Battery Cooling Airflow Path Cross-Section Design

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing power source apparatuses face inefficiencies in cooling batteries due to a smaller cross-sectional area of the upper portion path compared to the side portion path, leading to uneven air flow and inadequate cooling of batteries.

Innovation Solution

A power source apparatus design with an air introduction path having a larger cross-sectional area than the flow path, allowing for homogeneous air distribution and improved pressure differences to enhance cooling efficiency, featuring a blower, chassis with specific wall surfaces, and a heat exchanger to manage air flow and temperature.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the cross-sectional area of the upper portion path is made smaller than the side portion path, then the air flow speed increases, but the air flow becomes uneven and cooling efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair flow speedVSAvoidcooling efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by making the cross-sectional area of the air introduction path larger than that of the flow path, which changes the flow parameters to reduce air flow speed and improve flow uniformity, thereby enhancing cooling efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the battery module is stored in the inner space of the chassis without being housed in the case, then the air blown from the blower flows directly into the battery module, but a pressure difference is hard to be generated and air introduction becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair flow directnessVSAvoidpressure difference
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an air introduction path as an intermediary component between the flow path and the battery module. This intermediary structure facilitates smooth air introduction by properly managing the pressure difference, allowing air to flow directly to the battery module while maintaining appropriate pressure conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 design ensures efficient cooling of batteries by reducing air flow speed and ensuring uniform air distribution, resulting in improved thermal management and performance.

Implementation Method 1

a pressure difference is hard to be generated between a pressure in the upper portion path and a pressure in the battery module, and thus it is hard to introduce the air smoothly into the battery module, the air being blown from the blower

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure difference: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

a heat exchanger arranged on one side of the batteries, the blower being arranged between the heat exchanger and the batteries

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP3361552B1Power source apparatus and work machine having the same
Publication Date: 2022.06.29 DENSO CORP
  • EP3361552B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3361552B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3361552B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A power source apparatus includes a plurality of batteries, a blower having a blowing portion arranged on one side of the batteries, the blower being configured to blow air from the blowing portion, a chassis having an inner space surrounded by a plurality of wall surfaces that include a first wall surface and a second wall surface and storing the batteries in the inner space. The power source apparatus includes an air introduction path formed between the first wall surface and the batteries, the air introduction path being configured to introduce the air to the batteries, and a flow path formed between the second wall surface and the batteries, the flow path being configured to introduce the air blown from the blower to the air introduction path, the air introduction path having at least partially a first cross-sectional area larger than a second cross-sectional area of the flow path.