EV Battery Modules With Selective Heater-Based Energy Dissipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heavy-duty electric vehicles face challenges in selectively dissipating energy from their battery systems to reduce stored energy, particularly in situations where it is desirable to lower the energy level for safety or operational reasons.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a battery management system (BMS) that allows for the selective activation of heaters within each battery module, powered solely by the module's battery cells, to dissipate energy and reduce the state of charge of the battery system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If energy is dissipated from the entire battery system, then the stored energy is reduced, but the ability to selectively reduce energy in specific modules is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is divided into multiple battery modules, each with its own heater element. This segmentation allows selective activation of heaters in specific modules to dissipate energy only where needed, rather than requiring uniform energy dissipation across the entire battery system.
Solution Approach 2:
Each battery module is equipped with its own heater element that can be independently controlled. This local quality enables different energy dissipation strategies for different modules based on their specific state of charge and thermal conditions, providing adaptability while reducing overall stored energy.
2Adaptability or versatility
If heaters are added to each battery module, then selective energy dissipation is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heater elements are powered by the battery cells within their own module, allowing each module to self-regulate its energy dissipation without requiring external power sources or complex centralized control systems. The battery system itself provides the energy needed for its own thermal management.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating function is integrated directly into each battery module, combining the energy storage function and thermal management function in a single compact unit. This eliminates the need for separate external heating systems and reduces overall system complexity.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the battery system stores large amounts of energy, then the vehicle has sufficient power, but safety risks increase for personnel working on the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The heater elements can be activated before personnel work on the vehicle to pre-dissipate excess energy from the battery system. This preliminary action reduces the stored energy to safer levels while maintaining the battery's full capacity for normal operation, eliminating safety risks without compromising energy availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The stored energy that presents a safety hazard is converted into useful heat through the heater elements. This transforms the harmful high-energy state into a beneficial thermal management mechanism, allowing safe energy dissipation while preserving the battery's full operational capacity.
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 solution enables safe and controlled reduction of the battery system's energy state, enhancing operational safety by allowing personnel to work on the vehicle without risk from high energy levels.
Implementation Method 1
one or more heaters positioned within the casing and powered solely by the plurality of battery cells enclosed in the casing
Data Source
AI summary
A battery system for an electric vehicle includes a first battery module with a first heater and a second battery module with a second heater. The battery system also includes a control system configured to selectively activate the first or the second heater to dissipate energy from the first or the second battery module.