Work Machine Cover Layout to Prevent BTMS Exhaust Recirculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The load for controlling the temperature of a battery device in work machines becomes excessive due to the heat exchange performed by the battery thermal management system (BTMS) when its exhaust is discharged to the battery device.
Innovation Solution
A work machine design featuring a polyhedral vehicle body cover with strategically oriented air intake and exhaust ports to minimize the recirculation of warm air, thereby reducing the thermal management load on the BTMS.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the BTMS exhaust is discharged to the battery device for heat exchange, then the thermal management function is improved, but the load for controlling battery temperature becomes excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust air from the BTMS is extracted and discharged to the outside environment through a dedicated exhaust port, rather than being recirculated back to the battery device. This separates the thermal management function from the heat exchange function, allowing the BTMS to operate with reduced load while still effectively controlling battery temperature.
Solution Approach 2:
The warm exhaust air from the BTMS, which would otherwise represent wasted thermal energy, is utilized to pre-heat the incoming air through a heat exchanger before it enters the battery compartment. This converts the harmful waste heat into a beneficial resource, reducing the cooling load on the BTMS while maintaining effective temperature control.
2Device complexity
If air intake and exhaust ports are positioned on the same surface, then the structure is simplified, but warm air recirculation occurs increasing thermal management load
Solution Approach 1:
The air intake port and exhaust port are positioned on different surfaces of the vehicle body cover, creating an asymmetric air flow path. This asymmetric arrangement prevents warm exhaust air from recirculating back to the battery device, reducing the thermal management load while maintaining structural feasibility through strategic port placement on adjacent or opposite surfaces.
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 design effectively reduces the load for controlling the temperature of the battery device by suppressing the heating of the battery device and the BTMS, leading to improved thermal management efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a battery thermal management system for managing the temperature of the battery device
Implementation Method 2
a first air intake port for guiding air into the first region... a second exhaust port for drawing out air from the second region
Data Source
AI summary
A work machine actuates a work implement with power from a battery device. The work machine includes a first region in which the battery device is disposed, a second region in which a battery thermal management system is disposed, and a vehicle body cover having a polyhedral shape and surrounding the first region and the second region. The battery thermal management system manages temperature of the battery device. In the vehicle body cover, an orientation of a surface in which a first air intake port arranged to guide air into the first region is formed, is different from an orientation of a surface in which a second exhaust port arranged to draw air out from the second region is formed.