Battery Pack Carbon Heater Low Temperature Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium secondary batteries used in electric vehicles experience performance degradation and reduced travel distance in low temperature environments due to voltage drop and increased power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack design that includes a battery cell array with a carbon heating film and a battery management system (BMS) to maintain battery temperature above a critical level, using a temperature sensor to provide current to the heater when necessary, ensuring normal performance in low temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If lithium secondary batteries are used in low temperature environments, then the battery pack can operate in cold conditions, but the battery performance degrades due to voltage drop and increased power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is activated before the battery operates in cold conditions to pre-heat the battery to an optimal temperature range. The BMS detects low temperature through the temperature sensor and activates the heating element in advance, ensuring the battery reaches suitable operating temperature before significant performance degradation occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temperature parameter of the battery by introducing a heating element that converts electrical energy to thermal energy. By controlling the heating element's activation and power level through the BMS, the battery temperature is adjusted from suboptimal cold temperatures to the ideal operating range, thereby improving performance and reliability.
2Reliability
If the battery temperature is increased using a heater, then the battery performance is maintained in low temperature environments, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element serves multiple functions: it acts as both a thermal management component for maintaining battery temperature and as a controlled heating source integrated into the battery pack structure. The BMS performs dual roles of monitoring temperature and controlling the heating element activation, reducing the need for separate control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature sensor and heating element are integrated directly into the battery cell structure, with the sensor positioned to detect cell temperature and the heating element placed in direct thermal contact with the cell. The BMS combines temperature monitoring and heating control functions, merging multiple subsystems into a unified thermal management system that minimizes additional complexity.
3Temperature
If a heater is disposed between battery cells, then the temperature distribution is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase due to precise positioning needs
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is constructed as a thin flexible film that can conform to the battery cell surface and be positioned between cells without requiring rigid structural support. This flexible film design allows for easier integration and positioning tolerance, reducing the need for high-precision mechanical positioning while still achieving effective thermal contact with the battery cells.
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 solution effectively prevents battery performance degradation, securing normal output and operation time in low temperature environments by maintaining battery temperature, thus enhancing the reliability of electric vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
when the temperature of the battery cells, which is measured from the temperature sensor, is equal to or less than a critical temperature, the BMS provides a current to the heater to increase the temperature of the battery cells
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a battery pack including a battery cell array in which a plurality of battery cells are arranged in a state in which side surfaces thereof face each other, a heater disposed between the battery cells, a battery management system (BMS) configured to control an operation of the battery cells, and a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the battery cells to transmit the measured temperature to the BMS. Here, when the temperature of the battery cells, which is measured from the temperature sensor, is equal to or less than a critical temperature, the BMS provides a current to the heater to increase the temperature of the battery cells.