Vehicle Battery Preheating Matched to Charger Power and Travel Time

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lithium batteries in electric vehicles experience decreased performance and charging efficiency at low temperatures, leading to prolonged charging times and user inconvenience due to the chemical characteristics of lithium cells, which affect the conductivity of electrolytes and electrode materials.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle battery preheating method that dynamically adjusts heating power based on estimated heating duration and traveling duration to ensure the battery reaches the target temperature synchronously with the vehicle's arrival at the charging station, optimizing heating efficiency and reducing charging time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the battery is heated at high power to reach target temperature quickly, then the heating speed is improved, but the energy consumption increases and may cause overheating

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating speedVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The heating power is dynamically adjusted based on real-time temperature monitoring and predicted arrival time. The system transitions from high-power heating when temperature is low to reduced-power heating as target temperature approaches, optimizing both heating speed and energy consumption throughout the heating process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors battery temperature and compares it with the target temperature, adjusting the heating power accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism prevents overheating while maintaining efficient heating by reducing power when the temperature approaches the target

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the battery is heated to reach target temperature before arrival, then the charging performance is improved, but the heating may not be complete if arrival is earlier than expected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging performanceVSAvoidadaptability to varying travel time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary heating actions based on predicted arrival time, but maintains the capability to adjust heating duration dynamically. The heating process is prepared in advance but can be extended or reduced based on actual travel conditions, ensuring optimal charging performance regardless of arrival timing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The heating strategy dynamically adapts to actual travel time by continuously monitoring vehicle position and adjusting heating power and duration. This allows the system to extend heating if travel is delayed or reduce heating if arrival is earlier, maintaining adaptability to varying travel conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If the heating power is increased to ensure battery reaches target temperature, then the charging efficiency is improved, but the vehicle may arrive at charging pile before heating is complete

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging efficiencyVSAvoidwaiting time at charging pile
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the vehicle's motion during travel to perform the heating function, converting travel time into productive heating time. This eliminates the need for separate preheating stops and ensures heating is completed during normal vehicle operation, avoiding additional waiting time at the charging pile

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 method improves battery heating efficiency, reduces charging duration, and enhances overall charging performance by ensuring the battery is at the optimal temperature when the vehicle arrives at the charging station, thus addressing the low-temperature limitations of lithium batteries.

Implementation Method 1

heating the battery according to the current estimated heating duration and a traveling duration

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP4414210A1Vehicle battery preheating method, vehicle and readable storage medium
Publication Date: 2024.08.14 XIAOMI EV TECH CO LTD
  • EP4414210A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4414210A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4414210A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A vehicle battery preheating method, the method includes: determining (S 1 1) a target charging pile for charging a battery of a vehicle; estimating (S12), in a process of the vehicle traveling to the target charging pile, a remaining electric quantity for a time of the vehicle traveling to the target charging pile; determining (S13) a target temperature of the battery according to charging power of the target charging pile and the remaining electric quantity; determining (S14) a current first target heating rate of the battery, and determining a current estimated heating duration of the battery from a current temperature to the target temperature according to the current first target heating rate; and heating (S15) the battery according to the current estimated heating duration and a traveling duration of the vehicle traveling to the target charging pile.