Thermally Coupled Coolant Circuits for EV Battery and Cabin Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
In hybrid and electric vehicles, existing systems require separate heating and cooling mechanisms for batteries and passenger compartments, leading to inefficiencies and the need for additional heaters, which consume energy and increase costs.
Innovation Solution
A system with two thermally coupled coolant circuits, where the second coolant circuit heats the passenger compartment and can transfer heat to the first circuit to heat or cool the battery, optimizing energy use by sharing heat sources and eliminating the need for a dedicated battery heater.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate heating mechanisms are used for battery and passenger compartment, then each component can be heated independently, but energy consumption increases and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the battery heating function with the passenger compartment heating system by thermally coupling the first coolant circuit (battery) and second coolant circuit (passenger compartment) through a heat exchanger. This allows the heater to serve both purposes simultaneously, reducing energy consumption while maintaining independent temperature control capability through the thermal coupling mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The second coolant circuit and heater are designed to serve dual functions: heating the passenger compartment directly through the air heat exchanger, and heating the battery indirectly through the thermal coupling to the first coolant circuit. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a dedicated battery heater, reducing overall system energy consumption.
2Reliability
If separate heating mechanisms are used for battery and passenger compartment, then each component can be heated independently, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the battery heating system with the passenger compartment heating system by establishing a thermal coupling between the first and second coolant circuits through a heat exchanger. This integration reduces the number of independent heating components needed while maintaining the ability to independently control temperatures of both battery and passenger compartment through the coupled thermal system.
3Reliability
If a dedicated battery heater is used, then battery heating is reliable, but additional heating systems are needed increasing costs and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The second coolant circuit and heater are designed to perform multiple functions: directly heating the passenger compartment through the air heat exchanger and indirectly heating the battery through thermal coupling with the first coolant circuit. This universal design eliminates the need for a dedicated battery heater while ensuring reliable battery heating through the shared thermal system.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger serving as a thermal coupling between the first and second coolant circuits acts as an intermediary that enables heat transfer from the second circuit (heater source) to the first circuit (battery). This intermediary mechanism provides reliable battery heating without requiring a dedicated heater, reducing system complexity.
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 allows for efficient heating and cooling of both the battery and passenger compartment, reducing energy consumption and eliminating the need for additional heating systems, while maintaining safe temperature ranges for the battery.
Implementation Method 1
a second coolant circuit for heating the motor vehicle passenger compartment with an air heat exchanger for transmitting heat from the second coolant circuit to the air in the motor vehicle passenger compartment
Implementation Method 2
the first coolant circuit and the second coolant circuit are coupled to one another thermally, in particular with a circuit heat exchanger or a mixing valve, in order to heat the battery with heat from the second coolant circuit
Implementation Method 3
at least one heater for heating the second coolant circuit
Data Source
AI summary
A system for a motor vehicle for heating and/or cooling a battery and a motor vehicle interior is provided that includes a first coolant circuit thermally coupled to the battery, a second coolant circuit for heating the motor vehicle interior having an air heat exchanger for outputting heat from the second coolant circuit to the air of the interior of the motor vehicle, and a heating unit for heating the second coolant circuit. The first coolant circuit and the second coolant circuit are thermally coupled to each other for heating the battery using heat from the second coolant circuit and/or for cooling the air of the motor vehicle interior, in that heat from the second coolant circuit can be fed to the first coolant circuit by the circuit heat exchanger or the mixing valve.