Traction Battery Pack Drainage Tubes Using Vehicle Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrified vehicle traction battery packs face issues with fluid accumulation, such as water, which can lead to corrosion and malfunction if not properly drained, and existing solutions often require electronics or part removal for drainage.
Innovation Solution
A water drainage system comprising drainage tubes with check valves is integrated into the traction battery pack enclosure tray, allowing fluid to drain through openings in the tray floor and expel outside the pack in response to vehicle forces like acceleration, deceleration, and turning, without the need for electronics or part removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a drainage system is integrated into the enclosure tray, then fluid drainage capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage tube is integrated directly into the enclosure tray structure, merging the drainage function with the existing structural component. This eliminates the need for separate drainage components and reduces overall system complexity while maintaining effective fluid drainage capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The drainage system uses vehicle motion forces (acceleration, deceleration, turning) to automatically expel fluid through the drainage tube without requiring electronic controls or external power sources. The check valve passively regulates flow based on pressure differential, enabling self-service operation that avoids adding complex control systems.
2Measurement precision
If check valves are used in drainage tubes, then fluid control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The check valve is implemented as a simple, passive mechanical component within the drainage tube that provides adequate fluid control without complex electronics. The valve uses basic mechanical principles (pressure differential) to achieve sufficient control precision for the application, avoiding over-engineering.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple drainage tubes are arranged for different vehicle forces, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage system is divided into multiple drainage tubes positioned at different locations on the enclosure tray, each optimized for specific vehicle motion conditions (acceleration, deceleration, turning). This segmentation allows the system to handle various fluid accumulation scenarios effectively while maintaining a simple overall architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The drainage tube design serves multiple functions: it drains fluid during acceleration, deceleration, and turning operations, and the check valve provides both one-way flow control and pressure equalization. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components for each operating condition.
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 system effectively drains fluids from the traction battery pack, preventing corrosion and malfunctions, enhancing customer satisfaction and reducing repair costs by eliminating the need for complex drainage mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
The first drainage tube includes a first inlet check valve, a first outlet check valve, and a first tubular body extending between the first inlet check valve and the first outlet check valve
Implementation Method 2
The first drainage tube is configured to expel the fluid to the location outside of the traction battery pack in response to a force associated with a velocity change
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for draining fluids (e.g., water and/or other fluids) from a traction battery pack. An exemplary water drainage system for a traction battery pack may include one or more drainage tubes. Each drainage tube may be configured to release water from the tube in response to forces that naturally occur while driving an electrified vehicle that is equipped with the traction battery pack. Water may enter the drainage tubes through a drain provided in an enclosure tray of the traction battery pack.