Air-driven valve for electric vehicle battery thermal management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery-powered air conditioning systems in electric vehicles consume excessive energy and generate noise, limiting their effectiveness, especially at low speeds due to the need to minimize noise disruption for passengers.
Innovation Solution
An aeraulic valve system that connects the passenger compartment's air conditioning system with the battery air conditioning system, using a flap to alternate between recycling conditioned air from the passenger compartment to the battery and drawing external air, optimizing air source selection based on vehicle speed and temperature thresholds to reduce energy consumption and noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If the battery air conditioning system draws air from the passenger compartment through an opening in the vehicle body, then energy consumption is reduced by reusing conditioned air, but noise is generated that causes discomfort for passengers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic control system that adjusts the air intake configuration based on vehicle operating conditions. The system switches between two configurations: Configuration 1 uses the air extractor at the vehicle opening to draw conditioned air from the passenger compartment (energy-efficient but noisy), while Configuration 2 uses a dedicated air intake opening on the vehicle body (less noisy but consumes more energy). The control unit monitors vehicle speed and battery temperature to dynamically select the appropriate configuration, resolving the contradiction between energy efficiency and noise reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the air conditioning system based on vehicle speed. At low speeds where noise is more problematic, the system switches to Configuration 2 with the dedicated air intake. At higher speeds where the engine noise masks the air conditioning noise, the system switches to Configuration 1 to maximize energy efficiency. This parameter-based switching resolves the technical contradiction by adapting the system behavior to operating conditions.
2Reliability
If the battery air conditioning system operates at low vehicle speeds, then it can provide effective cooling, but it generates excessive noise that limits its operability
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts its air intake configuration based on vehicle speed. When the vehicle is stationary or moving at low speeds, the control unit selects Configuration 2 (dedicated air intake opening) to minimize noise while maintaining effective battery cooling. When the vehicle reaches higher speeds, the system switches to Configuration 1 (air extractor at vehicle opening) where the engine noise naturally masks the air conditioning noise, allowing effective operation without passenger discomfort.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a dedicated air intake opening is made in the vehicle body for the battery air conditioning system, then noise to passengers is reduced, but the system complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves multi-functionality by making the air intake system adaptable to two different configurations. The same battery air conditioning system can operate with either Configuration 1 (using the existing air extractor infrastructure) or Configuration 2 (using a dedicated air intake opening), depending on which is more appropriate for the current operating conditions. This universality allows the system to reduce noise when needed without permanently increasing complexity, as the additional opening is only used when necessary.
Data Source
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AI summary
Air valve (30) comprising - a first opening (301) intended to be connected to an opening (21) of a passenger compartment (2) of a motor vehicle (100), the passenger compartment opening being intended to be equipped with an air extractor (6) and the valve (30) being intended to be located outside the passenger compartment (2), and - a second opening (302) intended to be connected to an air conditioning circuit of a power supply battery of an electric drive motor of a motor vehicle.