Roll-off Container Inspection Windows for Battery Thermal Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roll-off containers for damaged electrified vehicles face challenges in monitoring the battery pack's thermal status due to strong metal reflections, which can lead to unreliable data and safety risks for personnel.
Innovation Solution
The design includes closable inspection windows on the side walls, allowing visual and thermal imaging monitoring of the battery pack, with a recirculation system for coolant or extinguishing liquid to manage overheating without flooding the container unless necessary, and uses deflection rollers for vehicle entry without a winch, reducing the need for electrical power and minimizing liquid usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a camera is installed on one side of the container pointing downwards to monitor the battery pack, then monitoring capability is provided, but strong metal reflections from the container and vehicle generate unreliable information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary element - the inspection window with transparent pane - between the camera and the battery pack. This window allows infrared radiation to pass through while eliminating the harmful reflections caused by metal surfaces, thereby resolving the contradiction between providing monitoring capability and ensuring reliable measurements
2Temperature
If the container is flooded with liquid refrigerant or extinguisher to cool the battery pack, then thermal management is achieved, but the quantity of liquid used increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cooling approach into two distinct modes: localized cooling through nozzles that spray liquid directly onto the battery pack area, and full flooding of the container. This segmentation allows operators to select the appropriate cooling intensity based on the thermal situation, thereby achieving effective temperature control while minimizing liquid consumption by using localized cooling when sufficient
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by providing targeted cooling through nozzles directed at the battery pack rather than flooding the entire container. This partial cooling approach is sufficient for thermal management needs while significantly reducing the quantity of liquid refrigerant required compared to complete container flooding
3Ease of operation
If a winch is installed on the container to tow the vehicle into the container, then vehicle loading capability is provided, but the device complexity and electrical power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the self-service principle by utilizing the container vehicle's existing arm and winch system to perform the vehicle loading operation. The container vehicle's arm is equipped with a hook that can engage the damaged vehicle and tow it into the container, eliminating the need for a separate winch installation on the container itself. This reduces device complexity while maintaining full vehicle loading capability
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 enables safe and reliable monitoring of the battery pack's status without exposing personnel to risks, conserves coolant usage, and allows for efficient cooling of the battery pack without immersing it in liquid unless necessary, ensuring effective thermal management.
Implementation Method 1
The liquid can be stored in a tank obtained in the bottom or in a wall of the container and recirculated by spraying it continuously under the floor of the vehicle housed in the container
Implementation Method 2
spraying it continuously under the floor of the vehicle housed in the container
Implementation Method 3
monitor any overheating of the battery pack from one side of the vehicle... through at least one of the inspection windows
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
A roll-off container (C) for the treatment of damaged vehicles (V), in particular damaged electrified vehicles, comprising a bottom (F) and several perimeter walls (WL, FWL, OP) that define a volume (A) for receiving a damaged vehicle and wherein the container has a longitudinal shape with a pair of side walls (LWL), a front wall (FWL) and a rear wall that defines a closable opening (OP) to transfer the vehicle into or out of the receiving volume (A), the container being characterized by the fact that at least one of the side walls (LWL) is equipped with at least one inspection window (WD), which can be closed tightly.