Hermetic Battery Pressure-Based Thermal Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery management systems for electric vehicles fail to reliably control battery temperature, leading to inefficient operation and potential power supply issues due to reliance on variable interior air for heating and cooling, especially in extreme temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a hermetically sealed battery with a pressure sensor to measure internal pressure, a climate control system to regulate air temperature and flow, and a controller to determine and adjust heating or cooling based on pressure thresholds, eliminating the need for temperature sensors on each cell.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If air from the interior of the vehicle is used for cooling the battery, then the cooling system is simple, but the temperature control reliability is poor because the interior air temperature is variable and unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
A climate control system is introduced as an intermediary component between the battery and the interior air. This system includes a temperature sensor to monitor battery temperature, a control unit to process temperature data, and a climate control mechanism (such as a refrigeration cycle system) to actively regulate air temperature. This intermediary system transforms the passive use of interior air into an actively controlled thermal management solution, resolving the contradiction between system simplicity and temperature control reliability.
2Device complexity
If no heating system is provided for the battery, then the system is simple, but the battery cannot be heated in winter when temperature becomes too cold, leading to poor performance
Solution Approach 1:
The climate control system is designed with multi-functionality to serve both heating and cooling purposes. The system includes a temperature sensor, control unit, and climate control mechanism that can operate in different modes: heating mode when battery temperature is below a first threshold, and cooling mode when temperature exceeds a second threshold. This universal system replaces the need for separate heating and cooling systems, achieving temperature range adaptability while maintaining reasonable system complexity.
3Measurement precision
If temperature sensors are installed on each battery cell to monitor temperature, then temperature measurement precision is high, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
A single temperature sensor is installed in the battery housing to monitor the temperature of the air surrounding the battery cells. The control unit processes this single temperature measurement and controls the climate control system accordingly. This approach provides sufficient temperature monitoring capability for the entire battery pack without requiring multiple sensors on each cell, thereby maintaining measurement precision while significantly reducing device complexity and cost.
4Ease of manufacture
If the battery is not hermetically sealed, then manufacturing is easier, but the pressure-based temperature control system cannot function properly
Solution Approach 1:
The battery housing is designed with hermetic sealing to enable pressure-based temperature control. A pressure sensor monitors the internal pressure of the battery housing, and the control unit determines battery temperature based on pressure changes. The climate control system activates when pressure indicates abnormal temperature conditions. This parameter change approach (using pressure as a temperature indicator) requires hermetic sealing but provides a reliable and indirect temperature measurement method that avoids direct sensor installation on each cell.
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 solution provides precise temperature control, improving battery durability, reducing repair costs, and enhancing electric energy management by ensuring consistent power supply and increased driving distance.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensor provided on the battery to measure internal pressure of the battery
Implementation Method 2
a climate control system configured to heating or cooling air supplied to the battery housing
Implementation Method 3
a climate control system configured to heating or cooling air supplied to the battery housing
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a system for controlling the cooling or heating of a battery. The system includes a battery having a hermetic sealing structure to prevent passage of air from an exterior, a pressure sensor provided on the battery to measure internal pressure of the battery, an climate control system cooling or heating the battery, and a controller determining cooling or heating of the climate control system depending on whether the internal pressure of the battery is positive pressure or negative pressure based on a measured result of the pressure sensor, the controller controlling cooling or heating strength depending on a level of the positive pressure or negative pressure.