Secondary Battery Thermal Management via Regenerative Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing secondary battery systems face challenges in efficiently warming batteries at low temperatures without wastefully consuming electric power, particularly in lithium-ion batteries where electrolyte viscosity increases internal resistance, and existing heating methods are complex and costly.
Innovation Solution
A secondary battery system that utilizes regenerative electric power from a motor to charge a heat storage unit, which converts energy into heat and supplies it to the battery when needed, along with an electric power distribution controller that manages power distribution based on temperature thresholds, and an optional cooling-energy and warming-heat generation unit for temperature regulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If electric power from the secondary battery is supplied to a heater to warm the battery, then the battery temperature increases, but electric power stored in the battery is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary warming of the secondary battery using the heater before electric power extraction is required. The control unit activates the heater in advance when low temperature is detected, ensuring the battery reaches optimal temperature before power extraction begins, thereby avoiding power consumption during critical extraction periods
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit dynamically adjusts the heating operation based on real-time temperature monitoring and power extraction requirements. When the battery temperature approaches the threshold or power extraction is anticipated, heating is activated or intensified, and when temperature is sufficient, heating is reduced or stopped, creating a dynamic balance between temperature maintenance and power conservation
2Temperature
If exhaust gas is supplied to the secondary battery to heat it, then the battery is warmed, but the system becomes complex and cost increases due to water vapor removal or heat exchange requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and utilizes the thermal energy from exhaust gas that would otherwise be wasted. By directing exhaust gas through a heat exchange mechanism that contacts the secondary battery or its housing, the system captures useful heat without requiring complex water vapor removal systems or additional heat exchange media, simplifying the overall system architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the potentially harmful hot exhaust gas, which could cause condensation or thermal stress, into a beneficial heating source for the secondary battery. The exhaust gas thermal energy is harnessed to warm the battery, transforming a waste product into a useful resource while avoiding the need for complex treatment systems
3Adaptability or versatility
If the secondary battery operates in a low-temperature environment, then the vehicle can operate in cold conditions, but the electric characteristic is reduced and sufficient performance cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary temperature assessment and activation of heating mechanisms before power extraction is required. When the battery temperature is detected to be below the threshold or when cold conditions are anticipated, the control unit activates the heater or exhaust gas heating system in advance, ensuring optimal electric characteristics are achieved before critical power extraction begins
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit continuously monitors battery temperature and power extraction requirements, using this feedback to dynamically adjust heating operations. When temperature drops below the threshold or power extraction is anticipated, heating is activated; when temperature is sufficient, heating is reduced or stopped, maintaining optimal electric characteristics through closed-loop control
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 effectively warms the secondary battery without wasting electric power and ensures necessary power can be extracted even in low-temperature environments, while preventing overcharging and degradation by managing temperature ranges.
Implementation Method 1
a heat storage unit which converts a part of electric power stored in the secondary battery or the regenerative electric power from the motor into heat and stores the heat
Implementation Method 2
a cooling-energy and warming-heat generation unit which converts thermal energy stored in the heat storage unit and generates cooling energy or which amplifies the thermal energy and generates warming heat
Data Source
AI summary
A secondary battery system comprises a secondary battery which receives regenerative electric power from a motor, a heat storage unit (heat storage device) which converts a part of electric power stored in the secondary battery or the regenerative electric power from the motor into heat and stores the heat, and which supplies the stored heat to the secondary battery when a temperature of the secondary battery is less than a low-temperature-side threshold value which is set in advance when the electric power is extracted from the secondary battery, and an electric power distribution controller (ECU) which distributes the regenerative electric power from the motor to the secondary battery and the heat storage unit (heat storage device) when the temperature of the secondary battery is less than the low-temperature-side threshold value when the secondary battery receives the regenerative electric power from the motor.