Preheating Vehicle Components for Cabin Heat

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Solution Overview

Problem

Plug-in electric vehicles lack a efficient method for heating passenger compartments without compromising vehicle range, as existing solutions either deplete electrical energy or require significant additional equipment.

Innovation Solution

A method that utilizes externally supplied electrical energy to heat key components like the internal-combustion engine and battery to a predefined temperature during standstill, using electric heating elements and existing cooling circuits to transfer thermal energy to the passenger compartment, minimizing energy consumption and equipment requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If electrical energy is extracted from the drive battery to heat the passenger compartment, then heating efficiency is improved (efficiency close to 1 or greater with heat pump), but the vehicle range is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidvehicle range

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by heating the drive battery and internal-combustion engine components to a predefined temperature during standstill phases before the vehicle is needed. This pre-heating stores thermal energy in the components themselves, which can then be utilized for passenger compartment heating without depleting the drive battery's operational energy reserves, thereby maintaining vehicle range while providing efficient heating when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of energy

If latent-heat storage devices are used to heat the passenger compartment, then vehicle range is preserved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle rangeVSAvoidheating system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by utilizing the drive battery and internal-combustion engine components themselves as thermal energy storage devices. These existing vehicle components serve dual purposes: their primary function for vehicle operation and their secondary function as heat sources for the passenger compartment. This eliminates the need for separate latent-heat storage devices, thereby reducing system complexity while preserving vehicle range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Temperature

If electric heating elements are used during standstill phase with external power supply, then heating effectiveness is improved, but electrical energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent temperatureVSAvoidelectrical energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the previously wasted thermal energy dissipated by the internal-combustion engine into a useful resource. During standstill phases, the system captures and stores this thermal energy in the engine components and drive battery, transforming what would be harmful heat loss into beneficial stored thermal energy that can later heat the passenger compartment without additional electrical energy consumption.

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

Effectively heats the passenger compartment with minimal impact on vehicle range, reducing electrical energy usage and extending the service life of heating elements by using thermal energy stored in components like the internal-combustion engine, which can be operated efficiently even in low external temperatures.

Implementation Method 1

to heat at least one of the components, at least partly, to a predefined temperature by means of externally supplied electrical energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

using electric heating elements and existing cooling circuits to transfer thermal energy to the passenger compartment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

using electric heating elements and existing cooling circuits to transfer thermal energy to the passenger compartment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat exchanger: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP3730323B1Method for heating a passenger compartment of a plug-in electric vehicle

Publication Date: 2023.06.07 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

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AI summary

The invention relates to a method for heating a passenger compartment of a plug-in electric vehicle (10) that comprises components (12, 20, 28, 36) such as an electric drive motor (20), a rechargeable battery (28) for supplying the electric motor (20), a power electronics unit (36) for providing and regulating electrical power between the rechargeable battery (28) and the electric drive motor (20), and possibly an internal-combustion engine (12). According to the invention, in a standstill phase of the plug-in electric vehicle (10), at least one of the components (12, 20, 28, 36) is heated, at least partly, to a predefined temperature by means of externally supplied electrical energy. In an operating phase of the plug-in electric vehicle (10), thermal energy is conducted from the at least one component (12, 20, 28, 36) to the passenger compartment (70).