Mixed-Chemistry Battery Cooling with Valve-Split Thermal Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery systems with multiple cell chemistries require complex cooling mechanisms, which may not be necessary for all components, leading to inefficient thermal management and reduced service life.
Innovation Solution
A battery system design where battery modules of different cell chemistries are arranged in a battery housing with thermal insulation, using a single cooling circuit for the first cell chemistry and optional air-cooling or independent cooling for the second cell chemistry, allowing for adjustable volume flow and temperature control via a valve device, thereby minimizing unnecessary cooling and thermal stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a cooling circuit is provided for each battery module to ensure optimal cooling, then cooling efficiency is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cooling systems of battery modules with different cell chemistries into a single common cooling circuit. The cooling circuits of the first and second battery modules are connected in parallel to share coolant flow paths, reducing the number of independent cooling systems while maintaining effective temperature control for both module types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces controllable valve devices (first and second valve devices) that dynamically adjust the volume flow of coolant to each battery module based on their specific thermal requirements. This dynamic flow distribution allows the system to optimize cooling for each module type while using a unified cooling infrastructure.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If thermal insulation is provided between battery modules of different cell chemistries to minimize thermal load, then service life of non-cooled modules is extended, but thermal management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the battery system into distinct sections with different cell chemistries (first and second battery modules) and applies targeted thermal management to each segment. The first battery module receives active cooling while the second module operates without active cooling, with thermal insulation separating the two segments to prevent thermal interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different thermal management strategies to different locations within the battery system. The first battery module with higher cycle stability requirements receives active cooling, while the second battery module is left without active cooling. Thermal insulation is selectively applied at the interface between modules to minimize thermal load on the non-cooled module.
3Device complexity
If a single cooling circuit is used for all battery modules to simplify the system, then device complexity is reduced, but cooling efficiency for specific module types decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces controllable valve devices that dynamically adjust the volume flow of coolant to each battery module based on their specific thermal requirements. This dynamic flow distribution allows the system to optimize cooling for each module type while using a unified cooling infrastructure.
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 design ensures efficient cooling, reduces energy consumption and costs, and extends the service life of battery modules by optimizing temperature management based on the specific requirements of each cell chemistry, particularly by avoiding unnecessary cooling of non-operational modules.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling circuit, by means of which the battery modules of the first cell chemistry are cooled by a cooling medium
Implementation Method 2
Thermal insulation is provided between the subsections so that, particularly in the case where the battery modules of the second cell chemistry, i.e. the second subsection, are not to be cooled, its thermal load is minimized
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a battery system (100) with a cooling circuit (5) and with at least one battery (1) which has several battery modules (101, 102), wherein a first part of the battery modules (101) has a first cell chemistry and a second part of the battery modules has a second cell chemistry (102).The battery system according to the invention is characterized in that the battery modules (101) of the first cell chemistry are cooled by a cooling medium of the cooling circuit (5), wherein the battery modules (102) of the second cell chemistry either have cooling independent of the cooling circuit (5), or are cooled by the cooling medium of the cooling circuit (5) in parallel to the battery modules (101) of the first cell chemistry, wherein a supply line for the cooling medium to the battery modules (101, 102) of the first and the second cell chemistry has at least one valve device (8) by means of which the cooling medium can be divided between the battery modules (101, 102) of the first and the second cell chemistry.