2023
Thermal management maintains the optimal temperature range for the electronic device so that it functions optimally and lasts longer.
FREMONT, CA: Batteries and technology in electric vehicles (EVs) must be safer, last longer, and function faster. They must have effective thermal management to keep up with these expanding requirements. While packing a large amount of power and storage into a compact space, such as a battery cell or a circuit board, more heat is produced. Thermal management removes excess heat from a battery or computer component so that it functions properly and does not catch fire. It is accomplished in EV batteries by enveloping the part in thermal interface material (TIM), also known as a gap filler.
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The temperature significantly impacts the durability, performance, and safety of battery cells and electrical components. The efficiency, output, and capacity may decrease if the temperature is too low. The product may degrade if the temperature is too excessive, reducing its shelf life. Extreme heat can pose safety risks that could lead to awful outcomes. It is ideal for maintaining a constant temperature and distributing it evenly. But reliable thermal control is difficult for manufacturers because there are so many potential sources of excess heat. TIM applies directly to the surface of electronic components.
Batteries and electronic devices must get manufactured with systems that prevent them from overheating and safely direct heat away from vital components. Batteries and electronic components in electric vehicles (EVs) can overheat and cause thermal events if overcharged, discharged too rapidly, or affected by the environment. Continually optimizing puts temperature management at risk the majority of the time. The cells contain more energy in a smaller volume. It produces more heat in a restricted area to improve performance and reduce the weight of EV batteries.
The size of electronic components is shrinking, and functions are being combined so that more can fit on printed circuit boards (PCBs) and in compact spaces. It makes them more agile and compact. Thermally conductive contact materials are highly dense and have very abrasive additives, which causes pumps, shafts, and seals to wear out prematurely. Traditional dispensing systems must satisfy the production's durability requirements, resulting in more downtime and higher maintenance costs. Utilizing heating materials can be challenging and requires vigilance.
Even the slightest air openings in an electronic device can allow heat to accumulate, causing the circuit board to overheat and fail. So, thermal interface material becomes relevant. A printed circuit board (PCB) may contain numerous components, generating great heat when working together. Some applications require large quantities of material, so dispensing the correct and even amounts is essential to prevent air gaps or excess. Microchips, capacitors, connectors, resistors, and other components are on the top and bottom. The substances that compose the thermal interface are vicious and tenacious.
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