Battery Temperature Regulation via Insulated Casing Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery temperature regulation systems for motor vehicles face challenges in accurately sensing the temperature of the electrode body due to the influence of cooling air, requiring complex correction processes to estimate the actual temperature, which complicates effective temperature regulation.
Innovation Solution
A temperature regulator system that includes a temperature sensor mounted on the casing, which is thermally insulated from the terminals and heat sinks, allowing for accurate temperature sensing of the electrode body without direct cooling air influence, and a controller that adjusts the cooling air flow rate and charge/discharge current to maintain the temperature within a predetermined range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the temperature sensor is arranged in the battery pack to sense battery temperature, then temperature regulation can be performed, but the sensor cannot accurately sense the electrode body temperature due to cooling air influence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the casing as an intermediary element between the temperature sensor and the electrode body. The sensor is mounted on the casing rather than directly exposed to cooling air, allowing indirect temperature measurement of the electrode body through the casing while avoiding direct cooling air interference at the sensor location.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the battery pack into distinct thermal zones by providing thermal insulation between the casing and the terminal/heat dissipating plate. This segmentation allows the sensor mounted on the casing to measure electrode body temperature independently from the cooled terminal region, achieving accurate temperature sensing without cooling air interference.
2Ease of operation
If the temperature sensor is placed near the terminal to sense temperature, then temperature regulation is possible, but complex correction processes are required to estimate actual electrode body temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The casing serves as a thermal intermediary that transmits electrode body temperature to the sensor without requiring mathematical correction. The sensor directly measures the temperature through the casing, eliminating the need for complex correction algorithms that would be necessary if the sensor were placed near the cooled terminal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a direct feedback loop where the temperature sensor mounted on the casing provides accurate real-time temperature information of the electrode body to the controller, enabling straightforward temperature regulation control without complex correction calculations.
3Temperature
If cooling air is sent to the heat dissipating plate to suppress battery temperature increase, then heat dissipation efficiency is improved, but the temperature sensor reading becomes inaccurate due to cooling air influence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the thermal measurement function from the cooling function by mounting the temperature sensor on the insulated casing rather than on the heat dissipating plate exposed to cooling air. This allows aggressive cooling of the terminal region while maintaining accurate temperature sensing of the electrode body through the thermally insulated casing.
Solution Approach 2:
The casing acts as a thermal mediator that allows the system to implement effective cooling at the terminal/heat dissipating plate while protecting the temperature sensor from cooling air interference, enabling both efficient heat dissipation and accurate temperature measurement simultaneously.
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 system effectively regulates the battery temperature with high accuracy, eliminating the need for complex correction processes and ensuring optimal battery performance by directly sensing the casing temperature, which represents the electrode body temperature accurately.
Implementation Method 1
a flow producer that produces a flow of a heat transfer medium for exchanging heat between the heat transfer medium and one of the terminal and casing of the battery
Implementation Method 2
The casing is electrically and thermally insulated from the terminal
Data Source
AI summary
A temperature regulator is provided for a battery which includes an electrode body, a terminal electrically connected to the electrode body, and a casing that receives the electrode body and supports the terminal with an end portion of the terminal protruding outside of the casing. The casing is electrically and thermally insulated from the terminal. The temperature regulator includes a flow producer, a temperature sensor, and a controller. The flow producer produces a flow of a heat transfer medium for exchanging heat between the heat transfer medium and one of the terminal and casing. The temperature sensor senses the temperature of the other of the terminal and casing. The controller controls, based on the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor, the flow producer to adjust the flow rate of the heat transfer medium, thereby regulating the temperature of the electrode body to fall within a predetermined range.