Vehicle Battery Cooling Duct Branching Angle Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle power supply systems experience reduced cooling efficiency due to significant pressure loss at branching portions in the cooling flow path, where air is divided at a 90° angle, leading to inefficient heat dissipation for battery modules.
Innovation Solution
The system configures the cooling fan to be obliquely positioned relative to the battery module, with a downstream-side inlet duct that divides air at a branching portion near a corner of the battery module, using obtuse angles for the branching flow paths to reduce pressure loss and enhance cooling efficiency, while maintaining a compact installation without increasing height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If air is divided at the center of the front wall of the battery case with a 90° branching angle, then the cooling air can be supplied to both battery modules, but a great pressure loss is generated at the branching portion, reducing cooling efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling fan is positioned asymmetrically at the rear end of the battery case rather than at the front center, and the branching portion is configured with obtuse angles (θ1 and θ2) instead of 90° angles. This asymmetric configuration reduces flow separation and pressure loss at the branching portion while still enabling effective cooling air distribution to both battery modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling fan is positioned at the rear end of the battery case, changing the spatial dimension of air intake from the front to the rear. This dimensional change allows the air flow path to approach the branching portion more favorably, reducing the bending angle and associated pressure losses while maintaining effective cooling coverage.
2Device complexity
If the cooling fan is disposed in front of the battery case with air division at the center, then the cooling system can be compact, but the cooling flow path bends at 90° causing great pressure loss and reduced cooling efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling fan is positioned asymmetrically at the rear end of the battery case rather than at the front center, and the branching portion is configured with obtuse angles (θ1 and θ2) instead of 90° angles. This asymmetric configuration reduces flow separation and pressure loss at the branching portion while still enabling effective cooling air distribution to both battery modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling fan is positioned at the rear end of the battery case, changing the spatial dimension of air intake from the front to the rear. This dimensional change allows the air flow path to approach the branching portion more favorably, reducing the bending angle and associated pressure losses while maintaining effective cooling coverage.
3Device complexity
If air inlet portion is provided at the center of the front of the battery case with air division at the center, then the cooling system can be compact, but the cooling flow path bends at 90° causing great pressure loss
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling fan is positioned asymmetrically at the rear end of the battery case rather than at the front center, and the branching portion is configured with obtuse angles (θ1 and θ2) instead of 90° angles. This asymmetric configuration reduces flow separation and pressure loss at the branching portion while still enabling effective cooling air distribution to both battery modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling fan is positioned at the rear end of the battery case, changing the spatial dimension of air intake from the front to the rear. This dimensional change allows the air flow path to approach the branching portion more favorably, reducing the bending angle and associated pressure losses while maintaining effective cooling coverage.
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 configuration reduces pressure loss and enhances cooling efficiency by distributing cooling air effectively to both sides of the battery module, allowing for a more compact installation that does not compromise the vehicle's luggage compartment capacity.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling fan configured to taken in air from a passenger compartment of a vehicle
Implementation Method 2
the downstream-side inlet duct has a branching portion configured to divide air discharged from a discharge port of the cooling fan and to supply the air to the battery module
Implementation Method 3
air that is discharged from a cooling fan is divided to be supplied to battery modules
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle power supply system includes: a battery module; a cooling fan configured to taken in air from a passenger compartment of a vehicle; an upstream-side inlet duct that is disposed on an upstream side of the cooling fan; and a downstream-side inlet duct that is disposed on a downstream side of the cooling fan to connect the cooling fan and the battery module together. The cooling fan is disposed obliquely forwards or obliquely rearwards of the battery module, the downstream-side inlet duct is disposed on a lateral side of the battery module, the downstream-side inlet duct has a branching portion configured to divide air discharged from a discharge port of the cooling fan and to supply the air to the battery module, the branching portion is disposed between the cooling fan and the battery module, and the discharge port is directed towards the battery module.