Battery Cooling Flow Switching for Uniform Pack Temperature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery cooling systems face challenges in uniformly cooling multiple batteries, leading to temperature variations and reduced energy efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A battery cooling system with a network of flow paths and three-way valves that alternately switch refrigerant flow directions to ensure uniform cooling across multiple battery groups, using a combination of parallel, inclined, and series-connected cooling branch pipes to distribute refrigerant effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a water jacket is disposed on a bottom surface of a battery case to cool the batteries, then the batteries can be cooled, but it is difficult to uniformly cool a plurality of batteries and temperature variations occur
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into multiple independent cooling circuits, with each circuit equipped with its own three-way valve. This segmentation allows independent control of refrigerant flow to different battery groups, enabling precise temperature management for each segment and eliminating temperature variations across the battery array.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic control through three-way valves that can switch refrigerant flow paths in real-time. By dynamically adjusting which cooling circuits receive refrigerant based on temperature sensor feedback, the system adapts to varying thermal conditions across different battery groups, ensuring uniform cooling throughout operation.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple cooling circuits are used to cool battery groups, then uniform cooling can be achieved, but the system complexity increases with multiple three-way valves and flow paths
Solution Approach 1:
The battery array is divided into multiple groups, with each group having its own dedicated cooling circuit and three-way valve. This modular segmentation creates independent control units that can be managed separately, making the complex system more manageable and easier to control while achieving uniform temperature distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
Temperature sensors are installed in each battery group to provide real-time feedback on thermal conditions. This feedback mechanism allows the control system to monitor temperature variations and adjust three-way valve positions accordingly, automatically maintaining uniform cooling without requiring complex manual intervention or overly sophisticated control algorithms.
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 effectively prevents temperature variations among battery groups, enhancing energy efficiency by ensuring consistent cooling across the battery array.
Implementation Method 1
a battery cooling flow path disposed above or below the plurality of battery groups
Implementation Method 2
a refrigerant flows in, and a first outlet and a second outlet through which the refrigerant flows out
Data Source
AI summary
A battery cooling system includes a battery cooling flow path, a first inlet and outlet portion of the battery cooling flow path, a second inlet and outlet portion of the battery cooling flow path, an inflow-side three-way valve, an outflow-side three-way valve, a first supply flow path configured to connect a first outlet of the inflow-side three-way valve to the first inlet and outlet portion, a second supply flow path configured to connect a second outlet of the inflow-side three-way valve to the second inlet and outlet portion, a first discharge path configured to connect the first inlet of the outflow-side three-way valve to the second inlet and outlet portion, and a second discharge path configured to connect the second inlet of the outflow-side three-way valve to the first inlet and outlet portion.