Battery Refrigerant Circuit Control for Efficient Heating and Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature control systems for vehicle-mounted batteries, particularly solid-state batteries, face inefficiencies in managing temperature due to the inability to utilize heat absorption by cooling water, leading to potential overheating and energy inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A temperature control system incorporating a battery temperature control circuit, high and low temperature refrigerant circuits, and valve mechanisms to switch between communication and disconnection states, allowing for efficient heat transfer and temperature regulation using a refrigeration cycle circuit and heat exchangers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a refrigeration cycle circuit is used to cool the battery, then the battery temperature can be controlled, but energy efficiency deteriorates because heat absorption from cooling water cannot be utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the battery temperature control function with the vehicle air conditioning refrigeration cycle circuit. The battery temperature control circuit is integrated with the refrigeration cycle circuit, allowing the same refrigerant to serve both cooling the battery and providing air conditioning, thereby utilizing heat absorption efficiently and improving overall energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The refrigeration cycle circuit is designed to perform multiple functions: it can cool the battery when needed, provide air conditioning for the vehicle, and utilize heat absorption from cooling water. The system allows the refrigerant to flow through different paths (battery temperature control circuit or heat absorption circuit) based on operational requirements, making the system universal and energy-efficient.
2Temperature
If the battery is heated in a solid-state battery with high temperature range, then different heating modes are possible, but energy efficiency deteriorates without proper heat management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts waste heat from the vehicle air conditioning system into a useful resource for heating the solid-state battery. During air conditioning operation, the refrigerant releases heat in the condenser; this heat is redirected to the battery temperature control circuit to heat the battery, converting what would be wasted heat into a beneficial heating source and improving energy efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate high temperature and low temperature refrigerant circuits are used, then temperature control flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate high temperature and low temperature refrigerant circuits into a single integrated refrigeration cycle circuit. By using one common refrigerant loop with strategically placed heat exchangers and control valves, the system achieves both high temperature battery heating and low temperature battery cooling functions without requiring completely separate circuit systems, thus reducing overall complexity while maintaining flexibility.
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 enhances energy efficiency by effectively heating and cooling solid-state batteries through optimized heat exchange, utilizing both refrigerant circuits and the refrigeration cycle circuit to manage temperature within a wide operating range.
Implementation Method 1
a battery temperature control circuit configured to allow a refrigerant to flow therethrough and adjust a temperature of the battery
Implementation Method 2
the refrigerant flowing through the battery passes through the second heat exchanger
Implementation Method 3
a high temperature refrigerant circuit configured to radiate heat from the refrigerant to heat the vehicle
Implementation Method 4
a low temperature refrigerant circuit configured to absorb heat from a heat generating component different from the battery into the refrigerant
Implementation Method 5
a first heat exchanger configured to transfer heat from the low temperature refrigerant circuit to the refrigeration cycle circuit
Implementation Method 6
a second heat exchanger configured to transfer heat from the refrigeration cycle circuit to the high temperature refrigerant circuit
Data Source
AI summary
A battery temperature control system includes a battery temperature control circuit, a high temperature refrigerant circuit radiating heat from a refrigerant, a low temperature refrigerant circuit absorbing heat into the refrigerant, a refrigeration cycle circuit used for an air conditioner of the vehicle, a first valve mechanism switching between a high connection state where the battery temperature control circuit and the high temperature refrigerant circuit communicate with each other and a high disconnection state where those circuits are disconnected, a second valve mechanism switching between a low connection state where the battery temperature control circuit and the low temperature refrigerant circuit communicate with each other and a low disconnection state where those circuits are disconnected, a first heat exchanger transferring heat from the low temperature refrigerant circuit to the refrigeration cycle circuit, and a second heat exchanger transferring heat from the refrigeration cycle circuit to the high temperature refrigerant circuit.