Battery Pack Ventilation Control for Condensation Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Condensation due to temperature differences between the inside and outside of a battery pack case leads to moisture accumulation, causing electrical shorts and potential thermal runaway in high-capacity battery packs used in electric vehicles.

Innovation Solution

A battery pack with a control unit that adjusts air holes based on temperature differences, using a ventilation unit with a packing member and transport mechanism to regulate airflow and prevent condensation by opening and closing air holes as needed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the pack case is sealed hermetically to protect battery modules, then reliability is improved, but temperature difference between inside and outside cannot be regulated leading to condensation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection of battery modulesVSAvoidtemperature difference between inside and outside
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The air hole is designed to be dynamically controllable through the ventilation unit, which can open or close the air hole based on temperature conditions. This dynamic adjustment allows the pack case to adapt between hermetic sealing for protection and ventilation for temperature regulation, resolving the contradiction between reliability and temperature control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Temperature

If air holes are provided to regulate temperature difference, then condensation is prevented, but electrical shorts may occur due to moisture ingress

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature difference regulationVSAvoidmoisture ingress
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The ventilation unit provides dynamic control of the air hole, opening it only when temperature difference exceeds the threshold to prevent condensation, and closing it when conditions are favorable to prevent moisture ingress. This temporal and conditional control resolves the contradiction between temperature regulation and moisture protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit monitors temperature conditions and provides feedback control to the ventilation unit, adjusting the air hole state based on real-time temperature difference measurements. This feedback mechanism ensures the air hole is opened only when necessary for temperature regulation while remaining closed to prevent moisture ingress during normal conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the ventilation unit is added to control air flow, then condensation is prevented, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecondensation preventionVSAvoidventilation control mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ventilation unit operates autonomously based on temperature conditions, with the control unit automatically detecting temperature difference and controlling the ventilation unit to open or close the air hole without manual intervention. This self-service capability prevents condensation while minimizing the need for complex external control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Prevents electrical shorts and moisture accumulation by effectively ventilating the pack case, reducing temperature differences and minimizing contact between electrical components.

Implementation Method 1

temperature difference between the inside and the outside of the battery packs

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature difference: Temperature Gradient

Implementation Method 2

moisture contained in air inside of the battery pack condenses to produce water droplets

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Data Source

PatentEP4199189B1Battery pack and vehicle comprising the same
Publication Date: 2025.11.19 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4199189B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4199189B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4199189B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a battery pack for preventing condensation due to a temperature difference between the inside and the outside of a pack case. To achieve the objective, the battery pack according to the present disclosure includes at least one battery module; the pack case accommodating the at least one battery module, the pack case having at least one air hole to allow air to flow in and out; a control unit configured to determine whether to open or close the air hole according to the temperature difference between inside and outside of the pack case; and a ventilation unit configured to open or close the air hole in response to a control signal from the control unit.