Vehicle RESS Cooling Control Logic for Capacity Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for cooling rechargeable energy storage systems in vehicles are not optimal, particularly when the system has limited life remaining, as they do not effectively manage temperature within desired limits to prevent faster capacity loss.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that determine whether the vehicle is charging and in a propulsion ready state, initiating cooling only when not charging and not in a propulsion ready state, and under conditions that promote faster capacity loss, using a controller and cooling system to manage the cooling process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If continuous cooling of the RESS is implemented to maintain temperature within limits, then temperature control is improved, but capacity loss accelerates when life remaining is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system dynamically adjusts its operation based on real-time monitoring of temperature, state of charge, and remaining life parameters. The controller modulates cooling activation and intensity according to current operating conditions, transitioning from static continuous cooling to dynamic conditional cooling that adapts to the RESS health state.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by introducing conditional logic that considers state of charge thresholds and remaining life metrics alongside temperature. This multi-parameter control strategy modifies the cooling decision criteria from temperature-only to a composite of temperature, charge state, and life remaining, preventing premature cooling that accelerates degradation.
2Device complexity
If cooling is activated based solely on temperature thresholds, then temperature management is simplified, but capacity loss is not prevented under limited life conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary assessments of state of charge and remaining life before activating cooling. By evaluating these parameters in advance and establishing conditional thresholds, the system prevents premature cooling actions that would accelerate capacity loss, ensuring cooling is only initiated when truly necessary for temperature management.
3Stability of the object's composition
If aggressive cooling strategies are used to maintain optimal temperature, then temperature stability is improved, but system life is reduced due to faster capacity loss
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial cooling action only when necessary by introducing conditional thresholds based on state of charge and remaining life. Instead of continuous or aggressive cooling, the system uses minimal necessary cooling intervention, activating only when temperature exceeds thresholds and other conditions permit, thereby reducing overall thermal stress on the RESS.
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 improves the cooling of rechargeable energy storage systems by ensuring optimal temperature management, thereby extending the life of the system and maintaining desired capacity.
Implementation Method 1
cooling the RESS when the RESS temperature approaches an upper or lower RESS temperature limit
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and vehicles are provided that provide for cooling of a vehicle rechargeable energy storage system (RESS). A cooling system is coupled to the RESS, and is configured to cool the RESS. A control system is coupled to the cooling system, and is configured to determine whether the RESS is charging, determine whether the vehicle is in a propulsion ready state, and initiate cooling of the RESS if the RESS is not charging and the vehicle is not in the propulsion ready state, provided further that one or more conditions are present that would promote faster than desired capacity loss for the RESS.