Heat Accumulator Charge Control for Electric Vehicle Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Charging heat storage devices in electric and hybrid vehicles is energy-intensive and costly, leading to a reduction in vehicle range in cold conditions.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle with a control unit that determines a desired degree of charge for the heat storage device based on various reference parameters, including vehicle usage profiles and external temperature, allowing for partial charging and utilizing waste heat from components like internal combustion engines or electric motors to reduce electrical energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the heat storage device is fully charged to prevent range reduction in cold conditions, then the vehicle interior heating capability is improved, but the energy consumption and charging cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit determines a desired degree of charge that is less than full charge, based on reference parameters including outside temperature, vehicle usage profile, and ambient temperature. The heat storage device is charged only to this partial degree, providing sufficient heating capability for predicted usage while avoiding unnecessary energy consumption from full charging.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary determination of the desired degree of charge before actual charging occurs. The control unit calculates the optimal charge level in advance based on forecasted vehicle usage patterns and environmental conditions, then charges the heat storage device to this predetermined level, avoiding both overcharging and insufficient heating capability.
2Quantity of substance
If the heat storage device is fully charged using external power grid, then the thermal energy availability is improved, but the electrical energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system charges the heat storage device only to the extent necessary (partial charging), determined by the control unit based on reference parameters. This provides sufficient thermal energy availability for predicted heating needs while consuming less electrical energy compared to full charging from the external power grid.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit dynamically adjusts the desired degree of charge parameter based on changing reference parameters such as outside temperature, vehicle usage profile, and ambient temperature. This parameter adjustment optimizes the balance between thermal energy availability and electrical energy consumption from the external power grid.
3Reliability
If the heat storage device is charged to a high degree to ensure heating capability during non-use phases, then the heating reliability is improved, but the energy cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit determines a desired degree of charge that is optimized rather than maximal. This partial charging level provides sufficient heating reliability during non-use phases based on the vehicle usage profile, while avoiding the excessive energy cost associated with charging to 100% capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the vehicle usage profile as feedback to continuously optimize the desired degree of charge. The control unit analyzes usage patterns and adjusts the charge level to maintain adequate heating reliability while minimizing energy costs, creating a closed-loop optimization system.
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 energy consumption during charging, maintains vehicle range in cold conditions, and ensures the heat storage is only partially charged with the thermal energy needed, thereby saving electrical energy and enhancing operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a heat storage device (14) for storing thermal energy
Implementation Method 2
an electric heating device (20) for charging the heat storage, wherein the electric heating device (20) enables the heat storage device (14) to be charged using electrical energy
Implementation Method 3
thermal insulation (16) for insulating the heat storage
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a motor vehicle (10), in particular an electric motor vehicle or a hybrid motor vehicle. The motor vehicle (10) has a heat storage unit (14) for storing thermal energy and a control unit (24). The control unit (24) is configured to determine a desired charge level of the heat storage unit (14) as a function of at least one received reference parameter (R1, R2, R3, R4) and to control the charging of the heat storage unit (14) with thermal energy up to the desired charge level. Preferably, the charge level of the heat storage unit (14) can thus be adapted to an outside temperature, a weather forecast, a user input, and/or a vehicle usage profile.