Battery Coolant Venting With Integrated Air Drying
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling systems for immersion-cooled battery systems face challenges in efficiently removing moisture from ambient air introduced during pressure compensation, which can lead to increased electrical conductivity and corrosion risks due to high moisture content in the coolant.
Innovation Solution
A compact venting and drying unit combining a venting element and an air drying element, where ambient air is dehumidified by a drying agent before entering the coolant reservoir, ensuring moisture is essentially removed, and the unit is designed for modular replacement and safety features to prevent coolant contact with the drying agent.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If a venting element is provided directly on the battery housing for pressure compensation, then pressure equalization between the coolant reservoir and environment is achieved, but moisture-laden ambient air enters the coolant reservoir increasing coolant moisture content
Solution Approach 1:
A drying element is introduced as an intermediary component between the venting element and the coolant reservoir. This drying element contains a drying agent that removes moisture from ambient air before it enters the coolant reservoir, thus mediating between the need for pressure compensation and the need to prevent moisture contamination
Solution Approach 2:
The venting element and drying element are combined into a single integrated assembly that can be detachably connected to the coolant reservoir. This merging allows both pressure compensation and moisture removal functions to be performed simultaneously through one component unit
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a treatment circuit with a drying element is used to remove moisture from coolant, then moisture content is reduced, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The moisture removal function is extracted from a complex treatment circuit and concentrated into a simple drying element containing only a drying agent. This extraction simplifies the overall system by removing the need for complex treatment circuits while maintaining effective moisture removal capability
Solution Approach 2:
The drying element operates passively using the natural flow of ambient air through the venting element. The drying agent automatically absorbs moisture without requiring external power sources, control systems, or complex operational mechanisms, thus achieving self-service operation
3Stress or pressure
If ambient air is used for pressure compensation, then pressure equalization is achieved, but electrical conductivity of coolant increases due to moisture introduction
Solution Approach 1:
The drying element acts as an intermediary that intercepts and removes moisture from ambient air before it can contaminate the coolant. This prevents the increase in electrical conductivity that would otherwise result from moisture introduction during pressure compensation
4Ease of repair
If a compact venting and drying unit is designed for detachable connection, then ease of maintenance is improved, but connection reliability may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The venting and drying unit is designed as a segmented, detachable assembly that can be easily separated from the coolant reservoir for maintenance. The drying element can be removed and replaced independently, providing ease of repair while maintaining reliable operation during use
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 solution effectively prevents moisture introduction into the coolant, reducing electrical conductivity and corrosion risks while maintaining efficient pressure compensation and allowing for easy maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
an air drying element (3), which includes a housing (4) in which a drying agent is arranged
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A venting and drying unit (1) for attachment to a coolant reservoir (100) includes a venting element (2) configured to provide an air exchange between the coolant reservoir (100) and an environment for pressure compensation, and an air drying element (3) including a housing (4) in which a drying agent is arranged, the housing (4) including an air inlet (5), an air outlet (6), and an aperture (7). The venting element (2) is further configured to detachably connect to the air drying element (3), cover the housing (4) of the air drying element (3), and allow ambient air to flow in from outside through the venting element (2) into the housing (4) of the air drying element (3) through the air inlet (5) so that the ambient air is dehumidified by the drying agent.