Vehicle Battery Cooling System with Active Cabin Venting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery cooling systems in vehicles face challenges in efficiently managing heat generation and venting of gases from traction batteries, particularly in hybrid electric vehicles, where heat management affects performance, fuel economy, and battery life, and there is a need to prevent cabin air contamination from vented gases.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle traction battery cooling system with a blend door that selects air sources between outside and cabin air, and a controller that adjusts fan speeds and air flow to direct vented gases outside the vehicle, integrating with the climate control system to ensure effective cooling and gas evacuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If battery cooling systems use cabin air to cool the battery, then cooling efficiency is improved, but cabin air contamination from vented gases occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the air intake sources by using a blend door to separate cabin air and outside air pathways, allowing selective mixing of air sources based on battery venting conditions to prevent contamination while maintaining cooling efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The blend door dynamically adjusts its position based on real-time detection of battery venting gases, transitioning between different air source configurations to optimize both cooling performance and cabin air quality
2Temperature
If a separate cooling system is used for the battery, then battery cooling performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the battery cooling function with the existing climate control system by integrating the blend door and fan control into the climate control architecture, eliminating the need for a completely separate cooling system while maintaining effective battery temperature management
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the blend door is commanded to the open position to evacuate vented gases, then gas evacuation from cabin is improved, but cooling efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The fan speed is dynamically adjusted based on the blend door position and venting conditions, increasing fan power when outside air is introduced to maintain adequate airflow and cooling efficiency despite the open door configuration
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 solution allows for flexible battery placement, efficient heat management, and prevention of cabin air contamination by actively directing vented gases outside, enhancing battery performance, fuel efficiency, and extending battery life while maintaining cabin comfort.
Implementation Method 1
A battery cooling system includes a fan located downstream of the blend door
Implementation Method 2
an air puller fan in fluid communication with the battery cells arranged to pull air from the battery chamber and to direct it away from the battery chamber
Implementation Method 3
A battery may generate heat during charging and discharging
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle traction battery cooling system is provided. The battery cooling system includes a blend door movable between at least an open and a closed position to select the location of incoming air for cooling a plurality of battery cells. A controller is configured to command the door to the open position in response to detecting gases vented by the battery cells.