Reversible Battery Module Heating Circuit for Low-Voltage Cold Starts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicle batteries face limited functionality in low-temperature environments due to severe discharge capacity decay and inability to charge, requiring heating but existing methods rely on high-voltage power sources, limiting practicality and increasing costs.
Innovation Solution
A heating system comprising a first and second battery module, switches, and a control unit that reversibly connects the modules during charging, allowing heating with a low-voltage power source or power grid, reducing the input power source requirement and enabling simultaneous heating of both modules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a particular high-voltage power source is used to heat batteries in low-temperature environments, then heating function is achieved, but the requirement on power source increases and practicality decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reverses the conventional heating approach by connecting battery modules in parallel with opposite polarity configurations. Instead of using a high-voltage power source to force current through batteries, the system allows batteries to discharge in parallel, generating heat internally through their own voltage difference. This inversion eliminates the need for external high-voltage power sources and makes the heating function adaptable to standard power sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery modules heat themselves by utilizing their own stored energy. When connected in parallel with opposite polarity, the voltage difference between modules drives current flow, and the internal resistance of the batteries converts this current into heat. This self-heating mechanism eliminates dependency on external high-voltage power sources, improving versatility and practicality.
2Temperature
If a particular high-voltage power source is used for battery heating, then heating capability is provided, but implementation complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is designed to work with standard low-voltage power sources (such as household outlets) rather than requiring specialized high-voltage equipment. By using common switches and standard electrical connections, the system becomes easier to manufacture and implement. The same circuit configuration can serve both heating and charging functions, further reducing overall system cost.
3Temperature
If batteries are heated using existing methods, then heating is achieved, but heating efficiency is limited due to sequential processing
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple battery modules are connected in parallel to form a unified heating circuit. This allows current to flow simultaneously through all connected modules, enabling parallel heating. The merging of multiple heating paths into a single circuit configuration achieves efficient simultaneous heating of all battery modules, significantly improving heating efficiency compared to sequential methods.
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 heats battery modules using a low-voltage power source, enhancing practicality, reducing costs, and improving heating efficiency, while protecting the batteries from overheating and explosion risks.
Implementation Method 1
the first battery module and the second battery module can be heated through a low-voltage power source or a power grid
Data Source
AI summary
A heating system includes first and second input ends, first and second battery modules, first switch and second switches, and a control unit. The first switch is connected between first terminals of the first and second battery modules. Second terminals of the first and second battery modules are connected to each other. The second switch is connected between the first input end and the first terminal of the second battery module. The second input end is connected to the first terminal of the first battery module. The first terminals of the first and second battery modules have a same polarity, and the second terminals of the first and second battery modules have a same polarity. The control unit is connected to the first and second switches, and configured to control the first and second switches to be turned on or off.