Battery Pack Design and Thermal Management System for Formula Student Electric Race Car

Abstract

Formula Student (FS) Competition provides a platform for engineering students to showcase their ability to conceptualize, design and produce a working model of a formula style race car. With aim to tackle growing concerns of fossil fuel stock, environmental impact and climate change, governments around the world are embracing new technologies. One such technology being electric vehicles (EV). In light of this push to move away from fossil fuels and to embrace electric technology, the host organization has put together a series of initiatives under the Formula Student banner to build a platform for students interested in switching to the Formula Student Electric category. But EVs is still in its nascent stage of development; and thus, the field is highly esoteric from student’s point of view. Accumulator is one of the most important parts of an electric race car; it powers the entire car along with its tractive system. The paper demonstrates a simple approach at achieving a suitable battery design and its thermal management. Beginning with selection of suitable motor for drivetrain followed by estimation of energy requirement through MATLAB OpenLap simulation. Basis this requirement, a suitable cell configuration is designed. The battery pack is a potential source of heat generation and for its optimal performance during the race day, thermal management system is of utmost importance. A fan-based cooling system is devised to handle this heat load. This approach though not too complex provides a comprehensive method, right from motor selection to thermal system design for Formula Student racecar.