Vehicle Heating Mode Control for Lower EV Cabin Energy Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicles face challenges in efficiently heating the occupant compartment due to limited residual heat from high-energy-efficient powertrains, leading to increased energy consumption from electric heaters, which reduces operational range and increases environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
A method and control arrangement that optimizes the operation of a vehicle heating system by selecting between a heat pump circuit, electric heater, or their combination based on the lowest estimated energy consumption, utilizing residual heat from the coolant loop for heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If an electric heater is used to heat the occupant compartment, then heating effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases and operational range decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple heating sources (heat pump circuit, electric heater, and residual heat from coolant loop) into a unified heating system that can operate in different modes. The control arrangement merges these different heating mechanisms to provide flexible heating solutions that optimize energy consumption while maintaining effective heating of the occupant compartment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes operational parameters by selecting different heating modes (first mode with heat pump, second mode with electric heater, third mode with combination) based on real-time conditions such as ambient temperature, desired temperature, and energy consumption estimates. This parameter change allows the system to adapt to varying thermal demands and minimize energy usage.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a heat pump circuit is used to heat the occupant compartment, then energy efficiency is improved compared to electric heater, but energy consumption still increases operational range reduction
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes residual heat from the coolant loop that would otherwise be wasted, allowing the vehicle to serve its own heating needs without requiring additional energy input. By capturing and reusing this waste heat through the heat exchanger, the system reduces its dependency on external energy sources and minimizes the impact on operational range.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful waste heat from the coolant loop into a beneficial heating resource for the occupant compartment. By capturing this previously discarded thermal energy and utilizing it for heating purposes, the system transforms an environmental burden into a valuable resource that extends operational range and reduces energy consumption.
3Use of energy by moving object
If residual heat from coolant loop is utilized for heating, then energy consumption is reduced, but heating capacity may be insufficient in extreme cold conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system dynamically adjusts its operational mode based on real-time thermal demands and environmental conditions. The control arrangement continuously monitors parameters such as ambient temperature, desired temperature, and coolant temperature, then dynamically selects the most appropriate heating mode (first, second, or third mode) to ensure sufficient heating capacity while minimizing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs a composite heating approach by combining multiple heating mechanisms (heat pump circuit, electric heater, and residual heat utilization) into a unified system. This composite structure allows the system to leverage the advantages of each individual heating method while compensating for their limitations, ensuring both energy efficiency and sufficient heating capacity across various operating conditions.
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
Minimizes energy consumption for heating, enhances energy efficiency, extends operational range, and reduces environmental impact by effectively utilizing residual heat from the coolant loop.
Implementation Method 1
a heat pump circuit, wherein heat can be extracted in an evaporator of the heat pump circuit, for example in heat exchanging contact with ambient air, part of the propulsion system, or the electrical storage system, and transferred to the occupant compartment via a condenser of the heat pump circuit
Implementation Method 2
an electric heater to warm the occupant compartment
Implementation Method 3
utilizing residual heat from the coolant loop for heating
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Method of controlling operation of a vehicle heating system (1), wherein the method comprises the steps of obtaining a remaining heating need of an occupant compartment (55) based on a current coolant temperature in a coolant loop (3) and a desired temperature of the occupant compartment (55), estimating an energy consumption for operation in a first mode in which the remaining heating need is met using a heat pump circuit (5), a second mode in which the remaining heating need is met using an electric heater (7), or a third mode in which the remaining heating need is met using a combination of the heat pump circuit (5) and the electric heater (7), and selecting to operate the vehicle heating system (1) in the first, second, or third mode based on the lowest estimated energy consumption.