Insulated Battery Pack Side Beam for Low-Temperature Heat Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing traction batteries in low-temperature environments experience significant heat loss due to metal casings, leading to inefficient heating methods that consume battery power and reduce cruising range.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack design featuring a frame with thermal insulation materials, energy-absorbing materials, and phase-change materials, along with an active thermal compensation assembly and temperature equalizing assembly, to reduce heat transfer and maintain cell temperature, while also enhancing structural strength and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the outer casing of the traction battery is made of metal material to ensure structural strength, then the structural strength is improved, but the heat loss increases in low-temperature environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining metal frame structures with thermal insulation materials. The frame is made of metal material to ensure structural strength, while thermal insulation materials are added to reduce heat loss. This composite structure resolves the contradiction between structural strength and thermal insulation performance.
2Temperature
If active heating function is provided to maintain battery temperature in cold environment, then the cell temperature is maintained, but the power consumption increases and cruising range is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing thermal insulation materials before the battery operates in cold environments. This preventive measure reduces heat loss in advance, maintaining cell temperature without requiring active heating, thereby avoiding increased power consumption and preserving cruising range.
3Loss of energy
If thermal insulation materials are added to reduce heat loss, then the heat loss is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by designing the frame to simultaneously serve structural and thermal insulation functions. The frame is made of metal material for structural strength while incorporating thermal insulation materials to reduce heat loss. This integrated design resolves the contradiction between thermal insulation performance and structural simplicity.
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 design effectively reduces heat loss, maintains cell temperature, conserves battery power, and improves the battery pack's performance in cold conditions without sacrificing cruising range.
Implementation Method 1
a side beam connected to an outer side wall of the frame and made of a first thermal insulation material
Implementation Method 2
the frame is a hollow structure and is formed with a cavity, and the cavity is filled with a phase-change material
Implementation Method 3
the interior of the side beam is filled with an energy-absorbing material
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to the technical field of traction batteries, and in particular to a battery pack and a vehicle comprising the battery pack. The invention aims at the problem of large heat loss in the existing traction battery in a low-temperature environment. To this end, the battery pack of the disclosure comprises: a frame internally formed with an installation site; a battery module mounted in the installation site and comprising a number of cells; and a side beam connected to an outer side wall of the frame and made of a first thermal insulation material. The above arrangement can reduce the heat transfer coefficient of natural convection between the side wall of the frame and the environment, and reduce the heat flux, thereby reducing the temperature loss of the cells.