Battery Pack Air-Conditioning with Reversible Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Resin cases for lithium-ion batteries face challenges in maintaining high water-tightness and preventing electrolyte decomposition, while metal cases increase battery weight, affecting vehicle performance and range.
Innovation Solution
An air-conditioning controlling apparatus for battery packs that includes a heat removal unit, circulation route, direction controller, heat exchange unit, and air-conditioning controller to control temperature and humidity, circulating air in opposite directions for cooling and dehumidification, with specific inlet ports and bypass routes to manage dew condensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If a resin case is used for the battery, then weight is reduced and cost is lowered, but water-tightness deteriorates and battery degradation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure combining resin case with waterproof coating layers and sealing mechanisms. The resin case provides lightweight structure while additional waterproof layers and sealing designs ensure water-tightness, resolving the contradiction between weight reduction and reliability maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces waterproof coating layers and sealing structures as intermediary elements between the resin case and the external environment. These intermediaries protect the battery from water penetration while maintaining the lightweight advantage of the resin case.
2Reliability
If a metal case is used for the battery, then water-tightness is ensured, but weight increases and traveling performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite case structure where a resin base material provides lightweight properties, while integrated waterproof coatings and sealing features deliver metal-level water-tightness protection, eliminating the need for heavy metal cases.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs lightweight resin materials with applied waterproof protective layers instead of durable metal cases, achieving adequate water-tightness for battery protection while significantly reducing weight for improved vehicle performance.
3Temperature
If air circulation is increased for cooling, then temperature is reduced, but humidity control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic air circulation system with controllable flow rates and directional vents. The system adjusts air flow dynamics to optimize both cooling efficiency and humidity control, using variable speed fans and adjustable ventilation openings to balance temperature and moisture management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the air circulation system into separate cooling pathways and humidity control pathways. Different air flow channels are designed for specific functions, allowing independent optimization of temperature reduction and humidity removal without interfering with each other.
4Quantity of substance
If dehumidification is performed, then humidity is reduced, but cooling efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates dehumidification and cooling functions into distinct air handling pathways. The dehumidification system operates independently to remove moisture without significantly impacting the cooling performance, as each system processes air through different routes and mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses dynamic control to switch between dehumidification mode and cooling mode based on real-time battery conditions. When humidity is high, dehumidification takes priority; when temperature is high, cooling is enhanced, optimizing overall battery environment management.
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 cools and dries the battery pack, suppressing degradation and improving battery life by adjusting temperature and humidity, while reducing weight and enhancing vehicle performance.
Implementation Method 1
a heat removal unit that removes heat from air in a battery pack in which a battery cell is accommodated to cool or dehumidify the air
Implementation Method 2
a circulation route that connects the battery pack and the heat removal unit to each other to recirculate the air
Implementation Method 3
a heat exchange unit provided on the circulation route on the upstream side with respect to the heat removal unit upon the cooling and performs heat exchange between the air and external air
Data Source
AI summary
A heat removal unit that removes heat from air in a battery pack in which a battery cell is accommodated to cool or dehumidify the air is provided.Further, a circulation route that connects the battery pack and the heat removal unit to each other to recirculate the air is provided.Furthermore, a direction controller that controls a flow direction of the air in the circulation route in opposite direction upon cooling and upon dehumidification is provided.