GB2566684B

GB2566684B - Electrical vehicle and method of operation

Info

Publication number: GB2566684B
Application number: GB1714899.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: lam Albert
Original assignee: DE Innovation Lab Ltd
Current assignee: DE Innovation Lab Ltd
Priority date: 2017-09-15
Filing date: 2017-09-15
Publication date: 2019-11-06
Anticipated expiration: 2037-09-15
Also published as: GB2566684A; GB201714899D0

Description

ELECTRICAL VEHICLE AND METHOD OF OPERATION TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to electrical vehicles. Moreover, the present disclosure relates to methods of operating electrical vehicles.

BACKGROUND

Recently, electrical vehicles are gaining popularity as compared to conventional internal combustion engine vehicles for a variety of reasons. Typically, the electrical vehicles, such as pure electrical vehicles that are driven using electrical power obtained from a battery arrangement, and hybrid vehicles that include a combination of battery and internal combustion engine arrangements, are associated with reduced emissions as compared to conventional internal combustion engine vehicles. Furthermore, a substantial number of electrical vehicles provide better performance as compared to conventional internal combustion engine vehicles, such as increased driving range, reduced operating costs and so forth.

Generally, the battery arrangement of an electrical vehicle is designed with optimal (specified or recommended) operating conditions in mind, such as those associated with ambient temperature, humidity and so forth. For example, battery arrangements that are commonly used in electrical vehicles provide optimal operation at around room temperature (or 20 °C). However, in cold climates and/or during winter season, the ambient temperature is much less than 20 °C. Therefore, the operation of battery arrangements of electrical vehicles in such conditions is associated with various drawbacks.

For example, low ambient temperature increases an internal resistance of the battery arrangements, as a result of reduced ion mobility or a lack of ion dissociation within a gel or an electrolyte of cells of the battery arrangements. Such an increase in the internal resistance of the battery arrangements leads to a reduced capacity thereof, or a reduced ability of the battery arrangements to deliver electrical power in an efficient manner. Furthermore, the battery arrangements may not function if a temperature thereof is below a threshold temperature. Therefore, use of the battery arrangements in low ambient temperatures may lead to an inability to initiate operation of the electrical vehicle and consequently, problems for a user thereof. For example, the battery arrangements may be required to "warn? up" before initiating operation of the electrical vehicle. Such warming up of the battery arrangement is associated with wastage of time for the user of the electrical vehicle. Additionally, prolonged operation of the battery arrangement at low temperatures is usually associated with a decreased service life of the battery arrangement, thereby increasing operating costs associated with use of the electrical vehicle.

Therefore, there exists a need to overcome the drawbacks associated with use of battery arrangements of electrical vehicles in low temperatures, for example at temperatures below -20 °C.

In a published EP patent document EP2662923 A2 (LG Chern, Ltd.; "Battery Temperature Control System and Method for Driving Same"), there is described a battery temperature adjusting system including: a battery unit having a heating pad; a leading wire connected to the battery unit; and a current induction unit surrounding the leading wire, wherein the current induction unit is electrically connected to the heating pad. The battery temperature adjusting system generates induced current by applying the current induction unit surrounding the leading wire connected to the battery unit, and increases the temperature of the battery unit by supplying the induced current to the heating pad.

In a published United States patent document US20180198173A1 (Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha; "Electric Vehicle"), there is described an electric vehicle including a battery that stores electric power for traveling, a sensor that detects the temperature of the battery, a communication circuitry configured to communicate with a server configured to collect information as to a plurality of vehicles, a temperature adjusting circuitry configured to adjust the temperature of the battery, and a control circuitry configured to control the temperature adjusting circuitry. The information includes at least an ambient temperature in a surrounding area of each vehicle. The control circuitry selectively switches the mode of operation of the temperature adjusting circuitry by using the temperature of the battery and the ambient temperature collected in the server.

In a published WO patent document WO2011127319A1 (Sinoelectric Powertrain Inc; "Apparatus for Preheating a Battery Pack Before Charging"), there is described a system for charging a battery pack of an electric vehicle comprising a heater for pre-heating the battery pack. The battery pack is selectively de-coupled from the system during the preheating. When the battery pack has reached an appropriate temperature, the heater is selectively de-coupled from the system and the charger is coupled to the system to charge the battery.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure seeks to provide an improved electrical vehicle.

The present disclosure also seeks to provide an improved method of operating an electrical vehicle.

According to a first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an electrical vehicle including a vehicle frame, a battery arrangement for storing electrical energy, an electrical drive train including at least one electrical motor for providing in operation motive power to one or more wheels of the electrical vehicle, and a power control arrangement for controlling in operation supply of power from the battery arrangement to the at least one electrical motor, wherein the battery arrangement is provided with a thermal control arrangement for cooling the battery arrangement in operation, characterized in that the thermal control arrangement includes a heating arrangement for pre-heating the battery arrangement prior to use and/or prior to charging when a temperature of the battery arrangement is lower than a temperature threshold, wherein the heating arrangement (114) includes an electric resistive heater for converting power supplied from the battery arrangement (104) to pre-heat the battery arrangement (104) and that the power is supplied from the battery arrangement (104) to the electric resistive heater using resonant inductive power transfer, and the battery arrangement (104) further includes a switched-mode power supply (202), and an auxiliary battery arrangement (302), wherein the auxiliary battery arrangement (302) is operable to supply the electrical power to the heating arrangement (114) if the amount of electrical power stored in the battery arrangement (104) is low and the switched-mode power supply (202) regulates a voltage and/or a current of the electrical power delivered by the battery arrangement (104).

The improved electrical vehicle includes a heating arrangement that enables pre-heating of the battery arrangement prior to use; such preheating of the battery arrangement enables reduction of a warm up time of the electrical vehicle and moreover, reduces an inability to initiate operation of the electrical vehicle due to a temperature of the battery arrangement being lower than the temperature threshold; such a reduction of warm up time enables time to be saved for a user of the electrical vehicle; additionally, pre-heating of the battery arrangement enables a reduction of operation of the battery arrangement at low temperatures, thereby increasing service life of the battery arrangement and reduction in operating costs associated with the electrical vehicle. By "/ow temperatures" is meant below -15 °C, more optionally below -20 °C, yet more optionally below -25 °C, and most optionally below -30 °C.

According to a second aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides amethod of operating an electrical vehicle, wherein the electrical vehicle includes a vehicle frame, a battery arrangement for storing electrical energy, an electrical drive train including at least one electrical motor for providing in operation motive power to one or more wheels of the electrical vehicle, and a power control arrangement for controlling in operation supply of power from the battery arrangement to the at least one electrical motor, wherein the battery arrangement is provided with a thermal control arrangement for cooling the battery arrangement in operation, characterized in that the method includes using the thermal control arrangement including a heating arrangement for pre-heating the battery arrangement prior to use and/or prior to charging when a temperature of the battery arrangement is lower than a temperature threshold, wherein the heating arrangement (114) includes an electric resistive heater for converting power supplied from the battery arrangement (104) to pre-heat the battery arrangement (104) and that the power is supplied from the battery arrangement (104) to the electric resistive heater using resonant inductive power transfer, and the battery arrangement (104) further includes a switched-mode power supply (202), and an auxiliary battery arrangement (302), wherein the auxiliary battery arrangement (302) is operable to supply the electrical power to the heating arrangement (114) if the amount of electrical power stored in the battery arrangement (104) is low and the switched-mode power supply (202) regulates a voltage and/or a current of the electrical power delivered by the battery arrangement (104).

Optionally, the temperature threshold is -15 °C, more optionally -20 °C, yet more optionally -25 °C, and most optionally -30 °C.

It will be appreciated that features of the present disclosure are susceptible to being combined in various combinations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

The present invention is included in the general business context, which aims to substitute vehicles powered by traditional fuels, for example gasoline or diesel, by electric vehicles. In particular, the present invention is intended for use in electric vehicles used within cities, which can be highly beneficial to the local environment due to significant reduction of gaseous emissions as well as significant reduction of noise. Overall environmental benefits can also be significant when electric vehicles are charged from renewable energy sources.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The summary above, as well as the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the present disclosure, exemplary constructions of the disclosure are shown in the drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to specific methods and instrumentalities disclosed herein. Moreover, those in the art will understand that the drawings are not to scale. Wherever possible, like elements have been indicated by identical numbers.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following diagrams wherein: FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an electrical vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIGs. 2 and 3 are block diagrams of environments for implementing a thermal control arrangement of FIG. 1, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure; FIG. 4 is an exemplary graphical user interface rendered on a mobile wireless communication device (such as a mobile wireless communication device of FIG. 2), in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of the electrical vehicle, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure; and FIG. 6 is an illustration of steps of a method of operating an electrical vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In the accompanying drawings, an underlined number is employed to represent an item over which the underlined number is positioned or an item to which the underlined number is adjacent. A non-underlined number relates to an item identified by a line linking the non-underlined number to the item. When a number is non-underlined and accompanied by an associated arrow, the non-underlined number is used to identify a general item at which the arrow is pointing.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In overview, embodiments of the present disclosure are concerned with thermal control arrangements of battery arrangements of electrical vehicles, namely, thermal control arrangements that include heating arrangements for pre-heating the battery arrangements prior to use of the electrical vehicles. Moreover, embodiments of the present disclosure are concerned with methods of operating such electrical vehicles.

In the accompanying drawings, a solid line with arrows is employed to represent flow of electrical power between elements that are connected by such line. Furthermore, a dash-dot line with arrows is employed to represent transmission of electrical (and/or digital) signal between elements. Moreover, a dashed line with arrows is employed to represent communication (such as wireless communication) between elements that are connected by such line.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a schematic illustration of an electrical vehicle 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The electrical vehicle 100 includes a vehicle frame 102, and a battery arrangement 104 for storing electrical energy. For example, the electrical vehicle 100 is a pure electrical vehicle that uses the electrical energy stored in the battery arrangement 104 to drive the vehicle. Alternatively, the electrical vehicle 100 is a hybrid vehicle that employs electrical energy stored in the battery arrangement 104, in combination with energy from combustible fuel to drive the vehicle. In an embodiment, the battery arrangement 104 includes a plurality of battery modules; optionally, the battery modules include a plurality of Lithium cells utilizing Lithium Iron Phosphate gel electrolyte or similar formulation based upon a Lithium compound that is operable to undergo a reversible redox reaction when in use. For example, the battery arrangement 104 includes the plurality of battery modules that are electrically connected with one another. In such instance, an output voltage of the battery arrangement 104 depends on an electrical connection configuration (such as series and/or parallel configuration) of the battery modules. In an example, the battery arrangement 104 includes ten battery modules arranged as two sets of five battery modules that are connected in a series electrical connection configuration with one another.

Furthermore, as aforementioned, each battery module includes a plurality of battery cells. According to one embodiment, the plurality of battery modules comprises lithium iron phosphate (LiFeP04) gel battery cells. For example, a plurality of lithium iron phosphate (LiFeP04) gel battery cells are electrically connected with one another, in series and/or parallel electrical connection configuration to form each battery module. However, it will be appreciated that each battery module may include other battery cells. In one embodiment, the plurality of battery modules comprises at least one of: lithium cobalt oxide (UC0O2), lithium manganese oxide (LiMn204), lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (LiNiMnCo02), and/or lithium nickel cobalt aluminium oxide (Lil\liCoAIC>2) battery cells. In another embodiment, a cathode of battery cells of each battery module includes at least one of: nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), and/or manganese (Mn). In one example, each battery module includes fifty battery cells arranged in a stack formation (or series electrical connection configuration).

The electrical vehicle 100 further includes an electrical drive train including at least one electrical motor 106 for providing in operation motive power to one or more wheels 108A-B of the electrical vehicle 100. Furthermore, the electrical vehicle 100 includes a power control arrangement 110 for controlling in operation supply of power from the battery arrangement 104 to the at least one electrical motor 106. In an embodiment, the power control arrangement 110 is communicably coupled to a data processing arrangement (not shown). In an example, the data processing arrangement is optionally operable to analyze a signal comprising instructions from a user of the electrical vehicle 100 to regulate the supply of power to the at least one electrical motor 106; however, it will be appreciated that motor power control and braking functions of the electrical vehicle 100 are beneficially implemented via a control layer, for example using a hardware bus such as a CANBUS® with frequent hardware resets to prevent a "lock-up" state arising that could hinder critical functionality of the electrical vehicle 100.

The battery arrangement 104 is provided with a thermal control arrangement 112 for cooling the battery arrangement 104 in operation. It will be appreciated that during operation of the electrical vehicle 100, a temperature of the battery arrangement 104 increases due to internal resistance thereof, for example resistive heating arising in graphite material utilized for negative electrodes of cells of the battery arrangement 104. In such instance, the temperature of the battery arrangement 104 is required to be reduced for operation of the electrical vehicle 100. In one example, the thermal control arrangement 112 includes at least one cooling plate arranged along the plurality of battery modules, wherein the at least one cooling plate includes a hollow structure having an inlet and outlet for flow of coolant therethrough. In such an instance, the thermal control arrangement 112 employs a liquid coolant to regulate a temperature of the battery arrangement 104. For example, during operation of the electrical vehicle 100, the thermal control arrangement 112 allows a flow of coolant having a low temperature as compared to the battery arrangement 104, to enable cooling of the battery arrangement 104 by exchange of heat thereof with the coolant.

In one embodiment, the thermal control arrangement 112 includes a sensor arrangement for monitoring, at least the temperature of the battery arrangement 104. According to an embodiment, the thermal control arrangement 112 includes a coolant reservoir for storage of coolant. In such instance, the coolant reservoir is connected to the inlet and/or outlet of the at least one cooling plate using one or more pipes that enable flow of coolant through the at least one cooling plate.

The thermal control arrangement 112 includes a heating arrangement 114 for pre-heating the battery arrangement 104 prior to use when a temperature of the battery arrangement 104 is lower than a temperature threshold. For example, the temperature threshold is associated with an operating temperature of the battery arrangement 104 (such as a specified or recommended operating temperature). It will be appreciated that if the temperature of the battery arrangement 104 is lower than the temperature threshold, the operation of the battery arrangement 104 is suboptimal. Such a low temperature of the battery arrangement may be caused due to a low ambient temperature, for example, a low ambient temperature during winter season or ambient temperature in regions that are associated with cold climates. In such an instance, prior to operation of the electrical vehicle 100, the battery arrangement 104 is pre-heated as described herein below.

In an embodiment, the temperature threshold is -15 °C, more optionally -20 °C, and yet more optionally -25 °C. For example, the temperature of the battery arrangement 104 is determined to be lower than the threshold temperature, such as, using the sensor arrangement of the thermal control arrangement 112. In one example, an operating temperature for discharging (or operation) of the battery arrangement 104 is in a range of -10 °C to 50 °C and an ambient temperature is determined to be -15 °C. In such an instance, the temperature of the battery arrangement 104 is required to be raised to enable proper operation thereof. In such instance, the heating arrangement 114 is configured to enable a flow of coolant having a higher temperature with respect to the temperature of the battery arrangement 104. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the temperature of the battery arrangement 104 is raised by exchange of heat with the coolant having the higher temperature. In one example, the temperature of the battery arrangement 104 is raised to room temperature (or 20 °C).

The heating arrangement 114 includes an electric resistive heater for converting power supplied from the battery arrangement 104 to pre-heat the battery arrangement 104. In one example, the electric resistive heater employs radiant heating that is provided along one or more pipes connecting the coolant reservoir to the inlet of the cooling plates. In such instance, the one or more pipes are operable to be heated by radiation emitted by the electric resistive heater and accordingly, the coolant is heated by conduction of heat from the one or more heated pipes. Alternatively, the electric resistive heater is coupled with the coolant reservoir such that a heating element of the electric resistive heater is arranged to be in contact with the coolant.

Power is supplied from the battery arrangement 104 to the electric resistive heater using resonant inductive power transfer. In an example, the electric resistive heater is wirelessly coupled to the battery arrangement 104 for supply of power therefrom. Such wireless supply of power using resonant inductive power transfer allows easy isolation (or disconnection) of the electric resistive heater from the battery arrangement 104 in an instance of a malfunction occurring in the electric resistive heater and/or the battery arrangement 104.

Referring now to FIGs. 2 and 3, shown are block diagrams of environments 200 and 300 for implementing the thermal control arrangement 112 of FIG. 1, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown, the battery arrangement 104 is provided with the thermal control arrangement 112 for cooling the battery arrangement 104 in operation, characterized in that the thermal control arrangement includes the heating arrangement 114 for preheating the battery arrangement 104 prior to use when a temperature of the battery arrangement 104 is lower than a temperature threshold. The battery arrangement 104 further includes at least one of a switched-mode power supply 202 (shown in FIG. 2) and/or an auxiliary battery arrangement 302 (shown in FIG. 3). For example, the battery arrangement 104 is operable to provide electrical power at high voltage, such as 400V. However, electrical power may be required to be provided to the heating arrangement 114 at low voltage, such as 240V. In such instance, the switched-mode power supply 202 enables voltage regulation of the electrical power obtained from the battery arrangement 104. For example, the switched-mode power supply 202 is coupled to the power control arrangement 110. In such instance, the power control arrangement 110 is operable to transmit a signal comprising an instruction to the switched-mode power supply 202 to regulate the voltage of electrical power that is supplied to the heating arrangement 114. The switched-mode power supply 202 enables regulation of current that is supplied to the heating arrangement 114.

According to one embodiment, the switched-mode power supply 202 of the battery arrangement 104 further includes a high frequency transformer. For example, the high frequency transformer of the switched-mode power supply 202 enables electrical isolation of the power supplied from the battery arrangement 104 to the heating arrangement 114. It will be appreciated that use of the high frequency transformer in the switched-mode power supply 202 is associated with higher energy efficiency (or lower loss of electrical power) and reduced space requirement as compared to standard transformers. In an embodiment, the high frequency transformer includes a ferrite core. Such use of the ferrite core in the high frequency transformer is associated with lower loss of electrical power at high frequency operation of the transformer.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the auxiliary battery arrangement 302 is coupled to the power control arrangement 110. In such instance, the power control arrangement 110 is operable to transmit a signal comprising an instruction to output required electrical power from the auxiliary battery arrangement 302 to the heating arrangement 114. In one embodiment, the auxiliary battery arrangement 302 employs sealed lead acid (SLA) battery. For example, the auxiliary battery arrangement 302 provides electrical power at low voltage, such as 12V. In one example, such auxiliary battery arrangement 302 is also employed for providing power to one or more in-vehicle electronics, such as a carputer, cabin lighting and so forth.

In an embodiment, pre-heating of the battery arrangement 104 is initiated based upon at least one of remote instructions provided by a user of the electrical vehicle 100, a pre-programmed usage schedule of the electrical vehicle 100, and/or a usage pattern of the electrical vehicle 100. As shown, the thermal control arrangement 112 is coupled to a data processing arrangement 204 for processing remote instructions to pre-heat the battery arrangement 104. Furthermore, a mobile wireless communication device 206 (for example, a smartphone, a tablet computer, a laptop and so forth) associated with the user of the electrical vehicle 100 is communicably coupled to the data processing arrangement 204 (for example, using a wireless network). In such instance, upon receipt of remote instructions by the data processing arrangement 204 provided by the user using the mobile wireless communication device 206, the operation of the heating arrangement 114 is initiated to preheat the battery arrangement 104. For example, at an early morning time in cold winter, the user is able to instruct the data processing arrangement 204 to apply pre-heating to the battery arrangement 104, while the user is washing and eating his/her breakfast, prior to the user driving off to work in his/her electrical vehicle 100.

In one example, the user (such as driver) of the electrical vehicle 100 is required to drive the electrical vehicle 100 at a specific time, for example, at 8:00 am. In such instance, the driver provides a remote instruction to pre-heat the battery arrangement 104 before the specific time, for example, at 7:45 am. Moreover, such pre-heating of the battery arrangement 104 enables operation of the electrical vehicle 100 at the specific time, by enabling the battery arrangement 104 to be at the operating temperature (such as room temperature) thereof at the specific time. According to one embodiment, the remote instructions to initiate pre-heating of the battery arrangement 104 are generated by a software application that is executable upon computing hardware of the mobile wireless communication device 206. For example, a software application (or "app") is included in the mobile wireless communication device 206 of the user of the electrical vehicle 100. Such an app provides a graphical user interface (GUI) on the mobile wireless communication device 206 that enables the user to pre-heat the battery arrangement 104.

Referring to FIG. 4, shown is an exemplary graphical user interface (GUI) 402 rendered on a mobile wireless communication device 400 (such as the mobile wireless communication device 206 of FIG. 2), in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, the graphical user interface 402 is associated with an app included in the mobile wireless communication device 400 of the user of the electrical vehicle 100. As shown, the graphical user interface 402 presents various options to the user, such as an option to specify a date and a time by which the battery arrangement 104 is to be pre-heated. In the exemplary graphical user interface 402, such an option comprises a message 404 'When will you drive?', a date input field 406 and a time input field 408. The exemplary graphical user interface 402 also presents a button 410 that enables the user of the electrical vehicle 100 to initiate pre-heating of the battery arrangement 104 at a current time.

In one example, pre-heating of the battery arrangement 104 is initiated based upon a pre-programmed usage schedule of the electrical vehicle 100. For example, a usage schedule is pre-programmed by the user of the electrical vehicle 100 using the software application that is included in the mobile wireless communication device 206 of the user. Such usage schedule may comprise information associated with usage of the electrical vehicle 100 at different times of the day and/or days that operation of the electrical vehicle 100 is required. In an example, the user (or driver) uses the electrical vehicle 100 to drive to their workplace at 9:00 am, and to drive back from their workplace at 5:00 pm, from Monday through Friday. In such instance, the usage schedule of the electrical vehicle 100 comprises times 9:00 am and 5:00 pm and days Monday through Friday. Furthermore, such information is used to preheat the battery arrangement 104 such that the electrical vehicle 100 is ready to operate at the specified times. For example, pre-heating of the battery arrangement 104 is initiated at 8:45 am such that the electrical vehicle 100 is ready to operate at 9:00 am. Similarly, pre-heating of the battery arrangement 104 is initiated at 4:45 pm such that the electrical vehicle 100 is ready to operate at 5:00 pm.

According to an embodiment, the usage schedule of the electrical vehicle 100 is retrieved by the software application using an external information source. In an example, such external information source comprises another software application, such as a calendar app, that is used by the user of the electrical vehicle 100 to keep track of daily events associated therewith. In another example, the external information source comprises a database associated with a third party service provider, such as a provider of event tracking services. In one embodiment, the software application employs an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm (for example, hosted on a Software Application Management and Infotainment arrangement or SAMI associated with the electrical vehicle 100) to retrieve the usage schedule of the electrical vehicle 100 from the external information source. For example, the artificial intelligence algorithm distinguishes information associated with usage schedule of the electrical vehicle 100 within information retrieved from the external information source, from other event information that may not be associated with usage schedule of the electrical vehicle 100.

In an example, pre-heating of the battery arrangement 104 is initiated based upon a usage pattern of the electrical vehicle 100. In one embodiment, the usage pattern of the electrical vehicle is analyzed by an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm executed on the data processing arrangement 204; such an AI algorithm is able to "learn" patterns of behaviour of the user, and to deduce therefrom a likelihood of preheating of the battery arrangement 104. For example, the electrical vehicle 100 is used by the user at substantially same times of the day (such as, to travel to and from their workplace). However, a usage schedule of the electrical vehicle 100 is not pre-programmed by the user. In such instance, the artificial intelligence algorithm that is executed on the data processing arrangement 204 is operable to analyze the usage pattern of the electrical vehicle 100 and generate a usage schedule, namely in a 'learnt" manner. Furthermore, such usage schedule is used to pre-heat the electrical vehicle 100 prior to potential usage of the electrical vehicle 100.

According to one embodiment, power supplied to the heating arrangement 114 is based upon at least one of: (i) an amount of power stored in the battery arrangement 104; (ii) an amount of power stored in the auxiliary battery arrangement 302;and (iii) charging of the battery arrangement 104.

For example, if the amount of power stored in the battery arrangement 104 is low, the power to the heating arrangement 114 is supplied from the auxiliary battery arrangement 302. In another example, if the amount of power stored in the auxiliary battery arrangement 302 is low, the power to the heating arrangement 114 is supplied from the battery arrangement 104 via the switched-mode power supply 202. Alternatively and optionally, if the amount of power stored in the battery arrangement 104 and the auxiliary battery arrangement 302 are low, the user of the electrical vehicle 100 is advised to couple the electrical vehicle 100 to an external power source to charge the battery arrangement 104 (and/or the auxiliary battery arrangement 302). Optionally, the external power source is also operable to provide preheating power for heating the battery arrangement 104.

Referring to FIG. 5, shown is a schematic illustration of the electrical vehicle 100, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the electrical vehicle 100 includes a charging port 502 to enable connection of a plug-type connector 504 therewith, for charging the electrical vehicle 100. As shown, the plug-type connector 504 enables coupling of the electrical vehicle 100 with an external power source 506 such as a power grid or a power switching unit (not shown). In such instance, electrical power from the external power source 506 is supplied to the heating arrangement 114 of the thermal control arrangement 112. As shown, the power control arrangement 110 that is coupled to the thermal control arrangement 112 enables management of the electrical power supplied to the heating arrangement 114 from the external power source 506. The battery arrangement 104 further includes at least one of a switched-mode power supply 202 and/or an auxiliary battery arrangement 302. In such instance, the electrical power supplied from the external power source 506 is supplied to the at least one of the switched-mode power supply 202 and/or the auxiliary battery arrangement 302. Furthermore, such electrical power supplied to the at least one of the switched-mode power supply 202 and/or the auxiliary battery arrangement 302 is provided to the heating arrangement 114.

In one embodiment, pre-heating of the battery arrangement 104 is done in at least one of: (i) a uniform manner; and/or (ii) a time-variant manner.

For example, the battery arrangement 104 is heated by providing 1 kW of power thereto for duration of 10 minutes. However, it will be appreciated that sudden heating of the battery arrangement 104 by providing a high amount of electrical power thereto may cause a temperature shock to the battery arrangement 104. Furthermore, such temperature shocks may reduce an operating life of the battery arrangement 104. In such instance, pre-heating of the battery arrangement 104 may be done in a time-variant manner. For example, 100 W of electrical power is delivered to the heating arrangement 114 for 30 minutes and subsequently, 800 W of electrical power is delivered to the heating arrangement for 10 minutes. In such instance, the temperature of the battery arrangement 104 is gradually increased, thereby reducing temperature shocks experienced by the battery arrangement 104. Likewise, heating power to the battery arrangement 104 is reduced in a temporally gradual manner at end of a pre-heating procedure to avoid further temperature shocks to the battery arrangement 104, for example a gradual reduction in applied heating power over a period in a range of 2 to 10 minutes.

In one embodiment, the battery arrangement 104 is heated during use when the temperature of the battery arrangement 104 is lower than the temperature threshold. In an example, the electrical vehicle 100 is operated in a cold climate, at low speed and/or the internal resistance of the battery arrangement 104 is insufficient to increase the temperature above the optimal operating temperature thereof. In such instance, the battery arrangement 104 is heated during operation of the electrical vehicle 100 until the temperature of the battery arrangement 104 is equal to, or higher than the temperature threshold.

According to an embodiment, the coolant reservoir is operable to store heated coolant. In one example, the operation of the electrical vehicle 100 is ceased temporarily, for example, when the user of the electrical vehicle 100 stops driving for duration of 10 minutes (such as, to have a snack or receive a phone call). In such instance, the temperature control arrangement 112 is operable to allow flow of the heated coolant stored in the coolant reservoir to maintain the temperature of the battery arrangement 104 above the temperature threshold.

The battery arrangement 104 is pre-heated prior to charging thereof, when the temperature of the battery arrangement 104 is lower than the temperature threshold. Such pre-heating of the battery arrangement 104 prior to charging may enable to increase the operating life of the battery arrangement 104; such benefit arises from there being provided a sufficient quantity of dissociated ions within cell electrolyte or gel during charging.

Referring to FIG. 6, shown are steps of a method 600 of operating an electrical vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The electrical vehicle includes a vehicle frame, a battery arrangement for storing electrical energy, an electrical drive train including at least one electrical motor for providing in operation motive power to one or more wheels of the electrical vehicle, and a power control arrangement for controlling in operation supply of power from the battery arrangement to the at least one electrical motor. At a step 602, the battery arrangement is provided with a thermal control arrangement for cooling the battery arrangement in operation. At a step 604, the thermal control arrangement including a heating arrangement is used for preheating the battery arrangement prior to use when a temperature of the battery arrangement is lower than a temperature threshold.

The steps 602 to 604 are only illustrative and other alternatives can also be provided where one or more steps are added, one or more steps are removed, or one or more steps are provided in a different sequence without departing from the scope of the claims herein. In an example, the temperature threshold is -15 °C, more optionally -20 °C, and yet more optionally -25 °C. In another example, the heating arrangement includes an electric resistive heater for converting power supplied from the battery arrangement to pre-heat the battery arrangement. In yet another example, power is supplied from the battery arrangement to the electric resistive heater using resonant inductive power transfer. In one example, the battery arrangement includes a plurality of battery modules. In another example, the plurality of battery modules comprises lithium iron phosphate (LiFeP04) gel battery cells.

The battery arrangement further includes at least one of a switched-mode power supply, an auxiliary battery arrangement. In another example, the switched-mode power supply of the battery arrangement includes a high frequency transformer. In yet another example, the switched-mode power supply of the battery arrangement includes a high frequency transformer. For example, the high frequency transformer includes a ferrite core.

In one example, the auxiliary battery arrangement employs sealed lead acid battery. In another example, the thermal control arrangement is coupled to a data processing arrangement for processing remote instructions to pre-heat the battery arrangement. In yet another example, pre-heating of the battery arrangement is initiated based upon at least one of remote instructions provided by a user of the electrical vehicle, a pre-programmed usage schedule of the electrical vehicle, a usage pattern of the electrical vehicle. In an example, the remote instructions to initiate pre-heating of the battery arrangement are generated by a software application that is executable upon computing hardware of a mobile wireless communication device. In another example, the usage pattern of the electrical vehicle is analyzed by an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm executed on the data processing arrangement. The artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm is beneficially based upon a simulated variable-state machine whose states are learnt by the AI algorithm against a temporal reference (i.e. time clock).

In one example, power supplied to the heating arrangement is based on at least one of: (i) an amount of electrical power stored in the battery arrangement; (ii) an amount of electrical power stored in the auxiliary battery arrangement; and (iii) charging of the battery arrangement.

In another example, pre-heating of the battery arrangement is done in at least one of: (a) a uniform manner; and (b) a time-variant manner.

The electrical vehicle includes the battery arrangement that is provided with the thermal control arrangement, characterized in that the thermal control arrangement includes the heating arrangement for pre-heating the battery arrangement prior to use when a temperature of the battery arrangement is lower than a temperature threshold. Such pre-heating of the battery arrangement prior to use enables to reduce substantially a requirement of warming up the battery arrangement using the internal resistance thereof. Such reduction enables the user of the electrical vehicle to save time. Furthermore, the pre-heating of the battery arrangement enables to substantially reduce the chances of the battery arrangement not functioning due to the temperature of the battery arrangement being lower than a temperature threshold (such as a specified operating temperature). Consequently, such pre-heating of the battery arrangement enables to more reliable operation of the electrical vehicle to be achieved. Moreover, pre-heating of the battery unit prior to use enables to avoid the battery arrangement being operated sub optimally at low temperatures, for example at ambient temperatures below -20 °C. Therefore, a service life of the battery arrangement is thereby increased, which further enables reduction of operating costs of the electrical vehicle for the user.

Modifications to embodiments of the invention described in the foregoing are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims. Expressions such as "including", "comprising", "incorporating", "consisting of", "have", "is" used to describe and claim the present invention are intended to be construed in a non-exclusive manner, namely allowing for items, components or elements not explicitly described also to be present. Reference to the singular is also to be construed to relate to the plural. Numerals included within parentheses in the accompanying claims are intended to assist understanding of the claims and should not be construed in any way to limit subject matter claimed by these claims.

Claims

1. An electrical vehicle (100) including a vehicle frame (102), a battery arrangement (104) for storing electrical energy, an electrical drive train including at least one electrical motor (106) for providing in operation motive power to one or more wheels (108A-B) of the electrical vehicle (100), and a power control arrangement (110) for controlling in operation supply of power from the battery arrangement (104) to the at least one electrical motor (106), wherein the battery arrangement (104) is provided with a thermal control arrangement (112) for cooling the battery arrangement (104) in operation, characterized in that the thermal control arrangement (112) includes a heating arrangement (114) for preheating the battery arrangement (104) prior to use and/or prior to charging when a temperature of the battery arrangement (104) is lower than a temperature threshold, wherein the heating arrangement (114) includes an electric resistive heater for converting power supplied from the battery arrangement (104) to pre-heat the battery arrangement (104) and that the power is supplied from the battery arrangement (104) to the electric resistive heater using resonant inductive power transfer, and the battery arrangement (104) further includes a switched-mode power supply (202), and an auxiliary battery arrangement (302), wherein the auxiliary battery arrangement (302) is operable to supply the electrical power to the heating arrangement (114) if the amount of electrical power stored in the battery arrangement (104) is low and the switched-mode power supply (202) regulates a voltage and/or a current of the electrical power delivered by the battery arrangement (104).

2. An electrical vehicle (100) of claim 1, characterized in that the temperature threshold is -15 °C, more optionally -20 °C, and yet more optionally -25 °C.

3. An electrical vehicle (100) of any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the battery arrangement (104) includes a plurality of battery modules.

4. An electrical vehicle (100) of claim 3, characterized in that the plurality of battery modules comprise lithium iron phosphate (LiFeP04) gel battery cells.

5. An electrical vehicle (100) of claim 1, characterized in that the switched-mode power supply (202) of the battery arrangement (104) includes a high frequency transformer.

6. An electrical vehicle (100) of claim 5, characterized in that the high frequency transformer includes a ferrite core.

7. An electrical vehicle (100) of claim 1, characterized in that the auxiliary battery arrangement (302) employs sealed lead acid battery.

8. An electrical vehicle (100) of any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the thermal control arrangement (112) is coupled to a data processing arrangement (204) for processing remote instructions to pre-heat the battery arrangement (104).

9. An electrical vehicle (100) of any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that pre-heating of the battery arrangement (104) is initiated based on at least one of: remote instructions provided by a user of the electrical vehicle (100), a pre-programmed usage schedule of the electrical vehicle (100), a usage pattern of the electrical vehicle (100).

10. An electrical vehicle (100) of claim 9, characterized in that the remote instructions to initiate pre-heating of the battery arrangement (104) are generated by a software application that is executable upon computing hardware of a mobile wireless communication device (206).

11. An electrical vehicle (100) of claim 9, characterized in that the usage pattern of the electrical vehicle (100) is analyzed by an artificial intelligence algorithm executed on the data processing arrangement (204).

12. An electrical vehicle (100) of any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that power supplied to the heating arrangement (114) is based on at least one of: amount of electrical power stored in the battery arrangement (104), amount of electrical power stored in the auxiliary battery arrangement (302), charging of the battery arrangement (104).

13. An electrical vehicle (100) of any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that pre-heating of the battery arrangement (104) is done in at least one of: a uniform manner, a time-variant manner.

14. A method of operating an electrical vehicle (100), wherein the electrical vehicle (100) includes a vehicle frame (102), a battery arrangement (104) for storing electrical energy, an electrical drive train including at least one electrical motor (106) for providing in operation motive power to one or more wheels (108A-B) of the electrical vehicle (100), and a power control arrangement (110) for controlling in operation supply of power from the battery arrangement (104) to the at least one electrical motor (106), wherein the battery arrangement (104) is provided with a thermal control arrangement (112) for cooling the battery arrangement (104) in operation, characterized in that the method includes using the thermal control arrangement (112) including a heating arrangement (114) for pre-heating the battery arrangement (104) prior to use and/or prior to charging when a temperature of the battery arrangement (104) is lower than a temperature threshold, wherein the heating arrangement (114) includes an electric resistive heater for converting power supplied from the battery arrangement (104) to pre-heat the battery arrangement (104) and that the power is supplied from the battery arrangement (104) to the electric resistive heater using resonant inductive power transfer, and the battery arrangement (104) further includes a switched-mode power supply (202), and an auxiliary battery arrangement (302), wherein the auxiliary battery arrangement (302) is operable to supply the electrical power to the heating arrangement (114) if the amount of electrical power stored in the battery arrangement (104) is low and the switched-mode power supply (202) regulates a voltage and/or a current of the electrical power delivered by the battery arrangement (104).

15. A method of claim 14, characterized in that the temperature threshold is -15 °C, more optionally -20 °C, and yet more optionally -25 °C.

16. A method of any one of the claims 14 to 15, characterized in that the battery arrangement (104) includes a plurality of battery modules.

17. A method of claim 16, characterized in that the plurality of battery modules comprise lithium iron phosphate (LiFeP04) gel battery cells.

18. A method of claim 14, characterized in that the switched-mode power supply (202) of the battery arrangement (104) includes a high frequency transformer.

19. A method of claim 18, characterized in that the high frequency transformer includes a ferrite core.

20. A method of claim 14, characterized in that the auxiliary battery arrangement (302) employs sealed lead acid battery.

21. A method of any one of the claims 14 to 20, characterized in that the thermal control arrangement (112) is coupled to a data processing arrangement (204) for processing remote instructions to pre-heat the battery arrangement (104).

22. A method of any one of the claims 14 to 21, characterized in that pre-heating of the battery arrangement (104) is initiated based on at least one of: remote instructions provided by a user of the electrical vehicle (100), a pre-programmed usage schedule of the electrical vehicle (100), a usage pattern of the electrical vehicle (100).

23. A method of claim 22, characterized in that the remote instructions to initiate pre-heating of the battery arrangement (104) are generated by a software application that is executable upon computing hardware of a mobile wireless communication device (206).

24. A method of claim 22, characterized in that the usage pattern of the electrical vehicle (100) is analyzed by an artificial intelligence algorithm executed on the data processing arrangement (204).

25. A method of any one of the claims 14 to 24, characterized in that power supplied to the heating arrangement (114) is based on at least one of: amount of electrical power stored in the battery arrangement (104), amount of electrical power stored in the auxiliary battery arrangement (302), charging of the battery arrangement (104).

26. A method of any one of the claims 14 to 25, characterized in that pre-heating of the battery arrangement (104) is done in at least one of: a uniform manner, a time-variant manner.