Heat Exchange Plate Flow Layout for Uniform Battery Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
It is challenging to achieve uniform refrigerant flow through the entire flow path of a heat exchange plate in vehicles due to pressure loss, which affects the uniform reduction of in-vehicle battery temperature.
Innovation Solution
The heat exchange plate design includes a refrigerant layer with a specific configuration of flow paths and converging portions, allowing the refrigerant to flow uniformly by connecting first and second refrigerant flow paths through a connection portion positioned closer to the second end portion than the midpoint, promoting even temperature distribution across the plate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the refrigerant flows through a simple linear flow path in the heat exchange plate, then the device complexity is reduced, but the refrigerant flow uniformity deteriorates due to pressure loss
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerant flow path is segmented into multiple parallel paths (first refrigerant flow path and second refrigerant flow path) with branch portions and converging portions. This segmentation allows the refrigerant to be distributed more evenly across different regions of the heat exchange plate, reducing the impact of pressure loss and improving flow uniformity without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
2Length of moving object
If the connection portion is positioned at the midpoint of the refrigerant layer, then the flow path length is minimized, but the refrigerant flow uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connection portion is intentionally positioned asymmetrically closer to the second end portion than to the first end portion, rather than at the midpoint. This asymmetric positioning compensates for pressure loss effects by providing a longer flow path in regions where pressure drop is more significant, thereby achieving more uniform refrigerant flow distribution across the heat exchange plate.
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 configuration ensures more uniform refrigerant flow and temperature control, effectively reducing the increase in in-vehicle battery temperature, enhancing cooling efficiency and preventing local temperature variations.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchange plate disposed along a predetermined plane in the vehicle body... a refrigerant layer configured to allow a refrigerant to circulate between the first surface and the second surface
Implementation Method 2
a refrigerant layer configured to allow a refrigerant to circulate between the first surface and the second surface
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchange plate includes a coolant layer, a refrigerant layer, a first end portion, and a second end portion opposite to the first end portion. The refrigerant layer includes a refrigerant input portion disposed at the first end portion, a refrigerant output portion disposed at the first end portion, a first refrigerant flow path connected to the refrigerant input portion, a second refrigerant flow path connected to the refrigerant output portion, and a connection portion connecting the first and second refrigerant flow paths. The first refrigerant flow path includes a first branch portion, a first converging portion, and a plurality of first branch flow paths connecting the first branch portion and the first converging portion, and the second refrigerant flow path includes a second branch portion, a second converging portion, and a plurality of second branch flow paths connecting the second branch portion and the second converging portion.