Vehicle Thermal Management Control via Predictive Heat Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric vehicle thermal management systems inefficiently manage power consumption, as they rely on fixed logic for thermal management of components like high-voltage batteries, leading to unnecessary energy expenditure due to disturbances such as vehicle speed and ambient temperature.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that uses an optimal control technique to determine the required amount of heat exchange based on the states of vehicle components and disturbances, controlling the thermal management apparatus by calculating future heat exchange needs through past data, and adjusting the operation of components like the water pump and radiation fan to minimize power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixed logic control is used for thermal management based on temperature thresholds, then thermal management targets are met, but power consumption increases due to unnecessary operation during disturbances
Solution Approach 1:
The control system transitions from fixed static logic to dynamic control by continuously adjusting thermal management operations based on real-time temperature deviations, vehicle speed, ambient temperature, and predicted future states. The controller dynamically modifies pump and fan operations rather than using fixed on/off thresholds, enabling adaptive response to changing conditions and reducing unnecessary power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by predicting future thermal states and disturbances (vehicle speed, ambient temperature) to preemptively adjust thermal management operations. The controller calculates predicted future temperatures and proactively controls the pump and fan before excessive heating or cooling occurs, preventing the need for intensive corrective operations that would consume more power.
2Reliability
If thermal management apparatus operates continuously to maintain temperature, then component thermal durability is improved, but energy efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system implements multi-loop feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring actual temperature, comparing it with predicted future temperature, and adjusting pump and fan operations accordingly. The feedback includes temperature deviation from target, vehicle speed feedback, and ambient temperature feedback, enabling precise control that maintains thermal durability while minimizing energy waste through opportunistic cooling when conditions permit.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters dynamically by adjusting pump flow rate and fan rotation speed based on real-time conditions rather than maintaining fixed high-level operations. The controller modulates these parameters to achieve minimum necessary cooling, transitioning from continuous full-power operation to variable-speed operation that maintains thermal durability while improving energy efficiency.
3Device complexity
If simple fixed logic control is implemented, then system complexity is reduced, but energy optimization capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into distinct functional modules: a prediction unit that forecasts future temperature and disturbance states, a control unit that calculates optimal operations, and execution units that control the pump and fan. This segmentation allows complex optimization algorithms to be implemented in a structured manner, managing system complexity while achieving superior energy optimization compared to simple fixed logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system introduces intermediary computational layers between the sensors and the actuators. Rather than directly controlling pump and fan based on raw temperature readings, the system uses intermediate predicted future states and calculated optimal operations as mediators. This intermediary processing enables energy optimization while the modular structure manages complexity through clear separation of prediction, calculation, and control functions.
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 allows for efficient thermal management of vehicle components while minimizing power consumption, improving driving distance on a single charge and enhancing thermal durability by actively managing component temperatures, thus optimizing energy use and performance.
Implementation Method 1
a radiator, a coolant line circulating the radiator and the thermal management apparatus
Implementation Method 2
a radiation fan for dissipating heat from the radiator
Implementation Method 3
a water pump for circulating coolant in the coolant line
Implementation Method 4
calculating an amount of heat exchange between the vehicle component and the thermal management apparatus
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for controlling a vehicle thermal management apparatus, may include a component state unit of collecting a state of a vehicle component, a disturbance collection unit of collecting a state of a disturbance affecting thermal management of the vehicle component, a determination unit of calculating an amount of heat exchange between the vehicle component and a thermal management apparatus, which is required in the future, based on a past state value of the vehicle component collected through the component state unit and a past state value of the disturbance collected through the disturbance collection unit, and an operation unit of controlling operation of the thermal management apparatus based on the amount of heat exchange determined by the calculation unit.