EV Cabin Heating Control Across HVAC and Auxiliary Heat Sources
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicles face challenges in efficiently managing multiple heat sources, including determining the optimal use of HVAC and auxiliary heating systems to maintain cabin temperature, which affects battery life and user preferences, especially in varying operating conditions.
Innovation Solution
A temperature management system that includes an HVAC system powered by the vehicle's battery and an auxiliary heating system, with a controller that determines the most efficient use of both systems based on setpoint temperatures, ambient conditions, and anomalies, transitioning between states to optimize energy use and cabin comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the HVAC electric heat state is used to heat the cabin, then the cabin temperature is maintained, but the battery energy is consumed rapidly reducing vehicle range
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically transitions between different heating states (HVAC electric heat, auxiliary heat, maximum heat) based on real-time conditions including cabin temperature, setpoint temperature, and battery state of charge. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize the balance between cabin heating and battery energy consumption, switching to auxiliary heat when battery charge is low to preserve range.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by transitioning between distinct heating states with different energy consumption characteristics. The controller monitors battery state of charge and adjusts the heating strategy accordingly, modifying the operational mode to maintain cabin comfort while managing battery energy usage and preserving vehicle range.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the auxiliary heating system is used to heat the cabin, then battery energy is conserved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature management system performs multiple functions by integrating both HVAC electric heat and auxiliary heating capabilities within a single unified controller. This multi-functional approach allows the system to conserve battery energy by switching to auxiliary heat when appropriate, while managing the complexity through centralized control logic that coordinates both heating sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The unified controller acts as an intermediary that manages the interaction between the HVAC system and auxiliary heating system. It monitors various parameters including battery state of charge, cabin temperature, and setpoint temperature, then intelligently transitions between heating states to optimize energy conservation while maintaining cabin comfort.
3Ease of operation
If multiple heat sources are managed with separate controllers, then each heat source can be controlled independently, but the overall system coordination becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control of multiple heat sources into a single unified controller that manages both the HVAC electric heat system and the auxiliary heating system. This consolidation simplifies system coordination by centralizing the decision-making logic for heat source selection and state transitions, while still allowing independent control capabilities for each heat source when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The unified controller implements segmented control logic that independently evaluates conditions for each heat source and transitions between states as needed. This segmentation within unified control allows the system to maintain independent control capabilities for HVAC and auxiliary heat while coordinating their operation through a single intelligent management system.
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
The system effectively regulates cabin temperature, optimizing energy use and extending the operational range of the vehicle by efficiently managing heat sources, ensuring comfort and reducing emissions.
Implementation Method 1
an auxiliary heating system powered by an auxiliary power generator (e.g., a diesel auxiliary heater)
Implementation Method 2
The HVAC system and the auxiliary heating system are configured to condition air within a cabin of the electric vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods of controlling temperature in a cabin of an electric vehicle that has an HVAC system powered by a battery system and an auxiliary heating system. Upon determining, by a system controller, that a setpoint temperature is less than or equal to a sensed cabin temperature while operating in an HVAC electric heat state, an auxiliary heat state, or a maximum heat state, automatically transitioning to an off state from the HVAC electric heat state, the auxiliary heat state, or the maximum heat state.