Series Cooling Pipe Layout for Uniform Battery Cell Stack Cooling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In batteries with cooling pipes extending parallel to each cell stack, refrigerant pressure loss increases, leading to non-uniform cooling of the cell stacks.
Innovation Solution
The cooling pipes are configured to extend from one end to the other end of each cell stack and are connected at the ends, with refrigerant flowing through one pipe before the other, forming a series connection to reduce pressure loss and enhance uniform cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the refrigerant flows through multiple cooling pipes in parallel from first ends to second ends, then the cooling coverage is comprehensive, but the pressure loss of the refrigerant increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple cooling pipes into a series connection configuration where the refrigerant flows sequentially through each cooling pipe rather than in parallel. The first cooling pipe and second cooling pipe are connected such that the outlet of one connects to the inlet of the next, combining their cooling effects while maintaining lower pressure loss compared to parallel configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the conventional parallel flow arrangement by using series connection. Instead of having multiple cooling pipes receive refrigerant simultaneously from a common inlet, the refrigerant flows through the cooling pipes in sequence, which reduces the pressure loss while still achieving comprehensive cooling coverage.
2Temperature
If cooling pipes are provided for each cell stack, then the cooling effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The series-connected cooling pipe system serves multiple cell stacks simultaneously through a single continuous refrigerant flow path. The first cooling pipe cools the first cell stack while the second cooling pipe cools the second cell stack, with the refrigerant flowing sequentially through both, reducing the number of independent cooling systems needed.
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 reduces refrigerant pressure loss, allowing for more uniform cooling of the cell stacks, ensuring efficient and uniform temperature distribution across the battery.
Implementation Method 1
a first cooling pipe and a second cooling pipe provided below the first and second cell stacks, respectively, and configured to cool the first and second cell stacks
Data Source
AI summary
A battery includes a first cell stack and a second cell stack arranged side by side, and a first cooling pipe and a second cooling pipe provided below the first and second cell stacks, respectively, and configured to cool the first and second cell stacks, respectively. The first and second cooling pipes extend from first ends of the first and second cell stacks to second ends thereof, respectively, and are connected to each other at the second ends. An inlet port and an outlet port for a refrigerant flowing through the first and second cooling pipes are both provided at the first ends, and the refrigerant flowing in from the inlet port first passes through the first cooling pipe from the first end, then passes through the second cooling pipe from the second end, and flows out from the outlet port.