Dynamic Battery Temperature Control via State-of-Health
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rechargeable electric battery packs in vehicles degrade over time and usage due to factors like voltage output, temperature, and state of charge, leading to reduced efficiency and lifespan, with existing control systems maintaining a fixed temperature that does not account for varying usage and environmental conditions.
Innovation Solution
A control system that uses sensors to determine the time-averaged state-of-health of the battery and adjusts the temperature management system's set point based on this assessment, cooling the battery more if degradation is high and reducing unnecessary cooling if degradation is low, thereby optimizing energy efficiency and extending battery life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a fixed temperature management system is used for the battery, then the battery is maintained at a constant temperature, but energy is wasted through unnecessary cooling when the battery is healthy and degradation is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature management system transitions from a fixed, static temperature set point to a dynamic set point that varies based on the battery's state of health. The control unit continuously monitors battery characteristics and adjusts the temperature management accordingly, allowing the system to adapt to changing battery conditions and optimize energy consumption while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temperature set point parameter based on the battery's state of health. When degradation is detected through sensor measurements, the temperature set point is adjusted to provide additional cooling protection. When the battery is healthy, the temperature set point is raised to reduce unnecessary cooling energy consumption.
2Reliability
If continuous cooling is applied to maintain optimal battery temperature, then battery performance is maintained, but energy consumption increases and lifetime is reduced due to over-cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring battery characteristics through sensors and using this information to adjust the temperature management strategy. The control unit receives real-time data on battery state of health and adjusts the temperature set point accordingly, ensuring cooling is applied only when necessary to maintain performance while avoiding excessive energy consumption from continuous over-cooling.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the temperature management system operates at a conservative low temperature set point, then battery lifetime is extended, but energy efficiency is reduced due to continuous cooling operation
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature set point dynamically adjusts between conservative and aggressive modes based on battery condition. When the battery is healthy, a higher temperature set point is used to improve energy efficiency. When degradation is detected, the set point becomes more conservative to protect battery lifetime, optimizing the trade-off between energy consumption and battery longevity throughout its service life.
Data Source
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AI summary
A control system for a vehicle for optimising the energy efficiency of a rechargeable electric battery system and/or for optimising the lifetime of a rechargeable electric battery. The rechargeable electric battery system comprising: the rechargeable electric battery, a temperature management system for the rechargeable electric battery and one or more sensors for measuring one or more characteristics relating to the rechargeable electric battery. The control system comprising a control unit configured and arranged to receive data from the one or more sensors and being coupled to the temperature management system. The control unit being configured and arranged to determine in dependence upon data received from the one or more sensors, a time-weighted-average state-of-health of the rechargeable electric battery. In dependence upon the determined time-weighted-average state-of-health of the rechargeable electric battery, the control unit is configured and arranged to manage the temperature management system and thereby manage the temperature of the rechargeable electric battery for optimising the energy efficiency of the rechargeable electric battery system and/or for optimising the lifetime of the rechargeable electric battery.