Vehicle Thermal Buffer Preconditioning Using Scheduled Load Timing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing thermal preconditioning methods for vehicle thermal buffers often result in unnecessary energy consumption and potential component damage due to inefficient timing and intensity of preconditioning processes.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for thermal preconditioning of vehicle thermal buffers, which involves providing scheduled operational information to determine if cooling or heating is needed to reach a pre-determined temperature level, and then preconditioning the buffer accordingly at a scheduled initialization time based on the scheduled operational load.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If thermal preconditioning is performed periodically or in advance, then the thermal buffer is ready for operation, but unnecessary energy consumption occurs and component damage may result

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereadiness of thermal bufferVSAvoidenergy consumption for preconditioning

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs thermal preconditioning in advance based on scheduled operational information, determining the required pre-determined temperature level and timing before actual operation begins. This allows the thermal buffer to be prepared optimally before needed rather than continuously or arbitrarily

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from scheduled operational information to adjust the preconditioning process, determining whether cooling or heating is needed based on the scheduled operational load and initialization time, thereby avoiding unnecessary energy consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Temperature

If thermal preconditioning is performed continuously or frequently, then the thermal buffer maintains optimal temperature, but energy consumption increases and component wear occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature stability of thermal bufferVSAvoidenergy loss from continuous preconditioning

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous preconditioning, the system performs thermal preconditioning periodically based on scheduled operational information, activating heating or cooling only when needed to reach the pre-determined temperature level before scheduled operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the preconditioning process based on scheduled operational load and initialization time, determining whether cooling or heating is needed and to what temperature level, rather than applying fixed continuous preconditioning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Use of energy by moving object

If thermal preconditioning is delayed until operation is needed, then energy consumption is reduced, but the thermal buffer may not be properly prepared

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidoperational readiness

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system determines the pre-determined temperature level and timing for preconditioning based on scheduled operational information before operation begins, ensuring the thermal buffer is ready when needed while avoiding unnecessary energy consumption from premature or continuous preconditioning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 reduces energy consumption and minimizes component damage by ensuring that thermal preconditioning is aligned with the vehicle's operational schedule, thereby avoiding both unnecessary preconditioning and inadequate preparation.

Implementation Method 1

preconditioning the thermal buffer in accordance with the scheduled operational information such that the thermal buffer is thermally preconditioned by cooling or heating to the pre-determined level

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

preconditioning the thermal buffer in accordance with the scheduled operational information such that the thermal buffer is thermally preconditioned by cooling or heating to the pre-determined level

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Data Source

PatentUS12311736B2Method for thermal preconditioning a thermal buffer in a vehicle

Publication Date: 2025.05.27 VOLVO TRUCK CORP

AI summary

A method for thermal preconditioning at least one thermal buffer in a thermal system of a vehicle, the thermal system being a rechargeable energy storage system, RESS, and/or an energy transformation system comprising fuel cells. The method includes providing scheduled operational information of the thermal buffer, the scheduled operational information comprising a scheduled initialization time and scheduled operational load of the thermal buffer, determining whether the thermal buffer is in need of cooling or heating in order to reach a pre-determined temperature level, preconditioning the thermal buffer in accordance with the scheduled operational information such that the thermal buffer is thermally preconditioned by cooling or heating to the pre-determined level in accordance with the scheduled operational load at a time in accordance with the scheduled initialization time.