Battery Cooling Thermosiphon with Bubble Generator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery temperature regulation systems face challenges in efficiently cooling batteries, especially when the vehicle is inclined, leading to uneven temperature distribution among battery cells, which can reduce the performance and lifespan of the battery pack.
Innovation Solution
A device temperature regulator employing a thermosiphon system with a bubble generator and controller to actively manage the circulation of a refrigerant through a fluid circulation circuit, ensuring effective cooling by phase change between liquid and gas phases, even when the vehicle is inclined, by generating bubbles to initiate or enhance refrigerant circulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional thermosiphon system is used for battery cooling, then the system structure is simple and energy consumption is low, but the cooling effectiveness deteriorates when the vehicle is inclined due to uneven temperature distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The bubble generator pre-generates bubbles in the refrigerant before circulation begins, ensuring that the refrigerant is primed and ready for immediate effective circulation when the system activates, regardless of vehicle inclination angle
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical state of the refrigerant by generating bubbles to alter its density and flow characteristics, enabling the refrigerant to circulate effectively through the battery module even when the vehicle is inclined at various angles
2Adaptability or versatility
If the vehicle is inclined during operation, then mobility and usability are improved, but the battery temperature regulation deteriorates leading to uneven temperature distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The bubble generator is activated in advance to create bubbles in the refrigerant, ensuring that when the vehicle is inclined, the refrigerant is already primed with bubbles that enable it to flow effectively against gravity and reach all battery cells uniformly
Solution Approach 2:
The generated bubbles act as an intermediary that facilitates refrigerant circulation through the battery module during inclined conditions, allowing the refrigerant to distribute more uniformly across all battery cells regardless of vehicle orientation
3Use of energy by moving object
If passive thermosiphon circulation is used, then energy consumption is low and device complexity is reduced, but circulation flow rate is insufficient under certain conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The bubble generator performs preliminary action by creating bubbles in the refrigerant before the main cooling cycle begins, which primes the system and enables faster, more effective circulation without requiring additional energy-intensive components like compressors
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces traditional mechanical compression methods with a bubble-generation mechanism that uses minimal energy to create gas bubbles, which then drive refrigerant circulation through density differences without requiring high-power mechanical components
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 system ensures consistent and efficient cooling of battery cells, reducing temperature variations and prolonging battery life by actively managing refrigerant circulation, even in inclined vehicle conditions, without the need for compressors or high power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a working fluid circulates by a phase change between a liquid phase and a gas phase of the working fluid
Implementation Method 2
a heat absorber that causes the working fluid to absorb heat from the target device so as to evaporate the working fluid
Implementation Method 3
a phase change between a liquid phase and a gas phase of the working fluid
Implementation Method 4
a heat radiator that is arranged above the heat absorber and that causes the working fluid to radiate heat so as to condense the working fluid
Implementation Method 5
a bubble generator that generates a bubble in the working fluid collecting in the heat absorber and having the liquid phase
Data Source
AI summary
A device temperature regulator includes a forward passage in which a forward flow passage is formed to cause a working fluid to flow to a heat absorber from a heat radiator, and a backward passage in which a backward flow passage is formed to cause the working fluid to flow to the heat radiator from the heat absorber. In addition, the device temperature regulator includes a bubble generator, which generates a bubble in the working fluid collecting in the heat absorber and having a liquid phase, and a controller that causes the bubble generator to generate the bubble in a precondition is satisfied.