System and method for managing a battery of a vehicle

Abstract

A system for managing a battery of a vehicle may include: a temperature sensor that measures the temperature of outside air; an electronic device cooler that includes an electronic device that is installed in the vehicle, an electronic device cooling pipe, cooling water for cooling the electronic device flowing through the electronic device cooling pipe, and a first pump that circulates the cooling water; a battery cooler that includes a battery and a battery cooling pipe, cooling water for cooling the battery flowing through the battery cooling pipe; one or more three-way valves that connect or disconnect the electronic device cooling pipe with the battery cooling pipe; and a controller that is configured to control the first pump and the one or more three-way valves to flow the cooling water in the battery cooling pipe to the electronic device cooling pipe when the measured temperature of the outside air is a predetermined temperature or lower.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system and method for managing a battery of a vehicle, and more particularly, to a system and method for managing a battery of a vehicle, which system and method can replace the cooling fluid in a battery cooling pipe with gas by allowing the cooling water in the battery cooling pipe to flow into a water storage tank of an electronic device cooler when the measured temperature of the outside air is a predetermined temperature or lower, thereby increasing the time required for the battery to reach a low temperature by preventing and suppressing heat transfer from the battery to the outside air. Background Art

[0002] The durability of high-voltage batteries directly affects the performance and life of environmentally friendly vehicles. In detail, there are many factors that affect the durability of high-voltage batteries, such as SOC usage range and current intensity, but the biggest influencing factor among them is temperature. In particular, the resistance of the battery increases under low temperature conditions, so the applicable range of voltage decreases, and the output performance of the high-voltage battery deteriorates, thereby accelerating the degradation of the battery. This low temperature phenomenon of the battery occurs due to heat transfer to the outside air at low temperature after the vehicle is parked for a predetermined time in winter. Therefore, at present, the high-voltage battery system is designed to use a battery heater (PTC) to increase the battery temperature when the battery temperature is lower than the reference temperature.

[0003] At the same time, when the high-voltage battery deteriorates, the resistance of voltage to current increases. The increase in resistance accelerates the performance degradation and degradation of the battery, especially when the battery is exposed to low temperatures. In order to prevent this problem, in the water-cooled high-voltage battery of the prior art, when the battery is at a low temperature, a heater is separately installed and the temperature of the battery is raised to a predetermined use temperature range through a warming process.

[0004] However, according to this method of the prior art, when the battery is in a low temperature state for a long time and the battery temperature decreases, it takes a long time to increase the battery temperature using the heater, so the energy consumption of the battery increases. Therefore, there is a problem that the battery output may be limited and the durability of the battery is reduced due to the increase in the temperature increase time and the increase in the energy consumption of the battery. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present invention is directed to solving the above-mentioned problems, and one aspect of the present invention is to provide a system and method for managing a battery of a vehicle, which system and method can replace the cooling fluid in the battery cooling pipe with gas by allowing the cooling water in the battery cooling pipe to flow into a water tank of an electronic device cooler when the measured temperature of the outside air is a predetermined temperature or lower, thereby increasing the time required for the battery to reach a low temperature by preventing and suppressing heat transfer from the battery to the outside air.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a system for managing a battery of a vehicle may include: a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of outside air; an electronic device cooler including: an electronic device installed in a vehicle; an electronic device cooling pipe, through which cooling water for cooling the electronic device flows; and a first pump that circulates the cooling water; a battery cooler including a battery cooling pipe, through which cooling water for cooling the battery flows; one or more three-way valves that connect or disconnect the electronic device cooling pipe with the battery cooling pipe; and a controller configured to control the first pump and the one or more three-way valves when the measured temperature of the outside air is a predetermined temperature or lower, so that the cooling water in the battery cooling pipe flows to the electronic device cooling pipe, thereby turning the inside of the battery cooling pipe into a gaseous state.

[0007] The one or more three-way valves may include a first three-way valve installed in the electronics cooler and a second three-way valve installed in the battery cooler.

[0008] When the measured temperature of the outside air is a predetermined temperature or lower, the controller may control one or more three-way valves to connect the battery cooling pipe and the electronic device cooling pipe to each other, and when the measured temperature of the outside air exceeds the predetermined temperature, the controller may control one or more three-way valves to disconnect the battery cooling pipe and the electronic device cooling pipe.

[0009] The system may further include a flow sensor installed at a front end of at least one of the one or more three-way valves, and when the battery cooling pipe and the electronic device cooling pipe are connected through at least one of the one or more three-way valves, the flow sensor measures the flow rate of cooling water flowing from the battery cooling pipe to the electronic device cooling pipe.

[0010] When the flow rate measured by the flow sensor is a predetermined value or less, the controller may stop the operation of the first pump, and may control one or more three-way valves to disconnect the battery cooling pipe and the electronic device cooling pipe.

[0011] The electronic device cooler may further include one or more of the following: a heat exchanger that cools the cooling water flowing through the electronic device cooling pipe; and a water storage tank into which the cooling water is injected and stores the cooling water.

[0012] The battery cooler may further include at least one of the following: a second pump that circulates the cooling water in the battery cooling pipe; a cooler that cools the cooling water in the battery cooling pipe; a heater that increases the temperature of the cooling water in the battery cooling pipe; or an air pump and an air valve that are used to allow the cooling water in the battery cooling pipe to flow to the electronic device cooling pipe.

[0013] When the first pump is driven, the controller may drive at least one of the second pump or the air pump to allow cooling water in the battery cooling pipe to flow to the electronic device cooling pipe.

[0014] The controller may open the air valve when the first pump is operated, and may close the air valve when cooling water in the battery cooling pipe completely flows to the electronic device cooling pipe.

[0015] When the battery temperature is a predetermined temperature or lower, the controller may control the battery cooler to increase the battery temperature, and when the battery temperature exceeds the predetermined temperature, the controller may control the battery cooler to cool the battery.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for managing a battery of a vehicle may include: measuring the temperature of outside air; when the measured temperature of outside air is a predetermined temperature or lower, controlling a first pump and a three-way valve to allow cooling water in a battery cooling pipe to flow to an electronic device cooling pipe; measuring the flow rate of cooling water flowing from the battery cooling pipe to the electronic device cooling pipe; and when the measured flow rate is a predetermined value or lower, stopping the operation of the first pump and controlling the three-way valve to disconnect the battery cooling pipe and the electronic device cooling pipe.

[0017] According to one aspect of the present invention, when the measured temperature of the outside air is less than or equal to a predetermined temperature, the cooling water in the battery cooling pipe is moved to a water storage tank of an electronic device cooler and the coolant in the battery cooling pipe is replaced with gas, thereby increasing the time required for the battery to reach a low temperature by preventing and suppressing heat transfer from the battery to the outside air. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent through the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0019] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a system for managing a battery of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 is a view showing the operation of the system for managing a battery of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention when the outside air temperature is a predetermined temperature or lower;

[0021] Figure 3 is a view showing the operation of a system for managing a battery of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention when an outside air temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature;

[0022] Figure 4 is a view showing a state at the end of movement of cooling water in a battery cooling pipe in a system for managing a battery of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 5 is a view illustrating heat transfer of a battery cooling pipe for managing a fluid in a system for managing a battery of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

[0024] Figure 6 is a view illustrating a flow of a method of managing a battery according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Specific embodiments

[0025] Hereinafter, a system and method for managing a battery of a vehicle according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a system for managing a battery of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a diagram showing the operation of a system for managing a battery of a vehicle when the outside air temperature is at a predetermined temperature or lower; Figure 3 is a diagram showing the operation of a system for managing a battery of a vehicle when the outside air temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature; Figure 4 is a view showing a state when the movement of cooling water in the battery cooling pipe is completed; Figure 5 1 is a view showing heat transfer of a battery cooling pipe of a fluid in a system for managing a battery of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The system for managing a battery of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention can be applied to a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle using both an engine and a motor.

[0027] like Figure 1 As shown, the system for managing a battery of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a temperature sensor, an electronic device cooler 200, a three-way valve, and a controller 500. The system for managing a battery of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below.

[0028] The temperature sensor measures the temperature of the external air. The temperature information of the external air measured by the temperature sensor is transmitted to the controller 500, and the transmitted temperature information of the external air is compared with a predetermined temperature by the controller 500.

[0029] The electronic device cooler 200 may include: an electronic device 210, which is installed in a vehicle; an electronic device cooling pipe 220, through which cooling water for cooling the electronic device 210 flows; and a first pump 230, which circulates the cooling water, and may further include one or more heat exchangers 240, which cool the cooling water flowing through the electronic device cooling pipe 220; and a water storage tank 250, into which cooling water is injected and stored.

[0030] In detail, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the electronic device 210 installed in the vehicle is an electronic device that generates heat when driving an environmentally friendly vehicle, which may include a motor or inverter required to drive the environmentally friendly vehicle. In addition, various electric vehicles that need to be cooled due to heat generated when driving an environmentally friendly vehicle may be included in the electronic device of the present invention. For example, the electronic device 210 may include a hybrid starter generator (HSG), a hybrid control unit (HPCU), an oil pump unit (OPU), etc.

[0031] The heat exchanger 240 may be arranged at the front of the vehicle and cool the cooling water flowing through the electronic device cooling pipe 220. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the heat exchanger 240 may be a radiator. In detail, the heat exchanger 240 may cool the cooling water flowing through the electronic device cooling pipe 220 by exchanging heat with the outside air flowing inside when the vehicle is driven.

[0032] The first pump 230 circulates cooling water in the electronic device cooler 200. In addition, the first pump 230 is controlled by the controller 500 to be described below to flow the cooling water in the battery cooling pipe 320 to the electronic device cooling pipe 220 when the outside air temperature is a predetermined temperature or lower. The first pump 230 in the present invention may be an electric water pump (EWP). In more detail, the first pump 230 circulates the cooling water that has been cooled by the heat exchanger 240 through the electronic device cooling pipe 220, thereby being able to cool the electronic device 210 including the motor and the inverter to prevent them from overheating.

[0033] The water storage tank 250 is filled with cooling water and stores the cooling water, and the filled cooling water can be supplied to the battery cooler 300 through the three-way valve. When the external temperature is a predetermined temperature or lower, the water storage tank 250 can store the cooling water flowing from the battery cooling pipe 320 to the electronic device cooling pipe 220 through the first pump 230.

[0034] The electronic device cooling pipe 220 connects the electronic device 210 , the first pump 230 , and the heat exchanger 240 , and cooling water in the electronic device cooling pipe 220 flows through the first pump 230 , thereby being able to circulate.

[0035] The battery cooler 300 cools the battery 310 installed in the vehicle. In detail, the battery cooler 300 may include the battery 310 and the battery cooling pipe 320, and may further include at least one or more of a second pump 330, a cooler 340, a heater 350, an air pump 360, and an air valve 370.

[0036] The battery 310 provides energy to drive the environmentally friendly vehicle. The battery 310 in the present invention may be a high-voltage battery that can provide energy required to drive the environmentally friendly vehicle by driving a motor installed in the vehicle.

[0037] The battery cooling pipe 320 connects the battery 310 , the second pump 330 , the cooler 340 , the heater 350 , the air pump 360 , and the air valve 370 , and cooling water in the battery cooling pipe 320 flows through the second pump 330 to be able to circulate.

[0038] The second pump 330 may supply the cooling water injected into the water storage tank 250 to the battery cooling pipe 320 of the battery cooler 300. In addition, the second pump 330 is controlled by the controller 500 as described below, so that the cooling water in the battery cooling pipe 320 can be moved to the electronic device cooling pipe 220 by assisting the first pump 230 when the external temperature measured by the temperature sensor is a predetermined temperature or lower.

[0039] The cooler 340 is arranged at the front end of the battery 310, and cools the cooling water in the battery cooling pipe 320. Although not shown in detail in the drawings, the cooler 340 can be kept at a low temperature by circulating the refrigerant in the refrigerant pipe of the air conditioner, and the cooling water circulating in the battery cooling pipe 320 can be cooled by heat exchange with the cooling water, and the battery 310 can be cooled using the cooled cooling water.

[0040] Heater 350 increases the temperature of battery 310, that is, when the temperature of battery 310 is a predetermined temperature or lower, heater 350 may be a positive temperature coefficient heater (PTC) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] The air pump 360 and the air valve 370 are installed at the front end of the battery 310 and are controlled by the controller 500, so that when the external temperature is a predetermined temperature or lower, the cooling water in the battery cooling pipe 320 can be helped to move to the electronic device cooling pipe 220 by operating and assisting the first pump 230.

[0042] The three-way valve is controlled by the controller 500 so as to be able to connect or disconnect the electronic device cooling pipe 220 and the battery cooling pipe 320, and one or more three-way valves may be installed. In detail, the three-way valve may include a first three-way valve 410 installed in the electronic device cooler 200 and a second three-way valve 420 installed in the battery cooler 300. Figures 2 to 4 It is described that the electronic device cooling pipe 220 and the battery cooling pipe 320 are connected or disconnected using a three-way valve.

[0043] like Figure 2As shown, the flow sensor 600 is installed at the front end of the second three-way valve 420 installed in the battery cooler 300, and measures the flow rate of cooling water flowing from the battery cooling pipe 320 to the electronic device cooling pipe 220 when the battery cooling pipe 320 and the electronic device cooling pipe 220 are connected through the second three-way valve 420. The flow rate information of the cooling water measured by the flow sensor 600 can be sent to the controller 500.

[0044] When the outside air temperature measured by the temperature sensor is a predetermined temperature or lower, the controller 500 controls the first pump 230 and the three-way valve to allow the cooling water in the battery cooling pipe 320 to flow to the electronic device cooling pipe 220, thereby enabling the inside of the battery cooling pipe 320 to become gaseous.

[0045] Reference Figure 2 When the outside air temperature measured by the temperature sensor is a predetermined temperature or lower, the controller 500 may connect the battery cooling pipe 320 and the electronic device cooling pipe 220 by controlling the three-way valves 410 and 420. In detail, when the measured outside air temperature is a predetermined temperature or lower, as Figure 2 As shown, the controller 500 connects the battery cooling pipe 320 and the electronic device cooling pipe 220 through the second three-way valve 420, and allows the cooling water in the battery cooling pipe 320 to flow to the electronic device cooling pipe 220, so that the cooling water is stored in the water storage tank 250. In this process, the controller 500 can disconnect the battery cooling pipe 320 and the electronic device cooling pipe 220 by controlling the first three-way valve 410.

[0046] On the other hand, referring to Figure 3 When the outside air temperature measured by the temperature sensor exceeds a predetermined temperature, the controller 500 may disconnect the battery cooling pipe 320 and the electronic device cooling pipe 220 by controlling the three-way valves 410 and 420. In detail, when the measured outside air temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature, as Figure 3 As shown, the controller 500 may disconnect the battery cooling pipe 320 from the electronic device cooling pipe 220 by controlling the first three-way valve 410 and the second three-way valve 420 .

[0047] In addition, refer to Figure 4 When the flow rate measured by the flow sensor 600 is a predetermined value or less, the controller 500 may stop the operation of the first pump 230 and disconnect the battery cooling pipe 320 and the electronic device cooling pipe 220 by controlling the three-way valves 410 and 420 .

[0048] On the other hand, when the first pump 230 is driven, the controller 500 may cause the cooling water in the battery cooling pipe 320 to flow to the electronic device cooling pipe 220 by driving one or more of the second pump 330 and the air pump 360. In detail, when the first pump 230 is operated, the controller 500 may open the air valve 370, and when the cooling water in the battery cooling pipe 320 completely flows to the electronic device cooling pipe 220, the controller 500 may close the air valve 370.

[0049] In addition, when the temperature of the battery 310 is a predetermined temperature or lower, the controller 500 may operate the heater 350 to increase the temperature of the battery 310 by controlling the battery cooler 300 , and when the temperature of the battery 310 exceeds the predetermined temperature, the controller 500 may cool the battery 310 by operating the cooler 340 .

[0050] Figure 5 2 is a view showing heat transfer of a battery cooling pipe of a fluid in a system for managing a battery of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 As shown on the left, when the fluid in the battery cooling tube is a liquid, there is a problem in that heat is actively transferred from the battery 310 as a heat source to the liquid, which is effective for cooling a high temperature state to a low temperature state, but the thermal insulation is poor. However, as shown on the right, when the fluid in the cooling tube is a gas, the cooling performance decreases, but since the convection heat transfer coefficient of the gas is smaller than that of the liquid, the thermal insulation effect can be improved, as shown in the following table.

[0051] [surface]

[0052]

[0053] In other words, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, based on the detailed configuration of the system for managing a battery of a vehicle described in detail above, when the outside air temperature measured by the temperature sensor is a predetermined temperature or lower, the cooling fluid in the battery cooling pipe is replaced with gas by flowing the cooling water in the battery cooling pipe to the water storage tank of the electronic device cooler, thereby increasing the time required for the battery to reach a low temperature by preventing and suppressing heat transfer from the battery to the outside air. Therefore, the durability of the battery can be improved.

[0054] Figure 6 is a flow chart showing a method for managing a battery according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6As shown, a method for managing a battery according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include: measuring the temperature of external air; when the measured external air temperature is a predetermined temperature or lower, allowing cooling water in a battery cooling pipe to flow to an electronic device cooling pipe by controlling a first pump and a three-way valve; measuring the flow rate of cooling water flowing from the battery cooling pipe to the electronic device cooling pipe; and when the measured flow rate is a predetermined value or lower, stopping the operation of the first pump and controlling the three-way valve to disconnect the battery cooling pipe and the electronic device cooling pipe.

Claims

1. A system for managing a battery of a vehicle, the system comprising: A temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the outside air; An electronic device cooler comprising: an electronic device installed in the vehicle; an electronic device cooling pipe through which cooling water flows to cool the electronic device; a water storage tank into which cooling water is injected and stores the cooling water; and a first pump for circulating the cooling water; A battery cooler, comprising: a battery cooling pipe through which cooling water flows to cool the battery; and an air pump and an air valve for allowing the cooling water in the battery cooling pipe to flow to the electronic device cooling pipe; One or more three-way valves for connecting or disconnecting the electronic device cooling pipe and the battery cooling pipe; and The controller is configured to control the first pump and the one or more three-way valves to allow the cooling water in the battery cooling pipe to flow to the electronic device cooling pipe, thereby causing the inside of the battery cooling pipe to enter a gaseous state when the measured temperature of the outside air is a predetermined temperature or lower.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein: The one or more three-way valves include a first three-way valve installed in the electronics cooler and a second three-way valve installed in the battery cooler.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein: The controller controls the one or more three-way valves to connect the battery cooling pipe and the electronic device cooling pipe to each other when the measured temperature of the outside air is the predetermined temperature or lower, and controls the one or more three-way valves to disconnect the battery cooling pipe and the electronic device cooling pipe from each other when the measured temperature of the outside air exceeds the predetermined temperature.

4. The system as described in claim 1 further includes a flow sensor, which is installed at the front end of at least one of the one or more three-way valves, and measures the flow rate of cooling water flowing from the battery cooling pipe to the electronic device cooling pipe when the battery cooling pipe and the electronic device cooling pipe are connected through at least one of the one or more three-way valves.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein: When the flow rate measured by the flow sensor is a predetermined value or less, the controller stops the operation of the first pump and controls the one or more three-way valves to disconnect the battery cooling pipe and the electronic device cooling pipe from each other.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein: The electronic device cooler further includes one or more of the following: a heat exchanger for cooling cooling water flowing through the electronic device cooling pipe.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein: The battery cooler further includes at least one of the following: a second pump, used to circulate cooling water in the battery cooling pipe; a cooler, used to cool the cooling water in the battery cooling pipe; and A heater is used to increase the temperature of cooling water in the battery cooling pipe.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein: The controller drives at least one of the second pump and the air pump to allow the cooling water in the battery cooling pipe to flow to the electronic device cooling pipe when the first pump is driven.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein: The controller opens the air valve when the first pump is operated, and closes the air valve when the cooling water in the battery cooling pipe completely flows to the electronic device cooling pipe.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein: When the temperature of the battery is a predetermined temperature or lower, the controller controls the battery cooler to increase the temperature of the battery, and when the temperature of the battery exceeds the predetermined temperature, the controller controls the battery cooler to cool the battery.

11. A method for managing a battery of a vehicle using the system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, the method comprising the following steps: Measure the temperature of the outside air; When the measured temperature of the outside air is a predetermined temperature or lower, controlling the first pump and the three-way valve to allow the cooling water in the battery cooling pipe to flow to the electronic device cooling pipe; measuring a flow rate of cooling water flowing from the battery cooling pipe to the electronic device cooling pipe; as well as When the measured flow rate is a predetermined value or less, the operation of the first pump is stopped, and the air pump, the air valve, and the three-way valve are controlled to disconnect the battery cooling pipe and the electronic device cooling pipe from each other.

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