Battery Module Pressure Maintenance Using Hydraulic Volume Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Secondary battery cells experience structural deformation and safety issues due to repeated charging and discharging, leading to increased pressure and performance degradation as the electrode assembly deteriorates over time.
Innovation Solution
A pressure maintenance device is integrated into a battery system, comprising a hydraulic device, an accumulator, and a controller, which adjusts fluid volume and pressure to maintain constant internal pressure within the battery structure, using sensors and valves to manage fluid exchange and temperature, thereby offsetting pressure changes caused by battery cell expansion and contraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the battery cell volume changes due to electrode assembly deterioration, then the internal pressure changes, but this causes structural deformation and safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
A hydraulic device is introduced as an intermediary between the battery cells and the housing structure. This hydraulic device absorbs volume changes through fluid compression/expansion, acting as a buffer that prevents direct transmission of pressure changes to the housing, thereby maintaining structural stability while accommodating battery deterioration
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical state of the fluid in the hydraulic device from rigid to compressible, allowing the fluid to absorb volume changes through pressure variations. This parameter change enables the system to accommodate battery expansion/contraction while maintaining constant housing pressure
2Stability of the object's composition
If the battery structure maintains constant pressure, then structural deformation is prevented, but the complexity of the pressure maintenance device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a hydraulic system using incompressible or compressible fluid to absorb volume changes. The hydraulic device connected to the battery housing provides passive pressure compensation through fluid mechanics principles, avoiding the need for active mechanical components while maintaining constant pressure
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic device automatically compensates for pressure changes through the inherent properties of the fluid system. When battery volume changes, the fluid naturally compresses or expands to maintain pressure equilibrium without requiring external control systems, sensors, or active intervention
3Stability of the object's composition
If the hydraulic device absorbs volume changes, then pressure stability is improved, but the device requires fluid storage and temperature management components
Solution Approach 1:
The accumulator and heater are integrated into the existing hydraulic system architecture. The accumulator is connected in parallel to the hydraulic device, and the heater is positioned within the fluid pathway, combining multiple functions (pressure compensation, fluid storage, temperature control) into a unified system that shares common components and fluid pathways
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 effectively maintains constant internal pressure, reducing fatigue loads on the battery structure and preventing structural deformation, thus enhancing safety and performance by absorbing displacement and minimizing pressure variations.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic device inside a housing of a battery module together with a plurality of battery cells, the hydraulic device being configured to change its volume to offset a pressure change inside the housing due to deformation of the plurality of battery cells
Implementation Method 2
an accumulator connected to the hydraulic device through a pipe, the accumulator being configured to store fluid and to discharge the fluid to the pipe or to store the fluid introduced from the pipe according to a change in a volume of the hydraulic device
Implementation Method 3
a heater configured to heat the accumulator; and a controller configured to control the heater according to an outdoor air temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A pressure maintenance device includes: a hydraulic device inside a housing of a battery module together with a plurality of battery cells, the hydraulic device being configured to change its volume to offset a pressure change inside the housing due to deformation of the plurality of battery cells; an accumulator connected to the hydraulic device through a pipe, the accumulator being configured to store fluid and to discharge the fluid to the pipe or to store the fluid introduced from the pipe according to a change in a volume of the hydraulic device; a heater configured to heat the accumulator; and a controller configured to control the heater according to an outdoor air temperature.