Battery Pack Temperature Control Vertical Stacking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional battery pack temperature control structures for electric vehicles increase the overall longitudinal and lateral dimensions due to the placement of air intake ducts and temperature control units, which interferes with the heavy-current disconnecting switch, leading to inefficient space utilization.

Innovation Solution

The battery pack temperature control structure positions the heavy-current disconnecting switch above and the temperature control unit below it, with the unit duct overlapping the switch in the vertical direction, allowing for efficient space usage by avoiding the need for increased case size in the longitudinal and width directions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the air intake duct is attached to the battery pack case in a position forward of the heavy-current disconnecting switch, then the temperature control function is provided, but the overall longitudinal dimension of the battery pack case is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature control functionVSAvoidoverall longitudinal dimension
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a conventional horizontal arrangement to a vertical arrangement where the temperature control unit is positioned below the heavy-current disconnecting switch. The unit duct extends upward to overlap with the disconnecting switch in the vertical direction, utilizing the vertical dimension to resolve the spatial conflict and maintain compact longitudinal dimensions while providing effective temperature control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Temperature

If the temperature control unit is accommodated within the battery pack case, then the temperature control function is integrated, but the overall lateral dimension or longitudinal dimension has to be extended to avoid interference with the heavy-current disconnecting switch

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature control functionVSAvoidoverall lateral dimension
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs vertical stacking to accommodate both the heavy-current disconnecting switch and the temperature control unit within the same horizontal footprint. By positioning the temperature control unit below the disconnecting switch and allowing the unit duct to overlap vertically, the design integrates the temperature control function without increasing the lateral dimensions of the battery pack case.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Quantity of substance

If the heavy-current disconnecting switch and temperature control unit are arranged side by side in the inner space, then both components are provided, but the space efficiency is reduced due to increased case size

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent accommodationVSAvoidcase size
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nested arrangement where the unit duct of the temperature control unit is positioned to overlap with the heavy-current disconnecting switch in the vertical direction. This nesting approach allows both components to coexist within the same vertical space, maximizing space efficiency and minimizing the overall case volume while accommodating all necessary components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 configuration enhances space efficiency within the battery pack case, maintaining compact dimensions while providing effective temperature control for the battery modules, thus preventing interference and ensuring optimal performance.

Implementation Method 1

a unit case (31) accommodating a blower fan (32), the unit duct (35) being connected to the unit case (31) and having a blowout port (35a) opened towards the battery module (2) for producing a temperature controlled air to the battery module (2)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentEP2819236B1Battery pack temperature control structure for electric vehicles
Publication Date: 2017.11.01 NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP2819236B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2819236B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2819236B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The purpose of the present invention is to suppress an increase in size of a battery pack case in the vehicle longitudinal direction as well as in the vehicle width direction, even if a heavy-current disconnecting switch and a temperature control unit are mounted within the battery pack case. This invention comprises: a battery module (2) mounted in an inner space of the battery pack case (1); an SD switch (4) that disconnects, by a manual operation, a battery high-power circuit in the battery module (2); and a temperature control unit (3) mounted in the inner space of the battery pack case (1) which produces a temperature-controlled air to be blown to the battery module (2). The SD switch (4) is disposed in an upper space position within the inner space of the battery pack case (1). The temperature control unit (3) is disposed in a space position lower than the heavy-current disconnecting switch and in a position overlapping with the heavy-current disconnecting switch in the vehicle vertical direction.