Battery Cooling via Cabin Air Duct in EV Trims
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-voltage batteries in electric vehicles are susceptible to temperature rises due to heat emission and external environments, leading to reduced cooling efficiency as airflow entering the battery compartment becomes heated before reaching the battery.
Innovation Solution
A climate-controlled vehicle system with insulative materials and ducts connecting the cabin to the battery compartment, using soft trim components and structural panels to direct cooled air from the cabin to the battery, minimizing temperature increase and enhancing cooling efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If airflow is directed to the battery through the battery compartment, then the battery can be cooled, but the air temperature increases before reaching the battery due to heat in the compartment
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the air supply into two separate paths: a first air supply that draws ambient air directly to the battery for cooling, and a second air supply that provides climate-controlled air to the battery compartment. This segmentation allows the cooling function to operate independently from the climate control function, preventing heated compartment air from reducing cooling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a climate control system as an intermediary that conditionally supplies air to the battery compartment. The climate control system acts as a mediator between the ambient air and the battery compartment, preventing direct thermal coupling that would cause efficiency losses while still maintaining compartment temperature when needed.
2Volume of stationary object
If the battery compartment is enclosed without climate control, then cargo space is optimized, but the battery cooling efficiency is reduced due to elevated compartment temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the climate control operation based on battery cooling requirements. The climate control system operates only when ambient air temperature exceeds a threshold or when additional cooling is needed, rather than continuously maintaining a controlled compartment. This dynamic operation maintains cargo space optimization while providing temperature control only when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The first air supply system enables the battery to cool itself directly from ambient air without requiring a climate-controlled compartment. The battery compartment serves its primary function as cargo space while the battery receives independent cooling through the dedicated air supply path, allowing the compartment to remain unenclosed and thermally passive.
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 maintains battery temperature within an optimal range by reducing air temperature changes through the ducts, minimizing energy consumption and noise from blower operation, while optimizing cargo space and reducing assembly costs.
Implementation Method 1
a rigid insulative material formed upon and supporting a section of the soft trim such that the insulative material and section define a duct
Implementation Method 2
a duct connected to the battery assembly configured to direct air to the battery assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a climate control system configured to regulate temperature within a cabin. The vehicle also includes a battery compartment disposed within the trunk, and a soft trim component that at least partially defines space within the trunk of the vehicle. The vehicle is further provided with a rigid insulative material formed upon and supporting a section of the soft trim such that the insulative material and section define a duct fluidly connecting the cabin and battery compartment in order to cool the battery compartment.