Vehicle Battery Thermal Coupling to Structural Mass for Peak Heat Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling systems in electrically or partially electrically operated vehicles are inadequate for dissipating heat during high charging and discharging currents, leading to excessive battery system temperatures and potential damage, and are energy-intensive.
Innovation Solution
The vehicle employs means to dynamically change the thermal coupling between the battery system and a structural component, utilizing the principle that larger thermal masses heat up less than smaller ones, allowing heat transfer to a structural component to manage temperature peaks and reduce cooling system load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the cooling system operates continuously at high capacity to dissipate heat during high charging and discharging currents, then the battery system temperature is controlled, but the energy consumption of the cooling system increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-cooling the battery system before high-power charging or discharging operations. The cooling system is activated in advance to lower the battery temperature, so that during subsequent high-current operations, less cooling capacity is needed to maintain temperature control, thereby reducing overall energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by operating the cooling system in intermittent cycles rather than continuously. The cooling device is activated during specific periods when heat generation is high, and deactivated or reduced when the battery temperature is acceptable, thereby maintaining temperature control while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous operation.
2Power
If the cooling system is designed with high cooling capacity to handle peak heat generation, then the battery system can withstand high charging and discharging currents, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the cooling system adjustable and adaptable to varying thermal loads. The cooling capacity is modulated based on real-time battery temperature and power demand conditions, allowing the system to provide high cooling capacity when needed while operating at reduced capacity during normal conditions, thereby avoiding the need for an oversized, complex cooling system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements multi-functionality by designing the cooling system to serve multiple purposes: it cools the battery during high-power operations, pre-cools the battery before charging, and maintains optimal operating temperatures under various conditions. This universal approach allows a single cooling system to handle diverse thermal management needs without requiring separate specialized systems.
3Temperature
If thermal coupling between the battery system and structural component is increased to dissipate heat, then the cooling effect is improved, but the temperature control flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the thermal coupling between the battery system and structural component adjustable. The thermal connection can be dynamically modified based on operating conditions - increased when heat dissipation is needed and reduced when temperature control flexibility is required, allowing the system to adapt to different thermal management needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary thermal management component that mediates between the battery system and the structural component. This intermediary element can be adjusted to control the degree of thermal coupling, allowing heat to be transferred to the structural component when needed while maintaining the ability to isolate the battery system when temperature control flexibility is required.
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 approach effectively manages temperature peaks by transferring heat to a structural component, potentially eliminating the need for active cooling during charging and reducing cooling system energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
the vehicle makes use of the fact that the thermal power transmitted by heat conduction is proportional to the temperature difference between the thermally coupled surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
An electrically or partially electrically operated vehicle. The vehicle has a battery system and a structural component, wherein the battery system and the structural component have outer surfaces which are spaced apart from one another. The vehicle has provisions for changing the quality of a thermal coupling between the two outer surfaces, in particular for thermally coupling and decoupling the two outer surfaces.