Counterflow Heat Exchanger Channels for Uniform Cell Temperature
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing heat exchanger configuration for electrical components, such as battery cells, fails to maintain a uniform temperature difference between the coolest and warmest cells due to excessive temperature rise in primary channels, limiting heat exchange efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger design with primary and secondary channels of varying widths, where fluid circulates in series in opposite directions, promoting a gradual temperature change and stable heat exchange across the exchange surface, with a width ratio between secondary and primary channels ranging from 1.5 to 4, and featuring convergent portions to manage fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the primary channels and secondary channels are of identical width, then the structure is simple and compact, but the heat exchange uniformity deteriorates due to excessive temperature rise in primary channels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the primary channels narrower than the secondary channels. This local dimensional variation optimizes the heat exchange characteristics: the narrower primary channels increase fluid velocity and heat transfer coefficient, while the wider secondary channels provide sufficient heat exchange area with battery cells, achieving uniform temperature distribution across all cells.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameter (width) of the channels to optimize heat exchange. Specifically, the primary channels have a smaller width than the secondary channels, which modifies the fluid flow characteristics and heat transfer efficiency, preventing excessive temperature rise and ensuring uniform heat exchange across the battery pack.
2Area of stationary object
If the primary channels have sufficient width for good heat exchange, then the heat exchange area increases, but the temperature rise becomes excessive and uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the width of primary and secondary channels. The primary channels are made narrower to control temperature rise, while the secondary channels are wider to provide sufficient heat exchange area. This local differentiation allows the system to simultaneously achieve adequate heat exchange area and controlled temperature rise.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the heat exchange function into two distinct channel types with different widths. The primary channels handle fluid distribution and initial heat exchange with controlled temperature rise, while the secondary channels provide additional heat exchange area. This segmentation allows each channel type to be optimized for its specific function.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the fluid temperature rises too much in primary channels, then the heat exchange with cells becomes uneven, but reducing channel width limits overall heat exchange capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the heat exchange function into primary and secondary channels with different widths. The narrower primary channels control temperature rise to ensure uniformity, while the wider secondary channels compensate for the reduced width by providing additional heat exchange area, thus maintaining overall heat exchange capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the width parameter of the channels to optimize the balance between temperature uniformity and heat exchange capacity. The primary channels have a smaller width to control temperature rise, while the secondary channels have a larger width to maintain sufficient heat exchange capacity, achieving both uniformity and productivity.
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 design enhances heat exchange uniformity and stability across all cells, effectively reducing the temperature difference between the coolest and warmest cells, optimizing compactness and efficiency in cooling or heating electrical components.
Implementation Method 1
exchanging heat with the fluid which had become too warm, circulating in the secondary channels
Implementation Method 2
fluid circulates in series from the primary channels to the secondary channels
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanger for an electrical component, said exchanger comprising a first body (28) defining at least a primary channel (30) and a secondary channel (32), which are parallel and adjacent, in which fluid circulates in series from the primary channel (30) to the secondary channel (32), in opposite directions, said first body (28) having at least one exchange surface for exchanging heat between the fluid circulating in said channels (30, 32) and said component, a width of the primary channels (30) being less than a width of the secondary channels (32).