EV Cabin Heating Control Using Range Extender Waste Heat
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electric motor vehicles equipped with a range extender fuel cell, the heating of the passenger compartment poses challenges as it can lead to premature battery wear and reduced range due to inefficient energy management, especially when the vehicle is in motion, and existing methods are not optimized for the state of charge of the main battery.
Innovation Solution
A method that detects the charge level of the main battery and determines the operating state of the range extender to selectively use either the battery's electrical power or the fuel cell's released calories for heating, optimizing energy use and extending vehicle autonomy by ensuring the fuel cell only produces electrical power when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the main battery is used to supply electricity to the heating device, then the passenger compartment can be heated, but the charge on the main battery is considerably reduced and the range of the electric vehicle is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel cell is integrated into the vehicle system to serve multiple functions: it acts as a range extender by generating electricity when battery charge is low, and simultaneously serves as a heat source for the passenger compartment through its thermal output, thereby eliminating the need to deplete battery charge for heating purposes
2Use of energy by moving object
If the fuel cell is used to produce electrical power, then the range of the electric vehicle is extended, but the calories released are not utilized for heating the passenger compartment
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal energy that would otherwise be wasted heat from the fuel cell operation is captured and redirected to heat the passenger compartment, converting a byproduct into a useful resource and improving overall system efficiency
3Temperature
If the fuel cell is started to heat the passenger compartment when the vehicle is moving, then heating can be provided, but the main battery may present a risk of premature wear and the autonomy of the electric vehicle is shortened
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors the state of charge of the main battery and the operating state of the fuel cell, using this feedback information to intelligently select the heating source, thereby protecting the battery from premature wear while ensuring adequate heating
4Temperature
If the heating is provided using existing methods, then the passenger compartment can be heated, but the heating may be inadequate especially when the vehicle is no longer parked
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system dynamically adapts its operation based on the vehicle's state (parked or moving) by selecting between different heat sources - using battery power when parked and fuel cell thermal output when moving, thereby ensuring adequate heating performance under all operating conditions
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 charge and discharge cycles, reduces energy consumption, and increases vehicle autonomy by using the fuel cell's power only when the battery is low, thereby extending the vehicle's range and maintaining thermal comfort.
Implementation Method 1
a range extender comprising at least one fuel cell configured to produce, in an operating state, electrical power to provide an alternative electrical power supply to the power train and/or to recharge the main battery, the production of electrical power by the range extender being accompanied by a release of calories
Implementation Method 2
The main battery can then also be used to generate the calories necessary for good thermal comfort in the passenger compartment by supplying electricity to a heating device for said passenger compartment
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method (1000) for heating a passenger compartment of an electric vehicle comprising a main battery configured to supply power to a power train of the electric vehicle and to be involved in supplying power to a device for heating the passenger compartment, a range-extender configured to generate electric power for recharging the main battery, the generation of electric power (PEL) being accompanied by a release of calories that can be directed to the device for heating the passenger compartment. The heating method (1000) comprises a step (1100) of detecting the charge level (NC) of the main battery, a step (1200) of determining an operating state (EA, EM) of the range-extender, a step (1300) of selecting between power supply by the main battery and the release of calories by the range-extender in order to heat the passenger compartment depending on the charge level (NC) of the main battery and the operating state (EA, EM) of the range-extender.