Vehicle Heating System Integrating Battery and Indoor Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicles face inefficiencies in energy management for indoor air conditioning and battery heating/cooling, leading to reduced driving range and potential battery damage due to mismatched temperature requirements between the heating system and battery temperature-raising systems.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle heating system that integrates an indoor heating line and a battery heating line with heat exchange passages and valves to efficiently manage coolant flow, preventing excessive temperatures from reaching the battery and optimizing energy use by sharing coolant between systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a high-capacity PTC heater is installed to solve winter heating, then heating performance is improved, but travel distance is shortened and cost and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the indoor heating system and battery temperature management system into a single integrated system. The coolant heater serves both indoor heating and battery warming functions, while the heat pump can serve both functions. The radiator serves dual purposes as both a cooling device and a heating heat source. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate high-capacity PTC heaters, reducing energy consumption and extending travel distance while maintaining heating performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements multi-functionality where the coolant heater, heat pump, and radiator can operate in multiple modes. The coolant heater can provide both indoor heating and battery warming. The heat pump can serve as a heater or cooler depending on conditions. The radiator can function as a heat source for heating or a heat sink for cooling. This universal approach replaces dedicated single-function high-capacity heaters with versatile components.
2Loss of energy
If the heating system and battery temperature-raising system share coolant, then energy efficiency is improved, but high temperature coolant may damage the battery if control is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic control strategies where the control unit continuously monitors temperatures and adjusts system operation in real-time. The coolant flow paths, valve positions, and heater/power consumption are dynamically adjusted based on current temperature conditions. This dynamic adaptation ensures that while energy is efficiently shared between heating and battery management, the battery temperature remains within safe operational limits at all times.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback control where temperature sensors monitor both indoor air temperature and battery temperature, and the control unit uses this feedback to adjust coolant flow distribution and heater operation. When battery temperature approaches critical levels, the system automatically adjusts coolant allocation to prevent overheating, ensuring battery safety while maintaining overall energy efficiency.
3Ease of operation
If separate cooling and heating systems are used for indoor air conditioning and battery temperature control, then temperature management is simplified, but energy consumption increases and driving range is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines previously separate indoor air conditioning and battery temperature control systems into a unified thermal management system. The coolant circulation system, heater, and heat pump serve both indoor climate control and battery temperature management simultaneously. This merging reduces redundant energy consumption while maintaining simplified operation through centralized control of the integrated system.
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 system effectively raises battery temperature while preventing damage from high coolant temperatures, reducing the load on the heater and enhancing the vehicle's driving range by efficiently managing energy for both indoor air conditioning and battery heating.
Implementation Method 1
a first heat exchange flow passage that connects a downstream point of the heater core to a first side of the battery heat exchange part; and a second heat exchange flow passage that connects a second side of the battery heat exchange part and an upstream point of the coolant heater; wherein the first heat exchange flow passage and the second heat exchange flow passage is configured to mutually exchange heat
Implementation Method 2
a coolant heater and a heater core for indoor air conditioning
Implementation Method 3
provided with a first pump so that coolant flows therein
Data Source
AI summary
An indoor heating line is arranged to pass through a heater core for a coolant heater and indoor air conditioning, and is provided with a first pump so that coolant can flow. A battery heating line is branched from a downstream point of the heater core and connected to an upstream point of the coolant heater after passing through a battery heat exchange part for temperature-raising a high voltage battery, where the battery heating line includes a first heat exchange flow passage that connects a downstream point of the heater core to a first side of the battery heat exchange part, and a second heat exchange flow passage that connects a second side thereof and an upstream point of the coolant heater, where the first heat exchange flow passage and the second heat exchange flow passage are configured to mutually exchange heat.