Battery Temperature Controller Using Thermosiphon Heat Pipe
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery temperature controllers do not efficiently manage the flow of refrigerant in heat pipes, which affects the effective control of battery temperature, particularly at high temperatures, leading to reduced durability.
Innovation Solution
A temperature controller with a heat pipe structure that includes a temperature control part, a gas phase flow passage, and a liquid phase flow passage, where the temperature control part and heat medium cooling part are arranged to facilitate phase change of the heat medium, allowing efficient heat transfer and circulation without the need for mechanical pumps, using a closed loop-like thermosiphon structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a heat pipe structure is used for battery temperature control, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but the flow management of refrigerant becomes complex and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pipe is divided into distinct functional sections: a temperature control part with liquid phase flow passages and gas phase flow passages, and a heat medium cooling part. This segmentation allows independent optimization of refrigerant flow paths for liquid and gas phases, simplifying flow management while maintaining high heat transfer efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a wick structure as an intermediary element within the heat pipe to facilitate refrigerant flow. The wick enables capillary action to drive refrigerant circulation without complex mechanical pumps or valves, resolving the contradiction between efficient heat transfer and simple flow management.
2Productivity
If mechanical pumps are used to circulate heat medium, then circulation efficiency is improved, but manufacturing cost and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pipe system is designed to circulate heat medium autonomously through capillary action in the wick structure and natural convection currents. The temperature difference between the battery (heat source) and cooling part (heat sink) naturally drives the phase change and circulation of refrigerant without requiring external mechanical pumps, thereby reducing manufacturing cost and power consumption while maintaining circulation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical pumping systems with passive thermal-driven mechanisms. The refrigerant circulation is achieved through phase change (evaporation and condensation) and capillary forces rather than mechanical pumps, eliminating moving parts and reducing both manufacturing complexity and operational power requirements.
3Speed
If heat medium cooling part is positioned below temperature control part, then gravity-assisted flow is improved, but liquid surface positioning becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a vertical arrangement to a horizontal arrangement of the heat pipe components. The temperature control part and heat medium cooling part are positioned side-by-side horizontally, allowing liquid surface positioning to be controlled in the horizontal plane rather than vertically. This dimensional change enables gravity-assisted flow while maintaining proper liquid surface levels through the horizontal liquid phase flow passages.
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 enables efficient temperature control of batteries by natural circulation of the heat medium, reducing manufacturing costs and power consumption while ensuring uniform temperature distribution and preventing short-circuiting, thus enhancing battery performance and longevity.
Implementation Method 1
The temperature control part controls the temperature of the battery by a phase change between a liquid phase and a gas phase of the heat medium
Implementation Method 2
The heat medium cooling part condenses the gas phase heat medium flowed in from the gas phase flow passage
Data Source
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AI summary
A temperature controller, for a battery, includes: a temperature control part configured to control a temperature of the battery by a phase change of a heat medium between a liquid phase and a gas phase; a gas phase flow passage through which a gas phase heat medium that flows out of the temperature control part flows; a heat medium cooling part configured to condense the gas phase heat medium that flows in from the gas phase flow passage; and a liquid phase flow passage through which the liquid phase heat medium flows from the heat medium cooling part to the temperature control part, the temperature control part and the heat medium cooling part being arranged such that a liquid surface of the liquid phase heat medium in the heat medium cooling part is positioned on an upper side than a liquid surface of the liquid phase heat medium in the temperature control part.