EV Battery Cooling Layout for Space and Coolant Leak Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The limited space in electric vehicles poses a challenge for effectively arranging battery cooling components, leading to potential coolant leaks due to external impacts.
Innovation Solution
A novel layout is proposed where the cooling components, including a reservoir, air separator, pump, chiller, and compressor, are strategically spaced apart in a leftward/rightward direction with the vehicle's center in between, and are securely fastened to the vehicle body to prevent damage and leaks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If cooling components are densely arranged to save space, then space utilization is improved, but vulnerability to external impacts increases causing coolant leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system components (reservoir, air separator, pump, chiller, compressor) are segmented into two distinct regions spaced apart in the leftward/rightward direction. Region A1 contains the reservoir, air separator, and pump, while region A2 contains the chiller and compressor. This segmentation reduces the density of components in any single location, thereby lowering vulnerability to external impacts while maintaining effective space utilization.
2Reliability
If components are spaced apart to prevent impact damage, then reliability is improved, but space utilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the leftward/rightward direction (transverse dimension) to space apart the two regions containing cooling components. By distributing components across this lateral dimension rather than concentrating them in a compact vertical or longitudinal arrangement, the system achieves both reliability through impact prevention and acceptable space utilization by efficiently using the available transverse space in the vehicle.
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 layout optimizes the space usage for cooling components, minimizes the risk of coolant leaks due to external impacts, and enhances the overall durability of electric vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
an air separator connected to the reservoir and configured to separate air from the cooling fluid supplied from the reservoir
Implementation Method 2
a chiller connected to the pump and configured to cool the cooling fluid supplied from the pump, and a compressor connected to the chiller and configured to supply the chiller with a refrigerant that exchanges heat with the cooling fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a first region in which a reservoir, an air separator, and a pump are disposed, and a second region in which a chiller and a compressor are disposed The first and second regions are spaced apart from each other in a leftward and rightward direction.