Vehicle Battery Temperature Regulation via Heat Pipe and Active Cycle
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature regulation devices for vehicle batteries are inadequate as they either lack the ability to heat the battery, require separate heating devices, or generate excessive noise and consume high power, especially when required cooling performance is low.
Innovation Solution
A temperature regulation device with a refrigeration cycle that includes a heating heat exchanger and a cooling heat exchanger, where the cooling heat exchanger is positioned below the heating heat exchanger, allowing for heat pipe functionality even without compressor operation, enabling both heating and cooling modes with reduced power consumption and noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a heat pipe method is used to cool the battery, then power consumption is reduced, but cooling performance is insufficient when the battery generates large amounts of heat
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between heat pipe mode (compressor off) and active refrigeration cycle mode (compressor on) based on cooling demand. The controller activates the compressor only when the battery temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold, enabling the system to adapt its cooling capacity to match the actual heat generation level of the battery.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the refrigeration cycle by controlling the compressor's on/off state. When the compressor is off, the system operates in passive heat pipe mode with low power consumption. When the compressor is on, the system operates in active refrigeration mode to provide high cooling performance for large heat dissipation requirements.
2Power
If the compressor is driven continuously to ensure sufficient cooling, then cooling performance is maintained, but noise increases and power consumption rises
Solution Approach 1:
The compressor operates periodically rather than continuously, being activated only when the battery temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold and deactivated when the temperature drops below the threshold. This periodic operation reduces average power consumption and noise while maintaining adequate cooling performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat pipe system provides passive cooling without requiring compressor operation during low-demand conditions. The system serves itself by utilizing the phase change and heat conduction properties of the refrigerant in the heat pipe to dissipate heat from the battery without active mechanical intervention.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a separate heating device is added to heat the battery, then heating capability is provided, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigeration cycle system performs multiple functions: cooling the battery when the compressor is on, and heating the battery when the compressor is off and the heat exchangers are positioned to utilize heat pipe effect. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate heating device, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining both heating and cooling capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system inverts the typical refrigeration cycle operation by utilizing the heat pipe effect (passive heat transfer through phase change) instead of active compression during heating mode. The heat exchangers positioned above and below the battery serve dual purposes: cooling when active compression is applied, and heating when passive heat pipe effect is utilized.
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 device achieves power-saving and low-noise operation by allowing evaporation and condensation of refrigerant without compressor drive, effectively regulating battery temperature across various performance levels, including low-performance cooling modes.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling heat exchanger cooling air to be sent to the temperature-regulation target in a cooling mode to cool the temperature-regulation target by a heat absorbing action of the refrigerant flowing in a refrigeration cycle
Implementation Method 2
a heating heat exchanger heating air to be sent to the temperature-regulation target in a heating mode to heat the temperature-regulation target by a heat releasing action of a refrigerant flowing in a refrigeration cycle
Implementation Method 3
allowing for heat pipe functionality even without compressor operation, enabling both heating and cooling modes with reduced power consumption and noise
Data Source
AI summary
A heat pump cycle includes a refrigerant circuit and a coolant circuit. A first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger are disposed between the refrigerant circuit and the coolant circuit. The first heat exchanger includes an exterior heat exchanger that functions as an evaporator in a heating operation, and a radiator for radiating heat of a coolant. The second heat exchanger transmits a heat of high-pressure refrigerant to the coolant in the heating operation. A temperature of refrigerant within the second heat exchanger is higher than a temperature of refrigerant within the first heat exchanger. The heat obtained from the second heat exchanger is supplied to the first heat exchanger through the coolant. Further, the heat obtained from the second heat exchanger is stored in the coolant. In defrosting operation, the coolant that has stored the heat therein is supplied to the first heat exchanger.