EV Battery Pack Post-Shutdown Active Cooling System
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Solution Overview
Problem
The limited battery lifetime of electric vehicles due to adverse temperature effects, which leads to high replacement costs and reduced reliability, is not effectively addressed by existing technologies.
Innovation Solution
A thermal management system that actively cools the battery pack of electric vehicles even when turned off, using a combination of coolant pumping, refrigeration, and a radiator, with a controller that selects the cooling technique based on thermal needs and energy requirements to maintain optimal temperatures and extend battery life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If active cooling is provided continuously to maintain optimal battery temperature, then battery lifetime is extended, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system dynamically adjusts its operation based on real-time battery temperature monitoring. The controller activates cooling only when temperature exceeds thresholds, switching between different cooling intensities (first and second cooling techniques) based on current thermal conditions, rather than operating continuously at fixed capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by selecting different cooling techniques based on temperature levels. When temperature is within acceptable range, no cooling is applied; when moderately elevated, the first cooling technique is used; when severely elevated, the second cooling technique with higher thermal capacity is activated, optimizing energy usage relative to thermal needs
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cooling techniques are provided with different thermal capacities, then temperature control flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into multiple independent cooling techniques with different thermal capacities. The controller selectively activates specific cooling segments based on measured temperature levels, allowing flexible response to varying thermal conditions without requiring all cooling components to operate simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple cooling techniques are integrated into a single universal cooling system that can handle various temperature scenarios. The first cooling technique addresses moderate temperature elevations, while the second cooling technique addresses severe temperature elevations, creating a multi-functional system that responds to different thermal threats
3Temperature
If cooling is provided when battery is not connected to charging source, then battery temperature is maintained, but unnecessary energy consumption occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The controller continuously monitors battery temperature and charging connection status, using this feedback to make intelligent cooling decisions. When the battery is disconnected from a charging source, the controller adjusts cooling activation thresholds or intensity to avoid unnecessary energy consumption while still preventing dangerous temperature rises
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 approach extends battery life by maintaining optimal temperatures, reducing thermal inconsistencies, and minimizing energy consumption, thereby enhancing the reliability and cost-effectiveness of electric vehicle batteries.
Implementation Method 1
a first battery pack cooling technique includes pumping a coolant through a coolant loop and through the battery pack
Implementation Method 2
The thermal management system may further comprise an independent refrigeration system and a heat exchanger in thermal communication with both the refrigeration system and the cooling system
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and apparatus for actively cooling the battery pack of an electric vehicle after the vehicle has been turned off, thereby limiting the adverse effects of temperature on battery life, are provided. Different battery pack cooling techniques are provided, thus allowing the cooling technique used in a particular instance to be selected not only based on the thermal needs of the battery pack, but also on the thermal capacity and energy requirements of the selected approach.