Battery Charging Apparatus with Coolant Pipe and Chiller Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rechargeable batteries generate heat during charging, which can lead to overheating and potential short-circuits when external air is used for cooling, introducing dust or impurities that can cause failures.
Innovation Solution
A charging apparatus with a coolant pipe surrounding the battery module, a chiller to circulate and cool the coolant, and a housing with a heat transfer layer for efficient heat conduction and prevention of external contamination, including a temperature sensor and controller for managing cooling medium flow and temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If external air is blown to cool the battery module, then cooling effect is achieved, but dust or impurities are introduced into the battery module causing short-circuit or failure
Solution Approach 1:
A coolant pipe filled with cooling medium is introduced as an intermediary substance between the battery module and the external environment. The coolant pipe surrounds the battery module and conducts heat away through thermal conduction, while the cooling medium circulates within the pipe to carry heat away. This intermediary structure enables cooling without direct exposure to external air, thus preventing dust and impurities from entering the battery module.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical cooling method (blowing external air) with a thermal conduction-based cooling system. Instead of using fluid flow (air) to remove heat, the system uses direct thermal conduction through the coolant pipe wall and circulating cooling medium, substituting a mechanical cooling approach with a thermal field-based approach that avoids contamination risks.
2Use of energy by moving object
If high-capacity rechargeable batteries are used for high power output, then energy density is improved, but heat generation increases causing overheating during charging
Solution Approach 1:
The coolant pipe is pre-installed surrounding the battery module before charging begins. The cooling medium circulation system is prepared in advance, and the temperature sensor is positioned to detect temperature changes proactively. This preliminary setup ensures that cooling is immediately effective when heat generation starts during charging, preventing overheating before it occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
A temperature sensor is installed within the battery module to continuously monitor temperature during charging. This feedback mechanism allows the system to detect temperature increases and adjust cooling intensity accordingly. The controller receives temperature data and can regulate the cooling medium flow rate or chiller operation to maintain optimal temperature, ensuring high power output without overheating.
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 apparatus effectively prevents overheating and contamination, ensuring stable and efficient cooling of rechargeable batteries during charging, improving safety and performance by directly conducting heat away from the battery module and avoiding external air-based cooling methods.
Implementation Method 1
a coolant pipe providing a passage for a cooling medium and surrounding a space for accommodating the battery module
Implementation Method 2
a chiller connected with the coolant pipe, the chiller being configured to circulate and cool the cooling medium
Implementation Method 3
An inner surface of the mounting groove may include a heat transfer layer thereon, the heat transfer layer including a material having thermal conductivity
Data Source
AI summary
A charging apparatus for electrical connection with a charging supply for charging a battery module, the charging apparatus including a coolant pipe, the coolant pipe providing a passage for a cooling medium and surrounding a space for accommodating the battery module; a charging terminal for electrically connecting with the charging power supply; and a chiller connected with the coolant pipe, the chiller being configured to circulate and cool the cooling medium.