Bimetallic Thermal Actuator for Battery Cell Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrified vehicle battery packs face uneven aging due to temperature gradients created by air cooling, which affects the performance and lifespan of battery cells.
Innovation Solution
A battery thermal management system employing a bimetallic member that moves between positions in response to temperature changes to control coolant flow through ducts between battery cells, redirecting coolant from cooler to warmer areas to manage heat effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If air cooling is used to remove heat from battery cells, then heat removal is achieved, but temperature gradients are created causing uneven aging
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts coolant flow distribution to different battery cell regions based on real-time temperature conditions. The flow distributor redirects coolant preferentially to warmer cells, creating a dynamic adaptation mechanism that maintains uniform cooling across all cells throughout operation, thereby preventing uneven aging while achieving effective heat removal.
2Temperature
If coolant flow is increased to improve heat removal, then temperature control improves, but temperature gradients may worsen due to uneven distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The flow distributor implements local quality by providing differentiated coolant flow rates to different battery cell regions based on their specific thermal conditions. Warmer cells receive higher coolant flow while cooler cells receive reduced flow, ensuring that each local region receives appropriate cooling proportional to its heat generation, thereby achieving both effective temperature control and uniform temperature distribution.
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 ensures efficient heat removal and distribution within the battery pack, reducing temperature gradients and thereby prolonging the lifespan and maintaining performance consistency of battery cells.
Implementation Method 1
a bimetallic member moveable between a first position and a second position in response to a temperature change to selectively restrict flow of a coolant through a duct
Data Source
AI summary
A battery thermal management system includes one or more bimetallic members moveable between a first position and a second position in response to a temperature change to selectively restrict flow of a coolant through a duct.