Traction Battery Underbody Venting for Passive Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Motor vehicles with traction batteries face high energy demands for cooling, which reduces available energy for operation and mileage, as existing cooling systems require power from the traction battery itself.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle design incorporating an underbody passage opening with a controllable closing element, such as a valve, allows for convective cooling of the traction battery, reducing the energy needed for cooling and enhancing mileage by utilizing air convection and air gap insulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a cooling system is used to cool the traction battery, then the battery temperature is controlled, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The traction battery cools itself by utilizing the vehicle's forward motion to drive air through the battery housing via the passage opening, eliminating the need for an energy-consuming active cooling system. The vehicle's movement creates natural convection currents that dissipate heat from the battery.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses air flow (pneumatics) through the passage opening in the underbody to cool the traction battery. The moving vehicle creates pressure differences that drive air through the battery housing, providing passive convective cooling without mechanical cooling systems.
2Temperature
If a cooling system is used to cool the traction battery, then the battery temperature is controlled, but the mileage decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The traction battery performs its own cooling function by utilizing the vehicle's motion to create air flow through the passage opening, eliminating the need for energy-consuming cooling systems that would reduce electrical mileage.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the heat generated by the battery (a harmful effect) into a beneficial cooling process by using the vehicle's motion to drive air flow that dissipates the heat, transforming the problem of heat management into a passive cooling advantage.
3Temperature
If the passage opening is opened for cooling, then convective cooling is achieved, but environmental influences during idling increase
Solution Approach 1:
The passage opening is designed to be dynamically controllable, allowing it to be opened during vehicle operation when cooling is needed and closed during idling when environmental protection is prioritized, adapting to different operational states.
Solution Approach 2:
The passage opening operates periodically - opened during vehicle motion when convective cooling is beneficial and closed during idling when environmental protection is needed, creating a rhythm of opening and closing based on operational requirements.
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 solution effectively reduces the energy expenditure on cooling the traction battery, increasing the vehicle's electrical mileage by supplementing traditional cooling methods with convection and minimizing environmental influences during idling.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling of the traction battery can be brought about in a simple manner with the aid of convection, because air can flow above the underbody through the opened passage opening and thus into the motor vehicle body in which the traction battery is accommodated
Implementation Method 2
In order to realize an air cushion insulation between the traction battery and the shell and/or the underbody, an air gap is formed between the traction battery and the shell and/or the underbody
Data Source
AI summary
A motor vehicle having a traction battery accommodated in a motor vehicle body. The traction battery is configured for an electric drive. A cooling system is provided for cooling the electric drive. An underbody element of an underbody of the vehicle body includes a passage opening, which can be opened or closed with the aid of a closing element. The underbody element is provided for the purpose of cooling the traction battery.