Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] Embodiments disclosed herein relate to controlling a temperature of an electric vehicle battery and a vehicle cabin, and more particularly for managing heating and cooling of the vehicle cabin and the battery.
BACKGROUND
[002] In an electric vehicle (EV), in addition to cooling/heating the cabin, the battery(ies) present in the EV also needs to be thermally managed (heated/cooled). This can become difficult in extremely high/low ambient conditions, as the existing systems may not be able to manage heating/cooling both the cabin and the battery. If the cabin is not heated/cooled properly, the occupants can suffer from discomfort at the high/low ambient conditions. If the battery is not heated/cooled properly, the batteries are unable to operate efficiently, which can adversely affect the overall range of the EV.
OBJECTS
[003] The principal object of embodiments herein is to disclose methods and systems for performing the heating and cooling of the cabin and the battery(ies) in an Electric Vehicle (EV) using a coolant Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) heating strategy.
[004] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating at least one embodiment and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[005] Embodiments herein are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, through out which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[006] FIG. 1 depicts a system for performing the heating and cooling of the cabin and the battery(ies) in an Electric Vehicle (EV), according to embodiments as disclosed herein; and
[007] FIG. 2 depicts a process of performing the heating and cooling of the cabin and the battery(ies) in an Electric Vehicle (EV), according to embodiments as disclosed herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[008] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[009] The embodiments herein achieve methods and systems for performing the heating and cooling of the cabin and the battery(ies) in an Electric Vehicle (EV) using a coolant Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) heating strategy. Embodiments herein disclose an adaptive and feedback-based system and method, which mimics the control strategy of a Proportional–Integral–Derivative (PID) controller without introducing any additional controller/component in the system; thus, reducing both cost and complexity. Embodiments herein provide a superior cabin and battery cooling/heating performance. Embodiments herein can optimize the power consumption and thereby increases the range of the vehicle. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 2, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments herein.
[0010] Embodiments herein disclose a Control Unit (CU) and a method that includes a closed-loop feedback mechanism which takes input from other CUs as well as multiple sensors and in-built controllers. This facilitates simultaneous and uninterrupted function of Air Conditioner (AC) compressor and PTC heater even at extreme ambient conditions.
[0011] FIG. 1 depicts a system (100) for performing the heating and cooling of the cabin and the battery(ies) in an Electric Vehicle (EV). The system 100, as depicted, comprises the CU 101, a coolant heater 102, a Battery Management System (BMS) 103, a chiller solenoid 104, a chiller 105, a Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) unit 106 (comprising an evaporator 106A, and a cabin heater 106B), a condenser 107, a compressor 108, at least one coolant reservoir 109, a coolant heater 110, and one or more batteries 111.
[0012] The system 100 can further comprise a Temperature Control Unit (TCU) 112 and a Telematics Unit (TU) 113. The system 100 further comprises one or more user interfaces in the vehicle (not shown), which can enable an occupant of the vehicle (such as a driver of the vehicle, one or more passengers in the vehicle) to control the temperature of a cabin of the vehicle, wherein the TCU 112 controls the cabin of the vehicle based on the user inputs. Examples of the user inputs can be, a desired temperature, a fan speed, a circulation mode (re-circulation or fresh air), defogger (on/off), and so on.
[0013] The system 100 further comprises one or more communication interfaces (not shown), which enables a user of the vehicle (such as a driver of the vehicle, one or more passengers in the vehicle) to control the temperature of a cabin of the vehicle remotely (such as using an application on a device, a web interface, and so on), wherein the TU 113 receives the inputs from the user, communicates the received inputs to the TCU 112 and the TCU 112 accordingly controls the cabin of the vehicle based on the user inputs.
[0014] The system 100 further comprises a plurality of sensors, such as, but no limited to, an ambient sensor, an evaporator sensor, a coolant sensor, one or more pressure sensors, and so on (not shown).
[0015] In an embodiment herein, the cabin heater 106B can be a liquid coolant heater. The CU 101 controls the compressor 108 using a Controller Area Network (CAN). The BMS 103 controls the coolant heater using a Local Interconnect Network (LIN).
[0016] The CU 101 receives an indication from at least one of the BMS 103, or the TCU 112 to control the temperature of the cabin and/or the battery 111. The BMS 103 monitors the temperature of the battery 111 and the coolant in a continuous manner. On detecting that either one of the battery 111 or the coolant requires temperature control (which can be either cooling or heating), the BMS 103 accordingly sends the notification to the CU 101. The TCU 112 determines that the temperature of the cabin is to be changed (which can be either based on the inputs received from a user, and/or determining that the cabin of the vehicle is not at a determined temperature). The TCU 112 determines that the temperature of the cabin is to be changed (either increased or decreased), on determining that the temperature of the cabin varies from a pre-configured temperature level (at which the cabin has to be maintained). In an example herein, the pre-configured temperature can be within a range of 5 degrees Celsius to 35 degrees Celsius, as desired by the user. On determining that the temperature of the cabin is to be changed, the TCU 112 accordingly provides an indication to the CU 101. The CU 101 further checks inputs from the temperature sensor and the pressure sensor.
[0017] Based on the indication received from the BMS 103, the CU 101 turns on the cooling of the battery 111.
[0018] Based on the indication received from the TCU 112, the CU 101 controls the cabin temperature by turning on the condenser fan and sending a low voltage (LV) signal (indirectly via, the HVAC unit 106) to turn on the compressor 108 at a pre-defined Revolutions Per Minute (RPM). Once the compressor is turned ON, the CU 101 monitors a plurality of parameters, such as, but not limited to, speed of the vehicle, ambient temperature, coolant temperature, evaporator temperature. The CU 101 modulates the RPM of the compressor 108, based on the monitored parameters. In an example herein, the predefined RPM can vary from 1000 to 6500 RPM.
[0019] The CU 101 monitors the inputs received from the BMS 103 and the TCU 112, and turns on/off the battery cooling and the cabin cooling, based on the received inputs and data received from the temperature sensor and the pressure sensor.
[0020] FIG. 2 depicts a process of performing the heating and cooling of the cabin and the battery(ies) in an Electric Vehicle (EV). The BMS 103 monitors the temperature of the battery 111 and the coolant in a continuous manner. On detecting that either one of the battery 111 or the coolant requires temperature control (which can be either cooling or heating), in step 201, the BMS 103 accordingly sends the notification to the CU 101. In step 202, based on the indication received from the BMS 103, the CU 101 turns on the cooling of the battery 111.
[0021] On determining that the temperature of the cabin is to be changed (which can be either based on the inputs received from a user, and/or determining that the cabin of the vehicle is not at the pre-configured temperature), in step 203, the TCU 112 accordingly provides an indication to the CU 101.
[0022] In step 204, the CU 101 further checks inputs from the temperature sensor and the pressure sensor. Based on the indication received from the TCU 112, in step 205, the CU 101 controls the cabin temperature by turning on the condenser fan and sending a low voltage (LV) signal (indirectly via, the HVAC unit 106) to turn on the compressor 108 at the pre-defined RPM. The various actions in method 200 may be performed in the order presented, in a different order or simultaneously. Further, in some embodiments, some actions listed in FIG. 2 may be omitted.
[0023] Tables 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D and 1E depict an example strategy adopted by the CU 101 for controlling the compressor for cooling the cabin.
Compressor base RPM Matrix
A/C status Ambient Vehicle Speed Blower speed Compressor base RPM
On A1 V1 B1 R1
On B2 R2
On B3 R3
On A1 V¬2 B1 R4
On B2 R5
On B3 R6
On A2 V1 B1 R7
On B2 R8
On B3 R9
On A2 V¬2 B1 R10
On B2 R11
On B3 R12
On A3 V1, V2 B1 R13
On B2 R14
On B3 R15
Table 1A

Temperature Setting – 4
Evaporator Temperature Compressor RPM
E1 Ri1
E2 Ri2
E3 Ri3
E4 Ri4
E5 Ri5
Table 1B

Temperature Setting – 3
Evaporator Temperature Compressor RPM
E6 Ri6
E7 Ri7
E8 Ri8
E9 Ri9
E¬10 Ri10
Table 1C

Temperature Setting – 2
Evaporator Temperature Compressor RPM
E11 Ri11
E12 Ri12
E13 Ri13
E14 Ri14
E15 Ri15
Table 1D

Temperature Setting – 1
Evaporator Temperature Compressor RPM
E16 Ri16
E17 Ri17
E18 Ri18
E19 Ri19
E20 Ri20
Table 1E

[0024] Table 2 depicts an example strategy adopted by the CU 101 for cooling the battery.
Without remote cooling With remote cooling – low cooling With remote cooling – high cooling
IGN OFF
Normal charging R16 R17 R18
IGN OFF
Fast charging R19 R20 R21
IGN OFF
No charging R22 R23 R24
IGN ON
Only battery cooling R25 R26 R27
Table 2

[0025] Embodiments herein facilitate simultaneous and uninterrupted function of AC compressor and PTC heater even at extreme ambient conditions, hereby preventing occupant discomfort at high/low ambient condition and enabling efficient HV battery cooling/heating operation.
[0026] The embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented through at least one software program running on at least one hardware device and performing network management functions to control the network elements. The elements include blocks which can be at least one of a hardware device, or a combination of hardware device and software module.
[0027] The embodiment disclosed herein describes methods and systems for performing the heating and cooling of the cabin and the battery(ies) in an Electric Vehicle (EV). Therefore, it is understood that the scope of the protection is extended to such a program and in addition to a computer readable means having a message therein, such computer readable storage means contain program code means for implementation of one or more steps of the method, when the program runs on a server or mobile device or any suitable programmable device. The method is implemented in at least one embodiment through or together with a software program written in e.g., Very high-speed integrated circuit Hardware Description Language (VHDL), another programming language or implemented by one or more VHDL or several software modules being executed on at least one hardware device. The hardware device can be any kind of portable device that can be programmed. The device may also include means which could be e.g., hardware means like e.g., an ASIC, or a combination of hardware and software means, e.g., an ASIC and an FPGA, or at least one microprocessor and at least one memory with software modules located therein. The method embodiments described herein could be implemented partly in hardware and partly in software. Alternatively, the invention may be implemented on different hardware devices, e.g., using a plurality of CPUs.
[0028] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of embodiments and examples, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments and examples disclosed herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
, Claims:1. A method for controlling temperature of a vehicle battery (111) and a vehicle cabin, the method comprising:
sending (201), by a Battery Management System (BMS) (103), an indication to a Control Unit (CU) (101) on detecting that the at least one vehicle battery (111) requires cooling;
sending, by a Temperature Control Unit (TCU) (112), an indication to the Control Unit (CU) (101) on detecting that the temperature of the vehicle cabin is to be changed;
cooling (202), by the Control Unit (CU) (101), the battery (111) on receiving the indication from the BMS (103); and
controlling (205), by the Control Unit (CU) (101), the temperature of the vehicle cabin.
2. The method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method comprises the TCU (112) detecting that the temperature of the cabin is to be changed based on at least one of
receiving, by the TCU (112), an indication from a user to change the temperature of the cabin, wherein the temperature can be changed using an interface present in the cabin of the vehicle or the temperature can be changed remotely; and
determining, by the TCU (112), that the temperature of the cabin is not at a pre-configured temperature.
3. The method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method comprises the CU (101) monitoring inputs from one or more a temperature sensor and a pressure sensor.
4. The method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the CU (101) controls the temperature of the cabin by turning on a condenser fan (107) and sending a low voltage (LV) signal to turn on a compressor (108) at a pre-defined Revolutions Per Minute (RPM).
5. The method, as claimed in claim 4, wherein the method comprises
monitoring, by the CU (101), a plurality of parameters including speed of the vehicle, ambient temperature, coolant temperature, and evaporator temperature; and
modulating, by the CU (101), the RPM of the compressor (108), based on the monitored plurality of parameters.
6. A system for controlling temperature of a vehicle battery/cabin, said system comprising a Control Unit (CU) (101), said Control Unit (CU) (101) configured for
cooling (202) the at least one battery (111), on receiving an indication from a Battery Management System (BMS) (103), on the BMS (103) detecting that the at least one battery (111) requires cooling; and
controlling (205) temperature of the cabin, on receiving an indication from a Temperature Control Unit (TCU) (112), on the TCU (112) detecting that the temperature of the cabin is to be changed.
7. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the CU (101) is configured for monitoring inputs from a temperature sensor and/or a pressure sensor.
8. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the CU (101) is configured for controlling the temperature of the cabin by turning on a condenser fan (107) and sending a low voltage (LV) signal to turn on a compressor (108) at a pre-defined Revolutions Per Minute (RPM).
9. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the CU (101) is configured for
monitoring a plurality of parameters including speed of the vehicle, ambient temperature, coolant temperature, and evaporator temperature; and
modulating the RPM of the compressor (108), based on the monitored plurality of parameters.