US-20260128412-A1 - AUXILIARY HEATING DEVICE FOR INCREASING A VEHICLE BATTERY TEMPERATURE

Abstract

An auxiliary heating device for increasing a vehicle battery temperature is provided for increasing a battery temperature of a battery in a vehicle by heating a coolant temperature of a coolant. The auxiliary heating device for increasing a vehicle battery temperature may include an auxiliary heating device, coolant duct, battery, warming pad, temperature determination module, and power source.

Inventors

• Scott Benedict
• Lianmin Huang

Assignees

• INTERNATIONAL TRUCK INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY COMPANY, LLC

Dates

Publication Date

20260507

Application Date

20241105

Claims (15)

1. 1 . An auxiliary heating device for increasing a coolant temperature of a coolant to affect a battery temperature of a battery for a vehicle, comprising: a warming pad having a heating surface to at least partially surround a section of a coolant duct that transports the coolant to the battery, wherein the warming pad selectively heats at least part of the coolant by applying heat to the coolant duct via a heating mechanism that generates the heat from electrical power received from a power source; a temperature determination module to determine whether the battery temperature is within a nominal operating range; and wherein when the battery temperature is below the nominal operating range, the warming pad operatively provides the heat to the coolant.
2. 2 . The auxiliary heating device of claim 1 , wherein at least part of the warming pad is applied to a first coolant duct section of the coolant duct situated near a battery coolant input.
3. 3 . The auxiliary heating device of claim 1 , wherein at least part of the warming pad is applied to a second coolant duct section of the coolant duct situated near a coolant heater output.
4. 4 . The auxiliary heating device of claim 1 , wherein at least part of the warming pad is applied to a first coolant duct section of the coolant duct situated near a battery coolant input; and wherein at least part of the warming pad is applied to a second coolant duct section of the coolant duct situated near a coolant heater output.
5. 5 . The auxiliary heating device of claim 1 , wherein the warming pad increases the coolant temperature by conduction through at least part of the coolant duct.
6. 6 . The auxiliary heating device of claim 1 , wherein the warming pad further comprises an insulating surface located opposite to the heating surface.
7. 7 . The auxiliary heating device of claim 1 , wherein the power source comprises MAINS power.
8. 8 . The auxiliary heating device of claim 1 , wherein the power source comprises a DC automotive battery.
9. 9 . The auxiliary heating device of claim 1 , wherein the temperature determination module receives temperature information regarding the coolant temperature.
10. 10 . The auxiliary heating device of claim 1 , wherein the temperature determination module receives temperature information regarding the battery temperature from the battery.
11. 11 . An auxiliary heating apparatus to affect a battery temperature of a battery device for increasing a coolant temperature of a coolant, comprising: a warming pad having an insulating surface opposite to a heating surface to at least partially surround a section of a coolant duct that transports the coolant to the battery, wherein the warming pad selectively heats at least part of the coolant by applying heat to the coolant duct via a heating mechanism that generates the heat from electrical power received from a power source comprising a DC automotive battery; a temperature determination module to determine whether the battery temperature is within a nominal operating range; and wherein when the battery temperature is below the nominal operating range, the warming pad operatively provides the heat to the coolant.
12. 12 . The auxiliary heating apparatus of claim 11 , wherein at least part of the warming pad is applied to a first coolant duct section of the coolant duct situated near a battery coolant input; and wherein at least part of the warming pad is applied to a second coolant duct section of the coolant duct situated near a coolant heater output.
13. 13 . The auxiliary heating apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the temperature determination module receives temperature information regarding the battery temperature from the battery.
14. 14 . An auxiliary heating device for increasing a battery temperature of a battery for a vehicle, comprising: a warming pad having an insulating surface opposite to a heating surface to at least partially surround a section of a coolant duct that transports coolant to the battery, wherein the warming pad selectively heats at least part of the coolant via conduction through the section of the coolant duct; a temperature determination module to determine whether the battery temperature is within a nominal operating range by receiving temperature information regarding the battery temperature from the battery; and wherein when the battery temperature is below the nominal operating range, the heating surface operatively provides heat to the coolant.
15. 15 . The auxiliary heating device of claim 14 , wherein the warming pad further comprises a heating mechanism that generates the heat from electrical power received from a power source; and wherein the power source comprises MAINS power and/or a DC automotive battery.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present disclosure relates to an auxiliary heating device for increasing a vehicle battery temperature. More particularly, the disclosure relates to increasing a battery temperature of a battery in a vehicle by heating a coolant temperature of a coolant. BACKGROUND The widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) is hampered in extreme cold climates due to the limitations of the EV batteries, particularly Lithium-Ion batteries. At temperatures below freezing, these batteries struggle to perform two critical functions: efficiently accepting a charge and delivering sufficient power for driving. This significantly reduces an EV's range and usability. Currently, drivers in cold regions must rely on inconvenient methods like waiting for extended periods for the battery to warm up naturally through ambient temperature rise, or by pre-conditioning the vehicle in a heated space. These limitations discourage potential EV adoption and restrict the operational effectiveness of existing EVs in frigid environments. Furthermore, the inability to charge or drive in extreme cold can pose safety concerns, leaving drivers stranded in harsh conditions. Therefore, a need exists to solve the deficiencies present in the prior art. What is needed is a device to keep a battery within a nominal operating temperature range. What is needed is a device to directly heat a coolant duct with an external heating device. What is needed is a device that may use various external or internal power sources to supply heat to a battery. What is needed is a device that will allow for a minimal heating time to increase the temperature of the battery when ambient temperatures are below −30 degrees Celsius. SUMMARY An aspect of the disclosure advantageously provides a device to keep a battery within a nominal operating temperature range. An aspect of the disclosure advantageously provides a device to directly heat a coolant duct with an external heating device. An aspect of the disclosure advantageously provides a device that may use various external or internal power sources to supply heat to a battery. An aspect of the disclosure advantageously provides a device that will allow for a minimal heating time to increase the temperature of the battery when ambient temperatures are below −30 degrees Celsius. Accordingly, the disclosure may feature an auxiliary heating device for increasing a coolant temperature of a coolant to affect a battery temperature of a battery for a vehicle. The auxiliary heating device may comprise a warming pad and a temperature determination module. The warming pad may have a heating surface to at least partially surround a section of a coolant duct that may transport the coolant to the battery, wherein the warming pad may selectively heat at least part of the coolant by applying heat to the coolant duct via a heating mechanism that may generate the heat from electrical power received from a power source. The temperature determination module may determine whether the battery temperature is within a nominal operating range. When the battery temperature is below the nominal operating range, the warming pad may then operatively provide the heat to the coolant. In another aspect, at least part of the warming pad may be applied to a first coolant duct section of the coolant duct situated near a battery coolant input. In another aspect, at least part of the warming pad may be applied to a second coolant duct section of the coolant duct situated near a coolant heater output. In another aspect, at least part of the warming pad may be applied to a first coolant duct section of the coolant duct situated near a battery coolant input, and at least part of the warming pad may be applied to a second coolant duct section of the coolant duct situated near a coolant heater output. In another aspect, the warming pad may increase the coolant temperature by conduction through at least part of the coolant duct. In another aspect, the warming pad may further comprise an insulating surface located opposite to the heating surface. In another aspect, the power source may comprise MAINS power. In another aspect, the power source may comprise a DC automotive battery. In another aspect, the temperature determination module may receive temperature information regarding the coolant temperature. In another aspect, the temperature determination module may receive temperature information regarding the battery temperature from the battery. Accordingly, the disclosure may feature an auxiliary heating device for increasing a coolant temperature of a coolant to affect a battery temperature of a battery for a vehicle. The auxiliary heating device may comprise a warming pad and a temperature determination module. The warming pad may have an insulating surface opposite to a heating surface to at least partially surround a section of a coolant duct that transports the coolant to the battery, wherein the warming pad may selectively heat a