Sequential Heat Exchanger Layout for Uneven Battery Sub-Pack Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery packs generate heat during charging and discharging, and existing cooling systems are inefficient in managing temperature differences between sub-packs, leading to uneven heat absorption and potential thermal management issues.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack system comprising a first and second sub-pack with independent charging control, where the second sub-pack acts as a heat sink by absorbing heat from the first sub-pack, and a liquid-cooled heat exchanger with sequential sections to optimize heat transfer, allowing the coolant to absorb heat from different cell groups, thereby distributing heat evenly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a liquid-cooled heat exchanger is used to absorb heat from the battery pack, then heat absorption capability is improved, but temperature distribution uniformity deteriorates due to uneven heat generation across sub-packs
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is divided into multiple independent cooling circuits, with each circuit serving a specific sub-pack. This segmentation allows independent temperature control for each sub-pack, addressing the uneven heat distribution problem while maintaining effective heat absorption capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different cooling strategies are applied to different sub-packs based on their specific heat generation characteristics. The cooling system is customized for each local region (sub-pack) to optimize temperature management, ensuring uniform temperature distribution across the entire battery pack.
2Reliability
If sub-packs are charged independently to manage temperature differences, then thermal management effectiveness is improved, but charging system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The charging system dynamically adjusts charging parameters (such as charging current and voltage) for different sub-packs based on their temperature conditions. By changing operational parameters rather than adding complex hardware, the system achieves effective thermal management while minimizing additional complexity.
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 effectively manages temperature differences between sub-packs, enhancing heat absorption and distribution, leading to improved thermal management and extended battery life.
Implementation Method 1
the liquid coolant in the first section of the heat exchanger absorbs heat from the first cell group
Implementation Method 2
the third cell group absorbs heat from the liquid coolant in the second section of the heat exchanger
Implementation Method 3
the liquid coolant in the third section of the heat exchanger absorbs heat from the second cell group
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a battery pack having a first sub-pack and a second sub-pack, the first sub-pack having a first cell group and a second cell group, and the second sub-pack having a third cell group. A cooling system supplies a liquid coolant to a heat exchanger that is in thermal communication with the battery pack. A first section, a second section, and a third section of the heat exchanger are arranged sequentially in a flow direction of the liquid coolant between the coolant inlet and the coolant outlet, with the first section of positioned adjacent to the first cell group of the first sub-pack, the second section positioned adjacent to the third cell group of the second sub-pack, and the third section positioned adjacent to the second cell group of the first sub-pack.