Battery Pack Cooling Plate Venting to Suppress Condensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current battery packs lack an effective condensation prevention mechanism, which can lead to moisture accumulation and issues within the case.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a gas-permeable sheet member at the cooling plate or integrated with it, which serves as a breather valve to discharge gases while preventing moisture entry, thereby reducing condensation inside the battery pack case.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If a breather hole and breather membrane are provided in the case, then gas can be discharged from the case, but condensation may occur inside the case
Solution Approach 1:
A sheet member with gas permeability is introduced as an intermediary component between the cooling plate and the case. This sheet member allows gas to pass through while preventing moisture from entering the case, thereby resolving the contradiction between gas discharge and condensation prevention. The sheet member acts as a selective barrier that mediates the interaction between the internal battery pack environment and the external atmosphere.
Solution Approach 2:
The sheet member is made of a porous or gas-permeable material that allows gas molecules to pass through while blocking larger moisture particles. This selective permeability enables the sheet member to discharge gas generated by battery cells while preventing condensation inside the case, thus resolving the technical contradiction.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a separate breather valve mechanism is added to prevent condensation, then condensation is suppressed, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet member is integrated with the cooling plate, merging the functions of thermal management (cooling plate) and moisture control (breather valve) into a single component. This integration eliminates the need for separate breather valve mechanisms, thereby suppressing condensation while maintaining simple device structure and low manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The sheet member serves multiple functions: it acts as a gas discharge pathway, a moisture barrier, and is integrated with the cooling plate for thermal management. This multi-functionality allows the system to prevent condensation without adding separate components, thus reducing device complexity while achieving the desired protective function.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the case is made completely sealed to prevent moisture entry, then condensation is prevented, but gas discharge is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet member is made of a porous or gas-permeable material that allows gas molecules to pass through while blocking larger moisture particles. This selective permeability enables the sheet member to discharge gas generated by battery cells while preventing condensation inside the case, thus resolving the technical contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The sheet member acts as an intermediary barrier between the sealed case interior and the external environment. It selectively permits gas transmission while blocking moisture, thus maintaining case sealing for moisture prevention while enabling necessary gas discharge.
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 suppresses condensation within the battery pack case, enhancing its efficiency and durability by allowing gas discharge without increasing manufacturing costs or size.
Implementation Method 1
a sheet member provided in the case and having gas permeability
Implementation Method 2
a breather valve that is allowed to discharge, to the outside of the case, gas in the inner space of the case
Data Source
AI summary
A battery pack includes: a plurality of battery cells arranged side by side along a first direction; a case provided with an inner space for accommodating the plurality of battery cells; and a sheet member provided in the case and having gas permeability. The sheet member is provided at a cooling plate that constitutes a bottom portion of the case or at a member integrated with the cooling plate.