Battery temperature control system in electric automobile

• US 5,490,572 A
• Filed: 12/04/1992
• Issued: 02/13/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Hotta, Yoshihiko, Sakuma, Choji, Tajiri, Akihiro, Ishikawa, Mitsuru, Yuri, Nobuyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): Camby, Richard M.
• Application Number:
  US07/986,124
• Time in Patent Office: 1,166 Days
• Field of Search: 180/68.3, 180/65.1, 180/68.1, 180/68.2, 180/68.5
• US Class Current: 180/65.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00278 for the battery arrangement of batteries B60R16/04
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00392 for electric vehicles having only electric drive means
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/22 the heat being derived otherwise than from the propulsion plant B60H1/0025, B60H1/00492 and B60H1/03 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 2001/003 Component temperature regulation using an air flow
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 11/06 with air cooling
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 11/085 with adjustable shutters or blinds
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2001/005 the electric storage means
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 1/003 to auxiliary motors, e.g. for pumps, compressors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 1/02 to electric heating circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/34 Cabin temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/545 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/547 Voltage
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/549 Current
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/662 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/80 Time limits
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/10 by alarm
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2270/44 Heat storages, e.g. for cabin heating
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2270/46 Heat pumps, e.g. for cabin heating
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/51 characterised by AC-motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/52 characterised by DC-motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/66 : Arrangements of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/14 : Conductive energy transfer
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/21 : having the same nominal voltage
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/26 : by cooling
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/27 : by heating
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 8/006 : Converting flow of air into electric energy, e.g. by using wind turbines
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2400/302 : Temperature sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/613 : Cooling or keeping cold
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/615 : Heating or keeping warm
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/625 : Vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/633 : characterised by algorithms, flow charts, software details or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6563 : with forced flow, e.g. by blowers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/663 : the system being an air-conditioner or an engine
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 : Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 : Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 : Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 : Electric energy management in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/88 : Optimized components or subsystems, e.g. lighting, actively controlled glasses
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 : Plug-in electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 : Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles

Abstract

A battery temperature control system in an electric automobile which is equipped with an air conditioner for supplying a cool or warm air into a passenger compartment and which travels by using batteries as a power source accommodated in a battery chamber. The system includes a battery temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the battery, a control unit adapted to drive the air conditioner in an air-cooling mode when the battery temperature detected by the temperature sensor is higher than a predetermined upper limit, and in an air-heating mode when the battery temperature detected by the temperature sensor is lower than a predetermined lower limit. An air intake port is provided in the battery chamber for introducing an air supplied from the air conditioner into the battery chamber. Further, in order to obtain a sufficiently warm air even when the atmospheric temperature is low, an auxiliary heat exchanger 28 which is heated by the combustion heater 29 also is provided.

Claims

1. A battery temperature control system in an electric automobile equipped with an air-cooling device for supplying cool air into a passenger compartment, which automobile travels by using an electric motor as the driving force and a battery as an electric power source for the electric motor, comprising;

a battery chamber separate and isolated from the passenger compartment with the battery mounted in said battery chamber,

a battery temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of said battery,

a control unit for driving said air-cooling device when the battery temperature detected by said battery temperature sensor is higher than a predetermined temperature, and

a temperature-conditioned air intake port provided in said battery chamber and connected through a duct to said air-cooling device for introducing cool air supplied from said air-cooling device directly into said battery chamber and separately from the passenger compartment.

2. A battery temperature control system in an electric automobile equipped with an air-heating device for supplying warm air into a passenger compartment, which automobile travels by using an electric motor as the driving force and a battery as an electric power source for the electric motor, comprising;

a battery chamber separate and isolated from the passenger compartment with the battery mounted in said battery chamber,

a battery temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of said battery,

a control unit for driving said air-heating device when the battery temperature detected by said battery temperature sensor is lower than a predetermined temperature, and

a temperature-conditioned air intake port provided in said battery chamber and connected through a duct to said air-heating device for introducing warm air supplied from said air-heating device directly into said battery chamber and separately from the passenger compartment.

3. A battery temperature control system in an electric automobile equipped with an air conditioner for supplying cool or warm air into a passenger compartment, which automobile travels by using an electric motor as the driving force and a battery as an electric power source for the electric motor, comprising;

a battery chamber separate and isolated from the passenger compartment with the battery mounted in said battery chamber,

a battery temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of said battery,

a control unit for driving said air conditioner in an air-cooling mode when the battery temperature detected by said temperature sensor is higher than a predetermined upper limit, and in an air-heating mode when the battery temperature detected by said temperature sensor is lower than a predetermined lower limit, and

a temperature-conditioned air intake port provided in said battery chamber and connected through a duct to said air conditioner for introducing an air supplied from said air conditioner directly into said battery chamber and separately from the passenger compartment.

4. A battery temperature control system in an electric automobile according to claim 3,

further including an outside-air intake port provided in said battery chamber for admitting air present outside the vehicle into said battery chamber, said outside-air intake port and said temperature-conditioned air intake port being switchable by a damper, and wherein

said control unit is designed to generate a damper switchover signal indicative of a command to switchover said damper for opening said outside-air intake port when said battery temperature is between said upper and lower limit temperatures.

5. A battery temperature control system in an electric automobile equipped with an air conditioner for supplying cool or warm air into a passenger compartment, which automobile travels by using a battery as a power source accommodated in a battery chamber, comprising;

a battery temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of said battery,

a control unit for driving said air conditioner in an air-cooling mode when the battery temperature detected by said temperature sensor is higher than a predetermined upper limit, and in an air-heating mode when the battery temperature detected by said temperature sensor is lower than a predetermined lower limit,

a temperature-conditioned air intake port provided in said battery chamber for introducing an air supplied from said air conditioner into said battery chamber,

a charge judging means for judging whether said battery is being charged, and wherein

said control unit is designed to generate a signal indicative of a command to increase an electric charging power of a charger for charging the battery when it is judged by the charge judging means that the battery is being charged and said air conditioner is driven.

6. A battery temperature control system in an electric automobile equipped with an air conditioner for supplying cool or warm air into a passenger compartment, which automobile travels by using an electric motor as the driving force and a battery as an electric power source for the electric motor, comprising;

a battery chamber separate and isolated from the passenger compartment with the battery mounted in said battery chamber,

a battery temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of said battery,

a control unit for driving said air conditioner in an air-cooling mode when the battery temperature detected by said temperature sensor is higher than a predetermined upper limit, and in an air-heating mode when the battery temperature detected by said temperature sensor is lower than a predetermined lower limit,

a temperature-conditioned air intake port provided in said battery chamber for introducing an air supplied from said air conditioner directly into said battery chamber and separately from the passenger compartment, and wherein

said air conditioner includes a heat pump type air conditioner, and

said system further includes an auxiliary heater for heating the air supplied from said air conditioner when the temperature of the outside air is lower than a predetermined temperature.

7. A battery temperature control system in an electric automobile having an air conditioner for supplying cool or warm air into a passenger compartment and an electric motor as a motive force for the automobile and a battery as an electric power source for the electric motor, comprising;

a battery chamber separate and isolated from the passenger compartment with the battery mounted in said battery chamber,

means for determining the temperature of said battery, and

means for selectively supplying, directly to said battery chamber from said air conditioner and separately from the passenger compartment, cool air when the battery temperature is higher than a predetermined upper limit and warm air when the battery temperature is lower than a predetermined lower limit.

8. A battery temperature control system according to claim 7 further including means for selectively supplying outside air to said battery chamber when said battery temperature is between said upper and lower limit temperatures.

15. A battery temperature control system according to claim 7 or 8, wherein

said air conditioner includes a heat pump type air conditioner, and

said system further includes an auxiliary heater operable by other than the battery for heating the air supplied from said air conditioner when the temperature of the open air is lower than a predetermined temperature,

16. A battery temperature control system according to claim 7 or 8, wherein

means are provided for determining when the passenger compartment requires cooling and heating and simultaneously providing either cool air or warm air to both the passenger compartment and the battery chamber when both require cool air or both require warm air.

17. A battery temperature control system according to claim 7 or 8, wherein

means are provided for presetting a departure time for the automobile and causing operation of said air conditioner before said departure time for selectively cooling and heating the passenger compartment.

9. A battery temperature control system in an electric automobile having an air conditioner for supplying cool or warm air into a passenger compartment and a battery in a battery chamber as a power source for the automobile, comprising;

means for determining the temperature of said battery,

means for selectively supplying to said battery chamber from said air conditioner cool air when the battery temperature is higher than a predetermined upper limit and warm air when the battery temperature is lower than a predetermined lower limit,

means for determining when said battery is being charged, and

means for causing an increase in an electric charging power of a charger or charging the battery when it is determined that the battery is being charged and said air conditioner is operated.

10. A battery temperature control system according to claim 9 wherein

said air conditioner includes a heat pump type air conditioner, and

said system further includes an auxiliary heater operable by other than the battery for heating the air supplied from said air conditioner when the temperature of the open air is lower than a predetermined temperature.

11. A battery temperature control system according to claim 9, wherein

means are provided for determining when the passenger compartment requires cooling and heating and simultaneously providing either cool air or warm air to both the passenger compartment and the battery chamber when both require cool air or both require warm air.

12. A battery temperature control system according to claim 9, wherein

presetting are provided for presetting a departure time for the automobile and causing operation of said air conditioner before said departure time for selectively cooling and heating the passenger compartment.

13. A battery temperature control system according to claim 12, wherein

said presetting means includes means changing at least one of said predetermined limit temperatures for operating the air conditioner for cooling or heating the battery chamber within a predetermined time period at least one of either before or after said preset departure time.

14. A battery temperature control system in an electric automobile having an air conditioner for supplying cool or warm air into a passenger compartment and a battery in a battery chamber as a power source for the automobile, comprising;

means for determining the temperature of said battery,

means for selectively supplying to said battery chamber from said air conditioner cool air when the battery temperature is higher than a predetermined upper limit and warm air when the battery temperature is lower than a predetermined lower limit, and wherein

means are provided for detecting a value of at least one of ambient temperature of air outside the automobile, Hydrogen concentration in the battery chamber, carbon monoxide in air outside the automobile, electric current supplied by a charger during charging of the battery, voltage of the battery, electric current being used from the battery and connection of a charger to the battery, and selectively operating said air conditioner in response to each said detected value.

18. A battery temperature control system in an electric automobile having an air conditioner for supplying cool or warm air into a passenger compartment and a battery in a battery chamber as a power source for the automobile, comprising;

means for determining the temperature of said battery, and

means for selectively supplying, directly to said battery chamber from said air conditioner, cool air when the battery temperature is higher than a predetermined upper limit and warm air when the battery temperature is lower than a predetermined lower limit,

wherein means are provided for presetting a departure time for the automobile and causing operation of said air conditioner before said departure time for selectively cooling and heating the passenger compartment, and

wherein said means for presetting a departure time includes means changing at least one of said predetermined limit temperatures for operating the air conditioner for cooling or heating the battery chamber within a predetermined time period at least one of either before or after said preset departure time.

25. A battery temperature control system according to claim 18 further including means for selectively supplying outside air to said battery chamber when said battery temperature is between said upper and lower limit temperatures.

19. A battery temperature control system in an electric automobile equipped with an air-cooling device for supplying cool air into a passenger compartment which automobile travels by using a battery as a power source accommodated in a battery chamber, comprising;

a battery temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of said battery,

a control unit for driving said air-cooling device when the battery temperature detected by said battery temperature sensor is higher than a predetermined temperature, and

a temperature-conditioned air intake port provided in said battery chamber and connected through a duct to said air-cooling device for introducing cool air supplied from said air-cooling device directly into said battery chamber,

wherein means are provided for detecting a value of at least one of ambient temperature of air outside the automobile, Hydrogen concentration in the battery chamber, carbon monoxide in air outside the automobile, electric current supplied by a charger during charging of the battery, voltage of the battery, electric current being used from the battery and connection of a charger to the battery, and selectively operating said air conditioner in response to each said detected value.

20. A battery temperature control system in an electric automobile having an air conditioner for supplying cool or warm air into a passenger compartment, which automobile travels by using an electric motor as the motive force and a battery as an electric power source for the electric motor, comprising;

a battery chamber separate and isolated from the passenger compartment with the battery mounted in said battery chamber,

a battery temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of said battery,

a control unit for driving said air conditioner in an air-cooling mode when the battery temperature detected by said temperature sensor is higher than a predetermined upper limit, and in an air-heating mode when the battery temperature detected by said temperature sensor is lower than a predetermined lower limit,

a temperature-conditioned air intake port provided in said battery chamber and connected through a duct to said air conditioner for introducing an air supplied from said air conditioner directly into said battery chamber and separately from the passenger compartment, and wherein

means are provided for determining when the passenger compartment requires cooling and heating and simultaneously providing either cool air or warm air to both the passenger compartment and the battery chamber when both require cool air or both require warm air.

21. A battery temperature control system in an electric automobile having an air conditioner for supplying cool or warm air into a passenger compartment, which automobile travels by using an electric motor as the motive force and a battery as an electric power source for the electric motor, comprising;

a battery chamber separate and isolated from the passenger compartment with the battery mounted in said battery chamber,

a battery temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of said battery,

a control unit for driving said air conditioner in an air-cooling mode when the battery temperature detected by said temperature sensor is higher than a predetermined upper limit, and in an air-heating mode when the battery temperature detected by said temperature sensor is lower than a predetermined lower limit,

a temperature-conditioned air intake port provided in said battery chamber and connected through a duct to the air conditioner for introducing an air supplied from said air conditioner directly into said battery chamber and separately from the passenger compartment, and wherein

presetting means are provided for presetting a departure time for the automobile and causing operation of said air conditioner before said departure time for selectively cooling and heating the passenger compartment.

22. A battery temperature control system in an electric automobile equipped with an air conditioner for supplying cool or warm air into a passenger compartment, which automobile travels by using a battery as a power source accommodated in a battery chamber, comprising;

a battery temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of said battery,

a control unit for driving said air conditioner in an air-cooling mode when the battery temperature detected by said temperature sensor is higher than a predetermined upper limit, and in an air-heating mode when the battery temperature detected by said temperature sensor is lower than a predetermined lower limit,

a temperature-conditioned air intake port provided in said battery chamber for introducing an air supplied from said air conditioner into said battery chamber,

wherein presetting means are provided for presetting a departure time for the automobile and causing operation of said air conditioner before said departure time for selectively cooling and heating the passenger compartment, and

wherein said presetting means includes means changing at least one of said predetermined limit temperatures for operating the air conditioner for cooling or heating the battery chamber within a predetermined time period at least one of either before or after said preset departure time.

23. A battery temperature control system in an electric automobile equipped with an air-heating device for supplying warm air into a passenger compartment, which automobile travels by using a battery as a power source accommodated in a battery chamber, comprising;

a battery temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of said battery,

a control unit for driving said air-heating device when the battery temperature detected by said battery temperature sensor is lower than a predetermined temperature, and

a temperature-conditioned air intake port provided in said battery chamber and connected through a duct to said air-heating device for introducing warm air supplied from said air-heating device directly into said battery chamber,

wherein means are provided for detecting a value of at least one of ambient temperature of air outside the automobile, Hydrogen concentration in the battery chamber, carbon monoxide in air outside the automobile, electric current supplied by a charger during charging of the battery, voltage of the battery, electric current being used from the battery and connection of a charger to the battery, and selectively operating said air conditioner in response to each said detected value.

24. A battery temperature control system in an electric automobile equipped with an air conditioner for supplying cool or warm air into a passenger compartment which automobile travels by using a battery as a power source accommodated in a battery chamber, comprising;

a battery temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of said battery,

a control unit for driving said air conditioner in an air-cooling mode when the battery temperature detected by said temperature sensor is higher than a predetermined upper limit, and in an air-heating mode when the battery temperature detected by said temperature sensor is lower than a predetermined lower limit, and

a temperature-conditioned air intake port provided in said battery chamber and connected through a duct to said air conditioner for introducing an air supplied from said air conditioner directly into said battery chamber,

wherein means are provided for detecting a value of at least one of ambient temperature of air outside the automobile, Hydrogen concentration in the battery chamber, carbon monoxide in air outside the automobile, electric current supplied by a charger during charging of the battery, voltage of the battery, electric current being used from the battery and connection of a charger to the battery, and selectively operating said air conditioner in response to each said detected value.