Auxiliary Engine Heating for EV Cabin and Battery Warming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric cars lack an effective, simple, lightweight, and economical heating system to efficiently warm both the vehicle and its rechargeable power source, particularly in cold conditions, which affects their performance and autonomy.
Innovation Solution
An auxiliary engine system (AES) is introduced, utilizing a small, lightweight internal combustion engine (ICE) coupled with an electric energy generator, which can be air or liquid cooled, and fueled by defined types of fuel, to produce heat for heating the electric car and rechargeable power source, and is designed as a modular system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a joint propulsion system with ICE is added to an electric car, then heating capability is improved, but vehicle weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating function is separated from the main propulsion system. A dedicated auxiliary heating unit with its own ICE is installed independently in the trunk, rather than integrating heating into the primary powertrain. This segmentation allows the heating system to be added without significantly increasing the weight of the main vehicle structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a small, lightweight ICE specifically designed for heating purposes rather than propulsion. This smaller engine uses less material and is simpler in construction, reducing overall weight while still providing adequate heating capability for the vehicle.
2Temperature
If a traditional heating system is installed in an electric car, then heating function is provided, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary ICE unit serves multiple functions: it generates heat for cabin heating, produces mechanical energy that can be converted to electrical energy for charging the battery, and can operate independently or in conjunction with the main propulsion system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the waste heat naturally produced by the ICE for heating the cabin and power source. The ICE's cooling system is integrated with the heating system, allowing the engine to heat the cabin and battery during its normal operation without requiring additional energy input or complex heat transfer mechanisms.
3Reliability
If the rechargeable power source is heated, then performance in cold conditions is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the waste heat that would normally be dissipated by the ICE into a useful resource for heating the cabin and rechargeable power source. By capturing and utilizing this otherwise wasted thermal energy, the system improves cold-weather performance without requiring additional energy input.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating system merges the ICE cooling circuit with the cabin and battery heating requirements. The same thermal energy from the engine coolant is used to heat multiple components (cabin air and power source), consolidating what would otherwise be separate heating systems into one integrated solution.
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
The AES provides an efficient, cost-effective, and lightweight heating solution for electric cars, enhancing their performance and autonomy in cold conditions by effectively warming both the vehicle and its power source, thereby optimizing energy use.
Implementation Method 1
an internal combustion engine (105) producing heat to heat the electric car (101)
Implementation Method 2
The engine (105) can be air cooled
Implementation Method 3
The engine (105) can be liquid cooled
Data Source
Figure 1~4
AI summary
The application relates to an auxiliary engine system (AES) for heating an electric car comprising a heating system (402) and a rechargeable power source (403) powering an electric motor (404). The AES comprises an internal combustion engine (ICE 405) producing heat to heat the electric car. The AES can heat people transported in the electric car and/or the rechargeable power source. The ICE can be coupled with an electric energy generator (406). The ICE can be air and/or liquid cooled which systems can heat the electric car. The ICE can be fuelled by defined types of fuel stored in a fuel tank (407). The ICE can be a two-stroke engine, a four-stroke engine, a turbine. The rechargeable power source can be coupled with a defined electro component. The AES can be provided in a modular system. A heating method for an electric car is proposed.