Battery Cabinet Thermal Balancing With Module-Level Fan Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge lies in effectively managing the thermal uniformity of numerous lithium batteries in a battery cabinet, as existing methods struggle to maintain consistent temperatures due to variations in battery production batches, impedance, placement, and environmental conditions, leading to potential overheating or underheating, which can suspend battery operations and reduce service life.

Innovation Solution

A battery temperature control system comprising a cabinet, an air conditioner with both cooling and heating modules, a central control module, and temperature detecting units within each battery module, which continuously monitor and adjust temperatures to achieve dynamic balance by activating fans at varying speeds to provide a cold or heat source as needed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a single air conditioner is used to cool the entire battery cabinet, then the ambient temperature can be maintained, but the temperature uniformity across different battery modules cannot be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveambient temperatureVSAvoidtemperature uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The battery cabinet is divided into multiple battery modules, and each module is equipped with an independent temperature control system including temperature detecting module and fan assembly. This segmentation allows each module to be controlled independently, resolving the contradiction between maintaining ambient temperature and ensuring temperature uniformity across different modules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each battery module has its own temperature detecting module that monitors the specific temperature of that module, and the control unit adjusts the fan assembly locally based on the detected temperature. This local quality approach ensures that each module receives appropriate temperature control tailored to its specific conditions, achieving temperature uniformity while maintaining overall ambient temperature.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Temperature

If the ambient temperature is controlled to 20-30 degrees, then overheating is avoided, but individual batteries may still experience temperature deviations exceeding protection values

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveambient temperature controlVSAvoidbattery operation reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Each battery module is equipped with a temperature detecting module that continuously monitors the module's temperature and provides feedback to the control unit. The control unit adjusts the fan assembly's operation based on this feedback, enabling dynamic temperature regulation that prevents individual batteries from exceeding protection values while maintaining overall ambient temperature control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The fan assembly operates dynamically with adjustable speeds based on real-time temperature conditions. The control unit can increase fan speed when temperature rises and reduce it when temperature is stable, providing adaptive temperature control that maintains reliability while avoiding overheating.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If fan assemblies are added to each battery module for individual temperature control, then temperature uniformity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature uniformityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit in each battery module serves multiple functions: it receives temperature data from the temperature detecting module, processes the data, controls the fan assembly, and communicates with the central control module. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, achieving temperature uniformity while managing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The temperature control system is nested in a hierarchical structure where individual module control units are nested within the broader central control module framework. The central control module coordinates with multiple module control units, creating a nested control architecture that achieves comprehensive temperature uniformity while managing system complexity through hierarchical organization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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

This system ensures temperature uniformity across battery modules, prolongs battery service life, and enhances product reliability by dynamically adjusting the working temperature of each module to maintain optimal operating conditions.

Implementation Method 1

an air conditioner disposed in the cabinet for providing a cold source or a heat source

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal management: Heating

Implementation Method 2

The corresponding fan assembly activates an operation mode to cool down or heat up the corresponding battery module

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP4246663A1Battery temperature control system
Publication Date: 2023.09.20 DELTA ELECTRONICS INC(CN)
  • EP4246663A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4246663A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4246663A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A battery temperature control system (1) is disclosed. The battery temperature control system (1) includes a cabinet (2), an air conditioner (3), a central control module (4) and a plurality of battery modules (5, 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D). Each of the plurality of battery modules (5, 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D) includes a plurality of batteries (51, 51a, 51b, 51c), a control unit (52), a fan assembly (53) and a temperature detecting module (54), wherein the central control module (4) sends a temperature controlling command to the air conditioner (3) to activate a cold source or a heat source according to the ambient temperature, then the central control module (4) compares and calculates a plurality of working temperature information transmitting from the plurality of battery modules (5, 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D), and sends a fan operation command to the each corresponding battery module (5, 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D), the corresponding fan assembly (53) activates an working mode to cool or warm the temperature of the corresponding battery module (5, 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D), so as to adjust the working temperature of each battery module (5, 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D), and to achieve a dynamic temperature balance.