Secondary Battery Cooling Structure with Under-Seat Exhaust Ducts
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Solution Overview
Problem
The arrangement of a secondary battery pack between the driver seat and the front passenger seat in vehicles leads to degradation of interior comfort due to concentrated cooling air discharge, especially when a large battery is used, as existing cooling structures do not effectively manage airflow in limited spaces without compromising passenger comfort.
Innovation Solution
A cooling structure that draws in cabin air, uses sirocco fans, and directs exhaust cooling air through strategically placed ducts beneath the seats to disperse airflow, preventing local discomfort and maintaining cabin comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the battery pack is arranged between the driver seat and the front passenger seat to reduce power cable length and maximize passenger compartment space, then the electrical efficiency and space utilization are improved, but the interior comfort is degraded due to concentrated cooling air discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust duct is divided into multiple discharge outlets positioned at different locations (front, rear, left, and right sides) rather than a single concentrated discharge point. This segmentation distributes the cooling air flow across multiple zones, preventing localized discomfort while maintaining the battery pack's central location for electrical efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the vehicle interior receive different amounts and directions of cooling air discharge based on their specific thermal and comfort requirements. The exhaust duct is designed to discharge air at multiple locations with varying flow rates, creating locally optimized cooling patterns that maintain comfort while serving the centrally-located battery pack.
2Quantity of substance
If a large battery pack is used to meet increasing capacitance demands, then the energy storage capacity is improved, but the available space for cooling apparatus and peripheral equipment is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust duct is integrated within the battery pack structure itself, with the duct system nested inside or along the boundaries of the battery pack housing. This nesting approach allows the cooling apparatus to occupy minimal additional space while still effectively serving the large battery pack, enabling high capacitance without proportionally increasing overall volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The exhaust duct structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides thermal management for the battery pack, acts as part of the battery pack housing structure, and facilitates air flow distribution to multiple discharge locations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated cooling components, maximizing space utilization for large battery packs.
3Temperature
If cooling apparatuses are attached to the battery pack to control temperature, then the thermal management is improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust duct is combined with the battery pack housing structure, eliminating the need for separate external ducting systems. The cooling apparatus is integrated directly into the battery pack assembly, merging thermal management functions with the structural components and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining effective temperature control.
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 cooling structure effectively disperses exhaust cooling air, reducing local airflow and maintaining passenger comfort while ensuring efficient cooling of the battery pack, even in compact vehicle designs.
Implementation Method 1
Cooling apparatuses such as a fan, duct, and the like are attached to the battery pack in order to introduce cooling airflow into the interior
Data Source
AI summary
In a cooling structure for the secondary battery, a first exhaust duct is connected to a first battery pack. The first exhaust duct includes a first center exhaust duct extending between the driver seat and the front passenger seat towards a vehicle rear side, and a first under seat exhaust duct extending under the driver seat. A second exhaust duct is connected to a second battery pack. The second exhaust duct includes a second center exhaust duct and a second under seat exhaust duct extending under the front passenger seat. By this structure, a cooling structure for a secondary battery that can ensure a favorable environment of interior comfort in the vehicle, free from any negative effect caused by the cooling air discharged from the battery pack, can be provided.