REESS Thermal Management via Dynamic Active Passive Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
The thermal management of rechargeable energy storage systems (RESS) in vehicles is inefficient, affecting the vehicle's range and battery life, as existing systems fail to effectively regulate temperature based on varying operating modes and ambient conditions during charging.
Innovation Solution
A method that dynamically adjusts the RESS thermal system by determining a target temperature range based on current vehicle operating mode and ambient temperature, employing active or passive heating/cooling strategies to maintain optimal temperatures, and powers down the system to wake up only when necessary for thermal conditioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If active heating or cooling is employed to rapidly adjust RESS temperature, then the response speed increases, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between passive thermal management mode and active thermal management mode based on real-time temperature conditions, vehicle operating mode, and charging status. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to use passive cooling when sufficient and active cooling only when necessary, optimizing both response speed and energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by adjusting coolant flow rates, pump speeds, and thermal management intensity based on the current state. During passive cooling, lower energy parameters are used, while active cooling employs higher energy parameters to achieve rapid temperature adjustment when needed
2Reliability
If the RESS thermal system runs continuously to maintain optimal temperature, then temperature control reliability improves, but energy efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic monitoring and conditional activation rather than continuous operation. The control module periodically assesses temperature conditions and activates heating or cooling only when deviations from the optimal temperature range are detected, ensuring reliable temperature control while minimizing energy waste during normal operating conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system leverages passive thermal management capabilities (natural convection, ambient temperature utilization) to maintain RESS temperature within acceptable ranges without active intervention. The thermal management system serves itself by using environmental conditions and vehicle operating heat to maintain temperature, requiring active system intervention only when passive methods are insufficient
3Loss of energy
If passive heating or cooling is used to conserve energy, then energy efficiency improves, but the time required to adjust temperature increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically transitions between passive and active thermal management modes based on the urgency of temperature adjustment needs. When rapid temperature correction is required (such as before charging or in extreme conditions), the system switches to active mode to minimize time loss, while during stable conditions it uses passive mode to maximize 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
This approach maximizes vehicle range and battery life by efficiently managing RESS temperature under different conditions, ensuring energy-efficient charging and protecting the battery from extreme temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
a refrigerant loop configured to selectively cool the coolant flowing through a chiller in the coolant loop
Implementation Method 2
the active heating using a greater amount of energy over a shorter time period than the passive heating
Implementation Method 3
the passive heating using a lesser amount of energy over a longer time period than the active heating
Implementation Method 4
the active cooling using a greater amount of energy over a shorter time period than the passive cooling
Implementation Method 5
the passive cooling using a lesser amount of energy over a longer time period than the active cooling
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating a RESS thermal system in a vehicle having a coolant loop for directing a coolant through a RESS and a refrigerant loop configured to selectively cool the coolant flowing through a chiller in the coolant loop, including: determining a current target temperature range for the RESS based on a current vehicle operating mode and ambient temperature; determining a temperature of the RESS; determining if the temperature of the RESS needs to increase or decrease to be within the current target temperature range; if the determination is made that the temperature of the RESS needs to increase, determining if an active heating or a passive heating of the coolant will be employed, the active heating using a greater amount of energy over a shorter time period than the passive heating; and activating the determined active heating or passive heating of the coolant.