Battery Coolant Preconditioning for EV Range Preservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric and hybrid electric vehicles consume additional electrical energy to adjust coolant temperatures, reducing their driving distance due to heat generation in power conversion parts, which affects performance.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control device that adjusts coolant temperature before travel using a battery heater or chiller based on outside air temperature and target distance, determining a heat or cool storage mode to optimize battery management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If coolant temperature is adjusted during vehicle travel using battery heater or chiller, then battery performance is maintained, but electrical energy consumption increases and driving distance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cooling or heating of the coolant before the vehicle starts traveling. The processor determines whether cooling or heating is needed based on predicted travel conditions and battery requirements, then activates the chiller or heater in advance to adjust coolant temperature to the optimal range, so that when travel begins, the battery is already at the desired temperature without needing additional energy consumption during travel.
2Temperature
If coolant temperature is adjusted during vehicle travel, then heat generation from power conversion parts is managed, but driving distance is reduced due to additional energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The system adjusts coolant temperature in advance before travel begins. The processor predicts the required temperature based on travel distance, ambient temperature, and battery state, then activates the thermal management system beforehand to reach the target temperature, eliminating the need for continuous energy consumption during travel and preserving driving distance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the vehicle's own thermal energy storage capacity. By pre-cooling or pre-heating the coolant and battery, the system stores thermal energy that can be maintained during travel without additional energy input, allowing the thermal management system to serve itself during the travel period without drawing from the battery.
3Temperature
If battery heater or chiller is activated during travel, then battery temperature is controlled, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system activates the battery heater or chiller before travel begins to bring the battery to the optimal temperature range. The processor monitors battery temperature and thermal conditions, then activates heating or cooling in advance so that during travel, the battery maintains its temperature without requiring additional power consumption, thus reducing 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
Increases the driving distance of the vehicle by reducing power consumption for coolant temperature adjustment during travel, enhancing battery performance and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
heat a temperature of the coolant up to the first threshold temperature using the battery heater
Implementation Method 2
cool the temperature of the coolant up to the second threshold temperature using the battery chiller
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle control device and a method thereof are provided. The vehicle control device includes a processor, a memory, a battery, a battery heater, and a battery chiller. The processor determines a mode associated with a coolant, using at least one of a target distance of a vehicle, a traveling start time, or an outside air temperature, or any combination thereof, before the vehicle travels. The processor identifies a first threshold temperature using a designated first dataset, heats a temperature of the coolant up to the first threshold temperature using the battery heater, and identifies a second threshold temperature using a designated second dataset, in response to determining the mode associated with the coolant is a cool storage mode, and cools the temperature of the coolant up to the second threshold temperature using the battery chiller, while the coolant flows through the coolant flow line.