EV Drive LC Self-Heating for Battery and Motor Warm-Up
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal arrangements for heating traction batteries and motor transmission fluid in electrified vehicles are inefficient, requiring significant electrical power and reducing vehicle range, and do not effectively heat the motor transmission fluid.
Innovation Solution
A self-heater arrangement using the traction battery, inverter, and motor windings to form an LC circuit, operating in zero-current-switching mode to generate resonant current for heating, eliminating the need for separate coolant heaters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a separate coolant heater is used to heat the traction battery and motor transmission fluid, then the heating function is achieved, but the electrical power consumption increases and vehicle range is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the heating function with the existing motor drive system by integrating a heater element into the motor stator winding. This merging eliminates the need for separate coolant heaters, reduces electrical power consumption, and maintains optimal temperature for both the traction battery and motor transmission fluid through the shared thermal pathway.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor stator winding serves dual functions: generating motor torque during propulsion and heating the motor transmission fluid and battery coolant during thermal management. This multi-functionality reduces the need for dedicated heating components and minimizes overall system power consumption.
2Temperature
If a separate coolant heater is used to heat the motor transmission fluid, then heating is achieved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the heating function into the motor stator winding, eliminating separate coolant heaters and reducing system complexity. The integrated heater element utilizes the existing motor structure and thermal pathways, simplifying the thermal management system while effectively heating the motor transmission fluid.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor stator winding performs multiple functions including torque generation and thermal management. By making the heating system universal and integrated into the motor structure, the patent reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall system architecture.
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
Achieves efficient and economical heating of both the traction battery and motor transmission fluid, maintaining optimal performance regardless of ambient temperature without reducing vehicle range.
Implementation Method 1
cause electrical current to circulate between the traction battery, the inverter, and the motor which heats the traction battery and the motor windings
Implementation Method 2
The capacitor and the winding form an LC circuit. The controller may be configured to operate the first power switch in the ZCS mode by operating the first power switch at a switching frequency dependent on a resonant frequency of the LC circuit
Data Source
AI summary
A system for an electrified vehicle, such as a battery electric vehicle (BEV), includes an inverter configured to drive a motor having motor windings with electrical power from a battery according to a configuration of a power switch of the inverter. The system further includes a capacitor connected between a center-tap of the battery and a neutral-point of the motor winding whereby the capacitor and the motor windings form an LC circuit. The system further includes a controller configured to operate the power switch in a zero-current-switching mode with a switching frequency dependent on a resonant frequency of the LC circuit to thereby cause electrical current to circulate between the battery, the inverter, and the motor which heats the battery and the motor windings.