Dynamic Temperature Limits for Vehicle Battery Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature control methods for electrochemical energy storage systems in vehicles, which use a two-point controller to activate and deactivate cooling, often operate at lower temperatures than necessary, leading to inefficient energy use and increased wear on cooling components due to fixed temperature limits that result in an unnecessarily large temperature difference from the maximum permissible limit.
Innovation Solution
The method involves dynamically adjusting the upper and lower temperature limits of the two-point control system based on real-time energy storage data, vehicle operating conditions, and environmental factors, such as ambient temperature and upcoming route characteristics, to optimize cooling usage and maintain the electrochemical energy storage within a more efficient temperature range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixed preset temperature limits are used for two-point control, then the maximum permissible limit temperature is not exceeded, but the temperature difference between actual temperature and maximum permissible limit temperature becomes unnecessarily large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the temperature limits time-dependent rather than fixed. The upper and lower temperature limits are continuously adjusted based on the current state of charge and operating conditions, allowing the system to operate closer to the maximum permissible limit when conditions allow, while maintaining safety margins when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the control system by making the temperature limits variable functions of state of charge and time. Instead of using constant temperature thresholds, the system dynamically modifies these thresholds based on real-time battery conditions, optimizing the operating temperature range.
2Reliability
If cooling is activated at conservative temperature limits, then temperature safety is maintained, but energy efficiency of the electrochemical energy store decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the control parameters from fixed temperature limits to dynamic limits that depend on state of charge and time. This allows the system to permit higher operating temperatures when the battery can tolerate them (improving energy efficiency) while maintaining safety constraints when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the state of charge measurement to continuously adjust the temperature limits. By monitoring the battery's charge state and using this information to modify the temperature thresholds, the system optimizes the balance between safety and energy efficiency in real-time.
3Device complexity
If fixed temperature limits are used for cooling control, then control simplicity is maintained, but wear and tear on cooling components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamics into the control system by making temperature limits time-dependent and state-of-charge-dependent. This dynamic adjustment reduces unnecessary cooling cycles by allowing higher temperatures when appropriate, thereby extending cooling component lifespan while adding only moderate complexity through software-based adaptation.
4Reliability
If conservative cooling activation thresholds are set, then maximum temperature is not exceeded, but the temperature profile has larger minimum difference from maximum permissible limit temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the temperature profile by changing the control parameters from fixed to variable limits. The upper temperature limit is adjusted as a function of state of charge and time, allowing the temperature profile to dynamically approach the maximum permissible limit when conditions permit, thereby reducing the unnecessary temperature gap.
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 enhances the energy efficiency of the electrochemical energy storage by maintaining optimal operating temperatures, reducing the frequency of cooling system activations and deactivations, thereby extending the lifespan of cooling components and improving the overall energy balance.
Implementation Method 1
an actual temperature value of the electrochemical energy store is determined with a temperature measuring means
Implementation Method 2
liquid cooling is also used, in which a refrigerant is evaporated in a cooling circuit by evaporative cooling in the electrochemical energy storage device
Implementation Method 3
a refrigerant is evaporated in a cooling circuit by evaporative cooling in the electrochemical energy storage device and is condensed in a compression refrigeration machine
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a temperature control method for an electrochemical energy store in a vehicle, wherein the electrochemical energy store has a cooling device for the purpose of cooling thereof, and wherein an actual temperature value of the electrochemical energy store is determined by a temperature measuring means and a target temperature value of the electrochemical energy store is set by a two-point control device which activates the cooling device at an upper temperature limit of the electrochemical energy store and deactivates the cooling device at a lower temperature limit of the electrochemical energy store, wherein the upper temperature limit of the two-point control device and/or the lower temperature limit of the two-point control device is determined during the operation of the electrochemical energy store, or during the activation of the cooling device, in a time-dependent manner, and wherein the upper temperature limit of the two-point control device and/or the lower temperature limit of the two-point control device is established depending on energy store data and/or vehicle operating data.