U.S. patent application number 14/943918 was filed with the patent office on 2016-12-22 for system and method for thermally managing battery.
This patent application is currently assigned to HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY. The applicant listed for this patent is HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY. Invention is credited to Gun Goo LEE.
Application Number | 20160372806 14/943918 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57588505 |
Filed Date | 2016-12-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160372806 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LEE; Gun Goo |
December 22, 2016 |
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THERMALLY MANAGING BATTERY
Abstract
A system and method for thermally managing a battery, capable of
effectively performing thermal management (cooling or heating) of a
battery is provided. The system for thermally managing a battery
includes a thermal manager performing a thermal management of a
battery by means of a coolant, a coolant circulation line being
connected to the thermal manager, and a heat exchanger being
installed to the coolant circulation line.
Inventors: |
LEE; Gun Goo; (Suwon-si,
KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY |
Seoul |
|
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
Seoul
KR
|
Family ID: |
57588505 |
Appl. No.: |
14/943918 |
Filed: |
November 17, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01M 2220/20 20130101;
H01M 10/625 20150401; H01M 10/6563 20150401; H01M 10/6572 20150401;
H01M 10/617 20150401; Y02E 60/10 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H01M 10/6572 20060101
H01M010/6572; H01M 10/625 20060101 H01M010/625; H01M 10/617
20060101 H01M010/617 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 17, 2015 |
KR |
10-2015-0085755 |
Claims
1. A system for thermally managing a battery, the system
comprising: a thermal manager configured to perform thermal
management of a battery by a coolant; a coolant circulation line
being connected to the thermal manager; and a heat exchanger being
installed to the coolant circulation line.
2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger
comprises: a heat exchange member being installed to the coolant
circulation line to cool or heat the coolant; a thermoelectric
element being attached to the heat exchange member; and a heat sink
being attached to the thermoelectric element.
3. The system according to claim 2, wherein a pair of
thermoelectric elements are symmetrically attached to the heat
exchange member, and a pair of heat sinks are attached to the
thermoelectric elements such that the pair of heat sinks are
symmetrically disposed with respect to the heat exchange
member.
4. The system according to claim 2, wherein the thermoelectric
element comprises a first surface in contact with the heat exchange
member and a second surface in contact with the heat sink, and a
polarity change switch changing polarity is connected to the
thermoelectric element.
5. The system according to claim 2, further comprising: a cooling
fan being disposed to face the heat sink.
6. The system according to claim 2, wherein the heat exchange
member comprises a plurality of heat exchange plates being spaced
apart from one another at a predetermined interval, and a heat
exchange tube penetrating through the plurality of heat exchange
plates, and the coolant moves through the heat exchange tube.
7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the heat exchange tube
is a straight tube.
8. The system according to claim 6, wherein a plurality of inner
fins are formed on an inner surface of the heat exchange tube.
9. The system according to claim 2, wherein the heat exchange
member comprises a serpentine heat exchange tube being connected to
the coolant circulation line and a heat exchange block covering an
outer surface of the serpentine heat exchange tube.
10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the heat exchange
member further comprises a heat exchange duct being connected to
the coolant circulation line, and a grid frame in which a plurality
of grid flow channels are formed at a predetermined interval is
installed inside the heat exchange duct.
11. The system according to claim 10, wherein the heat exchange
duct comprises an inlet through which the coolant is introduced,
and an outlet through which the coolant is discharged, wherein the
inlet and outlet are respectively formed at both end portions of
the heat exchange duct which includes a structural bent forming a
U-shape.
12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the inlet and the
outlet of the heat exchange duct include a cross-sectional area
smaller than a cross-sectional area of the heat exchange duct, and
the inlet and the outlet are connected to a first end and a second
end of the heat exchange duct by medium of expansion type
connection portions.
13. The system according to claim 12, wherein a baffle having a
plurality of small through holes is installed inside the expansion
type connection portions.
14. The system according to claim 1, further comprising: a first
temperature sensor being installed in the battery to detect a
temperature of the battery; and a second temperature sensor being
installed to the coolant circulation line to detect a temperature
of the coolant.
15. The system according to claim 1, wherein the thermal manager
comprises a thermal jacket comprising an inlet through which the
coolant is introduced and an outlet through which the coolant is
discharged.
16. A system for thermally managing a battery, the system
comprising: a thermal manager allowing a coolant to flow therein to
cool or heat a battery and including an inlet through which the
coolant is introduced and an outlet through which the coolant is
discharged; a coolant circulation line connecting the inlet and the
outlet of the thermal manager; a coolant circulation pump pumping
the coolant to the thermal manager; and a heat exchanger including
a thermoelectric element installed to the coolant circulation line
to cool or heat the coolant by changing polarity.
17. The system according to claim 16, wherein the battery is
installed in any one of a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a plug-in
hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), a fuel cell electric vehicle
(FCEV), and an electric vehicle (EV).
18. A method of thermally managing a battery including a thermal
manager having a coolant which exchanges heat with a battery and
flows in the thermal manager, a coolant circulation line being
connected to the thermal manager, and a heat exchanger being
installed to the coolant circulation line, having a thermoelectric
element, and cooling or heating the coolant by changing polarity,
the method comprising: measuring a temperature of the battery;
performing selectively a cooling operation of the thermoelectric
element to cool the coolant when a measured temperature of the
battery exceeds an upper limit threshold value of the battery; and
performing selectively a heating operation of the thermoelectric
element to heat the coolant when the measured temperature of the
battery is lower than a lower limit threshold value of the
battery.
19. The method according to claim 18, wherein a temperature of the
battery and a temperature of the coolant are measured, and when the
measured temperature of the battery exceeds the upper limit
threshold value of the battery and the measured temperature of the
coolant is lower than the measured temperature of the battery, the
coolant is cooled by a cooling operation of the thermoelectric
element and the coolant is pumped to the thermal manager.
20. The method according to claim 18, wherein a temperature of the
battery and a temperature of the coolant are measured, and when the
measured temperature of the battery exceeds the upper limit
threshold value of the battery and the measured temperature of the
coolant is higher than the measured temperature of the battery,
pumping of the coolant to the thermal manager is interrupted and
the coolant is cooled by a cooling operation of the thermoelectric
element.
21. The method according to claim 18, wherein a temperature of the
battery and a temperature of the coolant are measured, and when the
measured temperature of the battery is lower than a lower limit
threshold value of the battery and the measured temperature of the
coolant is higher than the measured temperature of the battery, the
coolant is heated by a heating operation of the thermoelectric
element and the coolant is pumped to the thermal manager.
22. The method according to claim 18, wherein a temperature of the
battery and a temperature of the coolant are measured, and when the
measured temperature of the battery is lower than the lower limit
threshold value of the battery and the measured temperature of the
coolant is lower than the measured temperature of the battery,
pumping of the coolant to the thermal manager is interrupted and
the coolant is heated by a heating operation of the thermoelectric
element.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent
Application No. 10-2015-0085755, filed on Jun. 17, 2015, which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a system and method for
thermally managing a battery.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The statements in this section merely provide background
information related to the present disclosure and may not
constitute prior art.
[0004] Lithium batteries applied to hybrid electric vehicles
(HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and electric
vehicles (EVs) are advantageous in terms of output and energy
density, compared with existing nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH)
batteries.
[0005] However, when lithium batteries are charged or discharged,
heat is generated, and thus, in a high temperature environment such
a scorching summer, ambient heat may be added to heat generated
when a lithium battery is used, reducing a lifespan of the lithium
battery. Also, in a low temperature environment such as a cold
weather condition, a temperature of a lithium battery is lowered
more than necessary, degrading an output of the lithium
battery.
[0006] Thermal management of a battery is important to prevent a
degradation of a lifespan and an output.
[0007] In general, in order to cool a high voltage battery system,
an air cooling-type cooling system for forcibly blowing air toward
a battery by means of a cooling fan or a water cooling-type cooling
system using water or oil is used. Also, in an extremely low
temperature environment, a battery heating system for heating a
battery using a heater core, a surface type heater is applied.
[0008] In particular, in a PHEV or EV requiring a high output, heat
having a high temperature is generated in a lithium battery, and as
a result, a water cooling-type cooling system is increasingly
applied.
[0009] However, the water cooling-type cooling system has a very
complicated structure for excellent cooling performance. For
example, the existing water cooling-type cooling system is
associated with a vehicle air-conditioning system, resulting in a
very complicated overall structure, and thus, it is required to
check an overall layout and performance of the existing water
cooling-type cooling system in respect to a vehicle
air-conditioning system when designed.
SUMMARY
[0010] The present disclosure provides a system and method for
thermally managing a battery capable of simplifying an overall
layout by unifying a cooling system and a heating system without
the necessity of associating with a vehicle air-conditioning
system, and considerably improving cooling and heating efficiency
of a battery by effectively cooling or heating a coolant
heat-exchanged with a battery using the Peltier effect of a
thermoelectric element.
[0011] According to an exemplary form of the present disclosure, a
system for thermally managing a battery includes: a thermal manager
performing a thermal management of a battery by means of a coolant;
a coolant circulation line being connected to the thermal manager;
and a heat exchanger being installed to the coolant circulation
line.
[0012] The heat exchanger may include: a heat exchange member being
installed to the coolant circulation line to cool or heat the
coolant; a thermoelectric element being attached to the heat
exchange member; and a heat sink being attached to the
thermoelectric element.
[0013] A pair of thermoelectric elements may be symmetrically
attached to the heat exchange member and a pair of heat sinks may
be attached to the thermoelectric elements such that the pair of
heat sinks may be symmetrically disposed with respect to the heat
exchange member.
[0014] The thermoelectric element may have a first surface in
contact with the heat exchange member and a second surface in
contact with the heat sink, and a polarity change switch changing
polarity may be connected to the thermoelectric element.
[0015] The system may further include: a first temperature sensor
being installed to the battery to detect a temperature of the
battery, and a second temperature sensor being installed to the
coolant circulation line to detect a temperature of the
coolant.
[0016] The system may further include: a cooling fan being disposed
to face the heat sink.
[0017] The heat exchange member may include a plurality of heat
exchange plates being spaced apart from one another at a
predetermined interval, and a heat exchange tube penetrating
through the plurality of heat exchange plates, and the coolant
moves through the heat exchange tube.
[0018] The heat exchange tube may be a straight tube.
[0019] In one form, a plurality of inner fins are formed on an
inner surface of the heat exchange tube.
[0020] The heat exchange member may include a serpentine heat
exchange tube being connected to the coolant circulation line and a
heat exchange block covering an outer surface of the serpentine
heat exchange tube.
[0021] The heat exchange member may include a heat exchange duct
being connected to the coolant circulation line, and a grid frame
in which a plurality of grid flow channels are formed at a uniform
interval may be installed inside the heat exchange duct.
[0022] The heat exchange duct may have an inlet, through which a
coolant is introduced, and an outlet, through which the coolant is
discharged, formed at both end portions thereof, and may have a
structure bent to have a U shape.
[0023] The inlet and the outlet of the heat exchange duct may have
a cross-sectional area smaller than that of the heat exchange duct,
and the inlet and the outlet may be connected to one end and the
other end of the heat exchange duct by the medium of expansion type
connection portions.
[0024] A baffle having a plurality of small through holes may be
installed within the expansion type connection portions.
[0025] According to another exemplary form of the present
disclosure, a system for thermally managing a battery includes: a
thermal manager allowing a coolant to flow therein to cool or heat
a battery and having an inlet through which the coolant is
introduced and an outlet through which the coolant is discharged; a
coolant circulation line connecting the inlet and the outlet of the
thermal manager; a coolant circulation pump pumping the coolant to
the thermal manager; and a heat exchanger having a thermoelectric
element being installed to the coolant circulation line to cool or
heat the coolant by changing polarity.
[0026] The battery may be a battery installed in any one of a
hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle
(PHEV), a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV), and an electric
vehicle (EV).
[0027] According to another exemplary form of the present
disclosure, A method of thermally managing a battery including a
thermal manager having a coolant which exchanges heat with a
battery and flows in the thermal manager, a coolant circulation
line being connected to the thermal manager, and a heat exchanger
being installed to the coolant circulation line, having a
thermoelectric element, and cooling or heating the coolant by
changing polarity, comprises measuring a temperature of the
battery; performing selectively a cooling operation of the
thermoelectric element to cool the coolant when the measured
temperature of the battery exceeds an upper limit threshold value
of the battery; and performing selectively a heating operation of
the thermoelectric element to heat the coolant when the measured
temperature of the battery is lower than a lower limit threshold
value of the battery.
[0028] A temperature of the battery and a temperature of the
coolant may be measured, and when the measured temperature of the
battery exceeds the upper limit threshold value of the battery and
the measured temperature of the coolant is lower than that of the
battery, the coolant may be cooled by a cooling operation of the
thermoelectric element and the coolant may be pumped to the thermal
manager.
[0029] A temperature of the battery and a temperature of the
coolant may be measured, and when the measured temperature of the
battery exceeds the upper limit threshold value of the battery and
the measured temperature of the coolant is higher than that of the
battery, pumping the coolant to the thermal manager may be
interrupted and the coolant may be cooled by a cooling operation of
the thermoelectric element.
[0030] A temperature of the battery and a temperature of the
coolant may be measured, and when the measured temperature of the
battery is lower than a lower limit threshold value of the battery
and the measured temperature of the coolant is higher than that of
the battery, the coolant may be heated by a heating operation of
the thermoelectric element and the coolant may be pumped to the
thermal manager.
[0031] A temperature of the battery and a temperature of the
coolant may be measured, and when the measured temperature of the
battery is lower than the lower limit threshold value of the
battery and the measured temperature of the coolant is lower than
that of the battery, pumping the coolant to the thermal manager may
be interrupted and the coolant may be heated by a heating operation
of the thermoelectric element.
[0032] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the
description provided herein. It should be understood that the
description and specific examples are intended for purposes of
illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the
present disclosure.
DRAWINGS
[0033] In order that the disclosure may be well understood, there
will now be described various forms thereof, given by way of
example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0034] FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a configuration of a system
for thermally managing a battery according to an exemplary form of
the present disclosure;
[0035] FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating a heat exchanger
according to a first form applied to a system for thermally
managing a battery of the present disclosure;
[0036] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a heat exchanger
(without a cooling pan) according to a first exemplary form of the
present disclosure of FIG. 2;
[0037] FIGS. 4A and 4B are views illustrating a state in which a
thermoelectric element of a heat exchanger cools or heats a coolant
by converting polarity according to the first exemplary form of the
present disclosure of FIG. 2, wherein FIG. 4A is a view
illustrating a state in which a coolant is cooled by the
thermoelectric element and FIG. 4B is a view illustrating a state
in which a coolant is heated by the thermoelectric element;
[0038] FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a cooling logic in a
method for thermally managing a battery according to an exemplary
form of the present disclosure;
[0039] FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a heating logic in the
method for thermally managing a battery according to an exemplary
form of the present disclosure;
[0040] FIG. 7 is a side view illustrating a heat exchanger
according to a second exemplary form of the present disclosure
applied to a system for thermally managing a battery of the present
disclosure;
[0041] FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a heat exchanger
according to the second exemplary form of FIG. 7;
[0042] FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a heat exchanger
according to a third exemplary form of the present disclosure
applied to a system for thermally managing a battery of the present
disclosure;
[0043] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which
a heat sink and a cooling pan are removed from the heat exchanger
according to the third exemplary form of FIG. 9;
[0044] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of
FIG. 9; and
[0045] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of
FIG. 9.
[0046] The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes
only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present
disclosure in any way.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0047] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and
is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or
uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings,
corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding
parts and features.
[0048] For reference, the sizes of elements or thicknesses of lines
illustrated in the drawings may be exaggeratedly illustrated for
convenience of description. Moreover, the terms used henceforth
have been defined in consideration of the functions of the present
disclosure, and may be altered according to the intent of a user or
operator, or conventional practice. Therefore, the terms should be
defined on the basis of the entire content of this
specification.
[0049] FIGS. 1 through 4A and 4B are views illustrating a system
for thermally managing a battery according to an exemplary form of
the present disclosure.
[0050] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4A and 4B, a system for
thermally managing a battery according to an exemplary form of the
present disclosure includes a thermal manager 20 performing thermal
management on a battery 10, a coolant circulation line 25 connected
to the thermal manager 20, and a heat exchanger 30 installed to the
coolant circulation line 25.
[0051] The thermal manager 20 is in contact with a battery 10 and
has a coolant flowing circuit (not shown) therein. Thus, a coolant
flowing in the coolant flowing circuit of the thermal manager 20
may exchange heat with the battery 10 to cool or heat the battery
10, thereby appropriately performing thermal management on the
battery 10. For example, accommodating a flow of a coolant therein,
the thermal manager 20 in contact with the battery 10 allows the
coolant to exchange heat with the battery 10, thus performing
thermal management on the battery 10.
[0052] According to an exemplary form, the thermal manager 20 may
be configured as a thermal jacket having a coolant flowing circuit
therein. Such a coolant flowing circuit (not shown) may have a
structure such as a serpentine flow path, or the like.
[0053] Here, the battery 10 may be a battery installed in any one
of a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a plug-in hybrid electric
vehicle (PHEV), and a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV), and an
electric vehicle (EV).
[0054] The thermal manager 20 may have an inlet 21 through which a
coolant is introduced and an outlet 22 through which the coolant is
discharged, and the inlet 21 and the outlet 22 communicate with the
coolant flowing circuit (not shown).
[0055] The coolant circulation line 25 connects the inlet 21 and
the outlet 22 of the thermal manager 20, and through the coolant
circulation line 25, a coolant may be introduced through the inlet
21 of the thermal manager 20, exchange heat with the battery 10,
and subsequently discharged to the outlet 22 of the thermal manager
20.
[0056] A coolant circulation pump 26 pumping a coolant toward the
inlet 21 of the thermal manager 20 is installed to the coolant
circulation line 25.
[0057] The heat exchanger 30 is installed on one side of the
coolant circulation line 25, and particularly, the heat exchanger
30 may be disposed to be adjacent to the outlet 22 of the thermal
manager 20 or may be disposed in the middle portion between the
outlet 22 and the inlet 21 of the thermal manager 20.
[0058] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the heat exchanger 30
according to the first exemplary form of the present disclosure
includes a heat exchange member 40 installed to the coolant
circulation line 25, a thermoelectric element 31 attached to the
heat exchange member 40, a heat sink 32 attached to the
thermoelectric element 31, and a cooling fan 33 disposed to face
the heat sink 32.
[0059] The heat exchange member 40 includes a plurality of heat
exchanging plates 41 being spaced apart from one another by a
predetermined small interval and a heat exchange tube 42
penetrating through the plurality of heat exchanging plates 41.
[0060] The plurality of heat exchanging plates 41 are disposed to
be spaced apart from one another by a predetermined interval in the
direction of moving a coolant.
[0061] A flow path along which a coolant moves is formed within the
heat exchange tube 42. According to an exemplary form, the heat
exchange tube 42 may be formed as a straight tube penetrating
through the plurality of heat exchanging plates 41 in a linear
direction.
[0062] A plurality of inner fins 42a may be formed on an inner
surface of the heat exchange tube 42, and increase a contact area
of a coolant when the coolant moves through the heat exchange tube
42 to further enhance heat exchanging efficiency.
[0063] The heat exchange tube 42 may be manufactured separately
from the coolant circulation line 25 and hermetically connected to
the coolant circulation line 25 at both ends thereof. In one form,
the heat exchange tube 42 may be integrally formed with the coolant
circulation line 25.
[0064] The thermoelectric element 31 may be attached to one side of
the heat exchange member 40. In particular, the thermoelectric
element 31 may be attached to the top of the heat exchanging plates
41 of the heat exchange member 40.
[0065] The thermoelectric element 31 may have a first surface 34 in
direct contact with the heat exchange member 40 and a second
surface 35 in contact with the heat sink 32, and configured to
perform a cooling operation and a heating operation on a coolant
passing through the heat exchange member 40 using a Peltier
effect.
[0066] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a polarity changing switch 51
changing polarity is connected to the thermoelectric element 30.
The thermoelectric element 31 removes heat from the heat exchange
member 40 to cool a coolant or transmits heat to the heat exchange
member 40 to heat the coolant by the polarity change.
[0067] The heat sink 32 is attached to the second surface 35 of the
thermoelectric element 31 to outwardly dissipate heat transmitted
from the thermoelectric element 31 (cooling operation of the
thermoelectric element 31) or to transmit ambient heat to the
thermoelectric element 31 (heating operation of the thermoelectric
element 31).
[0068] The cooling fan 33 is disposed to face the heat sink 32. The
cooling fan 33 is configured to operate to forcibly blow cooling
air to the heat sink 32 when a coolant is to be cooled through a
cooling operation of the thermoelectric element 31, and stop
operation when the coolant is to be heated through a heating
operation of the thermoelectric element 31.
[0069] The cooling operation and heating operation of the
thermoelectric element 31 will be described in detail with
reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B.
[0070] First, a cooling operation of the thermoelectric element 31
may be performed to decrease a temperature of the coolant in order
to more effectively cool the battery 20 when the battery 20 is
overheated by an ambient environment and/or during charging or
discharging. To this end, when polarity of the thermoelectric
element 31 is connected as illustrated in FIG. 4A, an endothermic
reaction occurs on the first surface 34 of the thermoelectric
element 31 and an exothermic reaction occurs on the second surface
35 of the thermoelectric element 31. Accordingly, heat of the
coolant passing through the heat exchange member 40 is absorbed to
the first surface 34 of the thermoelectric element 31 and
subsequently released from the second surface 35, and thereafter,
dissipated through the heat sink 32, whereby the coolant moving
through the heat exchange member 40 is cooled, and the coolant
cooled thusly may be introduced to the thermal manager 20 so as to
be exchange heat with the battery 10 to cool the battery 10. In
particular, heat dissipation efficiency may be further increased
through the operation of the cooling fan 33.
[0071] A heating operation of the thermoelectric element 31 may be
performed to increase a temperature of the coolant in order to
effectively heat the battery 20 in a low temperature environment or
the like. To this end, when polarity of the thermoelectric element
31 is changed to be opposite to that of the case of FIG. 4A as
illustrated in FIG. 4B, an exothermic reaction occurs on the first
surface 32 of the thermoelectric element 31 and an endothermic
reaction occurs on the second surface 35 of the thermoelectric
element 31. Accordingly, ambient heat may be absorbed to the second
surface 35 of the thermoelectric element 31 through the heat sink
32 and subsequently released from the first surface 34 of the
thermoelectric element 31, and thereafter, the released heat is
transmitted to the heat exchange member 40, whereby a coolant
moving through the heat exchange member 40 is heated, and the
coolant heated thusly is introduced to the thermal manager 20 so as
to be heat-exchanged with the battery 10 to heat the battery 10. At
this time, the operation of the cooling fan 33 is stopped.
[0072] A controller 50 controlling operations of the polarity
change switch 51, the coolant circulation pump 26, and the cooling
fan 33 is provided.
[0073] A first temperature sensor 53 detecting a temperature TB of
the battery 10 is installed in the battery, and a second
temperature sensor 54 detecting a temperature TC of the coolant is
installed in the middle of the coolant circulation line 25.
[0074] According to an exemplary form, the second temperature
sensor 54 is installed to be in the proximity of the inlet 21 of
the thermal manager 20 in the coolant circulation line 25, to
precisely extract a correlation between the temperature TB of the
battery 10 and the temperature TC of the coolant, whereby the
battery 10 may be effectively cooled or heated.
[0075] The controller 50 is connected to the first and second
temperature sensors 53 and 54, and the temperature TB of the
battery 10 detected by the first and second temperature sensors 53
and 54 and the temperature TC of the coolant are transmitted to the
controller 50. By applying the information such as the temperature
TB of the battery 10 and the temperature TC of the coolant to a
predetermined cooling logic or heating logic, the controller 50 may
appropriately control cooling or heating of the coolant by the
thermoelectric element 31.
[0076] FIGS. 5 and 6 are views illustrating a method for thermally
managing a battery.
[0077] According to the method for thermally managing a battery
according to an exemplary form of the present disclosure, a
temperature TB of the battery 10 and a temperature TC of a coolant
are measured by the first and second temperature sensors 53 and 54.
When the temperature TB of the battery 10 exceeds an upper limit
threshold value (Tmax) of the battery 10 (overheated state of the
battery 10), the thermoelectric element 31 performs a cooling
operation to cool the coolant moving through the heat exchange
member 40 of the heat exchanger 30 as illustrated in FIG. 5, and
when the temperature TB of the battery 10 is less than a lower
limit threshold value (Tmin) of the battery 10 (overcooled state of
the battery 10), the thermoelectric element 31 performs a heating
operation to heat the coolant moving through the heat exchange
member 40 of the heat exchanger 30 as illustrated in FIG. 6.
[0078] That is, in the method for thermally managing a battery
according to an exemplary form, the cooling and heating operation
of the thermoelectric element 31 is selectively switched according
to an overheated or overcooled state of the battery 10 to cool or
heat the coolant heat-exchanged with the battery 10, thereby
effectively cooling or heating the battery 10.
[0079] FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a battery cooling logic
according to an exemplary form.
[0080] First, a temperature TB of the battery 10 and a temperature
TC of a coolant TC are measured by the first and second temperature
sensors 53 and 54 in step S1, and it is determined whether the
temperature TB of the battery 10 exceeds the upper limit threshold
value (Tmax) of the battery 10 in step S2. Here, the upper limit
threshold value (Tmax) is an allowable uppermost value of the
battery 10 not disrupting driving of the battery 10.
[0081] Here, when the temperature TB of the battery 10 exceeds the
upper limit threshold value (Tmax) of the battery 10, the battery
10 is in an overheated state, so the battery 10 is required to be
cooled. When the temperature TB of the battery 10 does not exceed
the upper limit threshold value (Tmax), the battery 10 is not
required to be cooled, and thus, operations of the cooling fan 33,
the thermoelectric element 31, and the coolant circulation pump 26
are stopped in step S5.
[0082] When it is determined that the temperature TB of the battery
10 exceeds the upper limit threshold value (Tmax) of the battery 10
in step S2, it is determined whether the temperature T.sub.C of the
coolant is lower than the temperature T.sub.B of the battery 10 in
step S3.
[0083] Thereafter, when it is determined that the temperature TC of
the coolant is lower than the temperature TB in step S3, the
thermoelectric element 31 is cooled and the coolant circulation
pump 25 and the cooling fan 33 are operated to cool the battery 10
in step S4. Accordingly, the coolant is cooled through the cooling
operation of the thermoelectric element 31 and the operation of the
cooling fan 33, and the cooled coolant is pumped to the thermal
manager 20 by an operation of the coolant circulation pump 25 to
cool the battery 10.
[0084] After step S4, the process is returned to step S1 to repeat
the foregoing process.
[0085] When it is determined that the temperature TC of the coolant
is higher than the temperature TB of the battery 10, the operation
of the coolant circulation pump 25 is stopped to interrupt pumping
of the coolant to the thermal manager 20, and the thermoelectric
element 31 is cooled and the cooling fan 33 is operated in step S6.
Accordingly, since the coolant circulation pump 25 is stopped, the
coolant having a high temperature is not introduced to the thermal
manager 20 and is cooled through the cooling operation of the
thermoelectric element 31 and the operation of the cooling fan 33.
After step S6, the process is returned to step S3.
[0086] FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method for heating a
battery according to an exemplary form of the present
disclosure.
[0087] First, in a state in which the cooling fan 33 is stopped, a
temperature TB of the battery 10 and a temperature TC of a coolant
are measured by the first and second temperature sensors 53 and 54
in step T1 and it is determined whether the temperature TB of the
battery 10 is lower than a lower limit threshold value Tmin of the
battery 10 in step T2. Here, the lower limit threshold value Tmin
is an allowable lowermost value of the battery 10 not disrupting
driving of the battery 10.
[0088] Here, when it is determined that the temperature TB of the
battery 10 is lower than lower limit threshold value Tmin of the
battery 10, it means that the battery 10 is in an overcooled state,
and thus, the battery 10 is required to be heated. When it is
determined that the temperature TB of the battery 10 is higher than
lower limit threshold value Tmin of the battery 10, the battery 10
is not required to be heated, and thus, operations of the
thermoelectric element 31 and the coolant circulation pump 26 are
stopped in step T5.
[0089] When it is determined that the temperature TB of the battery
10 is lower than the lower limit threshold value Tmin of the
battery 10 in step T2, it is determined whether the temperature TC
of the coolant is higher than the temperature TB of the battery 10
in step T3.
[0090] Thereafter, when it is determined that the temperature TC of
the coolant is higher than the temperature TB of the battery 10 in
step T3, the coolant circulation pump 25 is operated and the
thermoelectric element 31 is heated to heat the battery 10 in step
T4. Accordingly, the coolant is heated through the heating
operation of the thermoelectric element 31 and the operation of the
cooling fan 33, and the coolant heated thusly is pumped to the
thermal manager 20 through the operation of the coolant circulation
pump 25 to heat the battery 10.
[0091] After step T4, the process is returned to step T1 to repeat
the foregoing process.
[0092] When it is determined that the temperature TC of the coolant
is lower than the temperature TB of the battery 10 in step S3, the
operation of the coolant circulation pump 25 is stopped to prevent
the coolant from being introduced to the inlet 21 of the thermal
manager 20 and a heating operation of the thermoelectric element 31
is performed in step T6. Accordingly, since the coolant circulation
pump 25 is stopped, the coolant having a low temperature is
prevented from being pumped to the thermal manager 20 and heated
through the heating operation of the thermoelectric element 31.
After step T6, the process is returned to step T3.
[0093] FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a heat exchanger 30 according to a
second exemplary form applied to a system for thermally managing a
battery of the present disclosure.
[0094] The heat exchanger 30 according to the second exemplary form
includes a heat exchange member 40 installed in the middle of the
coolant circulation line 25 to exchange heat with a coolant, a
thermoelectric element 31 attached to the heat exchange member 40,
a heat sink 32 attached to the thermoelectric element 31, and a
cooling fan 33 disposed to face the heat sink 32.
[0095] The heat exchange member 40 includes a serpentine heat
exchange tube 44 connected to the coolant circulation line 25 and a
heat exchange block 43 provided to cover an outer surface of the
serpentine heat exchange tube 44.
[0096] The serpentine heat exchange tube 44 is formed to have a
serpentine shape bent/changing directions several times to increase
a contact area of a coolant to enhance heat exchange
efficiency.
[0097] An inlet 44a through which the coolant is introduced and an
outlet 44b through which the coolant is discharged are formed at
both ends of the serpentine heat exchange tube 44, and the inlet
44a and the outlet 44b of the serpentine heat exchange tube are
connected to the coolant circulation line 25.
[0098] The serpentine heat exchange tube 44 may be manufactured
separately from the coolant circulation line 25 and hermetically
connected to the coolant circulation line 25 at both ends thereof.
In one form, the serpentine heat exchange tube 44 may be integrally
formed with the coolant circulation line 25.
[0099] Also, inner fins (not shown) may be provided on an inner
surface of the serpentine heat exchange tube 44 to further increase
the contact area of the coolant.
[0100] The heat exchange block 43 is installed to cover an outer
side of the serpentine heat exchange tube 44, and in particular,
the heat exchange block 43 may be formed of a material having high
heat transfer coefficient to facilitate heat exchange.
[0101] The thermoelectric element 31 may be attached to one side of
the heat exchange member 40, and in particular, the thermoelectric
element 31 may be attached to the heat exchange block 43 of the
heat exchange member 40.
[0102] In the heat exchanger 30 according to the second exemplary
form, a pair of thermoelectric elements 31 are symmetrically
attached to upper and lower surfaces of the heat exchange block 43,
and a pair of heat sinks 32 and a pair of cooling fans 33 are
attached to the pair of thermoelectric elements 31 to correspond
thereto, respectively, forming a symmetrical disposition with
respect to the heat exchange block 43.
[0103] In this manner, since the pair of thermoelectric elements
31, the pair of heat sinks 32, and the pair of cooling fans 33 are
symmetrically disposed with respect to the heat exchange block 43
of the heat exchange member 40 in the heat exchanger 30 according
to the second exemplary form of the present disclosure, the coolant
may be effectively cooled or heated by the thermoelectric elements
31.
[0104] Other operations and configurations are the same as or
similar to those of the first exemplary form described above.
[0105] FIGS. 9 through 12 illustrate a heat exchanger 30 according
to a third exemplary form applied to a system for thermally
managing a battery of the present disclosure.
[0106] The heat exchanger 30 according to the third exemplary form
includes a heat exchange member 40 installed in the coolant
circulation line 25 to exchange heat with a coolant, a
thermoelectric element 31 attached to the heat exchange member 40,
a heat sink 32 attached to the thermoelectric element 31, and a
cooling fan 33 disposed to face the heat sink 32.
[0107] The heat exchange member 40 includes a heat exchange duct 45
connected in the middle of the coolant circulation line 25.
[0108] The heat exchange duct 45 has an inlet 45a through which a
coolant is introduced and an outlet 45b through which the coolant
is discharged, at both end portions thereof, and the inlet 45a and
the outlet 45b of the heat exchange duct 45 have a cross-sectional
area smaller than that of the heat exchange duct 45. In particular,
the inlet 45a and the outlet 45b are connected to one end and the
other end of the heat exchange duct 45 by the medium of expansion
type connection portions 49, and each of the expansion type
connection portions 49 have a tapered structure as illustrated in
FIG. 12.
[0109] The heat exchange duct 45 is bent to have a U shape such
that the inlet 45a and the outlet 45b are positioned in the same
direction, and the coolant circulation line 25 is hermetically
connected to the inlet 45a and the outlet 45b of the heat exchange
duct 45.
[0110] As illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, a grid frame 47 is
installed in an internal flow channel of the heat exchange duct 45,
and a plurality of grid flow channels 46 are formed at uniform
intervals in vertical and horizontal directions in the grid frame
47. Each of the grid flow channels 46 has a fine circular or
quadrangular cross-section. In particular, two grid frames 47 are
installed in the internal flow channel adjacent to the inlet 45a of
the heat exchange duct 45 and in the internal flow channel adjacent
to the outlet 45b of the heat exchange duct 45, respectively.
[0111] Accordingly, a coolant introduced through the inlet 45a of
the heat exchange duct 45 may pass through the grid flow channels
46 of the two grid frames 47 and is subsequently discharged through
the outlet 45b of the heat exchange duct 45. Here, since the
coolant may uniformly pass through the grid flow channels 46 having
a fine cross-section, the grid flow channels 46 may serve as heat
exchange fins increasing a contact area of the coolant, and thus,
heat exchange efficiency of the coolant may be increased.
[0112] A baffle 48 having a plurality of small through holes 48a is
installed in the expansion type connection portion 49. The small
through holes 48a of the baffle 48 are formed at uniform intervals,
and thus, the inflow and outflow coolant may be uniformly
distributed through the small through holes 48a of the baffle
48.
[0113] The thermoelectric element 31 may be attached to an upper
surface or a lower surface of the heat exchange duct 45, and in
particular, a plurality of thermoelectric elements 31 may be
uniformly attached to the upper surface or the lower surface of the
heat exchange duct 45 to correspond to the U-shaped structure of
the heat exchange duct 45. Through the plurality of thermoelectric
elements 31, the coolant passing through the heat exchange duct 45
may be effectively cooled or heated.
[0114] Other components are the same as or similar to those of the
heat exchanger 30 according to the first and second exemplary forms
described above.
[0115] According to the present disclosure described above, since
the coolant for thermally managing a battery to an appropriate
state is cooled or heated by the heat exchanger, the thermal
management of the battery may be effectively performed.
[0116] Since the coolant heat-exchanged with the battery is cooled
or heated by using the Peltier effect of the thermoelectric
element, a cooling structure and a heating structure for the
battery may be unified, eliminating the necessity of association
with a vehicle air-conditioning system, and thus, an overall layout
may be very simplified, performance inspection may be simplified,
and an overall weight may be effectively reduced.
[0117] In addition, since the coolant heat-exchanged with the
battery is effectively cooled or heated by using the Peltier effect
of the thermoelectric element, cooling and heating efficiency of
the battery may be significantly enhanced.
[0118] Moreover, since cooling and heating of the battery may be
promptly switched by simply changing polarity of power applied to a
thermoelectric element according to a temperature of the battery
and a temperature of the coolant, controlling thereof may be
simplified.
[0119] Hereinabove, although the present disclosure has been
described with reference to exemplary forms and the accompanying
drawings, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, but may be
variously modified and altered by those skilled in the art to which
the present disclosure pertains without departing from the spirit
and scope of the present disclosure claimed in the following
claims.
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