Vehicle ESS Power Limits Based on Battery Temperature Rise

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing energy storage systems in vehicles face challenges in accurately determining operational power levels due to varying battery cell capacities and temperatures, leading to uneven state-of-charge distribution and reduced vehicle performance, especially during high power demand situations.

Innovation Solution

A method that determines the state temperature of the energy storage system, calculates an acceptable temperature increase based on safety and operational life time thresholds, and uses this to determine the maximum operational power level, ensuring reliable and efficient vehicle operation by considering temperature effects on power output and input.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the battery is operated with a safety margin in relation to the actual operational SOC level, then the reliability of power supply is improved, but the available energy supply and vehicle range are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of power supplyVSAvoidavailable energy supply
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from static SOC-based power limits to dynamic temperature-based power limits. The maximum operational power level is continuously adjusted based on real-time temperature measurements and predicted temperature increases, allowing the system to adapt power capability to actual thermal conditions rather than relying on conservative fixed margins

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the key parameter for power limitation from state of charge (SOC) to temperature. By determining maximum operational power level based on current temperature and predicted temperature increase rather than SOC levels, the system achieves more accurate and less conservative power capability assessment, resolving the contradiction between reliability and energy availability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Power

If the battery operates at high power levels, then the vehicle performance is improved, but the temperature increase and risk of exceeding safety thresholds are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational power levelVSAvoidtemperature increase
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by predicting future temperature increase before it occurs. The system calculates the predicted temperature increase based on current temperature, environmental conditions, and requested power level, then uses this prediction to proactively limit the maximum operational power level to prevent exceeding safety thresholds

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring current temperature, calculating predicted temperature increase, and adjusting the maximum operational power level accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures that power delivery is continuously adapted to thermal conditions, preventing temperature excursions while maximizing power capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If the state of charge distribution across battery cells becomes uneven, then the operational performance of the battery is limited, but continuing to operate with uneven distribution accelerates aging and reduces battery life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational performanceVSAvoidbattery life
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the control parameter from SOC-based limits to temperature-based limits. This allows the battery management system to operate at higher power levels without unnecessarily restricting performance due to conservative SOC margins, thereby maintaining operational performance while preventing conditions that would accelerate aging

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3924215B1A method for management of an energy storage system of a vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.12.04 VOLVO TRUCK CORP
  • EP3924215B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3924215B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3924215B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for determining an operational parameter indicative of the power capability of an energy storage system (ESS) of a vehicle, wherein the method comprises the steps of determining a state temperature of the ESS;determining an acceptable temperature increase of the ESS for a given time period based on the determined state temperature of the ESS and a maximum temperature threshold of ESS, the maximum temperature threshold being indicative of any one of a safety temperature level of the ESS and an operational life time temperature level of the ESS; and determining a maximum operational power level of the ESS for the given time period based on the determined acceptable temperature increase of the ESS.