Battery Heating System Using Inverter Bridge Arms and Buffer Modules
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery heating systems are inefficient and unsafe for heating batteries in low-temperature environments, as they require indirect heating methods that take a long time and have lower efficiency, and lack effective safety measures against sudden voltage spikes.
Innovation Solution
A battery heating system that includes a switch assembly, an inverter with parallel bridge arms and buffer modules, and a motor controller to generate alternating current, allowing for periodic charging and discharging of the battery pack, which generates heat internally and includes safety features like buffer modules to absorb electric energy and prevent voltage spikes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If indirect heating method using thermal circulation container is used, then battery can be heated in low-temperature environment, but heating time is long and heating efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a thermal circulation container filled with heat-conducting material as an intermediary medium. This container is in direct contact with the battery, allowing efficient heat transfer from the heating element to the battery without requiring complex direct heating mechanisms, thus achieving fast and uniform heating.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical direct contact heating methods with a thermal circulation system that uses heat-conducting material to transfer thermal energy. This substitution allows for more controlled and efficient heat distribution throughout the battery pack.
2Productivity
If direct heating method is used to reduce heating time, then heating efficiency improves, but safety against voltage spikes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates buffer modules connected in parallel with the switch modules before they can be damaged by voltage spikes. These buffer modules act as a protective cushion that absorbs sudden voltage changes and electrical energy, preventing damage to the switching components while allowing efficient heating operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful voltage spikes and electrical energy into a beneficial protective mechanism. The buffer modules capture the harmful voltage transients and dissipate them safely, transforming what would be a system-failure condition into a controlled energy management function that enhances overall system reliability.
3Reliability
If buffer modules are added to protect against voltage spikes, then safety improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the buffer modules with the existing switch module assembly in the inverter circuit. By integrating the protective function into the existing switching structure rather than adding separate protective devices, the patent achieves enhanced safety while minimizing increases in overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer modules serve multiple functions: they protect against voltage spikes, manage electrical energy during switching transitions, and contribute to the overall stability of the heating system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate protective components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
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
The system improves heating efficiency and safety by generating heat internally within the battery pack through alternating current, while protecting the heating system from sudden voltage changes, allowing for faster and more uniform heating without additional structural costs.
Implementation Method 1
the motor controller outputs driving signals to the switch module of a target upper bridge arm and the switch module of a target lower bridge arm to control the switch module of the target upper bridge arm and the switch module of the target lower bridge arm to be periodically turned on and off, such that an alternating current is generated
Implementation Method 2
In the process of alternate charging and discharging of the battery pack, since there is an internal resistance in the battery pack, it will generates heat, that is, heat is generated internally in the battery pack, thereby improving heating efficiency of the battery pack
Implementation Method 3
the buffer module can absorb electric energy, which prevents a sudden change in the alternating current generated by the battery heating system (such as a spike voltage or the like) from damaging the battery heating system
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The disclosure provides a battery heating system, which relates to the field of battery power. The battery heating system includes a main positive switch, a main negative switch, an inverter, a motor, and a battery management module; the inverter includes a first-phase bridge arm, a second-phase bridge arm and a third-phase bridge arm connected in parallel, each of a upper bridge arm and a lower bridge arm is provided with a switch module, the switch module is connected in parallel with a buffer module, and the buffer module is provided for protecting the switch module; a motor controller in the inverter is provided for providing driving signals to the switch module of a target upper bridge arm and the switch module of a target lower bridge arm to control the switch module of the upper bridge arm of any bridge arm among the three phases of bridge arms and the switch module of the lower bridge arm of at least one bridge arm among the bridge arms except the bridge arm where the switch module of the target upper bridge arm is located to be periodically turned on and off. With the technical solution of the disclosure, heating efficiency of the battery pack can be improved and safety of the battery heating system can be enhanced.