Vehicle Battery Thermal Preconditioning for Fast Charging Efficiency
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Rechargeable energy storage systems (RESS) for vehicles experience reduced charging efficiency at fast charging stations, particularly in extreme temperatures, leading to longer charging times and increased costs for both time and energy.
Innovation Solution
A method of preconditioning the RESS by monitoring parameters such as state of charge (SOC) and ambient temperature to adjust a precondition window, prompting for thermal conditioning to optimize charging efficiency, which involves heating or cooling the battery to enhance energy transfer rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If thermal preconditioning is activated to improve charging efficiency, then energy transfer rate increases, but energy consumption increases and battery capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs thermal preconditioning of the battery before fast charging to optimize charging efficiency. By heating or cooling the battery in advance to reach optimal temperature ranges, the system enables faster charging rates without compromising battery health or excessive energy waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The precondition window is dynamically adjusted based on multiple factors including state of charge (SOC) thresholds, ambient temperature, and predicted arrival time at charging stations. This dynamic adjustment optimizes the balance between charging efficiency and energy consumption by adapting thermal management strategies to real-time conditions.
2Productivity
If thermal preconditioning is activated to improve charging efficiency, then energy transfer rate increases, but charging time increases due to additional heating/cooling time
Solution Approach 1:
The system initiates thermal preconditioning before the vehicle arrives at the fast charging station, using propulsion operation or auxiliary heating/cooling systems during transit. This ensures the battery reaches optimal temperature range by the time charging begins, eliminating wait time at the charging station.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the vehicle's propulsion operation to generate heat through motor resistance, which is then transferred to the battery for thermal preconditioning. This self-service approach uses existing vehicle operations to achieve battery temperature optimization without requiring separate dedicated heating systems.
3Device complexity
If a fixed precondition window is used, then control is simple, but adaptability to different temperature conditions and charging scenarios is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The precondition window is dynamically adjusted based on multiple factors including state of charge (SOC) thresholds, ambient temperature, rechargeable energy storage system temperature, and predicted arrival time at charging stations. This dynamic adjustment optimizes the balance between charging efficiency and energy consumption by adapting thermal management strategies to real-time conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors battery temperature, state of charge, and environmental conditions, using this feedback to adjust thermal management strategies in real-time. This ensures optimal charging conditions are achieved while minimizing energy consumption and adapting to varying operational scenarios.
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 maximizes energy transfer efficiency, reduces charging time, and conserves battery resources, ensuring efficient and cost-effective charging, especially in fleet applications where charging resources are limited.
Implementation Method 1
prompting for or activating thermal preconditioning of the rechargeable energy storage system... the thermal preconditioning of the rechargeable energy storage system includes increasing a temperature of the rechargeable energy storage system
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method are provided for preconditioning a rechargeable energy system (RESS) for a vehicle. The method includes monitoring one or more rechargeable energy storage system parameters; adjusting a rechargeable energy storage system precondition window based on one or more of the monitored rechargeable energy storage system parameters; and prompting for or activating thermal preconditioning of the rechargeable energy storage system at least partially depending on the adjusted rechargeable energy storage system precondition window.