Battery Module Fan Control Using Cell Voltage for ESS Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery module cooling systems in energy storage systems inefficiently consume electrical energy and require cumbersome external power cable connections for each cooling fan, making it difficult to manage heat generation stably across all modules.
Innovation Solution
A battery module cooling system that individually controls cooling fans based on temperature and voltage states using the battery cells' voltage as power, eliminating the need for external power cables by employing a battery management system (BMS) with temperature and voltage measurement units, communication, and a DC/DC converter to adjust fan operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all cooling fans are driven simultaneously by an external power supply source, then all battery modules can be cooled, but electrical energy is inefficiently consumed and it is difficult to stably manage the heat generation state of all battery modules
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling fan is driven by the voltage from its own battery module rather than an external power supply. The BMS controls the cooling fan to operate based on the temperature and voltage conditions of its own battery module, enabling self-service operation that reduces overall system energy consumption while improving heat management stability
Solution Approach 2:
Each battery module's cooling fan operates independently based on its local temperature and voltage conditions. The BMS of each module autonomously determines whether to activate its cooling fan, creating localized thermal management that improves overall system reliability while reducing unnecessary energy consumption in modules that do not require cooling
2Power
If a separate external power cable is connected for each cooling fan of loaded battery modules, then each cooling fan can be powered, but the assembly process becomes cumbersome and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply function for cooling fans is merged with the battery module's own voltage output. The BMS integrates the cooling fan control functionality into the battery management system, eliminating the need for separate external power cables and simplifying the assembly process while ensuring reliable power delivery to each cooling fan
Solution Approach 2:
The battery module's voltage output serves multiple functions: it powers both the battery operations and the cooling fan. The BMS provides universal control for both battery management and cooling fan operation, eliminating the need for separate power supply systems and reducing assembly complexity
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
Stable and efficient thermal management of battery modules is achieved, reducing energy consumption and simplifying assembly by eliminating the need for external power cables.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling fan configured to operate by using voltages of the battery cells as driving power
Implementation Method 2
a DC/DC converter configured to receive a voltage from the battery cells, convert the received voltage into a voltage that drives the cooling fan
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a battery module cooling system and method thereof and more specifically, relates to a battery module cooling system and method thereof in which it is possible to individually control the corresponding cooling fan by considering the temperature and voltage states of each battery module included in the energy storage system (ESS) and it does not require the operation of connecting a separate external power cable for each cooling fan to drive the cooling fan.