Battery Temperature Raising Device Using Engine Cooling Water

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional battery temperature raising devices consume excessive electric power by using electric heaters to warm batteries during charging, especially in low temperatures, leading to decreased charging efficiency and increased travel distance limitations.

Innovation Solution

A battery temperature raising device that utilizes the heat from the internal combustion engine's cooling water and a heat accumulator to efficiently warm the battery during charging, prioritizing heat exchange from these sources over electric heating to minimize power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If an electric heater is used to raise battery temperature during charging, then battery temperature can be increased, but electric power consumption increases excessively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery temperatureVSAvoidelectric power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the engine cooling water circuit with the battery temperature control circuit through a three-way valve. The cooling water from the engine, which contains thermal energy, is redirected to flow through the battery, combining two functions (engine cooling and battery heating) into a single integrated system. This eliminates the need for separate electric heating in many cases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the thermal energy that would otherwise be wasted in the engine cooling system into a useful resource for heating the battery. By capturing the heat from the cooling water and redirecting it to the battery, the system transforms what could be considered waste heat into a beneficial heating source, reducing the need for electric power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Productivity

If battery temperature is raised during charging, then charging efficiency improves, but charging time increases due to temperature control requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging efficiencyVSAvoidcharging time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary heating of the battery by utilizing the engine cooling water before charging begins or during early stages of charging. The three-way valve redirects cooling water to the battery circuit in advance, ensuring the battery reaches optimal temperature for charging, thereby improving charging efficiency without significantly extending total charging time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains continuous temperature management during the entire charging process by keeping the three-way valve configured to provide thermal energy to the battery as needed. This continuous action ensures the battery remains at optimal temperature throughout charging, maintaining high charging efficiency without requiring intermittent heating cycles that would extend charging time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 effectively raises battery temperature during charging while reducing electric power consumption by leveraging engine cooling water and heat accumulator heat, enhancing charging efficiency and extending travel distance without relying solely on electric heaters.

Implementation Method 1

a first battery circuit which is connected in parallel to the cooling water circuit and in which the cooling water flows through the chargeable battery

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

introducing the cooling water inside the cooling water circuit into the first battery circuit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS11088408B2Battery temperature raising device

Publication Date: 2021.08.10 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A battery temperature raising device is provided which raises, in a vehicle having an internal combustion engine and a motor using a chargeable battery as a power source, the temperature of the battery during charging in a state that the internal combustion engine is stopped. The battery temperature raising device includes a main circuit where cooling water circulates through the internal combustion engine; a first battery circuit connected in parallel to the main circuit; and a second flow rate control valve arranged in the first battery circuit. A first temperature raising control for raising the temperature of the battery is executed, when a battery temperature is equal to or below a predetermined temperature and an engine water temperature is higher than the battery temperature during charging the battery, by opening the second flow rate control valve and introducing the cooling water inside the main circuit into the first battery circuit.