Battery cooling system having an alternating inlet/outlet system for a vehicle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery cooling systems in vehicles often create a temperature gradient due to the one-way flow of coolant, leading to uneven cooling of battery cells, which affects battery efficiency and performance.
Innovation Solution
A battery cooling system with an alternating inlet/outlet system, utilizing a valve assembly and pump controlled by a coolant controller, which reverses the coolant flow when thermal or electric loads exceed a threshold, ensuring uniform cooling by switching between two configurations of spool valves based on temperature and vehicle status.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a one-way coolant flow system is used, then the system structure is simple, but temperature gradient and uneven cooling occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic reversal of coolant flow direction through alternating inlet/outlet configurations. The system switches between first and second coolant ports at regular intervals, creating a periodic action that prevents heat accumulation in specific regions and maintains uniform temperature distribution across battery cells.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system transitions from a static one-way flow to a dynamic alternating flow configuration. By dynamically switching the coolant flow path between different inlet and outlet ports, the system adapts to thermal conditions and ensures continuous uniform cooling throughout the battery pack.
2Temperature
If coolant flow is reversed frequently, then temperature uniformity improves, but system complexity and control difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple valve functions into an integrated valve assembly that controls both the first and second coolant ports. This merging of control functions reduces the total number of independent components and simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining the ability to achieve uniform cooling through coordinated port switching.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve assembly is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a flow direction controller and as a timing mechanism for alternating inlet/outlet configurations. This universal component performs multiple functions simultaneously, reducing system complexity despite the frequent flow reversals required for temperature uniformity.
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 achieves uniform cooling of battery cells, reducing temperature differences and enhancing battery performance and charging efficiency by eliminating hot spots and ensuring consistent heat management.
Implementation Method 1
The cooling fluid passes into an inlet, then in a heat exchange relationship with battery cells before passing through an outlet
Implementation Method 2
a pump fluidically connected to the valve assembly and the battery assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A battery assembly including a housing having a first coolant port and a second coolant port includes a valve assembly fluidically connected to one of the first coolant port and the second coolant port, a pump fluidically connected to the valve assembly and the battery assembly, and a coolant controller operatively connected to the pump and the valve assembly. The coolant controller is operable to control the valve assembly to pass a flow of coolant into the one of the first coolant port and the second coolant port for a first time period and to pass the flow of coolant into the other of the first coolant port and the second coolant port for a second time period.