Battery AC Self-Heating During Driving and Charging

Solution Overview

Problem

In low temperature environments, battery systems in vehicles face challenges in maintaining proper operating temperatures, leading to limited charging capabilities and performance degradation, with existing heating solutions being inefficient and requiring additional components.

Innovation Solution

A thermal control system that uses an electrical heating control module to generate an alternating current (AC) heating current from either an idle electric motor or a charging station, applying it to the battery system through inverters or DC-DC converters, thereby heating the battery to a desired temperature without the need for auxiliary heating devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If conventional heating solutions are used to heat the battery system in low temperature environments, then the battery operating temperature is maintained, but additional heating components and system complexity are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery operating temperatureVSAvoidheating system components

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The battery system heats itself by utilizing its own electrical components (inverters or DC-DC converters) to generate heating current from available power sources (idle electric motor or charging station), eliminating the need for separate auxiliary heating devices and reducing system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Existing electrical components (inverters and DC-DC converters) are made multi-functional by enabling them to perform both their primary functions and battery heating function, allowing the same hardware to serve multiple purposes without requiring additional dedicated heating components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Temperature

If existing heating solutions are deployed, then battery temperature control is achieved, but efficiency is reduced due to additional components and energy losses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery temperature controlVSAvoidheating efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The battery system utilizes its own existing electrical infrastructure to generate heating current, eliminating energy losses associated with power conversion between different heating system components and improving overall heating efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system can generate heating current continuously during vehicle operation by utilizing idle electric motor power or charging station power, ensuring uninterrupted thermal control without the need for separate heating cycles or additional energy storage for heating purposes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If auxiliary heating devices are added to the battery system, then heating capability is improved, but the number of components and system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelow temperature effectVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Existing electrical components (inverters and DC-DC converters) are made multi-functional by enabling them to perform both their primary functions and battery heating function, allowing the same hardware to serve multiple purposes without requiring additional dedicated heating components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The battery system heats itself by utilizing its own electrical components (inverters or DC-DC converters) to generate heating current from available power sources (idle electric motor or charging station), eliminating the need for separate auxiliary heating devices and reducing system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 solution provides uniform and efficient heating of battery systems in low temperature conditions, enhancing performance and avoiding the need for additional components, while maintaining existing thermal control capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

The heating control module is configured to control the conversion device to generate an alternating current (AC) heating current using the measured current, and apply the AC heating current to the battery system to heat the battery system to a desired temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS11929475B2Battery heating during vehicle operation and/or during vehicle charging

Publication Date: 2024.03.12 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

A device for thermal control of a battery system includes a heating control module electrically connected to the battery system and a conversion device configured to control power output from the battery system. The heating control module is configured to measure a current through the conversion device, the measured current provided by the battery system of a vehicle during vehicle operation or provided by an energy source during vehicle charging. The heating control module is also configured to control the conversion device to generate an alternating current (AC) heating current using the measured current, and apply the AC heating current to the battery system to heat the battery system to a desired temperature.