Battery Pack Simulation Using Reduced-Order Thermal Module Models
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of large battery packs, particularly those with multiple modules, makes real-time or near real-time thermal simulation using physics-based methods infeasible due to high computational costs, which is a challenge in designing efficient battery packs for electric vehicles and other applications.
Innovation Solution
The use of reduced order models (ROMs) that simplify the processing required for simulating thermal and electrical behavior of battery packs, allowing for real-time or near real-time simulation by capturing input/output relationships within a targeted range of operation, thereby reducing simulation time and increasing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If physics-based thermal simulation methods are used for large battery packs with multiple modules, then simulation accuracy is improved, but computational cost increases making real-time simulation infeasible
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack is divided into multiple battery modules, and the thermal simulation is performed separately for each module using individual thermal models. This segmentation allows the overall simulation to be completed faster while maintaining accuracy for each module, resolving the contradiction between simulation accuracy and computational time for large battery packs.
2Measurement precision
If detailed thermal simulation of each battery cell is performed, then thermal behavior accuracy is improved, but processing complexity and computational cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the detailed thermal simulation problem into a more manageable form by changing parameters - using pre-computed thermal models with simplified parameters that capture essential thermal behavior without requiring full detailed simulation of each cell. This reduces processing complexity while maintaining sufficient thermal behavior accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If traditional physics-based thermal simulation is used for real-time design analysis, then simulation accuracy is maintained, but computational expense becomes prohibitive
Solution Approach 1:
Thermal models for each battery module are pre-computed and stored before actual simulation needs occur. These pre-computed models capture the essential thermal characteristics and can be quickly applied during real-time design analysis without requiring expensive on-the-fly physics-based simulations, thus reducing computational expense while maintaining accuracy.
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 approach enables fast and accurate simulation of battery pack operation, reducing simulation time from hours to minutes, making it feasible for real-time design and analysis of large battery packs, thereby addressing the computational expense of traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
simulating electrical behavior of respective battery cells of the battery module using an electrical model
Implementation Method 2
simulating thermal behavior of respective battery cells of the battery model based on outputs of the electrical model using a thermal model
Implementation Method 3
A heat dissipation input is provided to respective thermal models using a coolant model configured to simulate cooling of the battery modules
Implementation Method 4
simulate cooling of the battery modules based on a temperature and a heat transfer coefficient associated with respective battery modules
Data Source
AI summary
A system for simulating operation of a battery pack comprising a plurality of battery modules includes an electrical model configured to simulate electrical behavior of a respective battery module and a thermal model configured to simulate thermal behavior of the respective battery module. The electrical model provides outputs coupled as inputs to the thermal model, and the thermal model provides outputs coupled as inputs to the electrical model. A coolant model is configured to couple with the thermal model, the coolant model to simulate cooling of the respective battery module based on a temperature and a heat transfer coefficient associated with the respective battery module.