Battery Pack Cooling System With Side-Mounted Ports
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery pack cooling systems increase the total size of the battery system due to coolant inlet and outlet ports being mounted at the lower and upper end surfaces, leading to inefficient coolant distribution and significant temperature differences between unit cells, which degrade battery performance.
Innovation Solution
A cooling system with coolant inlet and outlet ports formed using the corrugated structure of a vehicle's inner lower end, allowing for stable mounting and minimizing system volume, combined with partitions to guide coolant flow and reduce temperature differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If coolant inlet and outlet ports are mounted at the lower end surface and upper end surface of the battery pack respectively, then the battery pack can be cooled effectively, but the total size of the battery system is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a vertical arrangement (inlet at lower end, outlet at upper end) to a horizontal arrangement (both inlet and outlet at the same side). This dimensional change allows the coolant ports to be positioned at the same level, reducing the vertical space requirement and overall system volume while maintaining effective cooling through lateral coolant flow across the battery modules.
2Temperature
If coolant inlet and outlet ports are mounted at the lower end surface and upper end surface of the battery pack respectively, then cooling can be provided, but coolant distribution to respective battery modules is non-uniform
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces partition walls that divide the cooling space into multiple independent channels, with each channel serving specific battery modules. This segmentation ensures that coolant is distributed uniformly across all battery modules by creating separate flow paths, preventing the non-uniform distribution that occurs in conventional single-channel designs.
3Temperature
If coolant inlet and outlet ports are mounted at the lower end surface and upper end surface of the battery pack respectively, then cooling is achieved, but the battery system volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the coolant inlet and outlet ports to the same side of the battery pack, eliminating the need for separate mounting spaces at both the lower and upper end surfaces. This consolidation reduces the overall system volume by optimizing the spatial arrangement of cooling components and utilizing the same lateral space for both inlet and outlet functions.
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
The solution effectively reduces the battery system's volume, ensures stable attachment, and minimizes temperature differences between unit cells, enhancing cooling efficiency and battery performance.
Implementation Method 1
coolant introduced through the coolant inlet part 3 flows through the gaps to remove heat generated from the unit cells 6
Data Source
AI summary
In a cooling system for cooling a battery pack mounted in a vehicle, the battery pack is mounted at an inner lower end of the vehicle constructed in a corrugated structure including alternating valleys and peaks. Battery modules of the battery pack are arranged such that unit cells of each battery module are mounted vertically on the corrugated lower end of the vehicle. The cooling system includes a coolant inlet port and a coolant outlet port formed at a lower-end member of a housing surrounding an outer surface of the battery pack. The coolant inlet port and the coolant outlet port are formed using a structure of the vehicle.