Sealed Battery Assembly With Passive Dehumidification Against Condensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The risk of short circuits in electric or hybrid motor vehicles due to condensate formation in battery containers is significant, as the humidity in the container condenses and accumulates at the bottom, especially at low temperatures, which can lead to electrical issues.
Innovation Solution
A battery assembly with a passive dehydrating device using a hygroscopic salt cartridge to absorb humidity from the inner volume, combined with a movable exchange volume that can be selectively connected to the inner volume or isolated from it, and sealed to prevent outside air ingress during maintenance, effectively managing humidity levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the container volume is increased to accommodate more batteries, then the battery capacity is improved, but the quantity of condensate forming increases leading to higher risk of short circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful condensate from the battery container by introducing a drainage system that channels condensate away from the batteries through grooves and collection channels, separating the harmful byproduct from the functional area
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary drainage system consisting of grooves, collection channels, and drainage holes that act as a mediator between the condensate formation area and the exterior, safely transporting the harmful condensate away from the batteries
2Use of energy by moving object
If the battery container is made larger to store more power, then the energy storage capacity is improved, but the condensate accumulation at the bottom increases leading to electrical hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts condensate from the battery container interior through a dedicated drainage system, removing the electrical hazard while preserving the full energy storage capacity of the larger container
Solution Approach 2:
The patent addresses the condensate accumulation problem by adding a vertical drainage dimension - using grooves and collection channels that guide condensate from the bottom surface toward drainage holes, creating a three-dimensional drainage pathway
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a dehydrating device is added to remove humidity, then the short circuit risk is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service dehumidification system where condensate automatically drains through gravity-assisted grooves and collection channels to drainage holes, eliminating the need for powered dehydrating devices or active control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical dehumidification systems with a passive geometric drainage solution using grooves, collection channels, and drainage holes that rely on gravity and surface tension rather than mechanical components
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 reduces the risk of short circuits by maintaining low humidity levels within the battery container without requiring external energy, ensuring easy maintenance and effective humidity control.
Implementation Method 1
a passive dehydrating device (14) selective fluidly connectable to the inner volume (12b)
Data Source
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AI summary
A battery assembly (10) for a motor vehicle (1) comprising a case (11) defining an inner volume (12a, 12b), which is fluidly isolated from outside atmospheric air; a plurality of batteries (13) arranged within the inner volume (12a, 12b); a passive dehydrating device (14) and an exchange volume (15) housing said dehydrating device (14). The exchange volume (15) can selectively be shifted, relative to the case (11), to a first position, in which the exchange volume (15) is fluidly connected to said the volume (12a, 12b) and fluidly isolated from outside atmospheric air; or to a second position, in which the exchange volume (15) is fluidly isolated from the inner volume (12a, 12b) and fluidly connected to outside atmospheric air.