Thermoelectric Module Battery Charging Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery charging devices face inefficiencies and safety concerns due to inadequate thermal management, as the release of thermal energy during charging can lead to overheating or reduced efficiency at improper temperatures, and existing cooling systems are limited by air's thermal conductivity.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a thermoelectric module with a semiconductor thermoelectric cooling system that maintains a temperature difference between its surfaces, allowing for direct conversion of thermal to electrical energy, enabling the module to either cool or heat the battery based on environmental conditions, thereby optimizing charging efficiency and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If input current is increased to speed up charging efficiency, then charging efficiency is improved, but thermal energy release increases causing battery temperature to rise rapidly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful thermal energy released during charging into a beneficial cooling effect by using a thermoelectric module. The module utilizes the temperature difference generated during charging to actively cool the battery, transforming the waste heat into a useful cooling function that prevents overheating while maintaining high charging efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermoelectric module acts as an intermediary between the battery and the cooling system. It directly couples to the battery surface and uses thermoelectric effect to transfer heat from the battery to the environment, providing efficient thermal management without requiring conventional fans or heat sinks.
2Temperature
If conventional fan cooling system is used to dissipate heat, then thermal energy can be removed, but cooling efficiency is limited by air's thermal conductivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical fan-based cooling system with a solid-state thermoelectric module. This substitution eliminates the need for moving parts and air convection, using instead the direct thermoelectric effect to transfer heat, which is much more efficient due to direct thermal conduction through the module materials.
3Temperature
If battery is placed in cold environment to improve safety, then overheating is prevented, but electrolyte may solidify causing significant drop in charging efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic temperature control system using the thermoelectric module that can adjust its operation based on real-time battery temperature conditions. The module can switch between cooling mode when the battery is overheating and heating mode when the battery is too cold, maintaining the battery within the optimal charging temperature range regardless of environmental conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameters of the thermoelectric module based on temperature conditions. By adjusting the voltage polarity and magnitude applied to the module, it can dynamically control the direction and intensity of heat transfer, enabling both heating and cooling functions to optimize charging efficiency across different environmental temperatures.
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
The thermoelectric module effectively regulates battery temperature, enhancing charging efficiency and safety by efficiently managing thermal energy, preventing overheating and maintaining optimal operating conditions across varying environments.
Implementation Method 1
The thermoelectric module has a first surface, a second surface, and two voltage input terminals, wherein the battery is mounted on the first surface of the thermoelectric module so that the first surface is directly in contact with the battery. Moreover, when the thermoelectric module receives a supplying voltage through the two voltage input terminals, the thermoelectric module maintains a temperature difference between the first surface and the second surface.
Implementation Method 2
the first surface is directly in contact with the battery
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a charging device having a thermoelectric device, including at least one battery unit. The at least one battery unit includes a battery and a thermoelectric module, wherein the battery is mounted on a first surface of the thermoelectric module and the battery contacts the first surface. When the thermoelectric module is provided with a supplying voltage through two voltage input terminals, a temperature difference is generated between a second surface of the thermoelectric module and the first surface, so that the thermoelectric module either heats up or cools down the battery depending on different battery temperatures and conditions, thus ensuring the charging efficiency and safety.