Battery Module Self-Heating With Reverse Polarity and Low-Voltage Input

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electric vehicle batteries face significant limitations in low-temperature environments, requiring heating to maintain functionality, but existing heating systems rely on high-voltage power sources, making them impractical and costly for widespread application.

Innovation Solution

A heating system comprising two battery modules connected in reverse polarity, allowing heating with a low-voltage power source or power grid, with switches controlled by a unit to manage current flow and temperature, ensuring efficient and safe heating.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If batteries are heated using a particular high-voltage power source in low-temperature environments, then heating effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery temperatureVSAvoidpower source requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The battery modules heat themselves by controlling current flow through their own internal resistance. The system uses the batteries' inherent electrical properties to generate heat, eliminating the need for external heating devices or complex high-voltage power sources. The control unit manages the charging/discharging cycles to produce heat directly within the battery modules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the electrical parameters (current direction and magnitude) flowing through the battery modules to control the heating process. By alternating between charging and discharging modes, the system varies the current parameters to generate heat while maintaining battery safety and efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Temperature

If batteries are heated using conventional external heating methods, then heating function is achieved, but ease of operation and practicality deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery temperatureVSAvoidheating system practicality
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The battery system performs multiple functions: it serves as both the power source and the heating element. The same battery modules that provide electrical energy also generate heat through controlled current flow, eliminating the need for separate heating systems and simplifying the overall device operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The batteries heat themselves through internal resistance when current flows through them during controlled charging/discharging cycles. This self-heating mechanism eliminates the need for external heating devices, making the system easier to operate and more practical for real-world applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If battery modules are heated simultaneously, then heating efficiency is improved, but control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidswitch control system
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The battery system is divided into multiple modules, each with independent switch control. This segmentation allows the control unit to manage each module separately, enabling simultaneous heating of multiple modules while maintaining simple and modular control architecture. Each switch controls a specific battery module's charging/discharging state independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 enables efficient and cost-effective battery heating in electric vehicles using a low-voltage power source, improving practicality and reducing the risk of combustion, while extending battery life and enhancing operational stability.

Implementation Method 1

the first battery module and the second battery module can be heated through a low-voltage power source or a power grid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP4184664B1Heating system, heating method and apparatus, and electrical device
Publication Date: 2024.12.25 CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY (HONG KONG) LIMITED
  • EP4184664B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4184664B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4184664B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

This application provides a heating system, a heating method and apparatus, and an electric device. The heating system includes a first input end, a second input end, a first battery module, a second battery module, a first switch, a second switch, and a control unit, where the first input end and the second input end are configured to connect to an external input power source. The first switch is connected between a first terminal of the first battery module and a first terminal of the second battery module, a second terminal of the first battery module is connected to a second terminal of the second battery module, the second switch is connected between the first input end and the first terminal of the second battery module, and the second input end is connected to the first terminal of the first battery module. The control unit is connected to the first switch and the second switch, and the control unit is configured to control the first switch and the second switch to be turned on or off, to heat the first battery module and the second battery module through the input power source. In the foregoing manner, a requirement for the heating power source is lowered, thereby improving practicability.