EV Battery Heat Management with Isolated Cooling Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat management systems for electrified vehicles inefficiently utilize heat generated from drive units and struggle to effectively self-heat electrical storage devices, leading to suboptimal performance and charging efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A heat management system that isolates the electrical storage device, drive unit, radiator, and chiller device into independent channels, allowing for efficient heat accumulation and utilization, with a switching unit to form a heating circuit and control the flow of heat medium to optimize heating of the electrical storage device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the electrical storage device is heated by passing current through it, then the heating efficiency is improved, but heat is removed by the radiator and chiller device which reduces the heating effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The heat management system is divided into four independent channels (first channel for electrical storage device, second channel for drive unit, third channel for radiator, fourth channel for chiller device) that can be isolated from each other. This segmentation allows the heating circuit to operate independently without heat interference from cooling components, resolving the contradiction between heating efficiency and heat removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The switching unit dynamically configures the heat management system by switching between different connection statuses of the four channels. When heating is required, the switching unit isolates the first channel from the third and fourth channels, creating a dynamic heating circuit that prevents heat removal while allowing heating to proceed efficiently.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the electrical storage device, drive unit, radiator, and chiller device are connected in a integrated system, then heat can be transferred between components, but the heating of electrical storage device is interfered with by cooling operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the heat management functions into four separate channels while maintaining the capability for integrated operation when needed. The first channel is dedicated to the electrical storage device, allowing it to be isolated for precise temperature control during heating operations, while still enabling heat transfer with the drive unit through the second channel when beneficial.
Solution Approach 2:
The switching unit acts as an intermediary that controls the connection status between channels. It mediates between the need for integrated heat transfer and the need for isolated temperature control by selectively connecting or disconnecting channels based on operational requirements.
3Loss of energy
If heat is accumulated in the second channel from the drive unit, then heat utilization efficiency is improved, but the heating of electrical storage device may be delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heat accumulation in the second channel from the drive unit when heating is anticipated. The switching unit can pre-heat the heat medium in the second channel using waste heat from the drive unit, so that when heating of the electrical storage device is required, the heat is already available for rapid transfer, reducing the time delay.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous useful action by accumulating heat in the second channel during periods when the drive unit is operating, ensuring that heat is continuously available for transfer to the electrical storage device when needed, rather than waiting for heat generation events.
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 configuration enables effective use of heat generated from the drive unit to efficiently heat the electrical storage device, improving drive performance and charging efficiency, especially during startup and external charging.
Implementation Method 1
an electrical storage device (272), each of which exchanges heat with the heat medium in the first channel (270b)
Implementation Method 2
a first channel (270b)...configured such that a heat medium is allowed to flow through the first channel
Implementation Method 3
a drive unit (263), which exchanges heat with the heat medium in the second channel (260b)
Implementation Method 4
a second channel (260b)...configured such that a heat medium is allowed to flow through the first channel, the second channel
Implementation Method 5
a radiator (231) provided in the third channel (230b)
Implementation Method 6
a third channel (230b)...configured such that a heat medium is allowed to flow through the first channel, the second channel, the third channel
Implementation Method 7
a chiller device (220) provided in the fourth channel (210b)
Implementation Method 8
a switching unit (380, 390) configured to be capable of switching a connection status among the first channel, the second channel, the third channel, and the fourth channel
Implementation Method 9
When the electrical storage device is heated by passing current through the electrical storage device
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A heat management system (1) includes a battery (electrical storage device) (272) configured to exchange heat with a channel (first channel) (270b), a PCU (drive unit) (263) configured to exchange heat with a channel (second channel) (260b), a radiator (231) in a channel (third channel) (230c), a chiller (chiller device) (220) in a channel (fourth channel) (210b), and six-way valves (switching unit) (380, 390). In the heat management system (1), when the battery (272) is heated, the six-way valves (380, 390) are controlled such that the battery (272), the PCU (263), the radiator (231), and the chiller (220) are isolated and independent of one another.