Mobility Vehicle Coolant Sharing for Battery Charging Heat Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicle batteries face inefficiencies in thermal management, particularly during charging, where overheating can lead to damage and reduced charging efficiency, and existing solutions are costly and inefficient, especially when considering the need for large-capacity heaters and compressors that increase vehicle load and reduce fuel efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A coolant management system that shares coolant between an external thermal management station and the electric vehicle's battery, using a refrigerant circuit with a compressor, condenser, expander, and evaporator, along with heat exchangers and pumps, to optimize temperature management through an external thermal management station connected to the vehicle, allowing for efficient cooling and heating of the battery and interior.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a battery coolant line is provided for thermal management of the battery, then the battery temperature can be controlled, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the battery thermal management system with the vehicle's existing air conditioning refrigerant circuit. The refrigerant circuit, which already contains a compressor, condenser, evaporator, and expansion valve, is integrated with the battery coolant line through heat exchangers. This merging allows the battery to be cooled or heated using the same thermal management infrastructure, reducing overall system complexity and cost while maintaining effective temperature control.
2Temperature
If large-capacity heaters and compressors are installed for thermal management, then the battery can be effectively heated and cooled, but the vehicle load increases and fuel efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the refrigerant circuit serve multiple functions: it cools the battery during charging, heats the battery when needed, and simultaneously provides air conditioning for the vehicle interior. By using the refrigerant system's compression and expansion processes to manage both battery and cabin temperatures, the system eliminates the need for separate large-capacity heating and cooling devices, thereby reducing vehicle load and improving fuel efficiency.
3Productivity
If the battery is overheated during charging, then charging speed can be maintained, but the battery becomes vulnerable to damage and power efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where the controller continuously monitors the battery temperature and adjusts the refrigerant flow through the battery coolant line accordingly. When the battery temperature approaches critical levels during fast charging, the controller modulates the expansion valve and compressor operation to increase cooling capacity, ensuring the battery remains within safe temperature ranges while maintaining optimal charging speed.
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 system enhances battery charging efficiency by managing temperature effectively, reduces the need for internal heating and cooling systems, and optimizes energy use for air conditioning, thereby improving overall vehicle efficiency and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a first heat exchanger configured to exchange heat with the evaporator of the refrigerant circuit
Implementation Method 2
an evaporator, a first heat exchanger configured to exchange heat with the evaporator of the refrigerant circuit
Implementation Method 3
a condenser, a second heat exchanger configured to exchange heat with the condenser of the refrigerant circuit
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment coolant management system for a mobility vehicle includes an inlet line and an outlet line configured to be connected to an external thermal management station and configured to selectively supply a cooling or heating coolant, a refrigerant circuit that circulates a refrigerant therethrough, the refrigerant circuit including a compressor, a condenser, an expander, and an evaporator, a first coolant line that circulates a coolant therethrough, wherein a battery and a first heat exchanger that exchanges heat with the evaporator of the refrigerant circuit are provided on the first coolant line, a second coolant line configured to circulate the coolant therethrough, wherein a second heat exchanger that exchanges heat with the condenser of the refrigerant circuit is provided on the second coolant line, and a controller that communicates with the external thermal management station and control respective valves to manage a temperature of the coolant.