Proactive Battery Cooling via Current Threshold Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery-cooling systems face challenges in managing thermal loads, often requiring a trade-off between cooling the battery and maintaining cabin comfort, as they typically activate cooling only after the battery exceeds a temperature threshold, potentially leading to inadequate cabin cooling or battery overheating.
Innovation Solution
A control strategy that anticipates future battery temperature increases by monitoring battery current and activating the cooling system proactively when the current exceeds a threshold, using a refrigerant and coolant system to circulate refrigerant and coolant through a chiller to cool the battery before it reaches a critical temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the battery cooling system activates only after the battery exceeds a temperature threshold, then the system structure remains simple, but the battery may overheat and cabin comfort may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The control system activates the battery cooling system proactively based on predicted thermal loads from upcoming high-power operations (acceleration, regenerative braking), rather than waiting for temperature thresholds to be exceeded. This preliminary cooling action prevents battery overheating before it occurs, improving reliability while maintaining manageable system complexity through predictive algorithms
2Reliability
If the cooling system prioritizes battery cooling, then battery temperature is controlled, but cabin comfort deteriorates due to reduced cooling capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cooling of the battery based on predicted high-power operations, spreading the cooling load over time rather than concentrating it when the battery actually needs cooling. This temporal distribution of cooling demands allows the single cooling system to serve both battery and cabin needs without compromising either, eliminating the need to prioritize one over the other
Solution Approach 2:
The control system continuously monitors battery temperature, cabin temperature, and operating conditions to dynamically adjust cooling system operation. This feedback mechanism ensures that cooling capacity is optimally allocated between battery and cabin based on actual needs, preventing comfort degradation while maintaining battery temperature control
3Use of energy by moving object
If the cooling system activates later based on temperature threshold, then energy consumption is reduced, but battery lifespan is compromised due to overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The system activates cooling proactively based on predicted thermal loads from upcoming high-power operations, preventing battery overheating that would compromise lifespan. By cooling the battery before thermal stress occurs, the system extends battery life without requiring continuous cooling operation, thus avoiding excessive energy consumption
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 prolongs battery lifespan by preventing overheating and maintains cabin comfort by anticipating and managing thermal loads more effectively, avoiding the need to prioritize between battery and cabin cooling.
Implementation Method 1
circulating refrigerant and coolant through the chiller
Implementation Method 2
cool the battery before it reaches a critical temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a traction battery and a battery cooling system arranged to cool the battery. A controller of the vehicle is programmed to, responsive to current of the battery exceeding a current threshold and a temperature of the battery being less than a threshold temperature, activate the battery cooling system to cool the battery.