Thermoelectric Battery Temperature Control for Heating and Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery thermal management systems are bulky and not designed for optimal temperature control, leading to reduced charge and discharge capacity, increased aging, and limited operational flexibility due to high or low temperatures.

Innovation Solution

A thermoelectric device system with control circuitry that adjusts input voltage and polarity to maintain the battery within a desired temperature range, using a thermally conductive wrap to transfer heat and a sensor to monitor temperature, allowing for both heating and cooling modes and user-defined operational modes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If conventional thermal management systems are used, then battery temperature can be controlled, but the systems are bulky and reduce adaptability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery temperature controlVSAvoidsystem adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical thermal management systems (liquid cooling loops, fans, heat exchangers) with a thermoelectric device that uses electrical current to directly heat or cool the battery. This substitution eliminates bulky mechanical components while maintaining temperature control capability, thereby improving system adaptability without sacrificing temperature regulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Temperature

If conventional thermal management systems are used, then battery temperature can be controlled, but the systems increase weight and volume

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery temperature controlVSAvoidsystem weight

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces heavy mechanical thermal management components with a lightweight thermoelectric device that uses electrical current for heating and cooling. This substitution dramatically reduces system weight while maintaining effective temperature control, making the battery system more suitable for portable and mobile applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If battery operates at high temperature, then charge and discharge rate increases, but cell aging accelerates and capacity fades

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharge and discharge rateVSAvoidbattery reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates temperature sensing and control circuitry that continuously monitors battery temperature and adjusts the thermoelectric device operation accordingly. This feedback mechanism maintains the battery within an optimal temperature range, enabling high charge and discharge rates when appropriate while preventing excessive temperatures that would accelerate aging and reduce reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Reliability

If battery operates at low temperature, then safety improves, but output power capability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery safetyVSAvoidoutput power capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent's temperature monitoring and control system detects when battery temperature drops below the optimal range and activates the thermoelectric heating function. This feedback-controlled heating maintains the battery at temperatures that preserve both safety and high output power capability, eliminating the trade-off between these two parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 improved battery performance by maintaining optimal temperature, enhancing charge and discharge capacity, reducing aging, and increasing reliability across various operational contexts.

Implementation Method 1

A thermoelectric device is positioned to heat and/or cool the battery. The input voltage and polarity to the thermoelectric device is adjusted to heat and/or cool the battery.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPeltier effect: Peltier Effect

Implementation Method 2

A thermally conductive wrap is configured to contact against individual cells of the battery and conduct heat from the thermoelectric device to the individual cells when operating in the heating mode and conducts the heat from the individual cells to the thermoelectric device when operating in the cooling mode.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS20230378569A1Battery Temperature Regulation System

Publication Date: 2023.11.23 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

A system and method for heating and cooling a battery. The system includes a thermoelectric device configured to attach to the battery and operate in a heating mode to elevate the operating temperature of the battery and in a cooling mode to reduce the operating temperature of the battery. Control circuitry is configured to: determine a temperature of the battery; supply an input voltage and a polarity of the thermoelectric device; and adjust the input voltage and the polarity based on a temperature of the battery.