Electric car needs a more sophisticated cooling system than gasoline or diesel engines. Indeed, there is no combustion, but the heat generated electric cars, especially from the battery, it can shorten the life of this major component. Moreover, lithium-ion batteries used by electric cars, consisting of hundreds of cells.
Example closest to our daily lives related properties of lithium-ion batteries are, mobile phone or tablet computer. When used in a long time, the back of gadgets is hot. The same thing happened to electric cars relying on batteries as a source of energy. Thus, the efficiency of electric cars has not been top really because there is still heat which it must be removed.
Age Use
Because these need special attention, which it rely on heavily Chevrolet Volt as a future car which it now aggressively provide technology education to the community about this car. In this case the main concern is the battery.
Chevrolet experts who also explained the problems faced by the components of the electric car is very vital. Especially the battery temperature is caused by the environment and when it is used.
As described, the battery used in the Volt should work at temperatures which it has been determined in order to provide energy to the electric motor in an optimal fashion. Precisely, the battery should not be too cold or too hot otherwise. On the other hand, the climate in America which it can cause the battery temperature is very low, especially during the winter. In such conditions, the battery can not produce maximum power. Therefore, that must also be heated.
Well, because the battery life time warranty provided is only 8 years or 160,000 miles - to reach that age - one of which must be considered is its temperature. "Every battery has a working temperature which itt fits in order to produce energy optimally. So it is also with the capacity to store energy and shelf life. It is in accordance with the target which we've set. If it is too cold, it is hard for battery to releases energy. If it's too hot, so it's a short shelf life, "said Bill Wallance, Director of General Motors for the Global Battery System.
288 Tues
Batteries are used in the Chevrolet Volt, consisting of 288 cells and it is packed with a letter "T". Packaging, in addition to consisting of cells, are also grouped into 9 modules. Furthermore, the battery pack was placed in a plastic frame. Well, in the crevice between the cells, there are also cooler in the form of aluminum fins.
The design and construction of an aluminum plate is very vital. This is the first component of the release of the battery cell or distributing to other parts.
All large-sized battery unit is also equipped with its own cooling circuit. Functions are as same as gasoline or diesel engine cooling system but it works differently.
Chevrolet uses artificial cooling fins made by Dana Corp. alminium consisting of two plates which those are connected with the process of nickel-bronze. Plot is carefully designed and installed in the plate-shaped grooves for coolant which it can flow smoothly. Cooling is also forced or pumped to spread throughout entire surface of battery cell.
According Wallance, to regulate the temperature of coolant is used by three different systems. "Firstly, when the car is plugged into a power outlet to charge the battery in cold weather. Therefore, the work is in front of the electric heater of battery packs to work. Heated coolant to later make batteries become warmer. In normal work, coolant flow to the radiator in front of the car, while cooling from the AC circuit is used to remove heat from the battery when the temperature continues to rise "
Another completeness of the cooling system is 16 thermal sensor (thermal). This sensor only allows the temperature may rise just 2 degrees from the specified.
