Electric Work Vehicle PDU Layout for Battery Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric vehicles, particularly electric tractors, face challenges in efficiently cooling and managing battery modules due to limited space and cooling efficiency, which can lead to reduced performance and potential degradation of battery components.
Innovation Solution
The electric tractor incorporates a power distribution unit (PDU) with spaced apart housings for positive and negative rails, layered battery strings, and an air cooling system with multiple evaporators and ducts to optimize cooling efficiency and manage battery modules effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If battery modules are closely arranged to maximize space utilization, then the volume of battery modules is increased, but cooling efficiency deteriorates due to limited space for cooling channels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional planar cooling channels to three-dimensional hollow spherical cooling structures. The spherical cooling channels extend into the third dimension, allowing coolant to flow through the center and along the inner walls of each battery module, thereby achieving effective cooling without increasing the footprint area and maintaining high space utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling channels are nested within the battery module structure itself. The hollow spherical cooling channels are integrated into the internal structure of each battery module, with the coolant flow path embedded within the module's own volume rather than requiring separate external cooling infrastructure.
2Temperature
If complex cooling systems are added to improve cooling efficiency, then cooling performance is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling function is merged with the battery module structure itself. The spherical cooling channels are integrated into each battery module, combining the structural and cooling functions into a single unified component, thereby achieving effective cooling without adding separate complex cooling systems.
Solution Approach 2:
Each battery module is self-contained with its own spherical cooling channel, allowing it to cool itself independently. The coolant flows through the hollow sphere within each module, enabling the battery module to perform its own cooling function without requiring complex external cooling infrastructure.
3Temperature
If more cooling channels are added to improve cooling coverage, then cooling efficiency is enhanced, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes three-dimensional spherical cooling channels that extend vertically and radially within each battery module, providing comprehensive cooling coverage throughout the module volume without requiring additional horizontal space. The spherical geometry allows coolant to reach all areas of the battery module through its three-dimensional flow path.
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 solution enhances cooling efficiency, reduces battery degradation, and improves overall performance by ensuring effective temperature management of battery modules, thereby extending the vehicle's operational lifespan and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
at least one evaporator is located between the first PDU housing and the second PDU housing
Data Source
AI summary
An electric work vehicle includes a power distribution unit (PDU). The PDU includes a first PDU housing to house a positive rail and a second PDU housing to house a negative rail, and the first PDU housing is spaced away from the second PDU housing. The first PDU housing is located on a first side of a centerline of the electric work vehicle that extends in a front-rear direction of the electric work vehicle, and the second PDU housing is located on a second side of the centerline of the electric work vehicle opposite to the first side of the centerline of the electric work vehicle.