Parallel Cooling Element for Independent Battery and Cabin Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cooling systems for motor vehicle batteries, particularly in hybrid and electric vehicles, face challenges in efficiently controlling battery temperatures due to limited surface area and electrical and thermal risks, leading to reduced performance and lifespan.
Innovation Solution
A cooling system that integrates a cooling element in parallel with the air conditioning circuit's evaporator, utilizing a variable pressure regulating valve and thermostatic expansion valves to independently control battery and passenger compartment temperatures, ensuring optimal temperature uniformity and performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If water circulation cooling with evaporator-type heat exchanger is used, then cooling capability is provided, but direct cooling of battery modules is not possible and efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
A cooling element serves as an intermediary component between the refrigerant circuit and the battery modules. The cooling element allows indirect cooling through thermal contact while maintaining electrical isolation, thus enabling efficient heat transfer without direct electrical contact between the refrigerant system and battery modules.
2Temperature
If mechanical thermostatic expansion valve is used, then superheat control is achieved, but battery temperature control is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamically adjustable components including an electronically controlled expansion valve and a variable speed compressor. These components allow real-time adjustment of refrigerant flow and compression rate based on battery temperature requirements, enabling adaptive temperature control rather than fixed mechanical control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters dynamically by adjusting the expansion valve opening degree and compressor rotation speed based on temperature feedback. This allows the system to optimize refrigerant flow and heat transfer efficiency for different thermal conditions, achieving both superheat control and battery temperature control.
3Adaptability or versatility
If cooling element is added in parallel with evaporator, then independent battery cooling is enabled, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air conditioning circuit serves multiple functions by being shared between the evaporator for passenger compartment cooling and the cooling element for battery cooling. The single compressor and refrigerant circuit provide dual cooling functions, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining independent temperature control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system is segmented into two parallel paths: one through the evaporator for cabin cooling and another through the cooling element for battery cooling. This segmentation allows independent control of each cooling function while sharing common components like the compressor and refrigerant supply.
4Volume of moving object
If battery dimensions are kept small, then vehicle space is optimized, but surface area for cooling is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling element uses thin plate structures that can conform to the battery module surfaces. These thin film-like cooling plates provide extended cooling surface area while adding minimal volume, allowing effective heat transfer from compact battery modules without significantly increasing overall battery pack size.
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 solution allows for precise temperature control of both the battery and passenger compartment, enhancing battery performance and lifespan while maintaining user comfort, even during varying driving conditions.
Implementation Method 1
at least one plate or at least one tube in direct contact with said at least one battery module, a refrigerant fluid being intended to circulate in said at least one plate or in said at least one tube
Implementation Method 2
an evaporator of an air conditioning circuit intended for cooling the passenger compartment
Implementation Method 3
the air conditioning circuit further comprising at least one compressor and at least one condenser
Implementation Method 4
the air conditioning circuit further comprising at least one compressor and at least one condenser
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
Cooling system (1) intended to independently control a battery temperature and a passenger compartment temperature of a motor vehicle, the system comprising at least one cooling element (11) of at least one battery module, said cooling element (11) being mounted in parallel with an evaporator (7) of an air conditioning circuit (2) intended for cooling the passenger compartment, the air conditioning circuit (2) further comprising at least one compressor (3) and at least one condenser (5), the system comprising a variable opening pressure regulating valve (13), said pressure regulating valve (13) being disposed downstream of said cooling element (11).