Power Semiconductor Waste Heat Battery Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery systems for electric vehicles require additional heating elements for cold starts, increasing complexity, weight, and cost, which are not efficiently addressed by current temperature control methods.
Innovation Solution
A temperature control device utilizing waste heat from power semiconductors to heat the battery system, eliminating the need for additional heating elements by integrating the power semiconductor with the temperature control unit, allowing for efficient and cost-effective heating through a circulation system and feed unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a separate temperature control element is used to heat the battery, then the battery can be heated during cold starts, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the temperature control unit with the power semiconductor housing, integrating the heating function into the existing power electronics structure. This eliminates the need for separate heating elements and reduces system complexity while maintaining the ability to heat the battery during cold starts.
Solution Approach 2:
The power semiconductor housing is designed to serve multiple functions: electrical connection, structural support, and thermal management (both cooling and heating). By making the housing multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for separate dedicated heating elements, thereby reducing system complexity.
2Temperature
If additional heating elements are added to the battery system, then heating capability is improved, but the weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating function is merged into the existing power semiconductor housing structure. The housing now serves as both the mounting structure for power semiconductors and the temperature control unit for heating/cooling the battery. This integration eliminates the need for separate heating elements and their associated mounting hardware, thereby reducing overall system weight.
3Temperature
If separate temperature control elements and coolant pumps are used, then temperature control is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power semiconductor housing is designed as a multi-functional component that integrates electrical connection, structural support, and thermal management functions. The same housing structure and coolant flow paths are used for both heating and cooling operations, eliminating the need for separate dedicated heating elements and reducing the overall component count.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a reversible coolant flow approach where the direction of coolant flow through the power semiconductor housing can be changed to achieve either heating or cooling. This dynamic control of coolant flow direction allows a single integrated structure to perform multiple thermal management functions, reducing component quantity.
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 solution reduces system complexity and weight while providing efficient heating for battery systems, particularly during cold starts, by leveraging waste heat from power semiconductors, thus saving costs and enhancing performance.
Implementation Method 1
the temperature control unit can be heated by waste heat of the at least one power semiconductor, which waste heat is produced during the disconnection and/or establishment of the flow of electrical current
Implementation Method 2
the at least one power semiconductor is assigned to the temperature control unit in such a way that the temperature control unit can be heated by waste heat
Implementation Method 3
a circulation system with a temperature control unit for controlling the temperature of at least one battery of the battery system
Data Source
AI summary
A temperature control device (1) for a battery system (100) having a circulation system (10) with a temperature control unit (20) for controlling the temperature of at least one battery (110) of the battery system (100), and at least one power semiconductor (30) for disconnecting and establishing a flow of electrical current between the at least one battery (110) and a consumer (200) of the at least one battery (110), wherein the at least one power semiconductor (30) is assigned to the temperature control unit (20) in such a way that the temperature control unit (20) can be heated by waste heat of the at least one power semiconductor (30) which is produced during the disconnection and/or establishment of the flow of electrical current.