Battery Thermal Insulation for Energy Self-Sufficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery thermal management systems require external energy sources for maintaining optimal operating temperatures during downtimes, leading to energy losses and reduced self-sufficiency, especially in high-temperature battery concepts.
Innovation Solution
A modular thermal management system where two battery modules are thermally insulated and connected, allowing energy transfer between them, using insulation materials like polyethylene and aerogel mats, and optionally heating elements, to maintain optimal temperatures without external energy, with a control unit regulating heat output based on ambient and usage patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If thermal insulation elements are used to insulate battery modules, then thermal losses are reduced and energy self-sufficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional insulation components and thermal management system requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is divided into multiple battery modules, each with its own thermal insulation element. This segmentation allows independent thermal management of each module, reducing overall thermal losses while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design. The insulation elements can be individually installed and managed without affecting the entire battery system.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal insulation elements are designed to work passively, utilizing the battery modules' own heat generation to maintain optimal operating temperatures. The system uses the batteries' self-heating capability during operation, combined with insulation to retain heat during downtimes, eliminating the need for active heating systems and reducing overall system complexity.
2Use of energy by moving object
If battery modules are thermally separated using insulation elements, then energy can be retained within individual modules during downtimes, but the thermal management system becomes more complex requiring separate insulation for each module
Solution Approach 1:
Each battery module is equipped with its own thermal insulation element, creating thermally independent zones. This allows each module to retain its own heat during downtimes, enabling energy self-sufficiency at the module level. The modular approach to insulation maintains energy retention benefits while keeping individual component complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the thermal parameters of each battery module independently by applying insulation elements. This allows different temperature maintenance strategies for different modules based on their specific operational patterns, improving overall energy efficiency while using standardized insulation components that don't significantly increase complexity.
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 significantly reduces energy losses during downtimes, increases battery self-sufficiency, and allows for longer standing phases by utilizing internal energy for thermal management, ensuring rapid reactivation of battery modules during start-up.
Implementation Method 1
at least one thermal insulation element (20, 21) is provided, wherein the at least one thermal insulation element (20, 21) at least largely surrounds the at least one battery module (11, 12), wherein the at least one battery module (11, 12) is thermally insulated and thermally separated from one another
Data Source
AI summary
A battery, in particular a vehicle battery for a vehicle which is at least electrically drivable, including a battery housing, and at least one first battery module, the first battery module including at least one battery cell, and including at least one battery terminal for connecting the battery to a vehicle. The battery includes at least one second battery module, including at least one battery cell, inside the battery housing, the second battery module being connectable to the first battery module and energy being thereby transmitted between the battery modules, at least one thermal insulation element at least largely surrounding the first battery module, whereby the first battery module is thermally insulated and thermally separated from the second battery module.