Method and system for reducing energy consumption in thermal management system of energy storage battery

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and system for reducing energy consumption in an energy storage battery thermal management system, and aims to solve the problems of low rotating speed regulation and control precision and high energy consumption of a water pump in the prior art. The method comprises the following steps: firstly, constructing a mapping database of battery surface temperature and humidity-cooling liquid temperature-optimal rotating speed / gear of a water pump through a test, and storing the mapping database in an MCU (Microprogrammed Control Unit); when the system runs, the temperature and humidity of the surface of the battery and the temperature of cooling liquid are collected in real time through sensors arranged on the surface of the battery and a cooling liquid pipeline; the MCU compares and analyzes the collected real-time data with the mapping database, determines the optimal rotating speed and gear of the water pump under the current working condition, and dynamically and continuously adjusts the rotating speed of the water pump through the PWM signal, so that the corresponding water amount is accurately conveyed to the heat dissipation device, and the heat dissipation of the battery is realized. Refined and self-adaptive regulation and control of the rotating speed of the water pump are achieved, on the premise that heat dissipation safety of the battery is guaranteed, operation energy consumption of the heat management system is remarkably reduced, and the service life of the battery and the service life of the water pump are prolonged.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of thermal management technology for energy storage batteries, specifically a method and system for reducing energy consumption in a thermal management system for energy storage batteries. Background Technology

[0002] Energy storage devices, especially large-scale battery energy storage systems, are typically equipped with dedicated thermal management systems. The core function of this system is to effectively dissipate the heat generated by the battery during charging and discharging, thereby ensuring the battery operates within a safe temperature range, guaranteeing its stability, and extending its lifespan. Currently, these systems commonly employ liquid cooling (such as water cooling) solutions. The basic working principle is as follows: heat exchange occurs between a refrigerant (such as a coolant) and a circulating coolant (such as water or ethylene glycol solution), cooling the coolant. Then, with the power output of a water pump, the low-temperature circulating coolant is precisely delivered to the areas of the battery requiring heat dissipation, achieving battery cooling through heat conduction.

[0003] In this heat dissipation cycle, the water pump, as the power source, is a significant component of the total energy consumption of the thermal management system. Excessive pump speed leads to increased system energy redundancy, while insufficient speed fails to meet battery cooling requirements, potentially causing abnormally high battery temperatures. Therefore, scientifically and rationally controlling the water pump speed dynamically not only ensures that the heat dissipation effect meets design standards but also effectively reduces energy loss in the thermal management system, achieving an optimized balance between heat dissipation performance and energy efficiency, thus supporting the overall efficient operation of the energy storage device.

[0004] However, current technologies for controlling water pump speed are rather crude, typically using only three fixed speed settings (high, medium, and low) for stepped adjustment. This discrete control method has significant drawbacks: when the battery heat generation is not high, if the water pump operates at a higher speed, it will cause "overcooling" and energy waste, leading to increased system energy redundancy; conversely, when the battery experiences sudden high-power charging and discharging, causing a sharp increase in heat generation, the fixed lower speed may not provide sufficient coolant flow, resulting in insufficient heat dissipation, abnormal battery temperature rise, and safety hazards. Therefore, minimizing water pump energy consumption while ensuring effective heat dissipation is a pressing technical problem that needs to be optimized in the field of energy storage battery thermal management. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the aforementioned problems, this invention provides a method and system for reducing energy consumption in an energy storage battery thermal management system by achieving an optimal balance between heat dissipation performance and energy efficiency through refined, adaptive, and dynamic continuous control of the water pump speed.

[0006] The technical solution adopted by this invention to solve the above-mentioned technical problems is as follows: a method for reducing energy consumption in an energy storage battery thermal management system, comprising the following steps:

[0007] S1. Construct a mapping database of "battery surface temperature and humidity - coolant temperature - optimal water pump speed / gear":

[0008] S101, the operating speed of the water pump motor is divided into N consecutive speeds, with the minimum speed specified as 0, and the speed increasing by one gear every 100 revolutions;

[0009] S102, a test matrix is ​​constructed with battery surface temperature of 5℃ as one interval, battery surface humidity of 5%RH as one interval, and circulating coolant temperature of 1℃ as one interval;

[0010] S103, under each test condition, records the optimal speed and gear of the water pump when the battery drops to its normal operating temperature within 5-10 seconds, and stores the correspondence between "battery surface temperature and humidity - coolant temperature - optimal water pump speed / gear" in the MCU register;

[0011] S2. Real-time acquisition of coolant temperature and battery surface temperature and humidity data: Real-time detection and acquisition of the current temperature and humidity of the battery surface, as well as the current temperature of the coolant flowing through the battery heat dissipation device.

[0012] S3. Feed back the coolant temperature and battery surface temperature and humidity data to the MCU for database comparison and analysis: The collected current battery surface temperature, current humidity and current coolant temperature data are transmitted to the microcontroller unit (MCU), and the MCU compares and analyzes the real-time data with the mapping database.

[0013] S4. The MCU outputs instructions based on the comparison results to adjust the water pump speed and accurately deliver the corresponding amount of water to the heat dissipation device: Based on the comparison analysis results, the MCU judges the data range through the built-in algorithm and outputs corresponding instructions. At the same time, it converts the instructions into speed adjustment signals through PWM signals and limits the maximum and minimum speed of the water pump based on the preset speed protection threshold, so as to realize the dynamic adjustment of the water pump speed.

[0014] Preferably, in step S102, the battery surface temperature test range covers 30-200℃, the battery surface humidity test range covers 0-100%RH, and the circulating coolant temperature test range covers -20-0℃.

[0015] Preferably, in step S4, the adjustment logic of the MCU executing the instruction based on the comparison result includes:

[0016] If the battery surface temperature and humidity are higher than the upper limit of the safety threshold and the circulating coolant temperature meets the cooling conditions, then an acceleration command will be output.

[0017] If the battery surface temperature and humidity are in the middle of the safe range, a constant speed command will be output to maintain the current heat dissipation.

[0018] If the surface temperature and humidity of the battery are below the lower limit of the safety threshold, a speed reduction command will be output.

[0019] The present invention also provides an energy storage battery thermal management system implementing the above method, including:

[0020] Battery pack;

[0021] A heat dissipation device, thermally connected to the battery pack, is used to dissipate heat from the battery pack via coolant.

[0022] A water pump is used to drive the coolant to circulate between the heat dissipation device and the heat exchanger;

[0023] The first temperature and humidity sensor group is installed on the battery surface to detect the battery surface temperature and humidity;

[0024] The second temperature sensor is installed in the coolant line at the front end of the water pump to detect the coolant temperature.

[0025] The microcontroller unit (MCU) is electrically connected to the first temperature and humidity sensor group, the second temperature sensor, and the water pump, respectively. The MCU stores the "battery surface temperature and humidity - coolant temperature - optimal water pump speed" mapping database, which is used to receive sensor data, perform database comparison and analysis, and output a PWM signal to the water pump to adjust its speed.

[0026] Preferably, the water pump is an electronic water pump, and its speed is continuously adjusted by the PWM signal output by the MCU.

[0027] Preferably, the water pump front end is the node where water flows into the water pump after the refrigerant and coolant have completed heat exchange.

[0028] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0029] 1. This invention significantly improves the precision of heat dissipation by combining the method and the system implementing the method. Compared with the traditional three-level control, through the fine adjustment of N subdivided levels and the support of a full-condition mapping database, the system can respond to changes in the battery's thermal state in real time according to dynamic factors such as battery charging and discharging power and ambient temperature and humidity, and dynamically adjust the cooling capacity to dissipate heat. This effectively avoids the risk of battery overheating caused by "insufficient heat dissipation" and eliminates the energy waste caused by "excessive cooling", ensuring that the battery always works within a safe operating temperature range and guaranteeing operational stability.

[0030] 2. This invention achieves precise matching between the water pump speed and the real-time heat demand of the battery. Under low battery heat conditions, the water pump speed can be automatically reduced to the minimum necessary level, avoiding the ineffective energy consumption caused by the existing fixed medium-to-high speed operation; only under high heat conditions does the speed increase to meet the heat dissipation requirements. This on-demand supply mode significantly reduces the overall energy consumption of the system.

[0031] 3. This invention achieves smooth and continuous adjustment of the water pump speed, avoiding the mechanical losses caused by frequent start-stop or high-speed overload operation during traditional gear switching, which helps to extend the service life of the water pump. At the same time, the stable battery temperature environment also reduces the performance degradation of the battery caused by thermal cycling stress, indirectly extending the battery's service life and thus reducing maintenance costs.

[0032] 4. This invention, through refined control logic, ensures heat dissipation safety based on a mapping database and real-time monitoring, while minimizing energy consumption through dynamic speed adjustment. This enables the thermal management system to achieve an optimal balance between "ensuring core functions" and "responding to energy-saving needs," providing core technical support for the long-term, efficient, and low-cost operation of energy storage batteries. Attached Figure Description

[0033] Figure 1 This is a flowchart illustrating the method of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The following will combine Figure 1 The present invention will be described in detail below. The illustrative embodiments and descriptions herein are used to explain the invention, but are not intended to limit the invention.

[0035] A method for reducing energy consumption in an energy storage battery thermal management system includes the following steps:

[0036] S1. Construct a mapping database of "battery surface temperature and humidity - coolant temperature - optimal water pump speed / gear":

[0037] S101, the operating speed of the water pump motor is divided into N consecutive speeds, with the minimum speed specified as 0, and the speed increasing by one gear every 100 revolutions;

[0038] S102, a test matrix is ​​constructed with battery surface temperature of 5℃, battery surface humidity of 5%RH, and circulating coolant temperature of 1℃ as an interval; the battery surface temperature test interval covers 30-200℃, the battery surface humidity test interval covers 0-100%RH, and the circulating coolant temperature test interval covers -20-0℃.

[0039] S103, under each test condition, records the optimal speed and gear of the water pump when the battery drops to its normal operating temperature within 5-10 seconds, and stores the correspondence between "battery surface temperature and humidity - coolant temperature - optimal water pump speed / gear" in the MCU register;

[0040] S2. Real-time acquisition of coolant temperature and battery surface temperature and humidity data: Real-time detection and acquisition of the current temperature and humidity of the battery surface, as well as the current temperature of the coolant flowing through the battery heat dissipation device.

[0041] S3. Feed back the coolant temperature and battery surface temperature and humidity data to the MCU for database comparison and analysis: The collected current battery surface temperature, current humidity and current coolant temperature data are transmitted to the microcontroller unit (MCU), and the MCU compares and analyzes the real-time data with the mapping database.

[0042] S4. The MCU outputs instructions based on the comparison results to adjust the water pump speed and accurately deliver the corresponding amount of water to the heat dissipation device. Based on the comparison analysis results, the MCU uses a built-in algorithm to determine the data range and outputs corresponding instructions. Simultaneously, it converts the instructions into speed adjustment signals via PWM signals and limits the maximum and minimum water pump speeds based on preset speed protection thresholds, achieving dynamic adjustment of the water pump speed. The specific steps are as follows:

[0043] If the battery surface temperature and humidity are higher than the upper limit of the safety threshold and the circulating coolant temperature meets the cooling conditions, then an acceleration command will be output.

[0044] If the battery surface temperature and humidity are in the middle of the safe range, a constant speed command will be output to maintain the current heat dissipation.

[0045] If the surface temperature and humidity of the battery are below the lower limit of the safety threshold, a speed reduction command will be output.

[0046] The present invention also provides a thermal management system for an energy storage battery for implementing the above method, characterized in that: it includes...

[0047] Battery pack;

[0048] A heat dissipation device, thermally connected to the battery pack, is used to dissipate heat from the battery pack via coolant.

[0049] A water pump is used to drive the coolant to circulate between the heat dissipation device and the heat exchanger;

[0050] A first temperature and humidity sensor group is disposed on the surface of the battery for detecting the surface temperature and humidity of the battery; the first temperature and humidity sensor group includes a first temperature sensor and a first humidity sensor;

[0051] The second temperature sensor is installed in the coolant pipeline at the front end of the water pump to detect the coolant temperature; the front end of the water pump is the node before the water flows into the water pump after the refrigerant and coolant have completed heat exchange.

[0052] The microcontroller unit (MCU) is electrically connected to the first temperature and humidity sensor group, the second temperature sensor, and the water pump. The MCU stores a mapping database of "battery surface temperature and humidity - coolant temperature - optimal water pump speed". As the control center, the MCU integrates data processing and logic control functions. It is used to receive sensor data, perform database comparison and analysis, and output PWM signals to the water pump to adjust its speed.

[0053] Specifically, the water pump is an electronic water pump, and its speed is continuously adjusted by the PWM signal output by the MCU.

[0054] In implementation, to achieve precise dynamic control of the water pump speed and reduce energy consumption, the core lies in constructing a closed-loop control system of "real-time detection - data feedback - intelligent adjustment". The method of this invention first establishes a detailed mapping database of "battery surface temperature and humidity - coolant temperature - optimal water pump speed / gear" through preliminary systematic experiments. During system operation, sensors deployed on the battery surface and in the coolant pipeline collect the battery's temperature and humidity status and the coolant's temperature status in real time and in multiple dimensions. This real-time data is transmitted to the microcontroller unit (MCU), which quickly compares and intelligently analyzes it with the pre-stored mapping database to accurately determine the most suitable water pump speed and gear for the current heat dissipation requirements. Finally, the MCU continuously and smoothly adjusts the water pump speed by outputting a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal, thereby precisely controlling the coolant flow rate.

[0055] Furthermore, the mapping database construction breaks down the water pump's speed range from the original three gears ("low," "medium," and "high") into N consecutive gears, specifying the lowest speed as gear 0, with each gear increasing by one level every 100 revolutions per second (e.g., if the motor speed range is 900 to 6000 revolutions per second, the corresponding gears are 0 to 51). Subsequently, a full-condition test matrix is ​​constructed, using battery surface temperature of 5°C as one interval (covering the commonly used range of 30-200°C), battery surface humidity of 5% as another interval (covering the range of 0-100%RH), and circulating coolant temperature of 1°C as another interval (covering the commonly used range of -20-0°C). Under each test condition, the optimal speed and gear of the water pump motor are recorded when the battery temperature drops from its current temperature to its specified normal operating temperature within 5-10 seconds (e.g., the motor needs to reach 4000 revolutions per second to reach normal operating temperature, so the corresponding gear is 31). The data is then combined with the data from battery surface temperature / humidity to circulating coolant temperature. The correspondence between the optimal speed / gear of the water pump is stored in the register of the microcontroller unit (MCU) to form a complete mapping database.

[0056] Furthermore, a first temperature and humidity sensor array is deployed on the battery surface to capture surface temperature and humidity data in real time during battery operation. Simultaneously, a second temperature sensor is installed at the front end of the water pump (the critical point between the refrigerant and water after heat exchange and before water enters the pump) to accurately collect the real-time temperature of the cooling circulating fluid. This dual-dimensional sensing layout enables simultaneous monitoring of the battery's heat dissipation needs and the state of the heat dissipation medium, providing precise data input for control decisions.

[0057] Upon receiving real-time sensor data, the MCU, acting as the control center, quickly retrieves matching parameters from the mapping database to determine the optimal cooling water flow rate for the current scenario. It employs a layered logic of "data comparison - threshold judgment - command output": First, it rapidly compares the real-time received battery surface temperature and humidity, and circulating coolant temperature data with a pre-stored mapping database of "battery surface temperature and humidity - coolant temperature - optimal pump speed / gear." Second, it uses a built-in algorithm to determine the current data's range. If the battery surface temperature and humidity exceed the upper safety threshold and the coolant temperature meets the cooling requirements, the MCU immediately issues an "acceleration command." If the battery surface temperature and humidity are in the middle of the safe range, it outputs a "constant speed command" to maintain basic cooling. If the battery surface temperature and humidity are below the lower safety threshold, it outputs a "deceleration command" to save energy. Simultaneously, the system presets maximum and minimum pump speed protection thresholds to prevent equipment damage or cooling failure. The command adjusts the pump speed via PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signals, achieving smooth and rapid speed adjustment. Since the flow rate of circulating coolant is positively correlated with the pump speed, the MCU will adjust the pump speed by outputting control signals to achieve precise water flow rate delivery based on the current coolant temperature. When the battery temperature and humidity are high, the pump speed will be increased to enhance heat dissipation; when the temperature and humidity are low, the pump speed will be reduced to decrease the water flow rate and save energy.

[0058] This invention can reasonably increase the heat exchange time between the coolant and the refrigerant, and can more accurately adjust the speed of the water pump. The scientific and dynamic adjustment of the two can reduce the energy consumption of the thermal management system.

[0059] The technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above. Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of the embodiments of the present invention. The descriptions of the embodiments above are only for helping to understand the principles of the embodiments of the present invention. At the same time, for those skilled in the art, there will be changes in the specific implementation methods and application scope based on the embodiments of the present invention. Therefore, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for reducing energy consumption in an energy storage battery thermal management system, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S1. Construct a mapping database of "battery surface temperature and humidity - coolant temperature - optimal water pump speed / gear": S101, the operating speed of the water pump motor is divided into N consecutive speeds, with the minimum speed specified as 0, and the speed increasing by one gear every 100 revolutions; S102, a test matrix is ​​constructed with battery surface temperature of 5℃ as one interval, battery surface humidity of 5%RH as one interval, and circulating coolant temperature of 1℃ as one interval; S103, under each test condition, records the optimal speed and gear of the water pump when the battery drops to its normal operating temperature within 5-10 seconds, and stores the correspondence between "battery surface temperature and humidity - coolant temperature - optimal water pump speed / gear" in the MCU register; S2. Real-time acquisition of coolant temperature and battery surface temperature and humidity data: Real-time detection and acquisition of the current temperature and humidity of the battery surface, as well as the current temperature of the coolant flowing through the battery heat dissipation device. S3. Feed back the coolant temperature and battery surface temperature and humidity data to the MCU for database comparison and analysis: The collected current battery surface temperature, current humidity and current coolant temperature data are transmitted to the microcontroller unit (MCU), and the MCU compares and analyzes the real-time data with the mapping database. S4. The MCU outputs instructions based on the comparison results to adjust the water pump speed and accurately deliver the corresponding amount of water to the heat dissipation device: Based on the comparison analysis results, the MCU judges the data range through the built-in algorithm and outputs corresponding instructions. At the same time, it converts the instructions into speed adjustment signals through PWM signals and limits the maximum and minimum speed of the water pump based on the preset speed protection threshold, so as to realize the dynamic adjustment of the water pump speed.

2. The method for reducing energy consumption in the energy storage battery thermal management system according to claim 1, characterized in that: In step S102, the battery surface temperature test range covers 30-200℃, the battery surface humidity test range covers 0-100%RH, and the circulating coolant temperature test range covers -20-0℃.

3. The method for reducing energy consumption in the energy storage battery thermal management system according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step S4, the adjustment logic of the MCU executing instructions based on the comparison results includes: If the battery surface temperature and humidity are higher than the upper limit of the safety threshold and the circulating coolant temperature meets the cooling conditions, then an acceleration command will be output. If the battery surface temperature and humidity are in the middle of the safe range, a constant speed command will be output to maintain the current heat dissipation. If the surface temperature and humidity of the battery are below the lower limit of the safety threshold, a speed reduction command will be output.

4. A thermal management system for an energy storage battery used to implement the method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that: include Battery pack; A heat dissipation device, thermally connected to the battery pack, is used to dissipate heat from the battery pack via coolant. A water pump is used to drive the coolant to circulate between the heat dissipation device and the heat exchanger; The first temperature and humidity sensor group is installed on the battery surface to detect the battery surface temperature and humidity; The second temperature sensor is installed in the coolant line at the front end of the water pump to detect the coolant temperature. The microcontroller unit (MCU) is electrically connected to the first temperature and humidity sensor group, the second temperature sensor, and the water pump, respectively. The MCU stores the "battery surface temperature and humidity - coolant temperature - optimal water pump speed" mapping database, which is used to receive sensor data, perform database comparison and analysis, and output a PWM signal to the water pump to adjust its speed.

5. The energy storage battery thermal management system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The water pump is an electronic water pump, and its speed is continuously adjusted by the PWM signal output by the MCU.

6. The energy storage battery thermal management system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The front end of the water pump is the node where water flows into the pump after the refrigerant and coolant have completed heat exchange.

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