Battery Thermal Management System Valve Control for Vehicle Speed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrified vehicle battery packs generate significant heat during charging and discharging, and existing thermal management systems are inefficient in managing this heat, especially under varying vehicle speeds and ambient conditions, which can reduce battery capacity and lifespan.
Innovation Solution
A battery thermal management system that includes a radiator, valve, and control unit to regulate coolant flow based on modified ambient temperatures derived from vehicle speed, using a coolant subsystem with a chiller loop and refrigerant subsystem to optimize cooling, and sensors to monitor coolant and ambient temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If coolant flow is continuously directed to the radiator, then battery cooling is maintained, but energy consumption increases and fuel economy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts coolant flow direction based on real-time conditions (vehicle speed, battery temperature, ambient temperature). The valve switches between directing coolant to the radiator or bypassing it, creating a dynamic thermal management system that adapts to changing operating conditions rather than maintaining continuous cooling flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit modifies the thermal management parameters (coolant flow path) based on changing operational parameters (vehicle speed, temperature differential). When vehicle speed exceeds the threshold and battery temperature is sufficiently above ambient temperature, the system changes the coolant flow parameter to bypass the radiator, reducing energy consumption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If coolant flow is restricted to improve fuel economy, then energy consumption decreases, but battery thermal management effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs feedback control by continuously monitoring battery temperature, ambient temperature, and vehicle speed. The control unit processes these feedback signals to determine whether coolant should be directed to the radiator or bypassed, ensuring thermal management effectiveness is maintained when needed while improving fuel economy when conditions permit.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal management system serves itself by using naturally occurring conditions (vehicle motion creating ambient airflow, natural temperature differentials) to provide cooling when appropriate, rather than always requiring active radiator cooling. The system leverages the vehicle's operating conditions to provide thermal management services.
3Temperature
If chiller running time is increased to maintain battery temperature, then battery temperature control is improved, but energy consumption and fuel economy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic or conditional action rather than continuous chiller operation. The chiller is activated only when specific conditions are met (battery temperature exceeds threshold, vehicle speed is below threshold), creating a periodic operation pattern that reduces energy consumption while maintaining adequate temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts or removes the chiller from continuous operation, activating it only when necessary. By taking the chiller out of continuous service and using it only when thermal management requirements demand, the system reduces energy consumption while maintaining temperature control effectiveness.
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 manages battery pack temperature by preventing coolant flow to the radiator when it is ineffective, reducing chiller running times, improving fuel economy, and prolonging battery life by maintaining lower average temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
a radiator configured to cool a coolant for thermally managing the battery pack
Implementation Method 2
the refrigerant exchanges heat with the coolant of the coolant subsystem within the chiller
Data Source
AI summary
Thermal management systems are provided for thermally managing electrified vehicle battery packs. An exemplary battery thermal management system may monitor the availability and effectiveness of a radiator for thermally managing a battery pack. A control unit may be configured to actuate a valve from an open position to a closed position that prevents the flow of the coolant to the radiator when a coolant temperature of the coolant is less than a modified ambient temperature. The modified ambient temperature may be derived as a function of a vehicle speed.