Vehicle Thermal Airflow Control for Battery and Motor Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal management systems in electrified vehicles, such as electric vehicles, face challenges in optimizing energy efficiency due to the need for integrated thermal management of components like high-voltage batteries and motors, which are sensitive to temperature, and the inefficiency of internal air conditioning systems.
Innovation Solution
A thermal management system using a fluid transfer device with an inlet, blowing device, and opening/closing mechanism, controlled by a predictive model to optimize air flow rates for minimal electric power consumption while meeting thermal management constraints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a conventional thermal management system is used in electrified vehicles, then basic cooling functions are provided, but energy efficiency is insufficient due to lack of integrated control and predictive optimization
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary thermal management actions by predicting future thermal states of battery and motor components. The controller calculates predictive thermal management values in advance and executes cooling operations before thermal issues arise, optimizing energy efficiency while maintaining system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements closed-loop feedback control where the controller continuously monitors actual thermal management values, compares them with predictive values, and adjusts fluid transfer device operations accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables dynamic optimization of energy efficiency while coordinating multiple thermal management functions.
2Use of energy by moving object
If separate control systems are used for battery thermal management and motor thermal management, then individual component control is simplified, but overall energy efficiency deteriorates due to lack of integration
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges battery thermal management and motor thermal management into a single integrated control framework. The controller calculates predictive thermal management values that coordinate fluid transfer to both battery and motor simultaneously, optimizing overall energy efficiency by treating the thermal management system as a unified whole rather than separate subsystems.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid transfer device is designed with multi-functionality to serve both battery cooling and motor cooling purposes. By using a single integrated system that can dynamically allocate cooling capacity to different components based on predictive needs, the system achieves universal thermal management functionality while improving overall energy efficiency.
3Reliability
If traditional control methods are used without predictive models, then system operation is straightforward, but thermal management performance deteriorates in diverse driving scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary calculations of predictive thermal management values based on current operating conditions and environmental factors. By anticipating future thermal requirements before they occur, the system maintains reliable thermal management performance across diverse driving scenarios while using a computationally efficient control approach.
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
Enhances the performance and efficiency of thermal management across various vehicle components by accurately determining optimal operation points in diverse driving scenarios, reducing energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid transfer device including an inlet configured to introduce ambient air around the vehicle therein... the fluid transfer device being configured to execute thermal management of at least one object, to be thermally managed, through the introduced ambient air
Data Source
AI summary
In a thermal management system for a vehicle and a method for controlling the same, the thermal management system includes a fluid transfer device configured to execute thermal management of at least one object, to be thermally managed, through introduced ambient air, and a controller configured to determine a target air flow rate required for thermal management of the at least one object to be thermally managed, and to control the fluid transfer device based on an optimal control value determined using a control model for a predictive state value according to a current state value and the target air flow rate.