Reversible Heat Pump Battery Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature control systems for electric vehicles fail to efficiently manage temperature differences between the battery, vehicle interior, and surrounding environment, limiting effective heating and cooling capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A temperature control device featuring a reversible heat pump process with two thermally coupled heat exchangers, allowing alternating coupling to different segments for efficient heat transfer between the battery, vehicle interior, and environment, and incorporating a regulating element and heating elements for enhanced control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional cooling circuit with heat exchangers is used, then cooling capability is provided, but the system cannot efficiently utilize temperature differences between battery, vehicle interior, and environment for both heating and cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches the coupling configuration of the first heat exchanger between the first upstream segment (vehicle interior) and second upstream segment (environment) based on real-time temperature requirements. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the same hardware to adapt to different operating conditions, enabling both heating and cooling modes while maximizing energy efficiency by leveraging existing temperature gradients.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature control device serves multiple functions: it can cool the vehicle interior by transferring heat to the battery, heat the battery by transferring heat from the vehicle interior or environment, and heat the vehicle interior by transferring heat from the battery. The first heat exchanger and its alternating coupling mechanism enable a single system to perform multiple temperature control functions, replacing the need for separate heating and cooling systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate heating and cooling systems are implemented, then comprehensive temperature control is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges heating and cooling functions into a single integrated temperature control device. The first heat exchanger, second heat exchanger, and temperature control chamber with alternating coupling form one unified system that can perform both heating and cooling operations. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components needed compared to traditional separate HVAC and battery thermal management systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a regulating element that can dynamically switch the first heat exchanger between two coupling configurations (first upstream segment or second upstream segment). This dynamic switching capability allows a single static hardware configuration to achieve multiple operational modes, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive temperature control functionality.
3Ease of operation
If the first heat exchanger is fixed to one segment, then simple control is achieved, but the system cannot respond to varying temperature needs of battery and vehicle interior
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic control through a regulating element that can switch the first heat exchanger's coupling between the first upstream segment and second upstream segment. This provides adaptive response to varying temperature needs while maintaining operational simplicity through automated control logic that selects the appropriate coupling configuration based on real-time temperature conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system monitors temperature conditions of the battery, vehicle interior, and environment, and uses this feedback to automatically determine the optimal coupling configuration for the first heat exchanger. This feedback mechanism enables the system to automatically adapt to changing temperature requirements without complex manual intervention, maintaining ease of operation while achieving high versatility.
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
Enables efficient temperature control of both the battery and vehicle interior by leveraging thermal gradients and convective heat transfer, allowing for both heating and cooling while optimizing energy use from the environment and battery waste heat.
Implementation Method 1
the first heat exchanger (4) is capable of being thermally coupled alternately to the first upstream segment (8) or to the second upstream segment (9)
Implementation Method 2
a medium can flow through the temperature control chamber, so that a convective heat transfer, in particular between the first heat exchanger and the medium, supports a controlling of the temperature
Implementation Method 3
the second heat exchanger (5) is thermally coupled to the battery (2)
Implementation Method 4
the thermal coupling of the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger is realized as a component of a reversible heat pump process. In this way, heat absorbed by the first heat exchanger can be transferred to the second heat exchanger, which then outputs this heat, or heat absorbed by the second heat exchanger can be transferred to the first heat exchanger, which then outputs this heat
Implementation Method 5
the at least one heating element can support the heating of the battery on the basis of an inherent heating when there is a flow of current, due to its internal resistance
Data Source
AI summary
A temperature control device for a battery and for a vehicle interior, having a first heat exchanger and having a second heat exchanger that are thermally coupled, the second heat exchanger being thermally coupled to the battery, and the first heat exchanger to a temperature control chamber that has a downstream segment that is thermally coupled to the vehicle interior and has a first upstream segment and a second upstream segment, the first upstream segment being thermally coupled to the vehicle interior and the second upstream segment to a surrounding environment of the vehicle, the first heat exchanger being capable of being thermally coupled alternately to the first upstream segment or to the second upstream segment.