阅读说明：本技术 用于锂离子启动/停止系统的智能隔热罩设计 (Intelligent heat shield design for lithium ion start/stop system ) 是由 D·G·里奇 S·哈桑 J·瓦依卡 王建锋 孔德文 刘海晶 于 2019-05-21 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明公开了一种用于锂离子启动/停止系统的智能隔热罩设计,其中形状和尺寸设计成接纳和包围电池的电池罩包括限定孔并具有形成电池罩的底部的基底的外壳,该外壳具有连接到第二壁的第一壁、连接到第三壁的第二壁、以及连接到第一壁和第三壁的第四壁部分,第一、第二、第三和第四壁中的每一个均从基底正交地延伸。电池罩包括成形为装配在壳的孔周围的可分离外盖。外壳部分和外盖部分具有小于约0.3W/mK的热导率的材料,电池罩具有选择性地向电池罩提供气流的空气入口和选择性地提供来自电池罩的气流的空气出口,外壳具有第一厚度,外盖部分具有第二厚度。(A smart heat shield design for a lithium ion start/stop system is disclosed, wherein a battery cover shaped and dimensioned to receive and enclose a battery includes a housing defining an aperture and having a base forming a bottom of the battery cover, the housing having a first wall connected to a second wall, a second wall connected to a third wall, and a fourth wall portion connected to the first wall and the third wall, each of the first, second, third, and fourth walls extending orthogonally from the base. The battery cover includes a detachable outer cover shaped to fit around the aperture of the case. The housing portion and the cover portion are of a material having a thermal conductivity of less than about 0.3W/mK, the battery cover has an air inlet that selectively provides airflow to and an air outlet that selectively provides airflow from the battery cover, the housing has a first thickness, and the cover portion has a second thickness.)

1. A battery cover shaped and dimensioned to receive and enclose a battery within a motor vehicle, the battery cover comprising:

a housing portion defining an aperture and having a base portion forming a bottom of the battery enclosure, the housing portion defined by a first wall portion connected to a second wall portion, the second wall portion connected to a third wall portion, and a fourth wall portion connected to the first wall portion and the third wall portion, each of the first wall portion, second wall portion, third wall portion, and fourth wall portion extending generally orthogonally from the base portion; and

a detachable outer cover portion shaped to fit around the aperture of the housing portion,

wherein the housing portion and the outer cover portion comprise a material having a thermal conductivity of less than about 0.3W/mK, the battery enclosure having an air inlet that selectively provides airflow to and an air outlet that selectively provides airflow from the battery enclosure, the housing portion having a first thickness, the outer cover portion having a second thickness.

2. The battery cover of claim 1, wherein the first thickness is variable and the second thickness is variable.

3. The battery cover of claim 1, wherein the air outlet comprises an opening between the outer cover portion and the housing portion, and wherein the air inlet has a diameter between about 0.1mm and about 20cm and is disposed in a lower portion of the battery cover and the air outlet is disposed in an upper portion of the battery cover.

4. The battery cover of claim 1, wherein the battery cover has a multilayer structure comprising:

an inner housing portion sized and shaped to fit substantially concentrically within and be spaced apart from the outer housing portion; and

an inner cap portion sized and shaped to fit substantially concentrically within and be spaced apart from the outer cap portion,

wherein a quantity of air is disposed between the inner and outer housing portions, and between the inner and outer cover portions, and each of the inner and inner housing portions is made of a material having a thermal conductivity of less than about 0.3W/mK, and wherein a plurality of spacers are disposed between the inner and outer housing portions, the spacers creating a directional airflow pattern between the inner and outer housing portions, each of the plurality of spacers having a thickness of between about 0.01mm and about 2cm, and wherein each of the spacers comprises: metal, plastic or resin, the spacer being integrally formed with the outer shell portion or the inner shell portion.

5. The battery cover of claim 4, wherein the inner cover portion and the outer cover portion are made of a material having a thermal conductivity of less than about 0.1W/mK.

6. The battery cover of claim 4, wherein the air inlet and the air outlet are coaxial and formed through the inner housing portion and the outer housing portion.

7. The battery cover of claim 4, further comprising a thermoelectric pad or cooling coil disposed on a surface of the inner housing portion and the inner cover portion, or on an inner face of the outer housing portion and the outer cover portion, or between the inner housing portion and the inner cover portion and the outer housing portion and the outer cover portion, the thermoelectric pad or cooling coil selectively tempering a temperature of the battery within the battery cover.

8. The battery cover of claim 4, further comprising a configurable vent, wherein the configurable vent selectively provides airflow to the battery cover.

9. The battery cover according to claim 4, wherein a layer of aerogel material having a thickness of about 0.01mm and about 3cm is disposed on the inner or outer faces of the inner and inner cover portions, or on the inner faces of the outer and outer cover portions, the aerogel material comprising silica, carbon, metal oxide, and organic polymer.

10. The battery cover of claim 1, further comprising an inlet hose that directs air into the battery cover via the air inlet from an air inlet disposed on an exterior surface of the motor vehicle, and a fan or baffle that selectively directs air into the battery cover through the inlet hose, the baffle being mechanically, chemically, or thermally driven, the fan being selectively reversed to direct air from the battery cover through the inlet hose, and wherein the baffle comprises a heat sensitive material, a heating pad, or a cooling coil, the baffle disposed above the air inlet and having a plurality of perforations, the baffle selectively heating or cooling the air entering the battery cover.

Disclosure of Invention

According to several aspects, a battery enclosure shaped and dimensioned to receive and enclose a battery within a motor vehicle includes a housing portion defining an aperture and having a base portion forming a bottom of the battery enclosure, the housing portion defined by a first wall portion connected to a second wall portion, a second wall portion connected to a third wall portion, and a fourth wall portion connected to the first wall portion and the third wall portion, each of the first wall portion, the second wall portion, the third wall portion, and the fourth wall portion extending generally orthogonally from the base portion. The battery cover includes a detachable outer cover portion shaped to fit around the aperture of the shell portion. The housing portion and the outer cover portion comprise a material having a thermal conductivity of less than about 0.3W/mK, the battery cover has an air inlet that selectively provides airflow to and an air outlet that selectively provides airflow from the battery cover, the housing portion has a first thickness, and the outer cover portion has a second thickness.

In another aspect of the disclosure, the first thickness is variable and the second thickness is variable.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the air outlet includes an opening between the outer cover portion and the housing portion.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the air inlet has a diameter between about 0.1mm and about 20cm, and the air inlet is disposed in a lower portion of the battery cover and the air outlet is disposed in an upper portion of the battery cover.

In another aspect of the disclosure, the battery cover has a multi-layered structure having an inner housing portion sized and shaped to fit substantially concentrically within and be spaced apart from the outer housing portion, and an inner cover portion sized and shaped to fit substantially concentrically within and be spaced apart from the outer cover portion. An amount of air is disposed between the inner housing portion and the outer housing portion, and between the inner cap portion and the outer cap portion, and each of the inner housing portion and the inner cap portion is made of a material having a thermal conductivity of less than about 0.3W/mK.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the inner cap portion and the outer cap portion are made of a material having a thermal conductivity of less than about 0.1W/mK.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the air inlet and the air outlet are coaxial and formed through the inner shell portion and the outer shell portion.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the battery cover further includes a thermoelectric pad or cooling coil disposed on a surface of the inner housing portion and the inner cover portion, or on an inner face of the outer housing portion and the outer cover portion, or between the inner housing portion and the inner cover portion and the outer housing portion and the outer cover portion, the thermoelectric pad or cooling coil selectively tempering a temperature of the battery within the battery cover.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a vent may be configured to selectively provide airflow to the battery cover.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a layer of aerogel material having a thickness of about 0.01mm and about 3cm is disposed on the interior or exterior faces of the inner shell portion and the inner cap portion, or on the interior faces of the outer shell portion and the outer cap portion.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, an aerogel material comprises: silica, carbon, metal oxides, and organic polymers.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the battery cover further includes a plurality of spacers disposed between the inner housing portion and the outer housing portion, the spacers creating a directional airflow pattern between the inner housing portion and the outer housing portion.

In another aspect of the present invention, each of the plurality of spacers has a thickness between about 0.01mm and about 2cm, and each of the spacers includes: metal, plastic or resin.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the spacer is integrally formed with the outer or inner shell portion.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the battery cover further includes an inlet hose that guides air from an air inlet provided on an outer surface of the motor vehicle into the battery cover via an air inlet.

In another aspect of the disclosure, a fan or baffle selectively directs air through the inlet hose into the battery cover, wherein the baffle is mechanically, chemically, or thermally actuated.

In another aspect of the disclosure, the fan is selectively reversed to direct air from the battery cover through the inlet hose.

In another aspect of the disclosure, a baffle comprising a heat sensitive material, a heating mat, or a cooling coil is disposed over the air inlet and has a plurality of perforations, the baffle selectively heating or cooling air entering the battery cover.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a multi-layer battery enclosure for a battery of a motor vehicle includes a housing portion defining an aperture and having a base portion forming a bottom of the battery enclosure, the housing portion defined by a first wall portion connected to a second wall portion, a second wall portion connected to a third wall portion, and a fourth wall portion connected to the first wall portion and the third wall portion, each of the first wall portion, the second wall portion, the third wall portion, and the fourth wall portion extending generally orthogonally from the base portion. The multi-layer battery cover further includes an inner housing portion sized and shaped to fit substantially concentrically within and spaced apart from the outer housing portion, an air inlet opening formed through the openings of the outer and inner housing portions, a separable outer cover portion shaped to fit around the aperture of the housing portion, and an inner cover portion sized and shaped to fit substantially concentrically within the outer cover portion, the inner cover portion shaped to provide a volume of air to be disposed between the inner and outer cover portions. The multi-layer battery enclosure further includes a plurality of spacers integrally formed in at least one of the outer housing portion and the inner housing portion, the plurality of spacers spacing the inner housing portion and the outer housing portion and creating a directional, tunable airflow pattern between the inner housing portion and the outer housing portion, the spacers providing a quantity of air to be disposed between the inner housing portion and the outer housing portion. Each of the outer housing portion, the outer cover portion, the inner housing portion, and the inner cover portion is made of a material having a thermal conductivity of less than about 0.3W/mK, and each of the outer cover portion, the inner cover portion, and the inner cover portion has a thickness of between about 0.1mm to about 5cm, the air inlet has a diameter of between about 0.1mm and about 20cm and is disposed in a lower portion of the battery cover, and the air outlet forms an opening between the outer cover portion and the housing portion, the battery cover is shaped and sized to receive and enclose both the battery and a pre-fuse disposed on the battery, the inlet hose is connected to the air inlet, the inlet hose guides air from an air inlet disposed outside the motor vehicle into the battery cover, and a fan or mechanical, chemical, or thermally activated baffle selectively allows air to enter the battery cover from the inlet hose.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a multi-layer battery enclosure for a battery of a motor vehicle includes a housing portion defining an aperture and having a base portion forming a bottom of the battery enclosure, the housing portion defined by a first wall portion connected to a second wall portion, a second wall portion connected to a third wall portion, and a fourth wall portion connected to the first wall portion and the third wall portion, each of the first wall portion, the second wall portion, the third wall portion, and the fourth wall portion extending generally orthogonally from the base portion. The multi-layer battery cover further includes an inner housing portion sized and shaped to fit substantially concentrically within and spaced apart from the outer housing portion, an air inlet opening formed through the openings of the outer and inner housing portions, a separable outer cover portion shaped to fit around the aperture of the housing portion, and an inner cover portion sized and shaped to fit substantially concentrically within the outer cover portion, the inner cover portion shaped to provide a volume of air to be disposed between the inner and outer cover portions. The multi-layer battery enclosure further includes a plurality of spacers integrally formed in at least one of the outer housing portion and the inner housing portion, the plurality of spacers spacing the inner housing portion from the outer housing portion and creating a directional airflow pattern between the inner housing portion and the outer housing portion, the spacers providing a quantity of air to be disposed between the inner housing portion and the outer housing portion. The multi-layer battery cover further includes a thermoelectric pad or cooling coil disposed on a surface of the inner casing portion and the inner lid portion, or on an inner face of the outer casing portion and the outer lid portion, or between the inner casing portion and the inner lid portion and the outer casing portion and the outer lid portion, the thermoelectric pad or cooling coil selectively tempering a temperature of the battery within the battery cover. The multi-layer battery cover further includes a configurable vent that selectively provides airflow to the battery cover. Each of the outer housing portion, the outer cover portion, the inner housing portion, and the inner cover portion is made of a material having a thermal conductivity of less than about 0.1W/mK, and each of the outer cover portion, the inner cover portion, and the inner cover portion has a thickness of between about 0.1mm to about 5cm, the air inlet has a diameter of between about 0.1mm and about 20cm and is disposed in a lower portion of the battery cover, and the air outlet forms an opening between the outer cover portion and the housing portion, the battery cover is shaped and sized to receive and enclose both the battery and a pre-fuse disposed on the battery, the inlet hose is connected to the air inlet, the inlet hose guides air from an air inlet disposed outside the motor vehicle into the battery cover, and a fan or mechanical, chemical, or thermally activated baffle selectively allows air to enter the battery cover from the inlet hose.

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

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

FIG. 1 is an environmental view of a motor vehicle equipped with a heat shield for a battery in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a heat shield according to one aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a heat shield according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a multi-layer heat shield according to one aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a heat shield having a quantity of insulating material according to one aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a heat shield having a plurality of spacers according to one aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a heat shield having a thermoelectric cooler or warmer, according to one aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a heat shield having a plurality of configurable vents and vent plugs according to one aspect of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a heat shield having a fan, a baffle, and an intake hose, according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses.

Referring to FIG. 1, a motor vehicle is shown and generally designated by the reference numeral 10. Although the motor vehicle 10 is described as an automobile, it should be understood that the motor vehicle 10 may be an automobile, truck, SUV, van, semi-trailer, tractor, bus, racing mini-monocoque, or any other such motor vehicle 10, without departing from the scope or intent of the present disclosure. The motor vehicle 10 is equipped with a battery 12 disposed within a heat shield or heat box 14. In several aspects, the battery 12 is a Lithium Ion Battery (LIB) or a lithium polymer battery (LIPB). However, it should be understood that the battery 12 may be any other type of battery 12, including but not limited to a Lead Acid Battery (LAB), a nickel metal hydride (NiMH), a nickel cadmium (NiCd), or other such batteries, without departing from the scope or intent of the present disclosure. The battery 12, and particularly the high energy density battery 12 (such as LIB, LIPB, and NiMH) may be sensitive to temperature and/or temperature fluctuations. The storage capacity, life and performance of such batteries 12 may be reduced when LIB, LIPB and NiMH are subjected to high temperatures or temperature fluctuations. Thus, by thermally isolating the battery 12 from its surroundings via the heat shield 14, the storage capacity, life and performance of the battery 12 may be maintained. The heat shield 14 is composed of a material having low thermal conductivity, such as resin, plastic, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or the like. In several aspects, it is desirable for the heat shield 14 to have a low thermal conductivity such that the heat shield 14 provides a high degree of thermal isolation for the battery 12 relative to the ambient environment of the heat shield 14. In some examples, the heat shield 14 is constructed of a material having a thermal conductivity of less than about 0.3W/mK. In other examples, the heat shield 14 is constructed of a material having a thermal conductivity of less than about 0.1W/mK.

The motor vehicle 10 in fig. 1 is depicted with two batteries 12 disposed in two separate heat shields 14, one heat shield 14 in an engine compartment 16 of the motor vehicle 10, and a second heat shield 14 in a trunk 18 of the motor vehicle 10. However, it should be understood that the motor vehicle 10 may have any number of heat shields 14 for housing the battery 12 within the motor vehicle 10 without departing from the scope or intent of the present disclosure. Further, the heat shield 14 may be disposed in various locations within the motor vehicle 10, such as an engine compartment 16, a trunk 18, a rear seat (not shown), or other such locations. In some examples, the heat shield 14 encloses not only the battery 12, but also a pre-fuse or fuse box 15 mounted on the battery 12 itself or on the heat shield 14. In some examples, a plurality of pre-fuses 15 are mounted to the battery 12 or the heat shield 14, depending on the redundancy and safety requirements of a particular application. The pre-fuse 15 prevents damage to the wiring harness of the motor vehicle 10 that may occur in high current wires in the event of a short circuit, such as may occur during an accident with the motor vehicle 10. In several respects, the function of the pre-fuse 15 is substantially similar to the battery 12 opening.

Turning now to fig. 2 and 3, and with continued reference to fig. 1, the heat shield 14 of the present disclosure is shown in greater detail. The heat shield 14 has a housing portion 20 and an outer cover portion 22. The housing portion 20 has a first wall portion 24 connected to a second wall portion 26. The second wall portion 26 is connected to a third wall portion 28, and the third wall portion 28 is connected to a fourth wall portion 30. The fourth wall portion 30 is also connected to the first wall portion 24. Each of the first wall portion 24, the second wall portion 26, the third wall portion 28, and the fourth wall portion 30 is connected to the base portion 32 and extends generally orthogonally from the base portion 32. The base portion 32 forms the bottom of the heat shield 14. Housing portion 20 defines an aperture 34. The aperture 34 is disposed opposite the base portion 32 and is sized and shaped to allow the heat shield 14 to receive the battery 12. Although the first, second, third and fourth wall portions 24, 2628, 30 are depicted as extending generally orthogonally from the base portion 32, it should be understood that the first, second, third and fourth wall portions 24, 2628, 30 may extend entirely at other angles from the base portion 32 depending on the vehicle application, the type and physical size of a given battery 12, etc. Further, it should be understood that because the heat shield 14 is sized and shaped to receive the battery 12, the size and shape of the heat shield 14 varies not only with the vehicle application, but also with the battery 12. In some examples, the heat shield 14 may have more or less than four wall portions 24, 26, 28, 30. Further, while the heat shield 14 is shown in a vertical orientation such that the battery 12 is inserted into the heat shield 14 through the upwardly facing aperture 34, the heat shield 14 may be oriented in other directions. For example, the heat shield 14 may be generally opposite that shown in the figures, such that the outer cover portion 22 forms a platform on which the battery 12 rests and the housing portion 20 forms a bell-shaped cover. That is, in the above example, the housing portion 20 is placed over the battery 12 and down onto the outer cover portion 22. In a second example, housing portion 20 may be oriented such that aperture 34 forms a side-facing opening in housing portion 20, rather than an upward-facing or downward-facing opening in housing portion 20. In a second example, the battery 12 is placed into the heat shield 14 from the side of the heat shield 14, and the outer cover portion 22 is oriented vertically, rather than horizontally, as is the case in the example shown in the figures and in the example in which the housing portion 20 forms a bell-shaped cover for the battery 12.

Outer cover portion 22 is sized and shaped to fit over or around aperture 34 of housing portion 20. In some examples, outer cover portion 22 fits concentrically around aperture 34 of housing portion 20 and is supported by first, second, third, and fourth wall portions 24, 26, 28, 30. In other examples, the outer cover portion 22 extends into the aperture 34 and is supported by the first, second, third, and fourth wall portions 24, 26, 28, 30. In still other examples, outer cover portion 22 is shaped to extend into aperture 34 and fit concentrically around first, second, third, and fourth wall portions 24, 26, 28, 30. The cover portion 22 is separable from the housing portion 20 to provide access to the battery 12.

The heat shield 14 has an air inlet 36 in fluid communication with an air outlet 38, and both the air inlet 36 and the air outlet 38 are in fluid communication with ambient air 40. The air inlet 36 is shaped and sized to provide a flow of cooling air 42 to an interior 44 of the heat shield 14. The exact size and shape of the air inlet 36 may vary widely from application to application depending on the thermal requirements of the application, packaging, etc. In some aspects, the air inlet 36 is formed through the housing portion 20. More specifically, the air inlet 36 is formed through a lower portion or bottom 45 of the housing portion 20. In one example, air inlet 36 is formed through base portion 32 of housing portion 20 and defines a coupling 21 extending from an outer surface 47 of housing portion 20. In some aspects, the air inlet 36 has a width or diameter between about 0.1mm and about 20 cm. In other aspects, the air inlet 36 and/or the air outlet 38 are formed as openings or gaps between at least two of the wall portions 24, 26, 28, 30 and/or the base portion 32. That is, in some examples, the air inlet 36 is formed as an opening or gap between the first and second wall portions 24, 26, and/or between the second and third wall portions 26, 28, and/or between the third and fourth wall portions 28, 30, and/or between the first and fourth wall portions 24, 30, and/or between any of the first, second, third, and fourth wall portions 24, 26, 28, 30 and the base portion 32.

Similar to the air inlet 36, the air outlet 38 is shaped and sized to extract cooling air 42 from an interior 44 of the heat shield 14. In some examples, the air outlet 38 is formed at an upper or top portion 46 of the heat shield 14. However, the exact size and shape of the air outlet 38 may vary widely from application to application depending on the thermal requirements of the application, packaging, etc. In one example, air outlet 38 is formed as an opening or gap 48 between housing portion 20 and outer cover portion 22 proximate aperture 34.

Turning now to fig. 4 and 5, and with continued reference to fig. 1-3, in some examples, the heat shield 14 has a multi-layer construction formed by an inner shell portion 62 and an inner lid portion 64. Each of the inner and shell portions 62, 64 is formed of a material having a low thermal conductivity, such as a thermal conductivity of less than about 0.3W/mK, or in some examples, less than about 0.1W/mK. Inner shell portion 62 is sized and shaped to fit substantially within outer shell portion 20. More specifically, the inner housing portion 62 is sized and shaped to fit concentrically within the outer housing portion 20 while also being spaced apart from the outer housing portion 20. The inner lid portion 64 is sized and shaped to fit substantially within the outer lid portion 22. As with the inner housing portion 62 being fitted within the outer housing portion 20, the inner cap portion 64 is sized and shaped to fit concentrically within the outer cap portion 22 while also being spaced from the outer cap portion 22.

The inner housing portion 62 and the inner cap portion 64 are separable from each other in much the same manner as the outer housing portion 20 and the outer cap portion 22. More specifically, the inner and outer housing portions 20, 62 are assembled together and operate as a single housing unit 66, and the inner and outer cap portions 22, 64 are assembled together and operate as a single cap unit 68. Thus, the cover unit 68 fits substantially concentrically around the case unit 66, and the cover unit 68 is detachable from the case unit 66 so that the battery 12 can be placed within the case unit 66 and covered by the cover unit 68.

Because the inner and inner cover portions 62, 64 are spaced apart from the outer and outer cover portions 20, 22, respectively, a quantity of insulating material 70 is disposed in the void 71 between the inner and inner cover portions 62, 64 and the outer and outer cover portions 20, 22. In some aspects, the insulating material 70 is a gas or gaseous mixture (such as air), however, other solid or liquid insulating materials 70 may be used depending on the application without departing from the scope or intent of the present invention.

With specific reference to fig. 5, and with continuing reference to fig. 1-4, insulative material 70 is shown in greater detail. Aerogel material 72 fills a portion of void 71. Aerogel material 72 is a synthetic, porous, ultra-light material derived from a gel in which the liquid component has been replaced with a gas, resulting in a solid with low density and low thermal conductivity. In some examples, aerogel material 72 is a tape, foam, or is composed of silica, carbon, metal oxides, organic polymers, and the likeThe prepared plasticized belt. In some examples, aerogel material 72 is at least partially composed of silicon dioxide (SiO)₂) And alumina (Al)₂O₃) And (4) forming. Aerogel 72 may be disposed on an inner surface 74 of outer shell portion 20 and outer cover portion 22, or on an outer surface 76 of inner shell portion 62 and inner cover portion 64, or both. Furthermore, aerogel material 72 can be a single layer, or multiple layers of similar or different thicknesses and/or material compositions, and aerogel material 72 can fill the entire volume of insulation material 70 or only a portion thereof. For example, aerogel material 72 can have a thickness of between about 0.01mm and about 3 cm.

As with the example of fig. 2 and 3, the air inlet 36 of the multi-layer heat shield 14 is in fluid communication with the air outlet 38, and both the air inlet 36 and the air outlet 38 are in fluid communication with ambient air 40. The air inlet 36 is sized and shaped to provide a flow of cooling air 42 to the interior 44 of the heat shield 14, however, in some examples, the air inlet 36 also provides a flow of cooling air 42 to the volume of insulating material 70. However, the exact size, shape, and location of the air inlet 36 may vary widely from application to application depending on thermal requirements, packaging, and the like. In some aspects, the air inlet 36 is formed through the outer housing portion 20 and the inner housing portion 62.

Similar to the air outlets 38 of the example of fig. 2 and 3, the air outlets 38 of the multi-layer shroud are shaped and sized to extract cooling air 42 from an interior 44 of the heat shield. In some examples, the air outlet 38 is formed at an upper or top portion 46 of the heat shield 14. However, the exact size, shape, and location of the air outlets 38 may vary widely from application to application, depending on thermal requirements, packaging, and the like. In one example, the air outlet 38 is formed as an opening or gap 48 between the cover unit 68 and the housing unit 66 proximate the aperture 34. In another example, the air outlet 38 is formed by a plurality of openings or vents 50 disposed in the heat shield 14. Depending on the application for which the heat shield 14 is intended, the opening or vent 50 may be provided in the housing unit 66 or in the cover unit 68, or any combination thereof. In further examples, the air outlet 38 may be disposed within the air inlet 36. In other words, because the multi-layer heat shield 14 has the inner shell portion 62 concentrically disposed within the outer shell portion 20, one or the other of the air inlet 36 and the air outlet 38 may be coaxially disposed within the other. In other words, the coupling 21 formed by the air inlet 36 of the outer housing portion 20 may fit concentrically around the coupling 78 of the inner housing portion 62 and coaxially with the coupling 78 of the inner housing portion 62, the coupling 78 forming the air outlet 38 of the inner housing portion 62. The air inlet 36 and the air outlet 38 may also be reversed such that the coupling 78 of the inner housing portion 62 forms the air inlet 36 and the coupling 21 of the outer housing portion 20 forms the air outlet 38 without departing from the scope or intent of the present disclosure. Further, while in the above description, the multi-layer heat shield 14 has been described as having only the inner and outer shell portions 62, 20, and the inner and outer cover portions 64, 22, forming a two-layer structure, it should be understood that the heat shield 14 may have additional layers without departing from the scope or intent of the present disclosure.

Turning now to fig. 6, and with continued reference to fig. 1-5, in some aspects, the heat shield 14 includes a plurality of spacers or dimples 80. The spacer 80 directs the cooling air 42 through the gap 71 between the inner and outer shell portions 62, 20. The spacer 80 may be configured in a variety of different ways depending on application and production constraints, etc. In one aspect, the spacer 80 is integrally formed with at least one of the outer housing portion 20, the inner housing portion 62, the outer cap portion 22, and the inner cap portion 64. In other examples, the spacer 80 is formed of metal, plastic, or resin and is disposed on the inner surface 74 of the housing portion 20 or on the outer surface 76 of the inner housing portion 62. In some examples, additional spacers 80 are formed in the gap 71 between the inner and outer lid portions 64 and 22. Much like the spacer 80 disposed in the void 71 between the inner housing portion 62 and the housing portion 20, the spacer 80 is formed or disposed on the inner cap portion 64, the outer cap portion 22, or both. In some aspects, the spacer 80 has a thickness between about 0.01mm and about 2 cm. The spacer 80 is shaped to produce a directed flow of cooling air 42 based on air pressure differentials, turbulence, and the like. In some aspects, the spacers 80 may be evenly distributed (as shown in fig. 6), or unevenly distributed around the heat shield 14. The precise pattern and size of the spacers 80 or dimples may be varied to provide more or less airflow, resistance, etc. in a given application. In some examples, the spacers 80 may have a generally conical, circular, semi-flat, triangular, or quadrangular pyramid shape, or the spacers 80 may be interconnected in a racetrack or labyrinth shape to direct the flow of cooling air 42. In one example, the directional flow of cooling air 42 is calculated to thermally manage areas of the battery 12 that are particularly susceptible to exposure to heat. In another example, the directed flow of cooling air 42 actually provides thermal energy to portions of the battery 12 calculated to operate below the optimal battery temperature. In a further example, the battery 12 itself defines an air passage (not shown) for cooling air 42 that interacts with the heat shield 14 and, in some aspects, with the spacer 80. That is, in some examples, the cells 12 may be porous. The porous cells 12 with air channels have increased surface area and increased cooling capacity compared to other similar but non-porous cells 12. Thus, by including channels in the battery 12, the overall size of the heat shield 14 is reduced, as the cooling requirements of the battery 12 are also reduced.

Turning now to fig. 7, and with continued reference to fig. 1-6, in some examples, a thermoelectric cooler/warmer 82 is used to thermally insulate the cover 14 and the battery 12 to maintain the battery 12 at an optimal operating temperature. The thermoelectric cooler/warmer 82 is a thermoelectric pad, cooling coil, Peltier device, Kapton heater, electrically conductive heater, or the like. In the example of a Peltier device, energy from the powertrain (not shown) of the motor vehicle 10 is harvested as part of the shutdown of the engine (not shown), and the Peltier device uses the harvested energy to heat or cool the battery 12 within the heat shield 14 as needed. In one aspect, the thermoelectric cooler/warmer 82 is a thermoelectric pad or cooling coil disposed on the outer surface 76 of the inner shell portion 62 and the inner lid portion 64, or on the inner surface 74 of the outer shell portion 20 and the outer lid portion 22, or disposed in the gap 71 between the inner shell portion 62 and the outer shell portion 20, and/or in the gap 71 between the inner lid portion 64 and the outer lid portion 22. The thermoelectric cooler/warmer 82 selectively adjusts the temperature of the battery 12 within the heat shield 14. In some aspects, selectively attemperating the temperature of the battery 12 includes preheating the battery 12 when the ambient temperature is below a predetermined threshold so that the battery 12 can provide appropriate amperage to run motor vehicle 10 peripherals and/or a starter motor (not shown). In other examples, selectively tempering the temperature of the battery 12 includes cooling the battery 12 to preserve the life and performance of the battery 12 while preventing undesirable decomposition of the electrolyte solvent within the battery 12.

Turning now to fig. 8, and with continued reference to fig. 1-7, in some examples, the heat shield 14 includes a configurable vent 84. The configurable vent 84 is an opening in the heat shield 14 that provides airflow into and/or out of the heat shield 14. That is, in several aspects, the vent 84 may be configured to operate as the air inlet 36 and/or the air outlet 38 of the heat shield 14. Airflow through the configurable vent 84 may be selectively blocked by a vent plug 86. The vent plug 86 is an air tight seal that engages the configurable vent 84 to prevent airflow through the configurable vent 84. In several aspects, the heat shield 14 may include a plurality of configurable vents 84 and a plurality of vent plugs 86. By including multiple configurable vent and vent plugs 84, 86, a single heat shield 14 design may be used for a variety of different motor vehicles 10 having different battery 12 storage locations within the motor vehicle 10. Thus, in a given motor vehicle 10, some configurable vents 84 that are not optimally positioned to temper the heat shield 14 are blocked by the vent plugs 86, while others of the plurality of configurable vents 84 that are more optimally positioned remain unobstructed. Thus, in a given application, the plurality of configurable vents 84 selectively provide airflow to the heat shield 14.

Turning now to fig. 9, and with continued reference to fig. 1-8, in some examples, the heat shield 14 has an inlet hose 88. The inlet hose 88 directs the cooling air 42 into the heat shield 14 via the air inlet 36 from an air inlet 90 disposed on an exterior surface 92 of the motor vehicle 10. In several aspects, the air inlet 90 is provided on a front trim panel (such as a headlight or fog light surround), or in a grille opening, a wheel well, or any other such exterior surface 92 of the motor vehicle 10. In other aspects, the air intake 90 is disposed in an area on the underside of the motor vehicle 10, and draws the cooling air 42 from beneath the motor vehicle 10. The inlet hose 88 may be formed of any of a variety of different materials, and in any of a variety of different shapes, sizes, etc., without departing from the scope or intent of the present disclosure. In some aspects, the inlet hose 88 is formed of plastic, metal, rubber, or a composite material, depending on the temperature regulation requirements of the battery 12 and the particular motor vehicle 10 application.

In one example, the inlet hose 88 is for a fan 94. The fan 94 may be disposed at the air inlet 36, at the air intake 90, or at other locations in the heat shield 14 or the inlet hose 88, or any combination thereof. In some aspects, more than one fan 94 may be used for a single heat shield 14. The fan 94 is an electrically powered air moving device that selectively draws cooling air 42 through the inlet hose 88 to condition the battery 12. In some aspects, the fan 94 generates a flow of cooling air 42 into the heat shield 14, while in other aspects the fan 94 generates a flow of air out of the heat shield 14 to draw heat away from the battery 12. In other aspects, the fan 94 is a reversible air-moving device that draws air into the heat shield 14 under some conditions while drawing air out of the heat shield 14 under other conditions.

In another example, the inlet hose 88 is used with a baffle 96. The baffle 96 may be disposed at the air inlet 36, at the air inlet 90, within the inlet hose 88, within the heat shield 14, or any combination thereof. The baffle 96 selectively allows cooling air 42 to enter the heat shield 14 through the inlet hose 88. In several aspects, the baffles 96 are mechanically, chemically, or thermally actuated. That is, in some examples, the baffle 96 is made of a heat sensitive material having a variable density. The exemplary heat sensitive material has a low density 98 at relatively high temperatures and a high density 100 at relatively low temperatures with a range of intermediate densities 102 disposed therebetween. In some examples, the baffle 96 has a plurality of perforations (not specifically shown) operable to selectively provide airflow into and/or out of the heat shield 14. Thus, to maintain the battery 12 at an optimal operating temperature in a relatively cold (e.g., below 0 ℃) ambient temperature, the heat sensitive material of the baffle 96 has a high density, thereby preventing the cooling air 42 from entering and/or exiting the heat shield 14, and thus allowing the battery 12 to warm up. In contrast, at high ambient temperatures (e.g., above about 35℃.), the heat sensitive material of the baffle 96 has a low density, allowing cooling air 42 to enter and/or exit the heat shield 14, allowing cooling of the battery 12. In another example, the baffle 96 may include a heating pad or cooling coil, etc., as described above. Baffles 96 made of heating pads or cooling coils facilitate heating and/or cooling of the battery 12 solely across the flow of cooling air 42 through the heat shield 14.

The heat shield or heat box 14 of the present disclosure provides several advantages. These include providing a high degree of thermal isolation and self-cooling/heating for the battery 12 to optimize the service conditions of the battery 12. In addition, the heat shield 14 of the present disclosure promotes battery safety, life, performance, and reduces storage capacity loss due to thermal damage, while also reducing the overall cost to the owner and manufacturer of the motor vehicle 10.

The description of the disclosure is merely exemplary in nature and variations that do not depart from the gist of the disclosure are intended to be within the scope of the disclosure. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.