Battery Cooling Control Using Charge-Dependent Temperature Thresholds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery cooling systems consume excessive power due to the operation of an electric compressor in the refrigeration cycle, which is inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A control device that adjusts the timing of cooling initiation based on battery charge state and temperature, using a secondary refrigerant to manage cooling water, and alternates the state of a refrigerant expansion valve to optimize cooling, while prioritizing battery temperature control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the electric compressor operates continuously to cool the battery, then the battery temperature is maintained within acceptable limits, but the power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The control device operates the electric compressor periodically rather than continuously. It determines a cooling-onset battery cell temperature based on the charge amount, and only operates the compressor when the battery cell temperature exceeds this threshold. This periodic operation reduces power consumption while maintaining battery temperature within acceptable limits.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device changes the cooling-onset battery cell temperature parameter based on the charge amount of the battery. When the charge amount is lower, the cooling-onset temperature is set higher, reducing cooling operations and power consumption. When the charge amount is higher, the cooling-onset temperature is set lower, ensuring adequate cooling. This dynamic parameter adjustment optimizes the balance between temperature control and power consumption.
2Temperature
If the cooling-onset battery cell temperature is set lower to ensure better cooling, then battery temperature control is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control device dynamically changes the cooling-onset battery cell temperature parameter based on the charge amount. When charge amount is low, the cooling-onset temperature is set higher (reducing power consumption). When charge amount is high, the cooling-onset temperature is set lower (improving temperature control). This adaptive parameter change resolves the contradiction between temperature control and power consumption.
3Reliability
If cooling operations are intensified to prevent battery deterioration, then battery reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control device implements periodic cooling operations based on temperature thresholds rather than continuous cooling. This maintains battery reliability by cooling only when necessary (when temperature exceeds the cooling-onset threshold) while reducing power consumption during periods when cooling is not required.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device adjusts the cooling-onset temperature parameter based on charge amount to optimize the balance between reliability and power consumption. By setting appropriate thresholds dynamically, it ensures battery reliability is maintained while avoiding unnecessary cooling operations that would increase power 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
Reduces power consumption by optimizing cooling operations, preventing battery overheating, and extending battery life through intelligent temperature management.
Implementation Method 1
a battery is cooled by heat exchange between cooling water circulating a cooling water circuit and the battery
Implementation Method 2
The cooling water after heat exchange is cooled again with a low-pressure refrigerant circulating a refrigeration cycle in a chiller
Implementation Method 3
alternately switch between an open state in which the refrigerant expansion valve is open and a closed state in which the refrigerant expansion valve is closed, thereby controlling an amount of cooling
Data Source
AI summary
A control device includes: an acquiring part that acquires a temperature of a battery cell of the battery; an identifying part that identifies a charge amount of the battery; and a cooling control part that determines a cooling-onset battery cell temperature on the basis of the charge amount identified by the identifying part, and operates an electric compressor to begin cooling the cooling water with the secondary refrigerant on condition that the temperature acquired by the acquiring part is higher than the determined, cooling-onset battery cell temperature. When the identifying part identifies a first charge amount, the cooling control part determines a higher cooling-onset battery cell temperature than in a case where the identifying part identifies a second charge amount that is higher than the first charge amount.