Vehicle Battery Cooling Split Control Under High Power Demand
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicles face challenges in cooling their batteries during high current draw periods, such as extended high-speed driving, which can lead to reduced performance and user enjoyment due to overheating.
Innovation Solution
A controller that manages the vehicle's powertrain and cooling systems by adjusting power consumption and cooling distribution based on battery temperature, allowing users to select driving modes that prioritize either cabin comfort or performance, thereby preventing battery overheating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If power is limited from the battery during high temperature periods, then battery overheating is prevented, but vehicle performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The controller implements a feedback mechanism that continuously monitors battery temperature and adjusts power output limits accordingly. When battery temperature exceeds safe operating thresholds, the system provides feedback signals to reduce power draw from the battery, preventing overheating while restoring normal performance when temperatures return to acceptable ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
The system takes preliminary anti-action by proactively limiting power output before critical overheating occurs. By monitoring temperature trends and predicting thermal runaway risks, the controller preemptively reduces power demands on the battery, preventing the harmful effect of overheating before it compromises vehicle performance.
2Reliability
If cooling capacity is increased for the battery, then battery reliability improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system applies partial cooling action only when necessary by activating enhanced battery cooling modes selectively during high current draw periods or when battery temperature approaches critical thresholds. During normal operating conditions, the system provides minimal or no additional cooling to the battery, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining battery reliability when needed.
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 enhances user enjoyment by allowing mode selection to prioritize either powertrain performance or cabin cooling, ensuring the battery operates within safe temperature ranges, even during high-demand conditions.
Implementation Method 1
cooling means configured to cool the electrical energy storage means and a cabin of the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A controller (100) for a vehicle (1), the vehicle comprising:a powertrain (1P) comprising an electric machine (50) for providing motive power;cooling means (60, 80); andelectrical energy storage means (70) for powering the electric machine (50),wherein the cooling means (60, 80) is configured to cool the electrical energy storage means (70) and a cabin (1C) of the vehicle and the vehicle (1) is configured to operate in a first or second driving mode,the controller (100) comprising:an input for receiving information indicative of a temperature of the energy storage means (70); anda processor arranged to generate a control signal in dependence on the information indicative of temperature of the energy storage means (70) and information indicative of the selected driving mode of the vehicle,wherein:if the vehicle is in the first driving mode the processor is configured to generate the control signal to limit or reduce an amount of power consumed by the powertrain (1P) in dependence on the information indicative of temperature of the energy storage means (70); and/orif the vehicle is in the second driving mode the processor is configured to generate the control signal to control a proportion of the cooling power of the cooling means that is available to cool the electrical energy storage means relative to the cabin (1C) of the vehicle (1) in dependence on the information indicative of temperature of the energy storage means (70).