Battery Coolant Flow Routing for Uniform Cell Temperature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery systems face challenges in efficiently managing the temperature of battery cells, particularly in ensuring uniform temperature distribution and adapting to varying operating conditions.
Innovation Solution
The battery system incorporates a cell holder with a fluid circuit that surrounds the cells, an end fluid circuit at the axial end of the cells, and valves to control fluid flow. This configuration allows for selective control of fluid flow based on operating conditions, ensuring effective thermal management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single fluid circuit configuration is used, then the system structure is simple, but the temperature uniformity across cells deteriorates under varying operating conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid circuit is segmented into multiple independent pathways: a first fluid circuit configured to cool cell groups at one end of the battery pack, and a second fluid circuit configured to cool cell groups at the opposite end. This segmentation allows independent temperature control for different cell groups, improving overall temperature uniformity without requiring a single complex integrated circuit
Solution Approach 2:
Different fluid circuit configurations are applied to different locations within the battery pack. The first fluid circuit serves cell groups at one end while the second fluid circuit serves cell groups at the opposite end, allowing each region to be optimized for its specific thermal conditions and improving local temperature control effectiveness
2Device complexity
If fixed fluid flow paths are used, then the system structure is simple, but the adaptability to varying operating conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid management system incorporates dynamic flow control capabilities through multiple independent fluid circuits that can be selectively activated. The system can adaptively redirect fluid flow between the first and second fluid circuits based on real-time operating conditions such as temperature distribution, charge/discharge rates, and environmental conditions, providing dynamic adaptability without requiring complex real-time reconfiguration mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid management system is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating both a first fluid circuit for cooling cell groups at one end and a second fluid circuit for cooling cell groups at the opposite end. This universal design allows the same basic circuit architecture to serve multiple thermal management functions across different operating scenarios, enhancing adaptability while maintaining structural simplicity
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 enhances thermal management by improving temperature uniformity and efficiency across the battery cells, thereby extending the life cycle and capacity of the battery system while providing flexibility in fluid management.
Implementation Method 1
the fluid flowing in the cell holder fluid circuit is configured to be in contact with the plurality of cells
Implementation Method 2
circulating the at least one fluid through the cavity of the cell holder and between and around the plurality of cells
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of conductors positioned between the plurality of cells and the end fluid circuit to conduct heat between the plurality of cells and the end fluid circuit
Data Source
AI summary
A battery system and method include a cell holder having a cavity, a plurality of cells disposed in the cavity and oriented to be aligned with an axis, a cell holder fluid circuit extending through the cavity of the cell holder and between and around the plurality of cells, an end fluid circuit extending through an unobstructed channel at an axial end of the plurality of cells, and a valve disposed at a divergence and/or a convergence and configured to selectively control flow of a fluid to at least one of the cell holder fluid circuit and the end fluid circuit.