Air-Cooled EV Battery Pack Thermal Management
25 patents in this list
Updated:
Electric vehicles rely on efficient thermal management to keep battery packs within optimal temperature ranges. Air-cooled systems offer a practical solution, using airflow to dissipate heat generated during charging and discharging. However, maintaining consistent cooling across all cells is a complex challenge, especially under varying driving conditions and climates.
Professionals in the field face obstacles such as uneven heat distribution, limited airflow paths, and the need to prevent thermal runaway. These issues can compromise battery performance, reduce lifespan, and impact vehicle safety. Engineers must design systems that balance airflow and thermal conductivity without adding excessive weight or complexity.
This page explores a range of engineering solutions to enhance air-cooled battery systems. From integrated air channels and heat pipes to fin-enhanced radiators and ducted airflow designs, these strategies aim to improve heat dissipation and ensure reliable performance. By addressing these thermal challenges, we pave the way for safer and more efficient electric vehicles.
1. Battery Pack with Internal Cooling Chamber and Integrated Air Channels for Forced Airflow
SHANGHAI LANJUN NEW ENERGY TECH CO LTD, SHANGHAI LANJUN NEW ENERGY TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2023
An air-cooled battery pack design for small-scale air-cooled energy storage systems. The battery pack has a box with an internal cooling chamber that the battery module is inserted into. Air channels are formed at the top and bottom of the module to connect to the chamber. Gaps on the sides of the box allow external air to flow into the channels. This provides forced air cooling of the battery module through the chamber. The pack can be used in air-cooled energy storage systems without modifying the container.
2. Heat Dissipation Device with Independent Cooling Channels for Battery Packs and Inverters
SHENZHEN HELLO TECH ENERGY CO LTD, 2023
Compact heat dissipation device for energy storage power supplies like battery packs and inverters to improve cooling efficiency and allow higher power density. The device separates and cools both components independently using a heat sink, air duct, and air cooling fin. The battery pack and inverter are mounted on opposite sides of the duct, with the fin in the gap between them. Air flows through the duct to cool the inverter, while heat from the battery pack is guided to the fin and duct to be dissipated. This allows simultaneous cooling of both components in a compact layout.
3. Battery System with Ducted Airflow and Filtered Pack Connections for Thermal Event Isolation
LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD, 2023
Battery system design to prevent thermal events from spreading between battery packs. The system has a duct connecting the packs and a fan to circulate air. Filters at the pack connections prevent oxygen ingress. During thermal events, vented gases are directed through the duct and fan instead of spreading to adjacent packs. This isolates and confines the issue to the affected pack.
4. Battery Pack Assembly with Integrated Radiator and Heat Pipe for Thermal Management
GREAT WALL MOTOR CO LTD, GREAT WALL MOTOR COMPANY LTD, 2023
Power battery pack assembly for electric vehicles that improves battery life, safety and thermal management. The assembly has a radiator integrated into the bottom of the battery pack. This allows heat dissipation, temperature balancing and absorption of internal impacts. The radiator has fins, airflow guides and a heat pipe to enhance cooling. It prevents thermal runaway, extends battery life, protects the bottom and absorbs internal strikes.
5. Battery Pack Cooling System with Integrated Duct, Heat Pipe, and Heat Sink Configuration
HNC MOBILITY CO LTD, 2022
Battery pack cooling system for electric vehicles that maximizes cooling efficiency even when a duct structure is used inside the battery pack housing. The system includes a duct extending from an intake port to an exhaust port, a heat pipe contacting the battery cells, and a heat sink inside the duct. This allows airflow through the duct to extract heat from the heat pipe and cells. The duct, heat pipe, and heat sink are arranged in the pack housing to isolate the cooling system from the internal battery space. This prevents contamination and allows natural air intake while driving.
6. Air-Cooled Battery Pack with Inner and Outer Fins and Temperature-Regulated Blower Control
TOYOTA MOTOR CORP, 2022
An air-cooled battery pack for vehicles that provides efficient cooling while preventing overcooling when outdoor temperatures are low. The battery pack has an enclosure with inner fins to transfer heat from the batteries to air circulated by a blower. It also has external fins that release heat to outside air. The blower shuts off when battery temperatures drop below a threshold to prevent overcooling. This allows cooling using both enclosure airflow and outside air.
7. Battery Pack Assembly with Integrated Fan and Ventilated Housing for Heat Dissipation
ZHEJIANG MINGPENG NEW ENERGY TECH CO LTD, ZHEJIANG MINGPENG NEW ENERGY TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2022
A battery pack with heat dissipation fan to prevent overheating and improve cooling of multi-cell battery packs. The pack consists of multiple battery bodies connected together, surrounded by a housing with a fan, ventilation, and heat dissipation features. The fan is connected to the batteries and draws air through the housing to cool them. The housing has ventilation holes and a radiating column to dissipate heat to the outside. The fan, ventilation, and column prevent internal temperature buildup. The housing is fixed to prevent movement during operation.
8. Electric Vehicle Battery Cooling System with Blower-Driven Airflow and Variable Conductivity Cooling Blocks
HO WON CO LTD, 2021
Electric vehicle battery cooling system that improves heat absorption and dissipation to increase battery lifespan. The system uses a blower to cool the battery housing by blowing air towards it. Inside the housing, cooling blocks with different thermal conductivities flow a cooling fluid. This allows efficient cooling of the battery through convection and conduction. The blower cools the fluid and the blocks cool the housing.
9. Battery Pack with Integrated Blower-Driven Internal Air Circulation Cooling System
HO WON CO LTD, 2021
Battery cooling system for electric vehicles that uses an internal blower to circulate air through the battery pack. The system has a separate cooling unit inside the battery housing that provides a path for air blown by the blower to flow through the battery pack. This internal cooling system allows more effective and efficient cooling of the battery compared to just blowing air onto the outside of the pack. Sensors and controls can monitor and adjust the blower speed based on battery temperature.
10. Battery Pack with Targeted Cooling Fins and Adjustable Airflow for Critical Cell Areas
POSCO Co., Ltd., 2021
Battery pack for electric vehicles that enables intensive cooling of critical battery cell areas while reducing overall weight compared to conventional battery packs. The pack has a housing for the battery cells and cooling fins connected to the housing. The fins are configured to target cooling specifically to the battery cell electrodes in response to their temperature distribution. This allows focused cooling where it's needed most instead of overcooling the entire pack. The fins also have adjustable areas to match airflow in the housing. This allows targeted cooling of the electrodes without excess cooling of other pack components. The fins can be made of materials like aluminum alloys with lower cost and weight than pure aluminum.
11. Battery Cooling System with Conductive Housing and Centrally Positioned Blower for Thermal Regulation
SUZUKI MOTOR CORP, 2020
A battery cooling system for electric vehicle packs that efficiently cools each cell to improve performance and lifespan. The system uses a sealed housing made partially of a heat conductive material. The battery pack with multiple cells is installed in the housing. An internal blower unit blows or sucks air based on cell temperature. The blower is positioned on the heat conductive surface. This concentrates cooling in the center of cells where temperatures rise the most. The conductive housing radiates heat to further cool cells.
12. Battery Module with Heat Sink and Thermally Conductive Pads for Passive Thermal Management
CPS TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LLC, 2020
Battery module with passive thermal management for cooling lithium-ion cells. The module has a heat sink on the back side, thermally conductive pads between the cells and heat sink, and openings in the module cage. Air is drawn through the openings and passes over the heat sinks to extract heat from the cells. The module design extracts heat from the cells and directs it away using the heat sinks and cage openings to passively cool the cells during operation.
13. Integrated Battery Pack Enclosure with Built-In Heat Exchanger Channels and Mode-Switching Thermal Management System
TESLA INC, 2019
An integrated battery pack cooling system for electric vehicles that uses the pack itself as a heat exchanger. The battery pack enclosure is mounted under the vehicle floor and exposes the bottom surface to airflow during driving. Heat exchanger channels are integrated into the exposed bottom surface to directly transfer heat from the batteries to the ambient air. A thermal management system switches between modes to connect or disconnect the channels from the batteries. A blower fan can aid airflow. This provides efficient cooling without stacking separate heat exchangers or adding fans. The pack enclosure doubles as a heat exchanger, leveraging its exposed location and using the pack's structure for rigidity.
14. Battery Pack Enclosure with Finned Surface for Air Cooling in Electric Vehicles
BAIC Foton Motor Co., Ltd., 2019
Battery pack design for electric vehicles that improves cooling and reduces size compared to conventional water or oil cooling systems. The battery pack has an enclosure with fins on the outer surface for air cooling. An air conditioner in the vehicle blows cooled air into the battery pack. This eliminates the need for complex piping, pumps, and reservoirs of water or oil cooling systems. It also avoids the issues of leaks, space consumption, and uneven cooling of air cooling. The enclosure design with fins provides better heat dissipation than traditional air cooling.
15. Battery Pack Enclosure with Integrated Airflow Cooling System and Internal Heat Exchanger Placement
LG CHEM LTD, 2019
Battery pack design with simplified cooling and assembly compared to conventional packs. The pack has an enclosure with inlet and outlet openings. Modules are placed inside adjacent to the inlet. Heat exchangers are sandwiched between the modules. Fans circulate air through the enclosure, modules, and heat exchangers. This provides cooling without internal connectors or complex plumbing. The pack enclosure also houses the cooling loops. This simplifies assembly compared to separate housings for modules and cooling.
16. Integrated Battery Unit with Fast Charging Capability and Thermal Management for Electric Vehicles
WEBASTO SE, 2014
Integrated battery unit for electric vehicles that enables fast charging without modifying the vehicle. The unit houses the battery pack, charging connectors, thermal management, ventilation, motor controller isolation, and watering systems. The thermal management uses fan modules between cells and direct-mounted fans to cool the battery pack during fast charging. The motor controller isolation prevents high voltages from the charger reaching the motor controller. The unit can be easily installed in existing vehicles without modification.
17. Battery Pack Radiator Structure with Fin-Enhanced Air Channel for Uniform Heat Dissipation
BEIQI FOTON MOTOR CO LTD, 2012
Battery pack radiator structure for electric vehicles that provides improved cooling and temperature uniformity compared to conventional parallel and string-type cooling. The radiator has battery modules with fins between adjacent units, and an air channel connecting inlet and outlet. The fins partially fill the channel to provide string-type cooling. This allows better air flow quality compared to parallel cooling. The fins also contact the channel bottom for additional heat transfer. The fin shape with angled surfaces and protrusions increases heat exchange area. This design provides more uniform cooling of inner battery units compared to parallel cooling alone.
18. Battery Pack Enclosure with Integrated Heat Pipes, Fins, and Sandwiched Thermoelectric Elements for Dual-Sided Cooling
ROBERT BOSCH GMBH, SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD, 2011
Battery pack design for efficient cooling that uses heat pipes, fins, and thermoelectric elements to cool the batteries. The pack has the batteries contained in an enclosure with cooling units at specific locations. One cooling unit is inside the enclosure and the other is outside. A thermoelectric element is sandwiched between them. This allows cooling using convection (airflow) and conduction (heat transfer) mechanisms. The heat pipes, fins, and thermoelectric elements enable efficient cooling of the batteries by conducting heat away from the batteries and dissipating it through the external fins.
19. Battery Pack Cooling System with Thermally Insulating Members for Airflow Regulation
SANYO ELECTRIC CO LTD, 2011
Battery cooling system for electric vehicle packs that reduces temperature differences between batteries and improves pack life. The system uses thermally insulating members on some batteries near the inlet port to reduce cooling airflow there. This evens out the cooling airflow rates throughout the pack to prevent over-cooling of upstream batteries and under-cooling of downstream batteries.
20. Battery Pack with Parallel-Arranged Modules and Integrated Airflow Cooling System
TIANJIN EV EN CO LTD, TIANJIN EV ENERGIES CO LTD, 2011
Power battery pack for electric vehicles that has improved thermal management to extend battery life and reliability. The pack contains multiple battery modules arranged in parallel. Each module has a cooling system with an air blast fan at the bottom and vent openings at the top. This allows cool air to flow into the bottom of the module and out the top, extracting heat from the batteries. The modules also have spacers between them to create air passages for better heat dissipation. This prevents excessive temperature buildup in the pack during charging and discharging.
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