Switchable Thermal Circuit for Battery Self-Heating From Drive Heat
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrified vehicles face challenges in efficiently utilizing heat generated by drive devices for self-heating of electrical storage devices, leading to suboptimal thermal management and performance.
Innovation Solution
A thermal management system that includes a network of flow paths for a heat medium, an electrical storage device, a drive device, a radiator, and a chiller, with a switching device to form a heating circuit for efficient self-heating and heat utilization, and includes temperature sensors and pumps for controlled heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If heat from drive device is not utilized for self-heating, then electrical storage device can be heated independently, but heat from drive device is wasted and self-heating efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the heating function of the electrical storage device with the heat generation from the drive device by connecting them through a heat medium circulation system. The heat medium flows through both the drive device and electrical storage device, transferring waste heat from the drive device to the electrical storage device, thereby combining two separate thermal management functions into one integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the waste heat generated by the drive device, which would otherwise be dissipated uselessly, into a beneficial heating source for the electrical storage device. By capturing and redirecting this waste heat through the heat medium circulation system, the system transforms an energy loss into a useful thermal resource that improves self-heating efficiency.
2Productivity
If heating circuit is formed using all flow paths, then heat transfer efficiency is maximized, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat medium circulation system is designed with multi-functionality, where the same circulation system serves both cooling and heating operations. The switching device enables the system to reconfigure flow paths dynamically, allowing the heating circuit to utilize existing flow paths for multiple purposes (cooling drive device, heating electrical storage device), thereby achieving high heating efficiency without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a switching device that dynamically reconfigures the flow path connections based on operational requirements. During heating operation, the switching device connects the heat medium circulation system to form a heating circuit between the drive device and electrical storage device. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to achieve optimal heating efficiency only when needed, rather than maintaining a permanently complex heated state.
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 enables efficient self-heating of electrical storage devices while effectively utilizing heat from drive devices, enhancing the performance and efficiency of electrified vehicles by maintaining optimal temperatures for both driving and charging.
Implementation Method 1
an electrical storage device configured to exchange heat with the heat medium in the first flow path
Implementation Method 2
a first flow path configured to allow a heat medium to flow through the flow path
Implementation Method 3
a drive device configured to exchange heat with the heat medium in the second flow path
Implementation Method 4
a second flow path configured to allow a heat medium to flow through the flow path
Implementation Method 5
a radiator located in the third flow path
Implementation Method 6
a radiator located in the third flow path
Implementation Method 7
a chiller device located in the fourth flow path
Implementation Method 8
a switching device configured to switch a connection state between the first flow path, the second flow path, the third flow path, and the fourth flow path
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal management system includes: an electrical storage device located in a first flow path; a drive device located in a second flow path; a radiator located in a third flow path, a chiller device located in a fourth flow path, and a switching device. In the thermal management system, when heating the electrical storage device, the switching device is controlled so as to cause a heating circuit having one heat medium path in which a heat medium circulates through the first flow path, the fourth flow path, the second flow path, and the third flow path to be formed.