Charge Control Unit for Battery Thermal Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing charge control systems for secondary batteries in electric vehicles do not effectively suppress deterioration caused by temperature factors, despite managing charging rates effectively.
Innovation Solution
A charge control device and method that calculates and applies optimal current values to secondary batteries at each charging location based on allowable charging time, temperature, and state of charge, minimizing heat generation and deterioration by dividing the current by the charging time to maintain a predetermined target state of charge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If charging is performed to quickly replenish battery capacity, then charging speed is improved, but battery temperature increases causing deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The charging control device dynamically adjusts the charging rate based on real-time battery temperature measurements. When temperature exceeds predetermined thresholds, the device automatically reduces charging current to prevent overheating, while still completing charging within acceptable timeframes. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between fast charging and temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes charging parameters (current, voltage, power) based on battery state including temperature. By monitoring temperature and adjusting charging parameters accordingly, the system maintains optimal charging speed while preventing temperature-induced deterioration. The charging rate is modulated as a function of temperature to balance speed and safety.
2Loss of time
If high charging current is applied to reduce charging time, then charging time is reduced, but battery deterioration accelerates
Solution Approach 1:
The charging process employs periodic charging and rest intervals. During charging periods, current is applied to replenish capacity; during rest periods, the battery stabilizes and temperature equalizes. This periodic pattern reduces cumulative thermal stress and deterioration while maintaining acceptable overall charging time by optimizing the ratio of charging to rest periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements preventive cooling measures and current reduction before temperature reaches critical levels. By monitoring battery state in advance and applying cushioning reductions in charging current when temperature trends indicate potential overheating, the system prevents deterioration without significantly extending charging time.
3Reliability
If charging rate is constrained to optimal range to suppress deterioration, then battery reliability is improved, but charging efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts charging rate within the optimal range based on real-time battery conditions including temperature, state of charge, and aging level. Rather than applying a fixed conservative charging rate, the system optimizes the charging profile moment-by-moment to maximize charging efficiency while staying within durability-preserving bounds. This resolves the contradiction by making the charging rate adaptive rather than static.
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 suppresses the progression of secondary battery deterioration by minimizing effective current values and heat generation, thereby extending battery life and reducing replacement costs.
Implementation Method 1
The charge control unit supplies a current, which is obtained by dividing the amount of current specified by the current amount specifying unit by the allowable charging time, to the secondary battery. The temperature of the secondary battery increases monotonically for the effective current value of the secondary battery, and the effective current value is determined depending on the sum of the squares of the effective current value.
Data Source
AI summary
A charge control device determines a current value acquired by dividing a current amount that should be charged in a secondary battery in a vehicle at a charging location by an allowable charging time at the charging location on the basis of a charging amount as a physical quantity associated with the charging state of the secondary battery. When the vehicle arrives at the charging location, the charge control device allows a charging device provided at the charging location to charge the secondary battery with the current having the determined current value for the allowable charging time.