Battery Cycling Chamber Cooling with Convection-Conduction Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cycling test devices for secondary batteries suffer from inefficient energy conversion and thermal management due to reliance on convection heat transfer, leading to reduced thermal efficiency and control responsiveness, especially in large chambers with varying heat loads.

Innovation Solution

A cycling test device employing a combination of convection and conduction heat transfer methods, utilizing a first temperature adjustment part for air control and a second temperature adjustment part for direct partition cooling, with independent control of multiple space portions to manage heat loads effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If convection heat transfer method is used to control chamber temperature, then temperature control is achieved, but thermal efficiency is reduced and control responsiveness is slow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechamber temperature controlVSAvoidthermal efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines convection heat transfer (air circulation) with conduction heat transfer (direct contact cooling plates) to control chamber temperature. The cooling plates are in direct thermal contact with the chamber walls, providing efficient heat conduction, while air circulation maintains overall temperature distribution, achieving both high thermal efficiency and good temperature control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The chamber is divided into multiple cooling zones with separate cooling plates positioned at different locations (e.g., upper and lower walls). This segmentation allows localized heat dissipation where needed, improving overall thermal efficiency by addressing heat generation patterns in different regions independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Temperature

If convection heat transfer method is used, then temperature control is achieved, but control responsiveness is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechamber temperature controlVSAvoidcontrol responsiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges convection (air circulation) with conduction (direct cooling plates) to achieve both good temperature control and fast responsiveness. The cooling plates provide immediate heat conduction when activated, while air circulation ensures rapid temperature distribution throughout the chamber, together delivering fast control response.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling plates act as thermal intermediaries between the heat-generating components (batteries) and the chamber air. They provide a direct thermal pathway that accelerates heat removal, improving control responsiveness compared to relying solely on air convection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Volume of moving object

If chamber internal space increases, then more batteries can be accommodated, but heat transfer efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechamber internal spaceVSAvoidheat transfer efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The chamber is segmented into multiple cooling zones with cooling plates positioned at various locations within the large volume. This segmentation maintains effective heat transfer distances while accommodating more batteries, preventing heat transfer efficiency degradation despite increased chamber size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of relying solely on air convection in the large chamber volume, the patent introduces direct conduction pathways through cooling plates attached to chamber walls. This dimensional approach (surface-mounted cooling) bypasses the limitations of volumetric heat transfer, maintaining efficiency in large spaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Temperature

If refrigerator and heater are operated continuously to maintain chamber temperature, then temperature stability is achieved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechamber temperature stabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling plates serve as thermal intermediaries that can be selectively activated based on local heat generation. This allows targeted cooling only where and when needed, reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous operation of conventional refrigeration systems while maintaining temperature stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the chamber can have different thermal management characteristics through selectively positioned and controlled cooling plates. This local quality approach allows energy-efficient temperature control by applying cooling only to regions with high heat loads, rather than uniformly cooling the entire chamber.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

Enhances thermal efficiency and control responsiveness by maintaining chamber temperature through combined heat transfer methods, allowing for precise temperature control and increased space utilization.

Implementation Method 1

a first temperature adjustment part supplying the space portion with air and including a first refrigerator provided to control a temperature of the supplied air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection heat transfer: Convection

Implementation Method 2

a second temperature adjustment part provided to cool one or more partitions... directly cooling a chamber wall surface of the space portion through a conduction method

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConduction heat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP4685506A1Cycling test device
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4685506A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4685506A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4685506A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A cycling test device related to one example of the present invention comprises a chamber having a space portion for accommodating a battery and having a plurality of partitions forming the space portion, a first temperature adjustment part supplying the space portion with air and including a first refrigerator provided to control a temperature of the supplied air, and a second temperature adjustment part provided to cool one or more partitions.