Battery Cooling Circuit Flow Switching for Cell Temperature Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery thermal management systems experience increased temperature differences between battery cells due to coolant heating, leading to reduced battery output and travel time under high load conditions.
Innovation Solution
A battery thermal management system that includes a first cooling circuit, a second cooling circuit, a coolant flow control valve, and a controller to dynamically adjust the coolant flow direction based on temperature differences between battery cells, using a four-way valve to optimize coolant circulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If coolant flow direction is fixed, then system structure is simple, but temperature difference between battery cells increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the coolant circulation system multi-functional by enabling it to operate in multiple flow directions. The four-way valve allows the same cooling system to adaptively switch between first direction (cooling upstream cells prioritized) and second direction (cooling downstream cells prioritized), providing universal cooling capability that addresses different thermal conditions without requiring separate cooling systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring temperature differences between battery cells and using this information to control the four-way valve. The controller receives temperature data and automatically adjusts the coolant flow direction to minimize temperature differences, creating a closed-loop feedback system that optimizes cooling performance based on real-time thermal conditions.
2Power
If coolant temperature rises rapidly under high load, then cooling capacity is sufficient for immediate heat, but temperature difference between battery cells increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts coolant flow direction based on real-time temperature monitoring. Under high load conditions where coolant temperature rises rapidly, the system switches flow direction to ensure coolant always enters cooler battery cells first, maintaining optimal temperature gradients and preventing excessive temperature differences even when cooling capacity is heavily utilized.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the flow direction parameter of the coolant system to optimize cooling distribution. By switching between first and second flow directions, the system alters the thermal parameters experienced by different battery cells, ensuring uniform temperature distribution across the battery pack even under high load conditions with rapid coolant heating.
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
Reduces temperature differences between battery cells, enhancing battery cooling performance and maintaining vehicle travel time by actively managing coolant flow.
Implementation Method 1
a battery thermal management system that includes a first cooling circuit, a second cooling circuit, a coolant flow control valve, and a controller to dynamically adjust the coolant flow direction based on temperature differences between battery cells
Implementation Method 2
a water pump configured to supply and circulate coolant for cooling the battery to the first cooling circuit
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment battery thermal management system includes a first cooling circuit including a battery including battery cells, a second cooling circuit including a water pump for supplying and circulating coolant to the first cooling circuit, a coolant flow control valve connecting the first and second cooling circuits such that the coolant flows therethrough, the coolant flow control valve configured to control a flow direction of the coolant supplied to the first cooling circuit to be a first or second direction, and a controller configured to determine the flow direction of the coolant passing through the coolant flow control valve and to control an operation mode of the coolant flow control valve based on a temperature difference between a first battery cell disposed closest to a first coolant passage of the battery and a second battery cell disposed closest to a second coolant passage of the battery.