Vehicle Battery Thermal Management via Engine Intake Air Ducting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium ion batteries mounted near powertrain units in vehicle engine bays face rapid degradation due to temperature fluctuations, leading to shortened battery life, as they require a specific temperature range for optimal performance.
Innovation Solution
A battery temperature adjusting device that utilizes the engine's intake system to redirect heat away from the battery by increasing the ratio of intake air from a secondary duct when ambient temperatures exceed a threshold, using existing vehicle components like sensors and air ducts to control temperature without additional pumps or components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the battery is disposed near the powertrain unit to save space, then the engine bay can be downsized, but the battery temperature rises due to exhaust heat leading to rapid degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a temperature adjustment device as an intermediary component between the powertrain unit and the battery. This device includes a cooling fan, a temperature sensor, and a control unit that actively manages thermal transfer. The cooling fan creates forced convection to remove heat from the battery area, while the temperature sensor monitors conditions and triggers cooling only when necessary, thus protecting the battery without requiring physical separation
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes operational parameters based on temperature conditions. The control unit adjusts the cooling fan speed and activation threshold based on real-time temperature readings from the sensor. When the battery temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold, the system increases cooling intensity; otherwise, the fan remains off or operates at minimal speed, optimizing both temperature control and energy consumption
2Temperature
If additional cooling components are added to manage battery temperature, then battery temperature can be controlled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature adjustment device serves multiple functions: the cooling fan provides both cooling and air circulation, the temperature sensor monitors both battery and ambient temperature, and the control unit manages multiple operational modes (cooling activation, intensity adjustment, and energy-saving standby). This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to be self-regulating through feedback control. The temperature sensor continuously monitors battery temperature and automatically triggers the cooling fan when thresholds are exceeded, without requiring external intervention or complex control algorithms. The control unit compares sensor readings against predetermined thresholds and autonomously adjusts cooling intensity, making the system self-sufficient
3Adaptability or versatility
If the battery operates outside the optimal temperature range, then the vehicle can function in various environmental conditions, but battery degradation accelerates and life is shortened
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cooling actions before the battery reaches dangerous temperature levels. The control unit is programmed with predetermined temperature thresholds that trigger cooling proactively, preventing temperature excursions before they can cause degradation. This preventive approach allows the battery to maintain optimal temperature even in hot environmental conditions, preserving both reliability and adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature sensor provides continuous feedback to the control unit, creating a closed-loop control system. The control unit processes this feedback and adjusts cooling fan operation accordingly, ensuring the battery temperature remains within the optimal range regardless of external environmental conditions. This feedback mechanism enables the system to adapt to varying thermal loads while maintaining battery reliability
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
Effectively maintains the battery and its periphery within the optimal temperature range, extending battery life and downsizing the engine bay by leveraging the existing intake system for heat management.
Implementation Method 1
takes heat from a powertrain unit into an intake passage of an engine to suppress the heat from reaching the area around the battery
Data Source
AI summary
A battery temperature adjusting device for a vehicle on which a battery is mounted, the battery being a lithium ion battery disposed near a powertrain unit inside an engine bay, is provided. The device includes a first air duct provided to an intake passage configured to lead intake air to a combustion chamber of an engine, a second air duct provided to the intake passage and provided with an intake opening that opens toward a space between the powertrain unit and the battery, an intake-air-amount adjusting part, and a controller configured to acquire an ambient temperature of the powertrain unit. The controller increases a ratio of the second intake air amount relative to the sum of the first intake air amount and the second intake air amount, when the ambient temperature exceeds a first threshold temperature, compared with when the ambient temperature is below the first threshold temperature.