Vehicle Battery Thermal Management via Cooling Fluid Displacement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
High-voltage batteries in eco-friendly vehicles deteriorate quickly at low temperatures due to heat transfer to external air, leading to increased resistance and energy consumption when trying to maintain a usable temperature range, which limits battery output and durability.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that involves replacing cooling water in the battery cooling pipe with gas by moving it to a reservoir tank when external air temperature drops below a predetermined level, using a controller and 3-way valves to connect and disconnect the battery and electric device cooling pipes, thereby blocking heat transfer and extending the time it takes for the battery to reach low temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a heater is used to increase battery temperature when external air temperature is low, then the battery temperature can be maintained within a usable range, but the energy consumption increases and the time required to heat the battery becomes excessively long
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by moving cooling water to the reservoir tank before the battery temperature drops to critical levels. This proactive approach prevents the battery from reaching low temperatures that would require extensive heating, thereby reducing energy consumption and heating time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the harmful effect of cold external air into a beneficial insulation effect. By removing cooling water from the battery cooling pipe when external temperature is low, the system eliminates the heat transfer pathway that would otherwise cause battery temperature to drop, effectively using the cold environment as insulation.
2Temperature
If cooling water is continuously circulated in the battery cooling pipe, then the battery can be cooled when needed, but heat transfer to external air occurs at low temperatures causing battery deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the cooling water circulation based on external air temperature conditions. When external temperature is below a predetermined threshold, the cooling water is moved to the reservoir tank, disconnecting the heat transfer pathway. When external temperature is adequate, cooling water circulates normally to maintain battery temperature. This dynamic adaptation protects battery durability while maintaining temperature control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The reservoir tank serves as an intermediary component that temporarily stores cooling water. This intermediary allows the system to decouple the battery cooling pipe from the external environment when conditions are unfavorable, preventing direct heat transfer between the battery and cold external air while maintaining the integrity of the cooling system.
3Power
If the battery is exposed to low temperature for extended periods, then the available voltage range decreases and output performance deteriorates, but preventing this requires additional heating energy that limits overall battery output
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the harmful cold external environment into a beneficial thermal insulation condition. By removing cooling water from the battery cooling pipe when external temperature is low, the system eliminates the heat transfer pathway that would cause battery temperature to drop, thereby protecting battery output performance without requiring additional heating energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the external environment itself to protect the battery. Instead of actively heating the battery to counteract cold temperatures, the system passively prevents heat loss by isolating the battery cooling pipe from cold external air, allowing the battery to maintain its temperature through self-service without external energy input.
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 approach improves battery durability by reducing heat transfer to external air, thus slowing down the deterioration process and reducing energy consumption associated with heating the battery, while maintaining the battery within a usable temperature range.
Implementation Method 1
cooling water for cooling the battery flows
Implementation Method 2
replacing cooling fluid in a battery cooling pipe with gas by moving cooling water in the battery cooling pipe to a reservoir tank
Data Source
AI summary
A system for managing a battery of a vehicle may include: a temperature sensor measuring temperature of external air; an electric device cooler including an electric device mounted in the vehicle, an electric device cooling pipe through which cooling water for cooling the electric device flows, and a first pump circulating the cooling water; a battery cooler including a battery and a battery cooling pipe through which the cooling water for cooling the battery flows; one or more 3-way valves connecting or disconnecting the electric device cooling pipe to or from the battery cooling pipe; and a controller configured to control the first pump and the one or more 3-way valves to move the cooling water in the battery cooling pipe to the electric device cooling pipe when the measured temperature of the external air is the predetermined temperature or less.