Battery Rack Fluid Cooling Coupling for Reliable Swap Charging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery swap technologies face challenges such as high substrate temperature, heat accumulation, complex operation, poor reliability, high manufacturing costs, and maintenance difficulties, limiting the widespread adoption and commercial viability of fast and safe battery charging for new energy vehicles.

Innovation Solution

A compact fluid cooling device with a fluid cooling terminal unit that allows for horizontal floating and twisting engagement, providing efficient cooling and temperature reduction, simplifying assembly and maintenance, and enhancing reliability and expandability of battery charging systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If traditional battery cooling and charging systems are used, then battery temperature control is achieved, but the substrate temperature remains high and heat accumulation occurs inside the battery compartment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery temperatureVSAvoidheat accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The battery compartment is divided into multiple storage spaces with independent cooling channels for each battery unit. The cooling system is segmented into first cooling channels directly contacting battery surfaces and second cooling channels forming water curtains, allowing localized temperature control and preventing heat accumulation in specific areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A water curtain is introduced as an intermediary cooling medium between the battery and the surrounding environment. The water curtain flows down the inner wall of the battery storage space, absorbing heat through evaporation and convection, thereby reducing substrate temperature and preventing heat accumulation without direct contact with the battery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If rigid fixed cooling systems are used, then cooling efficiency is maintained, but the device complexity increases and maintenance becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system transitions from a rigid fixed structure to a dynamic flexible system. Flexible cooling channels are used instead of rigid pipes, allowing the cooling system to adapt to battery position changes and movements. The water curtain flow can be dynamically adjusted to optimize cooling efficiency while simplifying the overall system structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Flexible cooling channels made of elastic materials are employed to replace rigid piping. These flexible channels can deform and adapt to the spatial requirements of different battery positions, maintaining effective thermal contact while reducing the complexity of mounting and routing the cooling system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If precise positioning mechanisms are used for battery connectors, then connection reliability is improved, but the operation complexity and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidoperation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Positioning protrusions and positioning grooves are pre-designed into the battery and rack structures. These features automatically guide and align the battery during insertion, providing built-in positioning that ensures reliable electrical and fluid connections without requiring complex external positioning mechanisms or precise manual alignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The battery unit itself incorporates the positioning features (protrusions and grooves) as integral parts of its structure. The battery performs its own positioning function during installation, eliminating the need for separate positioning devices or complex alignment procedures, thereby simplifying operation while maintaining connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 reduces battery temperature, improves operational reliability, extends battery life, and lowers costs, facilitating efficient energy supplement and storage while enhancing space utilization and system expandability.

Implementation Method 1

a fluid inlet which is communicatively connected to the cooling channel system via at least one first fluid connection, and at least one fluid outlet which is communicatively connected to the cooling channel system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid cooling: Convection

Implementation Method 2

at least one plate-shaped heat sink with at least one cooling channel system which is connected to the electric storage cells in a thermally conductive manner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

The water curtain flowing downwards in the battery storage space not only enhances the cooling effect through evaporation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation cooling: Evaporation

Implementation Method 4

The water curtain flowing downwards in the battery storage space not only enhances the cooling effect through evaporation but also improves the appearance of the battery storage rack

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3760464B1Battery storage rack and battery operating platform
Publication Date: 2023.02.22 NIO ANHUI HLDG CO LTD
  • EP3760464B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3760464B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed are a fluid cooling device, a battery storage rack and a battery operation platform. The fluid cooling device comprises: a first bracket (1); a fluid cooling terminal unit (3) provided with a first connector (6) and a second connector (7) in fluid communication with each other, and a third connector (8) and a fourth connector (9) in fluid communication with each other; a second bracket (2); and a driving unit (4) for providing a driving force to move the first bracket (1) and the second bracket (2) relative to each other so as to cause the second connector (7) and the fourth connector (9) to engage with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet on a battery respectively to form a fluid circulation circuit for cooling the battery, or to cause the second connector (7) and the fourth connector (9) to disengage from the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet respectively.