Battery Drying Membrane and Regeneration Cycle for Moisture Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery drying devices face inefficiencies in maintaining long-term operation by effectively removing moisture from battery interiors, as they often rely on passive regeneration methods and are prone to water ingress due to design limitations.
Innovation Solution
The battery drying device incorporates a moisture adsorbing agent housed within a drying chamber with a membrane-covered inlet, an adjustable connection valve, and an electrically operated heating device for regeneration, along with an electric pump and ventilation system to enhance moisture removal efficiency, ensuring effective pressure compensation and preventing water entry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a passive drying device with a drying agent is used in the battery housing, then moisture can be adsorbed from the battery interior, but the device cannot be regenerated effectively and water ingress occurs due to pressure differences
Solution Approach 1:
The drying device operates in periodic cycles alternating between adsorption mode (valve 1 open, valve 2 closed) and regeneration mode (valve 1 closed, valve 2 open). During adsorption, the drying agent captures moisture from the battery interior. During regeneration, the heating element heats the drying agent to release adsorbed moisture, which is then evacuated by the vacuum pump. This periodic operation allows the device to maintain effectiveness over extended periods by continuously regenerating the drying agent without requiring replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces passive gravitational drainage with an active vacuum pump system for moisture removal. The vacuum pump actively evacuates moisture-laden air from the battery housing through the drying device, overcoming pressure differences and preventing water ingress. This active mechanical system substitutes for passive mechanisms, enabling reliable operation under varying pressure conditions and extending the device's operational lifespan.
2Reliability
If the drying agent is heated continuously to regenerate it, then moisture can be removed from the drying agent, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element operates intermittently only during regeneration cycles rather than continuously. The control system switches between adsorption mode (heating off) and regeneration mode (heating on), allowing the drying agent to adsorb moisture during cool periods and be regenerated during heated periods. This periodic operation dramatically reduces energy consumption compared to continuous heating while maintaining reliable drying agent performance.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a membrane in the inlet opening is used to prevent water entry, then liquid water is kept out, but pressure compensation is needed for temperature changes
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet opening features a membrane with selective permeability properties - it is impermeable to liquid water but permeable to water vapor and air. This local quality differentiation allows the membrane to prevent liquid water ingress while permitting pressure equalization through vapor and air passage. The membrane's dual functionality addresses both water protection and pressure compensation requirements simultaneously.
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 allows for efficient and prolonged operation by actively regenerating the moisture adsorber, preventing water ingress, and ensuring effective moisture removal from the battery interior, thereby extending the device's operational lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
An inlet opening is provided in the drying housing, which is covered by a membrane that keeps out liquid, in particular water, but could be permeable to water in the gaseous state
Implementation Method 2
A moisture adsorber means is arranged in the flow path between the inlet opening and the connecting opening
Implementation Method 3
A heating device is integrated into the battery drying device, by means of which the moisture adsorber means can be heated in order to remove the adsorbed moisture from the moisture adsorber means and thereby regenerate the moisture adsorber means
Data Source
AI summary
A battery drying device includes a membrane disposed external to a battery housing of a battery, and configured to prevent liquid water from passing through the membrane and to allow gaseous water to pass through the membrane, a moisture adsorber disposed external to the battery housing and downstream from the membrane, and configured to absorb moisture in the gaseous water, and an adjustable connection valve disposed adjacent to the battery housing and downstream from the moisture adsorber, and configured to, in a regular operation mode, be open and allow air from which the moisture is absorbed by the moisture adsorber into the battery housing, and in a regeneration mode, be closed. The battery drying device further includes an adjustable regeneration valve interposed between the membrane and the moisture adsorber.