Bent Intake Duct Cooling Structure for Quieter Battery Packs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery pack cooling structures generate noise due to blower operation and fluid flow, and have complex designs that increase manufacturing costs and occupy large space, making them unsuitable for compact electric vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A cooling structure with a bent intake duct and a vibration absorber at the collision area within the bent section, using a porous material like non-woven fabric or sponge to absorb vibrations and reduce noise, while also serving as a filter to remove foreign matters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a blower and cooling duct are used to cool the battery module, then the cooling performance is improved, but noise is generated due to blower operation and fluid flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vibration absorber that converts the harmful noise and vibration generated by the blower and fluid flow into beneficial energy dissipation through material damping. The porous vibration absorber material absorbs acoustic energy and converts it into heat through viscous dissipation in the pores, thereby reducing noise transmission to the vehicle cabin while maintaining the cooling function.
Solution Approach 2:
The vibration absorber acts as an intermediary component between the cooling duct and the vehicle cabin. It is positioned at the collision area within the bent section of the duct where fluid flow generates maximum vibration. This intermediary structure absorbs and dampens the vibrations before they can propagate to the cabin, effectively decoupling the noise source from the sensitive environment.
2Reliability
If existing cooling structures with dust filters and multiple blowers are used, then foreign matters are removed, but the device complexity and space occupation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration absorber is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a noise reduction component and as a filter for removing foreign matters from the cooling air. The porous structure provides both acoustic damping and particle filtration capabilities in a single component, eliminating the need for separate dust filters and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of noise control and particle filtration into a single vibration absorber component. By combining these previously separate functions into one integrated element, the system achieves the same reliability in foreign matter removal while significantly reducing device complexity and space occupation compared to systems using separate filters and multiple blowers.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If a vibration absorber is added to the bent section of the intake duct, then noise is reduced, but the passage resistance may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration absorber is strategically positioned only at the collision area within the bent section of the intake duct, where fluid flow generates maximum vibration and noise. This localized placement ensures effective noise reduction at the critical location while minimizing the absorber's impact on the overall airflow path. The porous material provides vibration damping without creating significant flow resistance, as it occupies only the specific region where noise generation occurs rather than blocking the entire passage.
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 design significantly reduces noise transmission to the vehicle cabin, improves passenger comfort, and allows for a more compact cooling structure that fits within limited vehicle space without increasing the blower size or passage resistance.
Implementation Method 1
a vibration absorber provided in the bent section of the intake duct at a position to be collided with the cooling air
Implementation Method 2
using a porous material like non-woven fabric or sponge to absorb vibrations and reduce noise
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling structure of a battery pack includes a battery case, an intake duct, and a blower. The battery case contains a battery module. The intake duct communicates with the battery case and is configured to send cooling air for cooling the battery module. The blower is configured to supply the cooling air to the intake duct. The intake duct has a bent section in which the cooling air that is sent from an upper side to a lower side is sent again from the lower side to the upper side. In the bent section of the intake duct, a vibration absorber is provided at least at a collision area to be collided with the cooling air.