Automotive exterior surface temperature regulation method based on flexible thermoelectric material and vehicle

Abstract

The application relates to a flexible thermoelectric material-based automobile outer surface temperature adjusting method and a vehicle, and belongs to the technical field of vehicle manufacturing. The method comprises the following steps: embedding a flexible thermoelectric material layer in a predetermined area of a vehicle frame structure, and realizing autonomous temperature difference sensing and active thermal management of a vehicle skin without an additional temperature sensor. The heating / cooling mode can be quickly switched by using the Peltier effect, and the response speed is superior to that of a traditional air conditioner. The current polarity determines the heat flow direction, and the size determines the temperature adjusting strength, so that the control precision is high. In the whole process, the skin of the vehicle frame structure itself becomes an actuator of a thermal management system, and the vehicle thermal management channel is widened.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of vehicle manufacturing technology, and in particular to a method for regulating the temperature of the outer surface of an automobile based on flexible thermoelectric materials, and the vehicle thereof. Background Technology

[0002] Traditional automobiles primarily rely on air conditioning systems (compressors and PTC electric heaters) to regulate cabin temperature. However, air conditioning compressors consume a significant amount of energy from the engine or battery, which can significantly shorten the driving range in pure electric vehicles. Vehicle exterior surfaces (such as the hood, roof, and door panels) can reach temperatures exceeding 70°C under direct sunlight. Traditional solutions cannot actively cool these surfaces, causing heat to transfer to the cabin through the panels, increasing the air conditioning load. Furthermore, existing panels (paint, metal panels, and plastic parts) serve only a protective and decorative function and lack the ability to sense temperature differences and actively regulate heat flow. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of the above-mentioned shortcomings and deficiencies of the prior art, the present invention provides a method and device for regulating the temperature of the outer surface of an automobile based on flexible thermoelectric materials, which solves the technical problem that the existing skins (paint, metal plates, plastic parts) only play a protective and decorative role and do not have the ability to sense temperature differences and actively regulate heat flow.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the main technical solutions adopted by the present invention include:

[0005] The first aspect of this invention provides a method for regulating the temperature of the outer surface of an automobile based on flexible thermoelectric materials.

[0006] The method for regulating the temperature of an automobile's outer surface based on flexible thermoelectric materials proposed in this invention is applied to a predetermined area of ​​a vehicle frame structure. A flexible thermoelectric material layer is embedded in this predetermined area, and the flexible thermoelectric material layer contains positive and negative electrodes that conduct current. These positive and negative electrodes are electrically connected to a vehicle controller. The method includes:

[0007] By embedding a flexible thermoelectric material layer in a predetermined area of ​​the vehicle frame structure, the temperature difference between the vehicle's outer surface and interior is monitored, and a thermoelectric voltage corresponding to the temperature difference value and direction is generated by the diffusion of charge carriers in the thermoelectric material from the high-temperature end to the low-temperature end.

[0008] Based on the thermoelectric voltage corresponding to the temperature difference value and the direction of the temperature difference, the state in which the outer surface of the vehicle needs to be heated or cooled is determined, and based on the state in which the outer surface of the vehicle needs to be heated or cooled, the polarity and magnitude of the driving current to be injected into the flexible thermoelectric material layer are determined.

[0009] By applying a driving current of corresponding polarity and magnitude to the flexible thermoelectric material layer through the controller and the positive and negative electrodes disposed on the flexible thermoelectric material layer, heat is transferred from the first side to the second side of the vehicle's outer surface using the Peltier effect, thereby reducing or increasing the temperature of the vehicle's outer surface.

[0010] In some instances, determining the state requiring heating or cooling of the vehicle's outer surface based on the thermoelectric voltage corresponding to the temperature difference value and direction includes:

[0011] The direction of the temperature difference across the flexible thermoelectric material layer is determined based on the polarity of the thermoelectric voltage, and the direction of the temperature difference across the flexible thermoelectric material layer is used to determine whether the vehicle's outer surface needs heating or cooling; and

[0012] The heating power required to heat or the cooling power required to cool the vehicle's outer surface are determined based on the magnitude of the thermoelectric voltage.

[0013] In some instances, determining the direction of the temperature difference across the flexible thermoelectric material layer based on the polarity of the thermoelectric voltage, and determining whether the vehicle's outer surface needs heating or cooling based on the direction of the temperature difference across the flexible thermoelectric material layer, includes:

[0014] When the thermoelectric voltage is positive, it indicates that the temperature of the vehicle's outer surface is higher than the temperature inside the vehicle, and it is determined that the vehicle's outer surface needs to be cooled.

[0015] When the thermoelectric voltage is negative, it indicates that the temperature of the vehicle's outer surface is lower than the temperature inside the vehicle, and it is determined that the vehicle's outer surface needs to be heated.

[0016] In some instances, when a drive current of corresponding polarity and magnitude is applied to the flexible thermoelectric material layer via a controller and positive and negative electrodes disposed on the flexible thermoelectric material layer, the method includes:

[0017] Based on the driving current and net heat flow model, the predicted net heat flow when a driving current is applied to the flexible thermoelectric material layer is determined.

[0018] Based on the predicted net heat flow and lumped heat capacity model, the rate of change of surface temperature on the outer surface of the vehicle is determined.

[0019] Based on the current temperature of the vehicle's outer surface and the rate of change of the surface temperature, the surface temperature of the vehicle's outer surface at the next moment is predicted.

[0020] In some instances, the flexible thermoelectric material layer employs a pixelated flexible thermoelectric array;

[0021] Applying a driving current of corresponding polarity and magnitude to the flexible thermoelectric material layer includes:

[0022] The polarity and magnitude of the injected current are independently controlled for each pixel unit based on the sunlight intensity, air velocity, or cabin temperature distribution in different areas of the vehicle.

[0023] In some instances, including:

[0024] When the vehicle is parked and there is a temperature difference between its outer surface and interior, the flexible thermoelectric material layer is switched to an energy collection mode. This energy collection mode converts the temperature difference into electrical energy through the Seebeck effect and stores it in a secondary battery, achieving energy recovery while the vehicle is parked.

[0025] When a pre-cooling or pre-heating command is received, the stored electrical energy is used to drive the flexible thermoelectric material layer to actively regulate the temperature, thereby obtaining the pre-adjusted comfort surface temperature before vehicle startup.

[0026] In some instances, the method includes applying a driving current of appropriate polarity and magnitude to the flexible thermoelectric material layer:

[0027] Obtain light intensity and cloud cover data for a future scheduled time;

[0028] Based on the light intensity data and cloud data for the future predetermined time, the trend of heat load change on the vehicle surface is predicted.

[0029] Based on the predicted trend of heat load change, the amplitude or polarity of the drive current is adjusted within a predetermined time before the heat load arrives in order to suppress drastic fluctuations in the vehicle surface temperature.

[0030] In some instances, the flexible thermoelectric material layers are stacked in the order of a protective layer, a functional layer, a thermally conductive layer, and a substrate layer; wherein the protective layer is made of a highly weather-resistant transparent fluoropolymer, and the thermally conductive layer is made of a graphene flexible thermally conductive film.

[0031] In some instances, the method includes applying a driving current of appropriate polarity and magnitude to the flexible thermoelectric material layer:

[0032] Get the vehicle's current speed;

[0033] The magnitude of the driving current is dynamically adjusted based on the relationship between the vehicle's current speed and the air convection heat transfer coefficient on the vehicle's outer surface.

[0034] A second aspect of the present invention provides a vehicle, comprising: a flexible thermoelectric material layer embedded in a predetermined region of the vehicle frame structure; monitoring the temperature difference between the outer surface of the vehicle and the interior of the vehicle through the flexible thermoelectric material layer embedded in the predetermined region of the vehicle frame structure, and generating a thermoelectric voltage corresponding to the temperature difference value and the temperature difference direction by the diffusion of charge carriers in the thermoelectric material from the high temperature end to the low temperature end.

[0035] Electrodes are provided on both the first and second sides of the flexible thermoelectric material layer;

[0036] The controller, which is electrically connected to both the first and second side electrodes, is used to determine the state in which the outer surface of the vehicle needs to be heated or cooled based on the thermoelectric voltage corresponding to the temperature difference value and the direction of the temperature difference, and to determine the polarity and magnitude of the driving current to be injected into the flexible thermoelectric material layer based on the state in which the outer surface of the vehicle needs to be heated or cooled.

[0037] By applying a driving current of corresponding polarity and magnitude to the flexible thermoelectric material layer through the controller and the positive and negative electrodes disposed on the flexible thermoelectric material layer, heat is transferred from the first side to the second side of the vehicle's outer surface using the Peltier effect, thereby reducing or increasing the temperature of the vehicle's outer surface.

[0038] This invention discloses a method for regulating the temperature of an automotive exterior surface based on flexible thermoelectric materials. The method includes: applying a flexible thermoelectric material layer to a predetermined area of ​​a vehicle frame structure, wherein the predetermined area of ​​the vehicle frame structure has embedded positive and negative electrodes for current conduction, and the positive and negative electrodes are electrically connected to a vehicle controller; the method includes: monitoring the temperature difference between the vehicle exterior surface and the vehicle interior through the flexible thermoelectric material layer embedded in the predetermined area of ​​the vehicle frame structure, and generating a thermoelectric voltage corresponding to the temperature difference value and direction by the diffusion of charge carriers in the thermoelectric material from the high-temperature end to the low-temperature end; determining the state requiring heating or cooling of the vehicle exterior surface based on the thermoelectric voltage corresponding to the temperature difference value and direction, and determining the polarity and magnitude of the driving current to be injected into the flexible thermoelectric material layer based on the state requiring heating or cooling of the vehicle exterior surface; applying a driving current of corresponding polarity and magnitude to the flexible thermoelectric material layer through the controller and the positive and negative electrodes disposed on the flexible thermoelectric material layer, so as to utilize the Peltier effect to transfer heat from a first side to a second side of the vehicle exterior surface, thereby reducing or increasing the temperature of the vehicle exterior surface. In this application, autonomous temperature difference sensing and active thermal management of the vehicle skin are achieved through a flexible thermoelectric material layer embedded in a predetermined area of ​​the vehicle frame structure, eliminating the need for additional temperature sensors. Utilizing the Peltier effect, heating / cooling modes can be switched rapidly, with a response speed superior to traditional air conditioning. The polarity of the current determines the direction of heat flow, and its magnitude determines the intensity of temperature regulation, resulting in high control precision. Throughout the process, the skin itself becomes the actuator of the thermal management system, broadening the channels for vehicle thermal management. Attached Figure Description

[0039] Figure 1 A flowchart of a method for regulating the temperature of an automobile's outer surface based on flexible thermoelectric materials, provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 2 A flowchart of the surface temperature of the outer surface of a car at the next moment, provided for an embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 3 A flowchart for suppressing severe fluctuations in vehicle surface temperature provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0042] To better explain and facilitate understanding of the present invention, the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0043] This invention proposes a method for regulating the temperature of automotive exterior surfaces based on flexible thermoelectric materials. This method addresses the problem that existing vehicle skins (paint, metal panels, plastic parts) only serve a protective and decorative function, lacking the ability to sense temperature differences and actively regulate heat flow. By embedding a flexible thermoelectric material layer in a predetermined area of ​​the vehicle frame structure, the method achieves autonomous temperature difference sensing and active thermal management of the vehicle skin, eliminating the need for additional temperature sensors. Utilizing the Peltier effect, it allows for rapid switching between heating and cooling modes, with a response speed superior to traditional air conditioning. The polarity of the current determines the direction of heat flow, and its magnitude determines the intensity of temperature regulation, resulting in high control precision. Throughout the process, the skin itself becomes the actuator of the thermal management system, broadening the channels for vehicle thermal management.

[0044] To better understand the above technical solutions, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the present invention can be implemented in various forms and should not be limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that the present invention can be understood more clearly and thoroughly, and that the scope of the present invention can be fully conveyed to those skilled in the art.

[0045] Figure 1 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for regulating the temperature of an automotive outer surface based on flexible thermoelectric materials, provided as an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 As shown in the figure, the automotive exterior surface temperature regulation method based on flexible thermoelectric materials proposed in this embodiment of the invention is applied to a predetermined area of ​​a vehicle frame structure. A flexible thermoelectric material layer is embedded in the predetermined area of ​​the vehicle frame structure, and the flexible thermoelectric material layer contains positive and negative electrodes that conduct current. These positive and negative electrodes are electrically connected to a vehicle controller. The method includes:

[0046] Step 100: By embedding a flexible thermoelectric material layer in a predetermined area of ​​the vehicle frame structure, the temperature difference between the outer surface of the vehicle and the interior of the vehicle is monitored, and the thermoelectric voltage corresponding to the temperature difference value and the direction of the temperature difference is generated by the diffusion of charge carriers in the thermoelectric material from the high temperature end to the low temperature end.

[0047] Step 110: Determine the state in which the outer surface of the vehicle needs to be heated or cooled based on the thermoelectric voltage corresponding to the temperature difference value and the direction of the temperature difference, and determine the polarity and magnitude of the driving current to be injected into the flexible thermoelectric material layer based on the state in which the outer surface of the vehicle needs to be heated or cooled.

[0048] Step 120: Apply a driving current of corresponding polarity and magnitude to the flexible thermoelectric material layer through the controller and the positive and negative electrodes disposed on the flexible thermoelectric material layer, so as to use the Peltier effect to transfer heat from the first side to the second side of the vehicle's outer surface, thereby reducing or increasing the temperature of the vehicle's outer surface.

[0049] In this exemplary embodiment, the predetermined area of ​​the vehicle frame structure can be the outer surface area of ​​the vehicle skin, the outer surface area of ​​the roof skin, the outer surface area of ​​the vehicle door skin, etc. The electrodes on both sides of the flexible thermoelectric material are directly connected to the analog-to-digital converter (ADC) input pin of the controller (MCU or dedicated thermal management chip) via wires. The controller directly connects the positive and negative electrodes through its ADC pins to acquire the thermoelectric voltage across the thermoelectric material. The ADC circuit inside the controller converts the analog voltage signal (e.g., a few millivolts to several hundred millivolts) into a digital value for the processor to read. The controller calculates the temperature difference and direction based on this digital value and the known Seebeck coefficient. In this application, the positive and negative electrodes for acquiring the thermoelectric voltage across the thermoelectric material and the positive and negative electrodes for outputting the drive current are the same pair of positive and negative electrodes. That is, this is achieved through positive and negative electrode multiplexing.

[0050] In this exemplary embodiment, a flexible thermoelectric film with a thickness of approximately 0.5 mm (material system: P-type is Bi) is pre-embedded in the hood skin structure of a pure electric vehicle. 0.5 Sb 1.5 Te3 (N-type Ag2Se-based hybrid network). The first side of the thin film is close to the outer surface (facing outwards), and the second side is close to the vehicle interior (facing the engine compartment). Silver electrodes are pre-fabricated on both sides of the thin film, and the electrodes are connected to the vehicle thermal management controller via wires. The controller is electrically connected to both the first and second side electrodes. The first side can be the outer side facing the external environment, and the second side can be the inner side facing the vehicle cabin. The electrode on the first side is set as the positive electrode, and the electrode on the second side is set as the negative electrode.

[0051] In this exemplary embodiment, while the vehicle is in motion, direct sunlight causes the outer surface temperature of the hood to rise to 65°C, while the temperature on the cabin side is approximately 45°C, creating a 20°C temperature difference. The thermoelectric material automatically generates a thermoelectric voltage of approximately 0.2V (positive polarity, indicating a higher outer temperature) using the Seebeck effect. After reading this voltage through the voltage acquisition circuit, the controller determines that cooling of the outer surface is required and sets the drive current to positive (e.g., +5A). Subsequently, the controller outputs a +5A DC current to the thin-film electrode through an H-bridge circuit. Under the Peltier effect, heat is pumped from the outside (outer surface of the hood) to the inside, and the outer surface temperature drops to 45°C within 3 minutes, significantly reducing the heat entering the cabin.

[0052] This application achieves autonomous temperature difference sensing and active thermal management of the vehicle skin through a flexible thermoelectric material layer embedded in a predetermined area of ​​the vehicle frame structure, eliminating the need for additional temperature sensors. Utilizing the Peltier effect, it can quickly switch between heating and cooling modes, with a response speed superior to traditional air conditioning. The polarity of the current determines the direction of heat flow, and its magnitude determines the intensity of temperature regulation, resulting in high control precision. Throughout the process, the skin itself becomes the actuator of the thermal management system, broadening the channels for vehicle thermal management.

[0053] In some instances, determining the state requiring heating or cooling of the vehicle's outer surface based on the thermoelectric voltage corresponding to the temperature difference value and direction includes:

[0054] The direction of the temperature difference across the flexible thermoelectric material layer is determined based on the polarity of the thermoelectric voltage, and the direction of the temperature difference across the flexible thermoelectric material layer is used to determine whether the vehicle's outer surface needs heating or cooling; and

[0055] The heating power required to heat or the cooling power required to cool the vehicle's outer surface are determined based on the magnitude of the thermoelectric voltage.

[0056] In this exemplary embodiment, following the above embodiments, the controller acquires a thermoelectric voltage Vo = 0.2V. Given the Seebeck coefficient of the material S = 200μV / K, ΔT = 0.2V / 200μV / K = 20K is calculated, and the polarity is positive. Therefore, the outer surface temperature is higher than the internal temperature, indicating a cooling demand. Simultaneously, this temperature difference of 20K is considered a moderate deviation. Based on a preset temperature difference-power mapping table (e.g., 5K temperature difference corresponds to 50W, 20K temperature difference corresponds to 150W, and 40K temperature difference corresponds to 300W), the controller determines the target cooling power to be 150W. Then, the required driving current (e.g., I = 6A) is calculated using the net heat flow model of claim 3. This polarity determination ensures the correctness of the heating / cooling mode selection, avoiding reverse operation that could lead to performance degradation. Amplitude determination enables adaptive matching of the temperature adjustment power to the temperature difference: increased power for rapid compensation when the temperature difference is large, and decreased power for reduced temperature difference to avoid overshoot and energy waste. Overall, this approach facilitates the pre-setting of closed-loop power for temperature-differential driven systems, thereby improving the response speed and stability of the control system.

[0057] In some instances, determining the direction of the temperature difference across the flexible thermoelectric material layer based on the polarity of the thermoelectric voltage, and determining whether the vehicle's outer surface needs heating or cooling based on the direction of the temperature difference across the flexible thermoelectric material layer, includes:

[0058] When the thermoelectric voltage is positive, it indicates that the temperature of the vehicle's outer surface is higher than the temperature inside the vehicle, and it is determined that the vehicle's outer surface needs to be cooled.

[0059] When the thermoelectric voltage is negative, it indicates that the temperature of the vehicle's outer surface is lower than the temperature inside the vehicle, and it is determined that the vehicle's outer surface needs to be heated.

[0060] In this exemplary embodiment, on a winter morning, the vehicle is parked in an environment of -10°C. The outer surface temperature of the skin is -5°C, and the interior (cabin side) temperature is 10°C, with a temperature difference ΔT = -15°C (the outer side is lower than the inner side). The thermoelectric material generates a thermoelectric voltage Vo = S. (-15) = -3mV (if S = 200μV / K). When the controller detects a negative voltage, the outer surface temperature is lower than the internal temperature, indicating a heating requirement. Therefore, the controller sets the current polarity to reverse, pumping heat from the internal side to the outer surface, gradually raising the skin surface temperature to the target value (e.g., 5℃). This facilitates the establishment of a clear voltage polarity-heating requirement mapping rule; the algorithm is simple and reliable, requiring no complex calculations. The false positive rate is extremely low, making it suitable for real-time vehicle control environments.

[0061] In some instances, Figure 2 This is a flow chart of the surface temperature of a car's outer surface at the next moment, provided as an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2As shown, when a driving current of corresponding polarity and magnitude is applied to the flexible thermoelectric material layer through a controller and positive and negative electrodes disposed on the flexible thermoelectric material layer, the method includes:

[0062] Step 20: Based on the driving current and net heat flow model, determine the predicted net heat flow when the driving current is applied to the flexible thermoelectric material layer;

[0063] Step 21: Based on the predicted net heat flow and lumped heat capacity model, determine the rate of change of surface temperature on the outer surface of the vehicle.

[0064] Step 22: Based on the current temperature of the vehicle's outer surface and the rate of change of the surface temperature, predict the surface temperature of the vehicle's outer surface at the next moment.

[0065] In this exemplary embodiment, ; For temperature difference, Thermal conductivity For the internal resistance of the flexible thermoelectric material layer, The absolute temperature of the vehicle's outer surface, For driving current, Seebeck coefficient, To predict net heat flow;

[0066] For the heat that naturally flows back due to temperature difference, The heat generated by the material itself when an electric current flows through it. This refers to heat that is actively pumped.

[0067] The lumped heat capacity model includes:

[0068] ; For the effective heat capacity of relevant areas on the outer surface of the vehicle, The rate of change of surface temperature;

[0069] Predicting the surface temperature of a car's exterior in the next moment includes:

[0070] ; This represents the time interval between adjacent moments.

[0071] In this exemplary embodiment, the controller calculates the net heat flow using a formula before applying the drive current I=6A. Assuming S=200μV / K, T... surf =45℃=318K, R=0.5Ω, K=0.1W / K, ΔT=20K, calculated Q≈0.2×10 -3×6×318-0.5×36×0.5-0.1×20=0.3816-9-2=-10.62W (the negative sign indicates heat release from the outer surface, i.e., cooling). Then, the effective heat capacity of this local skin, Ceff=500J / K (including thermoelectric materials, thermally conductive adhesive, thin steel plate, etc.), is obtained. Therefore, the temperature change rate dT / dt=Q / Ceff=-10.62 / 500=-0.02124℃ / s. The controller sampling period Δt=0.5s predicts the temperature T at the next moment. next =45+(-0.02124) 0.5 ≈ 44.99℃. Due to the slow cooling, the controller decides to increase the current to 10A to accelerate cooling. This facilitates quantitative prediction of temperature changes based on a physical model, which is more forward-looking than simple PID control. It avoids temperature overshoot caused by thermal inertia (e.g., by reducing the current in advance), improves temperature control quality, and gives the controller predictive-corrective capabilities, performing particularly well in rapidly changing conditions (such as entering and exiting tunnels).

[0072] In some instances, the flexible thermoelectric material layer employs a pixelated flexible thermoelectric array;

[0073] Applying a driving current of corresponding polarity and magnitude to the flexible thermoelectric material layer includes:

[0074] The polarity and magnitude of the injected current are independently controlled for each pixel unit based on the sunlight intensity, air velocity, or cabin temperature distribution in different areas of the vehicle.

[0075] In this exemplary embodiment, the vehicle roof skin is divided into 16×16 independent thermoelectric pixel units (each 1cm×1cm). Sunlight shines from the southeast, resulting in a solar radiation intensity of 1000W / m² in the front left area of ​​the roof and only 200W / m² in the rear right area. The cabin temperature sensor indicates that the area above the driver's head is hotter. The controller independently calculates the required drive current polarity and magnitude for each unit based on the solar radiation intensity distribution (from the roof light sensor array) and the cabin temperature distribution. The front left area experiences significant cooling (current +8A), while the rear right area experiences only slight cooling (current +1A), and some shaded areas are even deactivated. The result is a more uniform roof surface temperature, and localized hot spots within the cabin are effectively eliminated. This achieves spatially differentiated thermal management, avoiding localized overheating or overcooling caused by a "one-size-fits-all" approach. By supplying power only to the areas requiring adjustment, overall energy consumption is reduced by 30%~50%. The surface temperature of corresponding areas can be personalized based on occupant position and preferences, improving comfort.

[0076] In some instances, including:

[0077] When the vehicle is parked and there is a temperature difference between its outer surface and interior, the flexible thermoelectric material layer is switched to an energy collection mode. This energy collection mode converts the temperature difference into electrical energy through the Seebeck effect and stores it in a secondary battery, achieving energy recovery while the vehicle is parked.

[0078] When a pre-cooling or pre-heating command is received, the stored electrical energy is used to drive the flexible thermoelectric material layer to actively regulate the temperature, thereby obtaining the pre-adjusted comfort surface temperature before vehicle startup.

[0079] In this exemplary embodiment, on a summer afternoon, a vehicle parked in an open-air parking lot has a surface temperature of 60°C and an interior temperature of 45°C, a temperature difference of 15°C. The controller detects that the vehicle is parked (vehicle speed = 0 and gear P read via CAN bus) and automatically switches the flexible thermoelectric material layer to energy-collecting mode: disconnecting the external drive circuit, the Seebeck voltage (approximately 3V) generated at both ends of the material is charged into a 12V auxiliary battery via a DC-DC boost converter. Approximately 50Wh of electrical energy is recovered after 2 hours of parking. In the evening, the owner sends a "pre-cooling" command via a mobile app. The controller uses the electrical energy stored in the auxiliary battery to drive the thermoelectric material layer to cool, reducing the surface temperature from 45°C to 30°C within 5 minutes. When the owner enters the vehicle, the steering wheel, seats, and other surfaces are already cool, eliminating the need to turn on the air conditioning compressor. In this way, previously wasted solar thermal energy is converted into electrical energy, achieving photosynthetic energy self-production. Pre-regulation does not consume the main battery: avoiding impact on the vehicle's range, especially suitable for electric vehicles. It improves the thermal comfort of the user upon entering the vehicle and reduces the energy consumption of cold starts of the air conditioning.

[0080] In some instances, Figure 3 A flowchart illustrating the suppression of drastic fluctuations in vehicle surface temperature provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 As shown, when a driving current of corresponding polarity and magnitude is applied to the flexible thermoelectric material layer, the method includes:

[0081] Step 30: Obtain light intensity data and cloud data for the scheduled future time;

[0082] Step 31: Based on the light intensity data and cloud data for the future predetermined time, predict the trend of heat load change on the vehicle surface;

[0083] Step 32: Based on the predicted trend of heat load change, adjust the amplitude or polarity of the drive current within a predetermined time before the heat load arrives to suppress drastic fluctuations in the vehicle surface temperature.

[0084] In this exemplary embodiment, the vehicle is traveling on a highway. The onboard GPS and networked weather data predict that the vehicle will enter a tunnel (to block sunlight) in 3 minutes and exit the tunnel in 2 minutes. The controller, based on light intensity prediction data, predicts that the irradiance will drop sharply from 800 W / m² to 50 W / m² after 3 minutes (entering the tunnel) and recover to 800 W / m² after 5 minutes (exiting the tunnel). To suppress temperature fluctuations, the controller pre-reduces the cooling current (from 6A to 2A) 30 seconds before entering the tunnel to prevent the surface temperature from becoming too cold; and pre-reduces the cooling current (from 2A to 7A) 30 seconds before exiting the tunnel to prepare for strong sunlight. The measured surface temperature fluctuation range decreased from ±8°C without prediction to ±2°C.

[0085] In this way, feedforward control overcomes the inherent lag of feedback control and significantly suppresses temperature fluctuations. Combined with GPS and meteorological data, it possesses the characteristic functions of intelligent connected vehicles, which helps improve cabin comfort while reducing the additional energy consumption caused by frequent and large-scale adjustments.

[0086] In some instances, the flexible thermoelectric material layers are stacked in the order of a protective layer, a functional layer, a thermally conductive layer, and a substrate layer; wherein the protective layer is made of a highly weather-resistant transparent fluoropolymer, and the thermally conductive layer is made of a graphene flexible thermally conductive film.

[0087] In this exemplary embodiment, a flexible thermoelectric skin module is fabricated: the outermost layer is a 50μm thick fluoropolymer protective layer (such as ETFE), which is UV resistant and scratch-resistant; the second layer is a thermoelectric functional layer (20×20 pixel array, total thickness 0.3mm); the third layer is a graphene thermally conductive layer (0.1mm thick, thermal conductivity >1000W / mK), used to uniformly disperse local hot spots; the bottom layer is a polyimide (PI) substrate, which is bonded to the vehicle's existing skin (such as aluminum alloy sheet) with structural adhesive. This stack is continuously produced using a roll-to-roll magnetron sputtering process and finally cut into the shape of a hood. This helps the protective layer ensure the long-term reliability of the thermoelectric material in harsh external vehicle environments. The thermally conductive layer eliminates temperature unevenness between thermoelectric pixels, avoiding local overheating damage to the material. The substrate provides mechanical support and electrical insulation while remaining flexible, allowing it to conform to any curved surface. The overall thickness is less than 1mm, adding almost no weight to the vehicle.

[0088] In some instances, the method includes applying a driving current of appropriate polarity and magnitude to the flexible thermoelectric material layer:

[0089] Get the vehicle's current speed;

[0090] The magnitude of the driving current is dynamically adjusted based on the relationship between the vehicle's current speed and the air convection heat transfer coefficient on the vehicle's outer surface.

[0091] In this exemplary embodiment, the vehicle travels at a high speed of 120 km / h, with an external surface air convection heat transfer coefficient as high as 80 W / m²K (compared to 10 W / m²K when stationary). The controller acquires the vehicle speed in real time (via the CAN bus) and dynamically adjusts the drive current according to the calibration curve: when the vehicle speed exceeds 80 km / h, the current is reduced in cooling mode (to avoid overcooling and energy waste) because strong winds naturally carry away surface heat; in heating mode, the current is increased (to compensate for heat loss caused by strong convection). For example, at a vehicle speed of 120 km / h, the target surface temperature needs to be maintained at 25°C, and the calculated cooling current is reduced from 5A when stationary to 2A, saving 60% of power consumption. This helps avoid surface temperature fluctuations caused by changes in vehicle speed (e.g., surface overcooling at high speeds). It significantly reduces thermal management energy consumption at high speeds, which is particularly beneficial for the range of electric vehicles. The algorithm is simple, requiring only the vehicle speed signal, and is easy to deploy in engineering.

[0092] In this exemplary embodiment, the step of generating thermoelectric voltage further includes: according to the formula Calculate the thermoelectric voltage; wherein Where S is the thermoelectric voltage, S is the Seebeck coefficient of the flexible thermoelectric material, and ΔT is the temperature difference between the vehicle's outer surface and its interior or environment; by measuring the polarity and magnitude of the thermoelectric voltage, the direction and amplitude information of the dynamic temperature difference are obtained.

[0093] In this exemplary embodiment, in the step of actively reducing or increasing the outer surface temperature, the heat exchange power is determined by the controller and the positive and negative electrodes disposed on the flexible thermoelectric material layer, based on the Peltier heat, Joule heat and heat conduction reflux, thereby obtaining a precisely controlled outer surface heat flux density.

[0094] In this exemplary embodiment, a packet loss compensation control step is also included: in the optical fiber transmission link communicating with the controller, a check bit is added to the temperature adjustment command of each flexible thermoelectric unit; when command packet loss is detected, the controller maintains the drive current value of the previous moment and performs gradual adjustment according to the current measured temperature difference signal to obtain a fault-tolerant control effect that prevents temperature oscillation.

[0095] In this exemplary embodiment, the P-type material of the flexible thermoelectric material layer is based on Sb2Te3 or Bi. 0.5 Sb 1.5 The flexible film of Te3 uses an organic / inorganic hybrid network based on Ag2Se as its N-type material, and is integrated onto a flexible substrate of polyimide or thermoplastic polyurethane through roll-to-roll magnetron sputtering or ultrafast high-temperature sintering process to obtain a large-area thermoelectric functional layer that fits the complex curved surface of the vehicle.

[0096] In this exemplary embodiment, the flexible thermoelectric material layer contains P-type material optimized through orientation engineering to effectively improve the room temperature power factor, and N-type material with an elongation of over 100% and ultra-light density, thereby achieving vehicle skin integration capability that adapts to complex curved surfaces and has high conversion efficiency.

[0097] In this exemplary embodiment, a material figure of merit monitoring step is also included: calculating the dimensionless figure of merit ZT=S in real time based on the electrical conductivity, Seebeck coefficient, and thermal conductivity of the flexible thermoelectric material layer. 2 σT / k, where σ is electrical conductivity and k is thermal conductivity; when the figure of merit is lower than a preset threshold, the controller outputs a material aging or fault indication, thus providing a system self-diagnosis and maintenance reminder function.

[0098] In this exemplary embodiment, a linkage control step with the vehicle's air conditioning system is also included:

[0099] Based on the vehicle's external surface temperature, cabin temperature, and set target temperature, the controller coordinates the driving current of the flexible thermoelectric material layer with the operating status of the air conditioning compressor. When the flexible thermoelectric material layer independently meets the cabin comfort requirements, the air conditioning compressor is turned off, resulting in a synergistic energy-saving effect that reduces the overall vehicle energy consumption.

[0100] In this exemplary embodiment, the control step of adjusting according to vehicle speed is also included: obtaining the current driving speed of the vehicle; dynamically correcting the magnitude of the driving current according to the relationship between the vehicle speed and the air convection heat transfer coefficient of the vehicle's outer surface; and reducing the cooling or heating power when the vehicle speed is higher than a preset value to compensate for the additional heat exchange caused by strong convection, thereby achieving the vehicle speed adaptive energy management effect.

[0101] In this exemplary embodiment, a safety protection control step is also included: real-time monitoring of the current, voltage and operating temperature of the flexible thermoelectric material layer; when the operating temperature exceeds the material's maximum withstand temperature or a short circuit or overcurrent condition is detected, the controller immediately cuts off the drive current or switches to a zero-power state and issues an alarm signal to obtain overheat and electrical fault protection.

[0102] In this exemplary embodiment, a multi-mode switching step is also included: switching between energy-saving mode, comfort mode and fast response mode according to user instructions or vehicle status; in energy-saving mode, prioritizing the use of temperature difference energy collection and limiting the maximum drive current; in comfort mode, maintaining the surface temperature within a small range set by the user; in fast response mode, applying a drive current higher than the rated value for a short time to reach the target temperature as quickly as possible, thereby obtaining a customizable user experience and energy distribution strategy.

[0103] In this exemplary embodiment, a collaborative energy management step with the photovoltaic canopy or photovoltaic vehicle roof is also included: based on the power generated by the photovoltaic module and the real-time energy consumption of the flexible thermoelectric material layer, the controller prioritizes the direct use of photovoltaic power for surface temperature regulation, and stores the excess power in the auxiliary battery or feeds it back to the vehicle's main battery, thereby achieving a self-balancing effect of solar energy and thermoelectricity.

[0104] In this exemplary embodiment, the flexible thermoelectric material layer adopts a multi-stage series-parallel structure and includes: dynamically adjusting the number of series stages and parallel branches by a controller according to the temperature non-uniformity of different areas on the outer surface of the vehicle, changing the equivalent internal resistance and the maximum heat pump capacity, thereby obtaining a flexible thermoelectric network reconfiguration function that adapts to wide temperature difference scenarios.

[0105] In this exemplary embodiment, a self-calibration step is also included: in a stable environment where the vehicle is stationary and there is no sunlight, by applying a standard test current and measuring the corresponding surface temperature change, the actual Peltier coefficient and thermal resistance of the current flexible thermoelectric material layer are calculated; the calculation results are compared with the factory parameters, the model parameters in the control algorithm are corrected, and the accuracy self-recovery effect after long-term use is obtained.

[0106] In this exemplary embodiment, an integrated control step with the vehicle glass defrosting or defogging function is also included: when frost or fog is detected on the windshield or side window, the controller drives the flexible thermoelectric material layer in the corresponding area to work in a high-power heating mode, quickly increasing the temperature of the body skin in the glass attachment area, and heating the glass through heat conduction to achieve an integrated defrosting and defogging effect.

[0107] In this exemplary embodiment, a directional thermal radiation control step is also included when the vehicle is parked: when the vehicle is parked in summer and there is a significant temperature difference between the sunlit side and the shaded side, the controller only drives the flexible thermoelectric material layer on the sunlit side to perform active cooling, while the recovered heat is guided to the shaded side for outward heat dissipation through the heat-conducting layer, thereby achieving asymmetric thermal management to reduce the overall cabin temperature rise.

[0108] This invention provides a vehicle, including: a flexible thermoelectric material layer embedded in a predetermined region of the vehicle frame structure; the temperature difference between the outer surface of the vehicle and the interior of the vehicle is monitored through the flexible thermoelectric material layer embedded in the predetermined region of the vehicle frame structure, and a thermoelectric voltage corresponding to the temperature difference value and the temperature difference direction is generated by the diffusion of charge carriers in the thermoelectric material from the high temperature end to the low temperature end.

[0109] Electrodes are provided on both the first and second sides of the flexible thermoelectric material layer;

[0110] The controller, which is electrically connected to both the first and second side electrodes, is used to determine the state in which the outer surface of the vehicle needs to be heated or cooled based on the thermoelectric voltage corresponding to the temperature difference value and the direction of the temperature difference, and to determine the polarity and magnitude of the driving current to be injected into the flexible thermoelectric material layer based on the state in which the outer surface of the vehicle needs to be heated or cooled.

[0111] By applying a driving current of corresponding polarity and magnitude to the flexible thermoelectric material layer through the controller and the positive and negative electrodes disposed on the flexible thermoelectric material layer, heat is transferred from the first side to the second side of the vehicle's outer surface using the Peltier effect, thereby reducing or increasing the temperature of the vehicle's outer surface.

[0112] In this exemplary embodiment, a flexible thermoelectric film with a thickness of approximately 0.5 mm (material system: P-type is Bi) is pre-embedded in the hood skin structure of a pure electric vehicle. 0.5 Sb 1.5 Te3 (N-type is an Ag2Se-based hybrid network). One side of the film is close to the outer surface (facing outwards), and the other side is close to the vehicle interior (facing the engine compartment). Silver electrodes are pre-fabricated on both sides of the film, and the electrodes are connected to the vehicle thermal management controller via wires.

[0113] While the vehicle is in motion, direct sunlight causes the outer surface temperature of the hood to rise to 65°C, while the temperature on the engine compartment side is approximately 45°C, creating a 20°C temperature difference. The thermoelectric material automatically generates a thermoelectric voltage of approximately 0.2V (positive polarity, indicating a higher outer temperature) using the Seebeck effect. The controller reads this voltage through a voltage acquisition circuit, determines that cooling of the outer surface is needed, and sets the drive current to positive (e.g., +5A). Subsequently, the controller outputs a +5A DC current to the thin-film electrode through an H-bridge circuit. Under the Peltier effect, heat is pumped from the outside (outer hood surface) to the inside (engine compartment side), and the outer surface temperature drops to 45°C within 3 minutes, significantly reducing the heat entering the cabin.

[0114] This application achieves autonomous temperature difference sensing and active thermal management of the vehicle skin through a flexible thermoelectric material layer embedded in a predetermined area of ​​the vehicle frame structure, eliminating the need for additional temperature sensors. Utilizing the Peltier effect, it can quickly switch between heating and cooling modes, with a response speed superior to traditional air conditioning. The polarity of the current determines the direction of heat flow, and its magnitude determines the intensity of temperature regulation, resulting in high control precision. Throughout the process, the skin itself becomes the actuator of the thermal management system, broadening the channels for vehicle thermal management.

[0115] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0116] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0117] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first and second features are in direct contact, or that they are in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "over," or "on top" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," or "beneath" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0118] In the description of this specification, the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "embodiment," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0119] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, it is understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make modifications, alterations, substitutions and variations to the above embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for regulating the temperature of an automobile's outer surface based on flexible thermoelectric materials, characterized in that, The method is applied to a predetermined area of ​​a vehicle frame structure, wherein a flexible thermoelectric material layer is embedded in the predetermined area of ​​the vehicle frame structure, and the flexible thermoelectric material layer has positive and negative electrodes that conduct current, and the positive and negative electrodes are electrically connected to a vehicle controller; the method includes: By embedding a flexible thermoelectric material layer in a predetermined area of ​​the vehicle frame structure, the temperature difference between the vehicle's outer surface and interior is monitored, and a thermoelectric voltage corresponding to the temperature difference value and direction is generated by the diffusion of charge carriers in the thermoelectric material from the high-temperature end to the low-temperature end. Based on the thermoelectric voltage corresponding to the temperature difference value and the direction of the temperature difference, the state in which the outer surface of the vehicle needs to be heated or cooled is determined, and based on the state in which the outer surface of the vehicle needs to be heated or cooled, the polarity and magnitude of the driving current to be injected into the flexible thermoelectric material layer are determined. By applying a driving current of corresponding polarity and magnitude to the flexible thermoelectric material layer through the controller and the positive and negative electrodes disposed on the flexible thermoelectric material layer, heat is transferred from the first side to the second side of the vehicle's outer surface using the Peltier effect, thereby reducing or increasing the temperature of the vehicle's outer surface.

2. The method for regulating the temperature of an automobile's outer surface based on flexible thermoelectric materials according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step of determining whether the vehicle's outer surface needs heating or cooling based on the thermoelectric voltage corresponding to the temperature difference value and direction includes: The direction of the temperature difference across the flexible thermoelectric material layer is determined based on the polarity of the thermoelectric voltage, and the direction of the temperature difference across the flexible thermoelectric material layer is used to determine whether the vehicle's outer surface needs heating or cooling; and The heating power required to heat or the cooling power required to cool the vehicle's outer surface are determined based on the magnitude of the thermoelectric voltage.

3. The method for regulating the temperature of an automobile's outer surface based on flexible thermoelectric materials according to claim 2, characterized in that, The step of determining the direction of the temperature difference across the flexible thermoelectric material layer based on the polarity of the thermoelectric voltage, and determining whether the vehicle's outer surface needs heating or cooling based on the direction of the temperature difference across the flexible thermoelectric material layer, includes: When the thermoelectric voltage is positive, it indicates that the temperature of the vehicle's outer surface is higher than the temperature inside the vehicle, and it is determined that the vehicle's outer surface needs to be cooled. When the thermoelectric voltage is negative, it indicates that the temperature of the vehicle's outer surface is lower than the temperature inside the vehicle, and it is determined that the vehicle's outer surface needs to be heated.

4. The method for regulating the temperature of the outer surface of an automobile based on flexible thermoelectric materials according to claim 1, characterized in that, When a driving current of corresponding polarity and magnitude is applied to the flexible thermoelectric material layer via a controller and positive and negative electrodes disposed on the flexible thermoelectric material layer, the method includes: Based on the driving current and net heat flow model, the predicted net heat flow when a driving current is applied to the flexible thermoelectric material layer is determined. Based on the predicted net heat flow and lumped heat capacity model, the rate of change of surface temperature on the outer surface of the vehicle is determined. Based on the current temperature of the vehicle's outer surface and the rate of change of the surface temperature, the surface temperature of the vehicle's outer surface at the next moment is predicted.

5. The method for regulating the temperature of an automobile's outer surface based on flexible thermoelectric materials according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flexible thermoelectric material layer adopts a pixelated flexible thermoelectric array; Applying a driving current of corresponding polarity and magnitude to the flexible thermoelectric material layer includes: The polarity and magnitude of the injected current are independently controlled for each pixel unit based on the sunlight intensity, air velocity, or cabin temperature distribution in different areas of the vehicle.

6. The method for regulating the temperature of an automobile's outer surface based on flexible thermoelectric materials according to claim 1, characterized in that, include: When the vehicle is parked and there is a temperature difference between the outer surface and the interior, the flexible thermoelectric material layer is switched to energy collection mode; wherein, the energy collection mode converts the temperature difference into electrical energy through the Seebeck effect and stores it in the auxiliary battery, realizing energy recovery when the vehicle is parked. as well as When a pre-cooling or pre-heating command is received, the stored electrical energy is used to drive the flexible thermoelectric material layer to actively regulate the temperature, thereby obtaining the pre-adjusted comfort surface temperature before vehicle startup.

7. The method for regulating the temperature of an automobile's outer surface based on flexible thermoelectric materials according to claim 1, characterized in that, When applying a driving current of corresponding polarity and magnitude to the flexible thermoelectric material layer, the method includes: Obtain light intensity and cloud cover data for a future scheduled time; Based on the light intensity data and cloud data for the future predetermined time, the trend of heat load change on the vehicle surface is predicted. Based on the predicted trend of heat load change, the amplitude or polarity of the drive current is adjusted within a predetermined time before the heat load arrives in order to suppress drastic fluctuations in the vehicle surface temperature.

8. The method for regulating the temperature of an automobile's outer surface based on flexible thermoelectric materials according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flexible thermoelectric material layers are stacked in the order of protective layer, functional layer, thermally conductive layer and base layer; wherein, the protective layer is made of a highly weather-resistant transparent fluoropolymer, and the thermally conductive layer is made of a graphene flexible thermally conductive film.

9. The method for regulating the temperature of an automobile's outer surface based on flexible thermoelectric materials according to claim 1, characterized in that, When applying a driving current of corresponding polarity and magnitude to the flexible thermoelectric material layer, the method includes: Get the vehicle's current speed; The magnitude of the driving current is dynamically adjusted based on the relationship between the vehicle's current speed and the air convection heat transfer coefficient on the vehicle's outer surface.

10. A vehicle, characterized in that, include: A flexible thermoelectric material layer is embedded in the predetermined area of ​​the vehicle frame structure; By embedding a flexible thermoelectric material layer in a predetermined area of ​​the vehicle frame structure, the temperature difference between the vehicle's outer surface and interior is monitored, and a thermoelectric voltage corresponding to the temperature difference value and direction is generated by the diffusion of charge carriers in the thermoelectric material from the high-temperature end to the low-temperature end. Electrodes are provided on both the first and second sides of the flexible thermoelectric material layer; The controller, which is electrically connected to both the first and second side electrodes, is used to determine the state in which the outer surface of the vehicle needs to be heated or cooled based on the thermoelectric voltage corresponding to the temperature difference value and the direction of the temperature difference, and to determine the polarity and magnitude of the driving current to be injected into the flexible thermoelectric material layer based on the state in which the outer surface of the vehicle needs to be heated or cooled. By applying a driving current of corresponding polarity and magnitude to the flexible thermoelectric material layer through the controller and the positive and negative electrodes disposed on the flexible thermoelectric material layer, heat is transferred from the first side to the second side of the vehicle's outer surface using the Peltier effect, thereby reducing or increasing the temperature of the vehicle's outer surface.

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