Flat Coolant Line Clamping for Vehicle Battery Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling devices for vehicle batteries are complex and costly due to the need for an intermediate thermal transfer element, which increases manufacturing complexity and reduces cooling efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A cooling device with a flat, wide coolant line directly pressed against the vehicle battery's flat side using an elastic clamping element, eliminating the need for an intermediate thermal transfer element and allowing for efficient heat transfer without complex adaptations for the battery's shape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If an intermediate thermal transfer plate is used to cool the vehicle battery, then the cooling capacity is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the intermediate thermal transfer plate from the cooling system, allowing the coolant line to contact the battery surface directly. This extraction of the unnecessary intermediate component simplifies the device structure while maintaining effective heat transfer from the battery to the coolant.
Solution Approach 2:
The coolant line is designed with an asymmetric flat cross-section where the width is significantly greater than the height. This asymmetric geometry maximizes the contact surface area with the battery while minimizing the space required, thereby improving heat transfer efficiency without requiring complex adaptive structures.
2Temperature
If a heat transfer plate with coolant lines is used, then cooling is achieved, but heat flow inefficiency occurs due to local configuration
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the heat transfer plate entirely, the patent eliminates the multiple heat transfer steps and associated thermal resistance. The coolant line contacts the battery surface directly, creating a more efficient heat transfer path with fewer energy losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The coolant line transitions from a conventional circular cross-section to a flat cross-section with width much greater than height. This dimensional change increases the contact surface area with the battery, improving heat transfer efficiency and reducing thermal resistance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the cooling device is designed for complex three-dimensional battery shapes, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coolant line adopts a flat cross-sectional geometry with width significantly exceeding height. This flat design naturally conforms to flat battery surfaces without requiring complex three-dimensional adaptations, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining effectiveness for standard battery configurations.
4Strength
If a conventional coolant line with circular cross-section is used, then structural strength is maintained, but contact surface area with battery is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The coolant line cross-section changes from circular to flat, with width much greater than height. This dimensional transformation dramatically increases the contact surface area with the battery while the wall thickness is maintained to preserve structural strength and pressure containment capabilities.
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 provides a simpler, cost-effective cooling device with enhanced cooling capacity by directly transferring heat from the battery to the coolant, reducing the device's height and improving thermal insulation, thus improving overall cooling efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
at least one separate clamping element, made of an elastic material, to press the coolant pipework directly up against a flat side of the vehicle battery
Implementation Method 2
The heat is transferred directly from the flat side of the vehicle battery via the wall of the coolant line and into the coolant
Data Source
AI summary
The invention refers to a cooling device (10) for a vehicle battery with at least one coolant line (12) and at least one separate clamping element (14), which is made of an elastic material, for pressing the coolant line (12) directly up against a flat surface of the vehicle battery. The coolant line (12) is flat, with an essentially flat upper surface (13) for contact with the flat face of the vehicle battery. The invention also concerns a vehicle battery assembly (100) with a vehicle battery that contains multiple battery elements (102) and a cooling device (10) such as that mentioned above.