Segmented Battery Housing Cooling for Electric Work Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric work vehicles, such as electric tractors, face challenges in efficiently cooling their battery systems, which can lead to reduced performance and longevity.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a modular battery housing system with multiple sections, each with its own cooling system, and an air cooling system that utilizes evaporators and blowers to direct cool air across the battery modules, enhancing heat dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single integrated battery housing is used, then the structure is simpler, but the cooling efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The battery housing is divided into multiple independent sections (first battery housing section, second battery housing section, third battery housing section), each with its own cooling channels and evaporators. This segmentation allows each section to be cooled independently, improving overall cooling efficiency while maintaining manageable structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Each battery housing section is equipped with dedicated cooling resources (evaporators and cooling channels) tailored to its specific thermal requirements. The cooling system provides localized thermal management rather than a uniform approach, optimizing heat dissipation for each battery module location
2Temperature
If multiple battery housing sections are used with individual cooling systems, then cooling efficiency improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple battery housing sections are merged into a single integrated battery housing assembly that shares common structural support and control systems. While each section has dedicated cooling channels, they are combined under a unified housing structure, reducing overall system complexity compared to completely separate units
Solution Approach 2:
The battery housing structure serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical support for battery modules, contains cooling channels, and acts as a thermal management system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, simplifying the overall device while maintaining effective cooling
3Quantity of substance
If battery modules are densely packed, then the energy density increases, but heat dissipation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Cooling channels are designed to extend in multiple dimensions within the battery housing sections, including longitudinal channels along the battery modules and transverse channels connecting them. This multi-dimensional cooling approach enables effective heat dissipation even with high battery module density
Solution Approach 2:
Cooling fluid acts as an intermediary medium that transfers heat from the battery modules through the cooling channels and evaporators to the external environment. This intermediary system enables heat dissipation without requiring physical spacing between battery modules, maintaining high energy density
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 improves the cooling efficiency of the battery system, leading to enhanced performance, increased battery longevity, and reduced thermal stress on the vehicle's components.
Implementation Method 1
the gap is fluidly connected to the first evaporator and the second evaporator to receive cool air from each of the first evaporator and the second evaporator
Implementation Method 2
an air cooling system that utilizes evaporators and blowers to direct cool air across the battery modules, enhancing heat dissipation
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
An electric work vehicle (1) includes a frame (6) and a battery housing (8) supported by the frame. The battery housing includes a plurality of battery housing sections. The plurality of battery housing sections include a first battery housing section (8-1), a second battery housing section (8-2), and a third battery housing section (8-3). The first battery housing section includes a first battery housing portion (26) and a second battery housing portion (28), the second battery housing section includes a third battery housing portion (30) and a fourth battery housing portion (32), and the third battery housing section includes a fifth battery housing portion (34).