Vehicle Battery Temperature Control via Dynamic Power Demand

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Solution Overview

Problem

In vehicles with battery management systems, the existing methods of charging and discharging batteries based on state of charge (SOC) lead to reduced fuel efficiency due to energy release, which is not optimized for driving conditions.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle control method that rapidly raises the temperature of the accumulator unit by dynamically controlling the internal combustion engine and motor based on set power demands, using a power demand setting module and controller to manage charging and discharging according to driving state and remaining capacity, ensuring efficient energy use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the battery is actively charged or discharged based on SOC, then the battery temperature can be maintained, but fuel efficiency deteriorates due to energy release not optimized for driving conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery temperatureVSAvoidfuel efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic control of battery charge/discharge operations based on real-time driving conditions, power demand, and battery state. The controller adjusts charging/discharging rates and timing to match actual vehicle operation requirements, transforming the static SOC-based control into a dynamic system that optimizes both temperature management and fuel efficiency simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes multiple parameters including charge/discharge current, power demand thresholds, and temperature setpoints based on driving conditions. By dynamically adjusting these parameters rather than using fixed SOC thresholds, the system achieves optimal balance between battery temperature maintenance and fuel consumption across varying operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Temperature

If the battery temperature is raised rapidly, then the battery performance improves, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccumulator unit temperatureVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary heating of the battery using waste heat from the engine or motor operations before high-performance operations are needed. By raising battery temperature in advance during periods of lower power demand, the system ensures optimal battery performance is ready when required without causing energy loss during critical driving moments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system converts waste heat from engine and motor operations into useful battery heating. By capturing and redirecting thermal energy that would otherwise be lost to the environment, the system raises battery temperature efficiently without additional energy consumption, turning a harmful waste product into a beneficial resource.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 enhances fuel efficiency by optimizing battery temperature and energy usage based on driving conditions, allowing the vehicle to operate with power corresponding to the set demand while rapidly raising the accumulator unit's temperature.

Implementation Method 1

an accumulator unit designed to transmit electric power to and from the motor; a controller configured to control the internal combustion engine and the motor so that the accumulator unit is charged or discharged

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBattery charge-discharge: Battery (electricity)

Implementation Method 2

the battery is actively charged by the generator when the battery does not have an allowance in the used SOC, and the battery is actively discharged with the motor consuming electric power output from the battery while reducing electric power generated from the generator or with the generator consuming electric power output from the battery

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS8424624B2Vehicle and control method of vehicle

Publication Date: 2013.04.23 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

The charge-discharge power demand is set to the charging power, when the state of charge of the battery is less than the reference value or when the state of charge of the battery is more than or equal to the reference value and less than the reference value while the vehicle power demand is less than reference value. The charge-discharge power demand is set to the discharging power, when the state of charge of the battery is more than or equal to the reference value or when the state of charge of the battery is more than or equal to the reference value and less than the reference value and while the vehicle power demand is more than or equal to the reference value. The charge-discharge power demand is set without change in value to the last set the charge-discharge power demand, when the state of charge of the battery is more than or equal to the reference value and less than the reference value while the vehicle power demand is more than or equal to the reference value and less than the reference value. The engine and the motors are so controlled as the battery is charged or discharged with the charge-discharge power demand and the vehicle is driven with vehicle power demand.