Multi-Path Battery Cooler Layout for Compact Dual-Battery Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery coolers require multiple heat exchangers to cool multiple batteries, leading to increased size and complexity, as each battery needs a separate heat exchanger with a larger number of components.
Innovation Solution
A single heat exchanger configuration with multiple paths of varying cooling capacities, where the most upstream path has the highest cooling capacity, the intermediate path has intermediate capacity, and the most downstream path has the lowest, allowing efficient cooling of multiple batteries with a single unit by distributing refrigerant flow effectively through a bypass system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple heat exchangers are used to cool multiple batteries, then each battery can be cooled independently, but the overall size and number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple heat exchanger functions into a single integrated battery cooler. One heat exchanger unit with multiple paths is used to cool multiple batteries simultaneously, merging what would traditionally require separate heat exchangers into a single compact device, thereby reducing overall size while maintaining cooling effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger is divided into multiple independent paths (first path, second path, third path) within a single unit. Each path can be configured to contact different batteries, allowing independent cooling control for each battery while using a shared heat exchanger structure, thus reducing the number of external components needed
2Reliability
If multiple heat exchangers are used to cool multiple batteries, then each battery receives dedicated cooling, but the device complexity and component count increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple heat exchanger units are merged into one integrated battery cooler with a unified structure. The single heat exchanger contains multiple internal paths that serve different batteries, eliminating the need for multiple separate heat exchanger assemblies and their associated mounting hardware, thereby reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The single heat exchanger is designed with multi-functionality to perform the cooling task for multiple batteries simultaneously. By incorporating multiple paths within one unit, it replaces what would traditionally require multiple dedicated heat exchangers, reducing component count while maintaining dedicated cooling capability for each battery
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 enables efficient cooling of multiple batteries with reduced component types and size, achieving uniform cooling capacity and simplifying the system while minimizing costs and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a battery cooler including: a first header tank connected to one end portions of three or more tubes arranged in a predetermined direction, the first header tank extending in the predetermined direction; and a second header tank connected to other end portions of the tubes, the second header tank extending in the predetermined direction, the battery cooler being configured to cool a first battery and a second battery separated from each other, by a cooling medium flowing through the tubes
Data Source
AI summary
A first header tank and a second header tank are provided with partition plates for dividing a plurality of tubes into three or more paths. Among the paths, a most upstream path and a most downstream path are arranged so as to be next to each other and come into contact with a first battery. Among the paths, an intermediate path between the most upstream path and the most downstream path is arranged to come into contact with a second battery.