EV Battery Fluid Thermal Control for Fleet Fast Charging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicle batteries experience degradation due to extreme temperatures during charging, whether too high or too low, leading to reduced performance and lifespan, especially in high-utilization fleets.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a heat transfer system using a fluid to regulate battery temperature during charging, with a fleet management system selecting appropriate charging facilities based on battery temperature and available heat transfer fluids, and managing fluid flow to achieve desired temperature adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If fast charging is used to reduce charging time, then productivity is improved, but battery temperature increases causing degradation
Solution Approach 1:
A heat transfer fluid acts as an intermediary between the battery and the environment, absorbing excess heat generated during fast charging and transporting it away from the battery, thereby enabling high charging speeds without harmful temperature increases
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a liquid cooling system where heat transfer fluid circulates through channels in contact with the battery, using hydraulic principles to efficiently remove heat during fast charging operations
2Device complexity
If charging is performed outside ideal temperature range, then charging can proceed without temperature control, but battery degradation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-cools or pre-heats the battery before charging by circulating heat transfer fluid through the battery housing, ensuring the battery reaches optimal temperature range before the charging process begins, thereby preventing degradation
Solution Approach 2:
Temperature sensors monitor battery temperature in real-time and provide feedback to the control system, which adjusts the heat transfer fluid flow rate and charging power to maintain temperature within the ideal range throughout the charging process
3Device complexity
If battery temperature is not controlled, then device complexity is reduced, but battery performance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery housing serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, contains the battery cells, and acts as a heat exchanger by incorporating internal channels for heat transfer fluid circulation, thereby enabling temperature control without adding separate complex cooling infrastructure
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
Maintains battery performance and extends lifespan by controlling temperature fluctuations, allowing for efficient and safe charging across varying ambient conditions.
Implementation Method 1
Implementing a heat transfer system using a fluid to regulate battery temperature during charging
Data Source
AI summary
A heat transfer system regulates the flow of a coolant or heating fluid to the battery of an electric vehicle (EV). Heat transfer systems may be located at charging facilities for charging EVs in an EV fleet. A fleet manager may direct an EV to a particular charging facility to appropriately cool or heat the EV battery during charging; different charging facilities may have different heating or cooling capabilities. The fleet manager may oversee operation of the heat transfer systems, e.g., pre-heating or pre-cooling a heat transfer fluid based on predicted demand.