Battery Terminal Heat Absorption for Passive Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hybrid electric vehicle battery systems face challenges in minimizing space, enhancing cooling efficiency, and reducing noise due to the need for active cooling methods and cooling fans, which increase the battery volume and introduce noise indoors.
Innovation Solution
A vehicular battery cooling system utilizing stacked battery cells with heat absorption members between terminals, a navigation device to derive driving time, and a controller to limit battery current usage based on heat absorption capacity and driving characteristics, eliminating the need for active cooling systems and cooling ducts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If active cooling method with flow channel is used, then cooling efficiency is improved, but battery volume increases due to required flow channel space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cooling function from a separate active cooling system and integrates it into the battery terminal structure itself. The terminal is designed with heat dissipation fins that directly contact the battery cell terminals, allowing heat to be conducted away from the battery through the terminal structure without requiring separate flow channels or cooling systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery terminal serves dual functions: electrical connection and heat dissipation. By integrating heat dissipation fins into the terminal structure, the same component that conducts electricity also serves as a heat transfer path, eliminating the need for dedicated cooling channels and reducing overall battery volume.
2Temperature
If cooling duct using vehicle cabin air is provided, then cooling performance is improved, but cooling performance is degraded due to insufficient air flow
Solution Approach 1:
The heat dissipation fins are positioned to utilize ambient air flow naturally occurring in the engine compartment during vehicle operation. The terminal structure itself creates the heat exchange surface that passively dissipates heat without requiring active ducting or forced air flow systems, making the cooling reliable under normal operating conditions.
3Temperature
If cooling fan is applied for cooling battery package, then cooling efficiency is improved, but noise is introduced indoors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the cooling fan from the battery cooling system entirely. Instead of using active mechanical cooling, the design relies on passive heat dissipation through the terminal fins that conduct heat from the battery terminals to the surrounding ambient air in the engine compartment, eliminating the noise source.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical cooling system (cooling fan) is replaced with a thermal conduction-based passive cooling system. The terminal fins act as heat sinks that transfer heat from the battery to the ambient air through conduction and natural convection, substituting mechanical air movement with thermal diffusion processes.
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 minimizes battery volume, enhances cooling efficiency, reduces noise, and stabilizes battery temperature without active cooling systems, thereby improving vehicle productivity and reducing manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a heat absorption member disposed between terminals of the battery cells
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a cooling system for a battery of a vehicle and a method for cooling the battery. A heat absorption member is attached to a terminal of battery cell of the battery for absorbing heat. A controller of the vehicle computes heat generation based on the driver's input about the vehicle's destination, controls the battery to limit its current output after temperature.