EV Cabin Pre-conditioning via Grid Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles face a significant power drain on their batteries for heating and cooling the cabin, reducing their operational range and traction power, as they lack a combustion engine to draw power from for these systems, necessitating a method to pre-heat or pre-cool the vehicle without using battery power.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilizes a controller to activate a heating and cooling system using grid power during recharging, determining an optimal activation time based on desired cabin temperature and vehicle start time, allowing the cabin to be pre-heated or pre-cooled before use without depleting the battery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If heating and cooling systems are activated using battery power, then the cabin temperature is controlled to desired levels, but the power demand on the battery increases, reducing vehicle range and traction power
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating or cooling of the cabin during the vehicle's idle period when connected to the electrical power grid, before the vehicle is activated for use. This advance action ensures the cabin reaches desired temperature levels without requiring battery power during vehicle operation, thereby resolving the contradiction between temperature control and battery power consumption
2Duration of action of moving object
If the vehicle is charged overnight during idle periods, then the battery is fully recharged for maximum operation, but the heating and cooling systems still draw power from the battery during these periods
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces the electrical power grid as an intermediary energy source for heating and cooling operations during idle periods. By routing power through the grid connection rather than directly from the battery, the system enables extended vehicle operation with a fully charged battery, as the grid supplies power for climate control during charging periods
3Use of energy by moving object
If the cabin is pre-heated or pre-cooled before vehicle use, then the initial power demand on the battery is reduced, but the system requires accurate prediction of vehicle activation time and temperature requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The control system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor vehicle usage patterns, activation times, and temperature preferences to optimize pre-conditioning operations. By continuously learning from user behavior and adjusting pre-heating/pre-cooling timing and intensity accordingly, the system reduces battery power demand while maintaining simple, intuitive operation without requiring complex user input
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 reduces the power demand on the battery by using grid power for temperature control, thereby increasing the vehicle's range and efficiency by minimizing battery power consumption for heating and cooling.
Implementation Method 1
heating and cooling system...configured to modify a temperature in a cabin of the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
heating and cooling system...configured to modify a temperature in a cabin of the vehicle
Implementation Method 3
The controller determines a temperature control loop activation time...and transmits an activation signal to the temperature control loop
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a power connector configured to mate with an electrical power grid receptacle and receive a grid power therefrom and a heating and cooling system electrically connected to the power connector to receive grid power therefrom and configured to modify a temperature the vehicle cabin. The vehicle also includes a temperature control loop configured to selectively activate and control the heating and cooling system and a controller configured to receive a first input signal comprising a desired vehicle activation time and a second input signal comprising a starting vehicle cabin temperature and a desired vehicle cabin temperature. The controller determines a temperature control loop activation time based on the first and second input signals that is prior to the desired vehicle activation time and transmits an activation signal to the temperature control loop at the temperature control loop activation time to activate the heating and cooling system.