EV Thermal Valve Control for Battery and Cabin Heating Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thermal-management systems in electric vehicles face challenges in efficiently managing heat distribution between the traction battery and passenger cabin, particularly when both require heating simultaneously, as existing systems often prioritize one over the other due to limited thermal energy capacity.
Innovation Solution
A thermal-management system with a valve that connects or isolates the battery loop and cabin heating loop, controlled by a programmed controller to prioritize heating based on battery and cabin temperature thresholds, allowing for shared or isolated heating modes to optimize thermal energy distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If thermal energy is shared between battery and cabin heating loops, then thermal energy utilization efficiency is improved, but heating temperature and speed are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between shared heating mode (valve in second position) and independent heating mode (valve in first position) based on real-time temperature conditions. When battery temperature is below threshold, the valve connects both loops to share thermal energy; when battery temperature exceeds threshold, the valve isolates the battery loop to allow full thermal energy for cabin heating, thus adapting the thermal distribution strategy to current conditions.
2Productivity
If valve isolates battery loop from cabin heating loop, then cabin heating efficiency is improved, but battery thermal management flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the operational parameters of the thermal management by switching the valve position based on battery temperature parameters. When battery temperature is below the threshold, the valve connects both loops for shared heating; when battery temperature exceeds the threshold, the valve isolates the battery loop. This parameter-based switching allows the system to optimize cabin heating efficiency while maintaining battery thermal management flexibility through conditional adaptation.
3Reliability
If thermal-management system prioritizes battery heating, then battery health is improved, but cabin comfort is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from battery temperature sensors to control the valve position and thermal distribution. When battery temperature is below the threshold, the feedback signal activates the valve to connect the battery loop to the cabin heating loop, prioritizing battery heating to improve battery health. When battery temperature exceeds the threshold, the feedback signal switches the valve to isolate the battery loop, allowing full thermal energy for cabin heating to ensure cabin comfort. This feedback mechanism dynamically balances battery health and cabin comfort based on real-time 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
Enables efficient heat management by prioritizing heating between the battery and cabin based on temperature thresholds, ensuring effective thermal regulation and comfort while maintaining battery health, even when thermal energy is limited.
Implementation Method 1
a blower configured to circulate air through the heater core to heat a passenger cabin of the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
a valve configured to fluidly connect the battery loop and the heating loop when the valve is in a first position and configured to fluidly isolate the battery loop and the heating loop when the valve is in a second position
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a traction battery, an electric machine powered by the traction battery and configured to power wheels of the vehicle, and a thermal-management system. The thermal-management system includes a battery loop, a cabin heating loop, and a valve configured to fluidly connect the battery loop and the cabin heating loop when in a first position and configured to fluidly isolate the battery loop and the cabin heating loop when in a second position. A controller is programmed to, responsive to (i) battery heating being requested, (ii) a temperature of the battery being greater than a lower threshold, and (iii) cabin heating being requested, actuate the valve to the first position to heat a cabin and the battery.