Adaptive Battery Casing with Pin Array for Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery casing devices for hybrid vehicles are inefficient in cooling, as their cooling efficiency is dependent on the battery's position and can lead to premature aging due to inadequate heat management, especially in extreme temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A casing device with a network of pins on a face that can be adjusted to optimize heat exchange, featuring a displacement actuator to modify exposure to airflow, ensuring effective passive cooling regardless of the device's orientation and temperature conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a groove is provided on the lower outer surface of the battery device with the throat opening oriented towards the front of the vehicle for passive cooling, then cooling is effective when the vehicle rolls, but the cooling efficiency becomes dependent on the orientation of the battery device and cannot be adjusted for different installation locations or temperature conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by providing a movable cover that can change the orientation and exposure of the groove to airflow. The cover is displaceable between multiple positions, allowing the groove to be oriented in different directions (e.g., towards front, rear, left, right of vehicle) depending on the installation location of the battery. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the passive cooling system to adapt to various mounting orientations while maintaining effective cooling performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the exposure parameter of the groove to airflow through the movable cover. The cover can be positioned to fully expose, partially expose, or completely block the groove, thereby changing the cooling intensity parameter. This allows the system to adapt to different temperature conditions - providing maximum cooling when needed and reducing or stopping cooling when the battery temperature is already acceptable or when external conditions (e.g., cold ambient temperature) make cooling unnecessary.
2Temperature
If the groove is designed to cool the battery device permanently regardless of outside temperature and battery temperature, then cooling is always available, but this can penalize battery operation in extreme cold conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The movable cover enables dynamic control of the cooling process. Based on temperature sensor feedback, the cover position is adjusted to provide appropriate cooling intensity. In extreme cold conditions, the cover can be positioned to block the groove entirely, preventing unwanted cooling that would harm battery operation. This dynamic response ensures the cooling system only operates when and where needed, maintaining battery reliability across all temperature conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a temperature sensing system that provides feedback about battery temperature and/or ambient temperature. This feedback information is used to control the position of the movable cover, creating a closed-loop control system. When the battery temperature is within acceptable ranges or when ambient temperature is already cold, the feedback signal triggers the cover to reduce or block groove exposure, thereby preventing unnecessary cooling and protecting battery operation in extreme cold conditions.
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
The solution provides robust and adaptive passive cooling, minimizing battery aging and maintaining performance across various orientations and temperatures, while avoiding unnecessary cooling that could harm the battery.
Implementation Method 1
A casing device with a network of pins on a face that can be adjusted to optimize heat exchange
Implementation Method 2
The spikes can each have a cylindrical or substantially cylindrical shape... The spikes can be connected by ribs
Implementation Method 3
A casing device with a network of pins on a face that can be adjusted to optimize heat exchange, featuring a displacement actuator to modify exposure to airflow, ensuring effective passive cooling regardless of the device's orientation and temperature conditions
Data Source
Figure 1~6
Figure 2~4
AI summary
A housing device (1) for a battery (20), in particular for a motor vehicle battery (100), comprises a face (4) provided with a plurality of pins (5), in particular a face (4) provided with an array of pins (5).