Battery Preheating Control for Energy-Efficient Charging Readiness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Stationary electrical power storage systems, such as battery systems for electric vehicles and home energy storage, face inefficiencies due to the need for continuous heating or cooling to maintain optimal temperature for charging and discharging, leading to significant energy consumption and costs.
Innovation Solution
A control unit and system that dynamically determines the start time for heating a battery based on charging time and temperature, using a thermal control system to optimize heating only when necessary, thereby reducing energy loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If continuous heating or cooling is applied to maintain battery temperature, then battery temperature is kept within proper range, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating of the battery before charging begins if the battery temperature is below the optimal range. The control unit determines the start charging time and compares it with current battery temperature, initiating heating in advance to ensure the battery reaches optimal temperature before charging starts, thereby avoiding the need for continuous heating during charging operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuous heating or cooling, the system applies thermal management periodically based on temperature monitoring. The control unit periodically checks battery temperature and activates heating or cooling only when temperature deviates from the optimal range, creating an on-demand periodic action pattern that significantly reduces energy consumption compared to continuous operation.
2Productivity
If heating is applied continuously to ensure battery is ready for charging, then charging can start immediately, but unnecessary energy loss occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system determines the start charging time in advance and performs preliminary heating only if the battery temperature at that time would be below the optimal range. This selective preliminary action ensures charging readiness when needed while avoiding unnecessary heating and energy loss when the battery is already at optimal temperature or when charging is not imminent.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit continuously monitors battery temperature and uses this feedback to make intelligent decisions about when to activate heating. By comparing real-time temperature data with the determined start charging time and optimal temperature range, the system provides feedback-driven control that activates heating only when necessary, preventing unnecessary energy loss while ensuring charging readiness.
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 minimizes unnecessary energy consumption by heating the battery only when required, enhancing charging efficiency and reducing operational costs by optimizing thermal management.
Implementation Method 1
instruct the thermal control system to start heating the battery responsive to the start charging time and the battery temperature value
Data Source
AI summary
Various disclosed embodiments include illustrative control units, systems, and methods. In an illustrative embodiment, a control unit includes a processor and non-transitory computer-readable media that stores computer-executable instructions configured to cause the processor to determine a start charging time, receive a battery temperature value, and instruct the thermal control system to start heating the battery responsive to the start charging time and the battery temperature value in an energy saving way.