Applying the Heaviside step function to simulate the changes of temperature in automotive batteries

Abstract

Discharged batteries do not provide the specified voltage in the car’s power supply system during parking, which can cause malfunctions of electrical equipment and an increase in the quiescent current in the on-board network, due to incorrect operation of electronic control units responsible for the operation of self-diagnosis systems, anti-theft alarm, multi-media, maintaining a thermal state, etc. Therefore, to ensure a reliable start of the ICE and the proper operation of the electrical equipment of a car at low temperatures, it is required to maintain the battery in a charged state. Vehicle generator is selected taking into account the nominal capacity of the battery, power and operating modes of electrical consumers, which excludes the battery operation with a low level of charge. However, when operating cars in large cities in winter, the battery charge level decreases. Deterioration of the battery charging characteristics, increased power consumption of additional equipment and low speed of movement of cars in the city with frequent stops at intersections are the reasons for the decrease in the efficiency of the battery charge. In such conditions, the battery can be discharged not only by starting the ICE and turning on consumers in the parking lot, but also when the ICE is idling and at low crankshaft speeds while driving on city routes and during rush hours. Considering that the operational characteristics of the battery change significantly with decreasing temperature, studies aimed at establishing and predicting the battery temperature during operation are relevant.