Battery Pack Thermal Port Interface for Flexible Inter-Pack Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal management solutions for battery packs in high-demand applications, such as electric heavy vehicles, lack flexibility in installation and configuration, limiting their effectiveness in managing heat transfer between multiple battery packs.
Innovation Solution
A thermal management arrangement that includes a housing with a port arrangement allowing for the flow of a heat-transfer medium between the interior and exterior of the housing, an adapter for connecting to another battery pack, and a hose connector for supplying the heat-transfer medium, providing flexibility in configuration and installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed thermal management configuration is used, then the system structure is simple, but the installation flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The port arrangement is designed to accept multiple types of connectors (adapter and hose connector) that can be interchangeably connected to the same port. This universal port design allows the thermal management system to adapt to different installation scenarios without requiring multiple specialized ports, thereby improving installation flexibility while maintaining relatively simple system structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows dynamic configuration by enabling the port to be connected to different components (adapter for inter-pack connection or hose connector for external supply) based on installation requirements. This dynamic adaptability lets the thermal management system be configured in various ways to suit different spatial arrangements and application needs.
2Reliability
If an adapter is used to connect between battery packs, then thermal management coverage is improved, but the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The port arrangement serves multiple functions: it can connect to an adapter for inter-pack thermal management, connect to a hose connector for external thermal management supply, or remain unconnected. This multi-functionality allows a single port design to support both battery-pack-to-battery-pack and external supply configurations, improving thermal management coverage without proportionally increasing component count.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple connection options are provided at the port, then configuration flexibility is improved, but the port design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The port is designed as a universal interface that can accommodate both the adapter and hose connector through the same connection mechanism. This universal port design provides configuration flexibility for different thermal management scenarios while maintaining a relatively simple and unified port structure, avoiding the need for multiple specialized port designs.
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 allows for efficient thermal management of battery packs by enabling flexible configuration and installation, enabling the heat-transfer medium to be transported between battery packs while minimizing installation constraints.
Implementation Method 1
a port arrangement comprising at least one port, the port being arranged to allow for a heat-transfer medium to flow between an interior and exterior of the housing
Implementation Method 2
an adapter arranged to be connected to the port for allowing the heat-transfer medium to flow from the interior of the housing to an interior of a further housing arranged to accommodate a further battery pack
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A thermal management arrangement (100) for a battery pack (202), the arrangement (100) comprising: a housing (204) arranged to accommodate the battery pack (202), a port arrangement (210) comprising at least one port (212), the port (212) being arranged to allow for a heat-transfer medium to flow between an interior (206) and exterior (208) of the housing (204), an adapter (104) arranged to be connected to the port (212) for allowing the heat-transfer medium to flow from the interior (206) of the housing (204) to an interior of a further housing arranged to accommodate a further battery pack, and a hose connector (106) arranged to be connected to the port (212) for allowing a heat-transfer medium supply hose to be connected to the port (212).