Adaptive HV Battery Cooling for Proactive Overtemperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cooling systems for high voltage batteries in electric vehicles operate reactively, leading to potential overtemperature issues due to slow cooling responses, which can degrade battery performance.
Innovation Solution
An adaptive cooling strategy is implemented using a controller that proactively cools the high voltage battery by determining the Desired Time to Cool and initiating active cooling, adjusting the operational speeds of the battery coolant pump and compressor to efficiently dissipate heat based on predicted heat generation and driving behavior.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional reactive cooling systems are used, then the system structure is simple, but the cooling response is slow leading to battery overtemperature
Solution Approach 1:
The controller proactively determines a desired time to cool the battery before the battery actually reaches maximum temperature, initiating cooling action in advance based on predicted heat generation from driving behavior, thus achieving fast cooling response without waiting for temperature thresholds to be exceeded
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors driving behavior to predict future heat generation, creates a feedback loop that adjusts cooling activation timing and intensity dynamically, ensuring the cooling system responds appropriately to changing thermal conditions while maintaining system simplicity
2Reliability
If cooling is activated early to prevent overtemperature, then battery temperature control is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller activates cooling partially or excessively only when predicted heat generation warrants it, rather than continuously or always activating the system, thus maintaining reliable temperature control while minimizing unnecessary energy consumption during low-heat generation periods
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes cooling parameters (activation timing, intensity duration) based on predicted driving behavior and heat generation rates, optimizing the balance between temperature control reliability and energy consumption by adjusting cooling action to match actual thermal demands
3Reliability
If cooling power is increased to match rapid heat generation, then battery performance is maintained, but system efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system operates dynamically with variable intensity based on real-time driving behavior analysis and predicted heat generation, matching cooling power output to actual thermal demands rather than operating at fixed high capacity, thus maintaining battery performance while minimizing energy loss
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach ensures more precise and efficient cooling, extending electric drive time and improving battery performance by matching cooling power with heat generation, thereby reducing the risk of overtemperature and enhancing fuel economy.
Implementation Method 1
a battery coolant pump (BCP) configured to circulate a first coolant for cooling a high voltage (HV) battery
Implementation Method 2
an HVAC loop including a compressor and a chiller thermally coupled to the battery system coolant loop
Implementation Method 3
a compressor configured to circulate a second coolant to the chiller to provide cooling to the battery system coolant loop
Implementation Method 4
determining a total battery heat energy generated by the HV battery that comprises the sum of (i) how much heat energy has been generated by the HV battery and (ii) how much additional heat energy will be generated by the HV battery
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle thermal system includes a battery system coolant loop including a pump (BCP) configured to circulate a first coolant for cooling a high voltage (HV) battery, and an HVAC loop including a compressor and a chiller thermally coupled to the battery system coolant loop, the compressor configured to circulate a second coolant to the chiller to cool to the battery system coolant loop. A HV battery cooling system includes a controller configured to execute an adaptive cooling strategy operation to proactively cool the HV battery, including determining the HV battery has surpassed a predetermined maximum allowable battery temperature, determining a Desired Time to Cool the HV battery to or below the maximum allowable battery temperature, and initiating an active cooling of the HV battery by opening the chiller flow control valve and operating the BCP and/or the compressor to cool the HV battery within the Desired Time to Cool.