EV Cabin Pre-Conditioning Control Around Battery Charge Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioning systems for electric vehicles prolong battery charging time and waste electricity by continuously conditioning the passenger compartment during charge, which is inefficient and inconvenient for users.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioning system that includes a charge time acquisition unit, air conditioning time acquisition unit, control unit, interior air temperature detection unit, outside air temperature detection unit, and solar radiation detection unit to determine if it is necessary and efficient to condition the air based on the remaining charge time, interior and outside temperatures, and solar radiation, ensuring minimal power consumption and reduced waiting time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the air conditioner keeps working during charge to maintain comfortable temperature, then passenger compartment comfort is improved, but charging time is prolonged and electricity is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary air conditioning before the user arrives at the vehicle. The control unit calculates the time required to condition the passenger compartment to a comfortable temperature and compares it with the remaining charge time. If the air conditioning time is sufficient, the system stops the air conditioner early, avoiding unnecessary power consumption and charging time extension.
2Ease of operation
If the air conditioner operates continuously during charge, then interior comfort is ensured, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors the interior temperature, outside temperature, and remaining charge time. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically adjusts the air conditioner operation - turning it on when needed and turning it off when the target temperature is reached or when charge time becomes insufficient, thereby optimizing power consumption while maintaining user convenience.
3Duration of action of moving object
If preparatory air conditioning is carried out during charge, then driving range is extended by saving power during driving, but charging time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically determines the air conditioning operation strategy based on real-time conditions. The control unit calculates whether the remaining charge time is sufficient to complete air conditioning before the user arrives. This dynamic decision-making allows the system to extend driving range by performing preparatory air conditioning only when it does not compromise charging time, optimizing the balance between energy savings and charging efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an air conditioning system for a passenger compartment R of an electric vehicle having a rechargeable battery unit that is chargeable by supply of power from an external power source external to the vehicle. An air conditioner (AC) ECU 27 acquires a preparatory air conditioning time γ that is the time it takes to condition the interior air of the vehicle to a target interior air temperature 27T. An HEV controller 25 acquires from a quick charger 100 a charge time left 100R that is the time it takes until charge is completed and initiate preparatory air conditioning within the passenger compartment if the charge time left 100R is less than or equal to the preparatory air conditioning time γ.