Dynamic Battery Heater Threshold for EV Range Preservation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for managing battery heating in electric vehicles are inefficient, as they either consume vehicle energy or fail to optimize battery performance due to fixed temperature thresholds, leading to unnecessary heating and reduced autonomy.

Innovation Solution

A method that determines a dynamic threshold temperature based on the state of charge and energy consumption of the vehicle, activating the battery heater only when necessary to ensure all available energy can be used, and stopping heating before autonomy is degraded.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fixed temperature threshold is used to activate battery heating, then battery performance degradation is limited in most cases, but heating is triggered when the battery doesn't actually need it, thus reducing its capacity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery performanceVSAvoidbattery capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a fixed temperature threshold to a dynamic threshold that adapts in real-time based on battery state of charge and projected energy consumption. The heating activation temperature is no longer static but varies according to current battery conditions and forecasted vehicle energy needs, allowing the system to optimize between battery performance and capacity preservation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of heating activation temperature from a constant value to a variable parameter that depends on multiple factors including state of charge, projected energy consumption, and temperature. This parameter transformation enables the system to adjust heating activation conditions dynamically, avoiding unnecessary heating while ensuring battery performance when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the battery is warmed during driving when temperature drops below a threshold, then battery operating conditions are optimized, but the vehicle's range is reduced due to energy consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery operating conditionsVSAvoidvehicle range
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the heating activation temperature from a fixed parameter to a dynamic parameter that incorporates projected energy consumption and state of charge. This allows the system to determine whether heating is truly necessary by comparing current temperature against a threshold that adapts based on forecasted energy availability, thereby avoiding heating when it would unnecessarily reduce vehicle range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by calculating projected energy consumption before making the heating decision. The system forecasts future energy needs based on route information, weather conditions, and driving patterns, then uses this preliminary assessment to determine whether battery heating should be activated, ensuring that heating only occurs when energy availability supports it.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If heating is activated based on state of charge and temperature threshold, then battery performance is maintained, but heating may be triggered unnecessarily reducing available capacity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery performanceVSAvoidavailable battery capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the heating activation criterion from a simple temperature threshold to a multi-parameter dynamic threshold that incorporates state of charge, projected energy consumption, and temperature. This transformed parameter system enables more accurate determination of when heating is truly necessary, preventing unnecessary heating activation that would reduce available battery capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring battery state of charge, temperature, and projected energy consumption, then using this feedback loop to dynamically adjust the heating activation decision. The system constantly evaluates current conditions against forecasted needs, activating heating only when the feedback indicates it is necessary for maintaining battery performance without unnecessarily consuming capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 optimizes battery performance by ensuring efficient energy use and minimizing autonomy loss by heating the battery only when required, using a dynamic threshold that considers the vehicle's energy needs and state of charge.

Implementation Method 1

a heating element for an electric battery in a motor vehicle, said heating element being capable of bringing said battery to a target temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP4151460A1Method for controlling a heating element for battery of a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2023.03.22 AMPERE SAS
  • EP4151460A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4151460A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4151460A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Method (1) of controlling a heating element for an electric storage battery of a motor vehicle, said heating element enabling said battery to reach a target temperature sufficient for all of the available energy of the battery to be usable by the motor vehicle, said heating element being powered by said battery, said method comprising the following steps: - Determining (2) a parameter for the evolution of the energy consumption of said motor vehicle; - Acquiring (3) a value representative of the state of charge of said battery; - Determining (4) a threshold temperature as a function of the representative value of the state of charge of said battery acquired and the determined driving profile; - Measuring (5) the temperature of said battery; - Controlling (6) the activation of the heating element of said battery when the measured temperature is less than or equal to the determined threshold temperature.