Vehicle Battery Thermal Management via Intermediary Heat Exchange
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle battery thermal management systems are insufficient in controlling heat loss to the environment, leading to reduced battery capacity and operating range, and insulation methods hinder sophisticated thermal management.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising first and second elements thermally coupled to the energy storage unit and the vehicle's surrounding, allowing controlled thermal energy transfer to set the battery to a desirable temperature by using the surrounding as a heat sink or source, with features like fluid flow channels and heat pumps for directed heat exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If insulation layers are provided between the battery surface and the outer environment, then heat loss of the vehicle battery to the environment is mitigated, but sophisticated thermal management of the battery is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
A thermal management device is introduced as an intermediary component between the battery and the environment. This device includes a heat exchanger with channels that allow controlled thermal interaction, enabling both heat retention and active thermal management without direct insulation blocking
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal management device serves multiple functions: it acts as a thermal barrier when heating is needed, and as a heat dissipation path when cooling is required. The same structure enables both heat retention and sophisticated thermal management by controlling fluid flow through its channels
2Volume of moving object
If the battery is arranged in the floor region of the vehicle facing the ground, then space utilization is improved, but uncontrolled heat loss to the environment occurs due to airstream flowing along the floor
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal management device acts as an intermediary thermal interface between the battery and the vehicle floor environment. It mediates the heat transfer caused by airstream flow, allowing controlled thermal interaction rather than uncontrolled heat loss
Solution Approach 2:
The device converts the harmful effect of airstream-induced heat loss into a beneficial controlled thermal management system. By introducing a heat exchanger with fluid channels, the same environmental thermal interaction is harnessed for active temperature control rather than passive heat loss
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 enables flexible and efficient heating or cooling of the battery, reducing thermal losses and enhancing battery performance without additional heating or cooling means, thus improving the vehicle's energy efficiency and range.
Implementation Method 1
a first element thermally couplable to the energy storage unit... a second element thermally couplable to a surrounding of the vehicle... allow an energy transfer between the surrounding of the vehicle and the energy storage unit via the first element and the second element
Implementation Method 2
an airstream flowing along the floor, e.g. during operation of the vehicle, may lead to unwanted heat losses
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a device (100) for adapting a temperature of an energy storage unit (90) of a vehicle (300), comprising: a first element (1) thermally couplable to the energy storage unit (90), and a second element (3) thermally couplable to a surrounding (350) of the vehicle (300), wherein the first element (1) is coupled to the second element (3) to allow an energy transfer between the surrounding (350) of the vehicle (300) and the energy storage unit (90) via the first element (1) and the second element (3).