Vehicle Battery Assembly With Condensation Drainage and Humidity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The condensation of humidity in battery containers of electric or hybrid vehicles can lead to short circuits due to the accumulation of water at the bottom, posing a risk to the overall size and efficiency of the battery system.
Innovation Solution
A battery assembly with a heat exchanger to condense humidity and a tank to collect and expel the condensed water, along with a control system to manage pressure and humidity levels, is integrated into the vehicle's design to prevent short circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the battery container size is increased to store more electrical energy, then the energy storage capacity is improved, but the amount of condensation that forms increases leading to higher risk of short circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful condensation from the battery container by introducing a dedicated drainage system. The system includes drainage channels formed in the battery container walls and drainage holes that allow condensed moisture to be removed from the container interior, separating the harmful condensation from the energy storage function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces drainage channels and drainage holes as intermediary structures that facilitate the removal of condensation. These intermediaries create a pathway for moisture to exit the container without affecting the batteries or other critical components, resolving the contradiction between large container size and condensation management.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the battery operating temperature is reduced to improve efficiency, then the energy efficiency is improved, but the humidity condensation increases leading to moisture accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of condensation into a manageable phenomenon by providing controlled drainage paths. Instead of trying to prevent condensation formation entirely, the system accepts condensation as inevitable and provides beneficial drainage channels that safely conduct the condensed moisture out of the container, allowing the battery to operate at lower temperatures for improved efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes gravitational flow and pressure differential principles to enable condensation drainage. The drainage channels and holes are positioned and dimensioned to allow condensed moisture to flow out of the container under the influence of gravity and pressure differences, without requiring additional active pumping systems.
3Reliability
If a drainage system is added to remove condensation, then the risk of short circuits is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the drainage function with the existing battery container structure. The drainage channels are formed directly in the container walls, and drainage holes are integrated into the container design, combining the storage and drainage functions into a single integrated structure rather than adding separate external drainage components.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery container is designed to serve multiple functions: energy storage, structural support, and moisture drainage. By incorporating drainage channels and holes into the container itself, the structure becomes multi-functional, reducing the need for additional dedicated drainage components and thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity.
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 solution effectively reduces the risk of short circuits by actively managing humidity levels within the battery container, ensuring efficient operation and safety by preventing moisture accumulation.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger adapted to condense the humidity of the air contained, in use, in said inner volume
Data Source
AI summary
A battery assembly for a motor vehicle is described, the former comprising a case defining an inner volume, which is fluidly isolated from the external atmospheric air; a plurality of batteries arranged in the inner volume; a heat exchanger adapted to condense the humidity of the air contained in the inner volume; a tank adapted to contain the water condensed by the heat exchanger; and an opening fluidly connected to said tank and adapted to allow said condensed water to flow out of said inner volume.