EV Thermal Coupling With Phase Change Heat Storage for Defrosting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pure electric vehicles face challenges in maintaining battery temperature within a proper range due to excessive heat or cold, which affects battery lifespan and safety, and heat pump air-conditioning systems struggle with frosting issues that reduce heating efficiency and consume additional energy during defrosting.
Innovation Solution
A coupling thermal management system using phase change heat storage, incorporating a refrigerant circuit and a coolant circuit with a plate-type heat exchanger, where phase change material stores waste heat from batteries and supplies it during defrosting, avoiding additional energy consumption and maintaining thermal comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If reverse cycle defrosting method is used, then defrosting effect is achieved, but compressor consumes additional electric energy and reduces endurance mileage
Solution Approach 1:
The phase change heat storage tank pre-stores heat energy during battery heating operations. When defrosting is needed, this pre-stored heat is immediately utilized, eliminating the need for reverse cycle operation and avoiding additional energy consumption during defrosting.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the vehicle's own battery heat (waste heat) to store energy in the phase change tank, which then serves the defrosting function. This self-service approach eliminates external energy input during defrosting, resolving the energy consumption contradiction.
2Reliability
If reverse cycle defrosting method is used, then defrosting effect is achieved, but temperature inside vehicle compartment is lowered affecting thermal comfort
Solution Approach 1:
Heat is pre-stored in the phase change tank during battery heating operations before defrosting is needed. During defrosting, this pre-stored heat is released to the vehicle compartment, maintaining thermal comfort while achieving defrosting without the temperature drop caused by reverse cycle operation.
3Productivity
If heat pump air-conditioning system is used, then heating efficiency is improved, but external heat exchanger frosts at low temperature reducing heat exchange effect
Solution Approach 1:
The phase change heat storage tank uses waste heat from battery thermal management to pre-store energy. During defrosting, this stored heat is automatically released to the external heat exchanger, enabling the system to self-defrost without reverse cycle operation, thus maintaining heating efficiency and reliability.
4Reliability
If phase change material heat storage is used, then heat can be supplied to external heat exchanger during defrosting, but additional electric amount is consumed reducing endurance mileage
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the waste heat from battery thermal management (which would otherwise be discarded) into useful stored energy in the phase change tank. This converted benefit provides heat during defrosting, eliminating the need for additional energy consumption and resolving the contradiction between heat supply capability and energy efficiency.
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 efficiently provides heat to the vehicle compartment during defrosting, reduces energy consumption, and ensures battery temperature is maintained within an optimal range, enhancing both thermal management and energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
phase change material stores waste heat from batteries and supplies it during defrosting
Implementation Method 2
heat storage of a phase change material is used to supply heat to the external heat exchanger under defrosting working conditions
Implementation Method 3
heat exchange can be achieved between the refrigerant circuit and the coolant circuit through a plate type heat exchanger
Implementation Method 4
heat exchange can be achieved between the refrigerant circuit and the coolant circuit through a plate type heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
A coupling thermal management system of a pure electric vehicle based on phase change heat storage. The system includes a refrigerant circuit and a coolant circuit, where heat exchange can be achieved between the refrigerant circuit and the coolant circuit through a plate type heat exchanger. The refrigerant circuit includes an electric compressor, an inside-vehicle heat exchanger, an outside-vehicle heat exchanger, a bidirectional electronic expansion valve, a four-way directional valve, a gas-liquid separator, first three-way valve, a first gate valve, a second gate valve, a plate type heat exchanger and a refrigerant tube. The coolant circuit includes a battery pack, a phase change material, a heat storage heat exchanger, a water pump, a second three-way valve, a third three-way valve, a fourth three-way valve and a coolant tube. The plate type heat exchanger is also included in the coolant circuit.