Mixed-Chemistry Battery Pack Thermal Switching for Lower Power Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery heating and cooling systems for vehicles with parallel configured battery packs are inefficient, as they often require unnecessary power expenditure to maintain all battery cells within an optimal temperature range, especially when not all cells are utilized initially.
Innovation Solution
A flexible battery heating and cooling system that includes a coolant loop with flow control, allowing for independent heating/cooling of different sets of battery cells based on their distinct chemistries and operational needs, and switching between modes to optimize power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heating or cooling is applied to all battery cells, then all cells are maintained within the operational temperature window, but unnecessary power is expended when not all cells are utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack is divided into multiple modules, each with independent heating and cooling capabilities. The flow control device segments the coolant flow to specific modules based on their operational status and temperature requirements, allowing selective thermal management without energizing the entire battery pack.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies thermal management only to the extent necessary - cooling or heating is applied only to modules that are currently active and require temperature control, rather than applying full thermal management to all modules. The flow control device adjusts coolant flow to provide partial thermal management action.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single coolant loop serves all battery cells, then the system is simple, but it cannot selectively cool/heating individual cells or modules
Solution Approach 1:
The single coolant loop is segmented into multiple branches, with each branch serving a specific battery module. Flow control devices are positioned at branch points to direct coolant flow to specific modules as needed, enabling selective thermal management while maintaining a relatively simple overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The coolant loop configuration is made dynamic through the use of flow control devices that can adjust and redirect coolant flow in real-time based on which battery modules are active and require thermal management. This allows the system to adapt its cooling/heating distribution without requiring multiple fixed separate loops.
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 effectively maintains battery cells within their operational temperature window while minimizing power consumption by selectively heating/cooling only the necessary cells, thereby extending battery lifespan and improving vehicle efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a coolant loop having a first portion passing through the first set of battery cells, a second portion passing through the second set of battery cells
Implementation Method 2
a flow control device, and a controller configured to cause the flow control device to limit coolant to the first portion in a first mode of operation
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a vehicle includes drawing operational power from a first set of battery cells and providing heating/cooling to the first set of battery cells and not to a second set of battery cells to maintain the first set of battery cells within an operational temperature window in a first mode of operation. The method switches to a second mode of operation in response to a power assist request, and draws operational power from the first set of battery cells and a second set of battery cells and provides heating/cooling to maintain the first set of battery cells and the second set of battery cells within the operational temperature window during the second mode of operation.