Vehicle Charge Control Device Advancing Start Time for Battery Heating

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing charge control systems for electric vehicles face challenges in completing battery charging within a predetermined time without increasing the capacity and cost of the heater, especially when battery heating and charging are simultaneous, leading to potential shortages in charging power.

Innovation Solution

The system advances the start time of battery charging by a calculated amount to accommodate the extended time required for heating, allowing simultaneous battery heating and charging, thereby avoiding power shortages and reducing the need for a more powerful heater.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If the battery is heated before starting charge to complete charging within a predetermined time, then the charge completion time is improved, but the heater capacity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharge completion timeVSAvoidheater capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary heating of the battery before the scheduled charge time when the battery temperature is below the reference temperature. By detecting the battery temperature in advance and initiating heating only when necessary, the system prepares the battery for optimal charging conditions without requiring an oversized heater capable of heating during the entire charge period.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system utilizes the battery's own thermal characteristics and ambient conditions to determine heating requirements. By monitoring battery temperature and comparing it with the reference temperature, the system decides whether heating is needed, allowing the battery to self-regulate its thermal state based on actual conditions rather than requiring continuous high-capacity heating.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Power

If the battery is heated during the charge period, then the charge time is extended, but the heater capacity can be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheater capacityVSAvoidcharge time
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of heating during the charge period, the system performs heating action before the scheduled charge time begins. This preliminary heating ensures the battery reaches the reference temperature in advance, allowing the charge to start immediately at the scheduled time without extension, while still using a smaller heater capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of time

If the charge start time is advanced to accommodate simultaneous heating and charging, then the charge completion time is maintained, but the charging efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharge completion timeVSAvoidcharging efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs heating as a preliminary action before the scheduled charge time rather than simultaneously during charging. By completing the heating process in advance when the battery temperature is below the reference temperature, the system avoids the need to advance the charge start time, thereby maintaining charging efficiency while still ensuring charge completion within the predetermined time frame.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary 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 ensures timely completion of battery charging while minimizing the required heater capacity and cost, ensuring efficient charging without power shortages, even when battery heating is prolonged.

Implementation Method 1

a battery heater (15) that heats the battery (11)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP2685598B1Charge control device for vehicle
Publication Date: 2018.08.15 NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP2685598B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2685598B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2685598B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

When completion of timer charge before elapse of a designated time is designated by a timer charge reservation means for allowing a user to designate a predetermined charge time zone and a target amount of electric power to be charged to the battery, a timer charge start time is determined. Upon carrying out the timer charge, when it is predicted that the timer charge and battery heating are simultaneously carried out, a required amount of extension of a charge time period is determined so as to complete charge of the battery by the designated time, and starts charge of the battery at a time advanced relative to the timer charge start time by the required amount of extension of a charge time period. With this control, charge of the battery can be completed at a predetermined time without unnecessary enhancement in a required capacity of a battery heater.