Apparatus and method for detecting first exhaust event of battery, system, and vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus and method for detecting a first exhaust event of a battery, a system, and a vehicle. An apparatus for detecting a first venting event of a battery is provided. The apparatus includes interface circuitry configured to receive a measurement signal indicative of a thermal conductivity of a gas atmosphere in the battery. Additionally, the apparatus includes processing circuitry configured to determine an occurrence of the first exhaust gas based on the measurement signal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to detection of a first gas exhaust event of a battery. In particular, examples of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus and method for detecting a first gas exhaust event of a battery, a system including the apparatus, and a vehicle including the system. Background Art

[0002] Batteries, such as batteries used in electric vehicles, may experience thermal runaway events. Thermal runaway events may lead to critical situations. Early detection of thermal runaway events is very important.

[0003] Therefore, early detection of potential thermal runaway events may be required. Summary of the invention

[0004] The subject matter of the present invention meets this need. The following provides advantageous embodiments.

[0005] According to a first aspect, the present disclosure provides an apparatus for detecting a first gas venting event of a battery. The apparatus includes an interface circuit device configured to receive a measurement signal indicating the thermal conductivity of a gas atmosphere in the battery. Additionally, the apparatus includes a processing circuit device configured to determine the occurrence of the first gas venting based on the measurement signal.

[0006] According to a second aspect, the present disclosure provides a system, comprising the apparatus for detecting a first exhaust event of a battery according to the first aspect. The system further comprises a thermal conductivity sensor configured to measure the thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere in the battery and generate a measurement signal.

[0007] According to a third aspect, the present disclosure provides a vehicle, comprising the system according to the second aspect, and a battery.

[0008] According to a fourth aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for detecting a first gas exhaust event of a battery. The method includes receiving a measurement signal indicating the thermal conductivity of a gas atmosphere in the battery. Additionally, the method includes determining the occurrence of the first gas exhaust based on the measurement signal.

[0009] A thermal runaway event of a battery follows one or more gas exhaust events. The exhaust of gases affects the thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere in the battery. The thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere can be measured. Therefore, a measurement signal indicative of the thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere in the battery allows the occurrence of the first exhaust event of the battery to be determined, and therefore allows early detection of thermal runaway events. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Some examples of apparatus and / or methods will be described below, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

[0011] Figure 1schematically illustrates an exemplary apparatus for detecting a first venting event of a battery;

[0012] Figure 2 An exemplary time course of thermal conductivity is illustrated;

[0013] Figure 3 schematically illustrates a first exemplary signal processing flow;

[0014] Figure 4 schematically illustrates a second exemplary signal processing flow;

[0015] Figure 5 schematically illustrates an exemplary thermal conductivity sensor;

[0016] Figure 6 An exemplary vehicle is schematically illustrated; and

[0017] Figure 7 A flow chart of an exemplary method for detecting a first venting event of a battery is illustrated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Some examples are now described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, other possible examples are not limited to the features of these embodiments described in detail. Other examples may include modifications of features and equivalents and substitutes of features. In addition, the terms used to describe some examples herein should not limit other possible examples.

[0019] Throughout the description of the accompanying drawings, the same or similar reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements and / or features, which may be identical or implemented in a modified form while providing the same or similar functions. For clarity, the thickness of the lines, layers and / or regions in the figures may also be exaggerated.

[0020] When two elements A and B are combined using "or", this should be understood to disclose all possible combinations, i.e. only A, only B, and A and B, unless otherwise explicitly defined in individual cases. As an alternative wording for the same combination, "at least one of A and B" or "A and / or B" can be used. The same applies to combinations of more than two elements.

[0021] If singular forms such as "a", "an", and "the" are used, and the use of only a single element is not explicitly or implicitly defined as mandatory, other examples may also use several elements to achieve the same function. If the function is described below as being implemented using multiple elements, other examples may use a single element or a single processing entity to achieve the same function. It should also be understood that the terms "comprise", "comprising", "including", and / or "comprising" when used describe the presence of specified features, wholes, steps, operations, processes, elements, components, and / or groups thereof, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, wholes, steps, operations, processes, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0022] Figure 1 A device 100 for detecting a first exhaust event of a battery is schematically illustrated. The battery includes one or more battery cells and an electronic device. At least one battery cell of the battery is arranged in a housing of the battery together with the electronic device of the battery. In the case where the battery includes a plurality of battery cells, each battery cell may be accommodated, and the accommodated cells may be arranged into a battery cell array. The battery cell array and the electronic device are arranged in the housing of the battery. A battery including a plurality of battery cells may also be referred to as a battery pack.

[0023] A thermal runaway event of a battery is followed by one or more gas exhaust events. During an exhaust event, one or more gases, such as electrolyte, water (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), ethane (C2H6), hydrogen (H2) or ethylene (C2H4), are discharged from one or more battery cells into the housing of the battery in a short period of time. However, it should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to the aforementioned exemplary gas list. Other or additional gases may be discharged (for example, depending on the type of battery). The first exhaust event occurs before the thermal runaway of the battery, and therefore allows early detection of thermal runaway of the battery (ie, battery failure). The discharge of gases affects the thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere in the battery. Figure 2 This is illustrated exemplarily in . Figure 2 A diagram 200 is shown showing two exemplary time courses of the relative thermal conductivity of a gas atmosphere in a battery. The abscissa represents time. The ordinate represents relative thermal conductivity.

[0024] The battery operates normally from time t0 to time t1. Figure 2It can be seen that from time t0 to time t1, the time course 210 and 220 of the relative thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere in the battery does not change significantly. The change is quite slow and is mainly caused by environmental changes (e.g., pressure, temperature, and humidity). At time t1, a first exhaust event occurs. The relative time courses 210 and 220 change suddenly. As indicated by the two time courses 210 and 220, the thermal conductivity may change positively or negatively due to the first exhaust event. In other words, the thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere in the battery may increase or decrease significantly in a short period of time due to the first exhaust event. Therefore, the sudden change in the thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere in the battery strongly indicates that a first exhaust event, i.e., an abnormality in the battery, has occurred. The thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere can be measured. For example, one or more (thermal conductivity) sensors configured to measure the thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere in the battery can be arranged inside the battery (i.e., inside the housing of the battery).

[0025] Back to Figure 1 The apparatus 100 detects the first gas exhaust event of the battery by utilizing the above relationship between the occurrence of the first gas exhaust and the sudden change in the thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere in the battery.

[0026] The device 100 includes an interface circuit device 110, which is configured to receive a measurement signal 101 indicating the thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere in the battery. For example, the measurement signal 101 can be generated by one or more thermal conductivity sensors arranged in the battery. The measurement signal 101 can be an analog signal or a digital signal. The interface circuit device can, for example, be configured to receive the measurement signal 101 directly from the one or more thermal conductivity sensors, or from an intermediate circuit device coupled between the device 100 and the one or more thermal conductivity sensors (e.g., a circuit device for buffering or preprocessing the measurement signal 101).

[0027] The apparatus 100 also includes a processing circuit device 120, which is coupled to the interface circuit device 110. For example, the processing circuit device 120 can be a single dedicated processor, a single shared processor, or multiple individual processors (some or all of which can be shared), digital signal processor (DSP) hardware, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), neuromorphic processor, or field programmable gate array (FPGA). The processing circuit device 120 can optionally be coupled to a read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM) and / or non-volatile memory, for example, for storing software. The processing circuit device 120 is configured to process the measurement signal 101.

[0028] In particular, the processing circuit device 120 is configured to determine the occurrence of the first gas exhaust based on the measurement signal 101. The processing circuit device 120 may, for example, output an output signal or output data 102 indicating whether the occurrence of the first gas exhaust is determined. As described above, the occurrence of the first gas exhaust causes a sudden change in the thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere in the battery. Therefore, the time course of the thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere in the battery indicated by the measurement signal 101 allows the detection of the occurrence of the first gas exhaust event of the battery. The detection of the first gas exhaust event of the battery allows the early detection of a thermal runaway event.

[0029] To determine the occurrence of the first exhaust event, processing circuit device 120 may, for example, be configured to determine a change in thermal conductivity over time in the gas atmosphere based on measurement signal 101. The change over time describes how the measurement value represented by the measurement signal changes or fluctuates over time. Various methods may be used to determine the change in thermal conductivity over time. Reference will be made later to Figure 3 and Figure 4 Two examples are described. However, it should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to these examples.

[0030] In addition, in order to determine the occurrence of the first exhaust event, the processing circuit device 120 can be configured to determine that the first exhaust event has occurred if the change in the thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere over time meets the standard. As described above, when the battery is operating normally, the thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere in the battery changes slowly over time. However, in the case of the first exhaust event, the thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere in the battery changes suddenly. Therefore, the change in the thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere over time is a suitable amount for determining the occurrence of the first exhaust event. The criteria for determining the occurrence of the first exhaust event can be varied. For example, the processing circuit device 120 can be configured to determine that the first exhaust event has occurred if the change in the thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere over time exceeds a threshold.

[0031] This is also Figure 2 Instructions, Figure 2 Two threshold values ​​201 and 202 are shown. From time t0 to time t1, the two processes 210 and 220 are within the threshold values ​​201 and 202. However, at time t1, the two processes 210 and 220 suddenly and significantly change such that they exceed the threshold values ​​201 and 202.

[0032] As discussed above, various methods may be used to determine the change in thermal conductivity over time. Figure 3 A first exemplary signal processing flow 300 is schematically illustrated, which uses the standard deviation of the measured values ​​represented by the measurement signal 101 as a change in the thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere over time.

[0033] like Figure 3As indicated, the thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere 301 in the battery is measured in a measuring step 310. For example, one or more thermal conductivity sensors arranged within the battery may be used to measure the thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere 301. The measurement signal 101 is a result of the measuring step 310. Due to the proposed signal processing, one or more uncalibrated and uncompensated thermal conductivity sensors may be used to measure the thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere 301.

[0034] In a subsequent step 330, the standard deviation of a certain number of measurement values ​​represented by the measurement signal 101 is determined as a change in the thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere 301 over time. For example, in order to determine the occurrence of a first exhaust event, the processing circuit device 120 can be configured to determine the standard deviation of a certain number of measurement values ​​represented by the measurement signal as a change in the thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere 301 over time. The specific number of measurement values ​​may depend on various characteristics, such as the type of thermal conductivity sensor used or the design of the battery. However, the number of measurement values ​​may cover a measurement period of at least 100 milliseconds. In addition, the number of measurement values ​​may cover a measurement period of no more than 10 seconds. Since the thermal conductivity changes rapidly in the case of a first exhaust event, a relatively short measurement period as described above is sufficient.

[0035] In order to determine whether the first exhaust event has occurred, a threshold value is used as a criterion in the subsequent step 340. For example, the processing circuit device 120 can be configured to determine that the first exhaust event has occurred if the standard deviation of the certain number of measured values ​​(as determined in step 330) is larger / greater than the threshold value. As described above, in the case of normal operation of the battery, the thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere in the battery changes slowly over time. However, in the case of a first exhaust event, the thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere in the battery changes suddenly. Therefore, comparing the standard deviation of the certain number of measured values ​​with the threshold value allows distinguishing between normal operation of the battery and the first exhaust event. The output signal or output data 102 indicating whether the occurrence of the first exhaust is determined is the result of step 340.

[0036] Optionally, in step 320 before step 330, signal conditioning processing, such as signal amplification, signal filtering or analog-to-digital conversion, may be performed on the measurement signal 101. In other words, the processing circuit device 120 may be configured to perform signal conditioning processing on the measurement signal 101 before determining the change in thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere over time. The signal conditioning processing may allow the signal characteristics (properties) of the measurement signal 101 to be enhanced for subsequent signal analysis.

[0037] Figure 4An alternative second exemplary signal processing flow 400 is schematically illustrated in FIG. 4 , which uses relative measurements of current thermal conductivity and an effective “ambient thermal conductivity” to determine changes in thermal conductivity of a gas atmosphere over time.

[0038] and Figure 3 As in the example of , the thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere 401 in the battery is measured in a measuring step 410. The measurement signal 101 is the result of the measuring step 410. Likewise, one or more uncalibrated and uncompensated thermal conductivity sensors may be used to measure the thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere 401.

[0039] In a subsequent step 430, an auxiliary conductivity value 104 representing the long-term thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere is determined based on the measurement signal 101. For example, in order to determine the change in the thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere over time, the processing circuit device 120 can be configured to filter the measurement signal 101 to obtain the auxiliary conductivity value 104 representing the long-term thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere 401. The auxiliary conductivity value 104 effectively indicates the average thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere 401 in the past. In other words, the auxiliary conductivity value 104 effectively indicates the expected thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere 401 without the first exhaust event. For example, in order to obtain the auxiliary conductivity value 104, the processing circuit device 120 can be configured to average the measurement values ​​represented by the measurement signal 101. The specific number of measurement values ​​may depend on various characteristics, such as the type of thermal conductivity sensor used or the design of the battery. However, the number of averaged measurement values ​​may cover a measurement period of at least 30 seconds, 1 minute, 2 minutes, 5 minutes or 10 minutes. Even in case some of the averaged measured values ​​have been associated with the first exhaust event, their number is small compared to the number of averaged measured values ​​before the first exhaust event. Therefore, the auxiliary conductivity value 104 is not (significantly) affected by the first exhaust event. Over time, the auxiliary conductivity value 104 is updated based on the measurement signal 101.

[0040] In a subsequent step 440, a difference value indicating the difference between the measurement value 103 represented by the measurement signal 101 and the auxiliary conductivity value 104 is determined. In addition, the quotient of the difference value and the auxiliary conductivity value 104 is determined as the change in thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere 401 over time. The process of step 440 can be summarized by the following mathematical expression:

[0041]

[0042] Wherein V represents the change of thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere 401 over time, TC represents the measurement value 103 represented by the measurement signal 101 , and TC0 represents the auxiliary conductivity value 104 .

[0043] Processing circuitry 120 may be configured to perform the process of step 440 for determining a change in thermal conductivity of gas atmosphere 401 over time.

[0044] and Figure 3 As in the example of , in the subsequent step 450, a threshold is used as a criterion for determining whether the first exhaust event has occurred. For example, the processing circuit device 120 can be configured to determine that the first exhaust event has occurred if the quotient determined as the change in thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere 401 over time (in step 440) is larger / greater than the threshold. As described above, in the case of normal operation of the battery, the thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere in the battery changes slowly over time. This is reflected by the auxiliary conductivity value 104, which changes only slowly (for example, on a time scale of minutes). In the case of the first exhaust event, the thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere 401 in the battery changes suddenly. This is reflected by the measurement value 103 represented by the measurement signal 101, which changes instantaneously (for example, on a time scale of seconds). Therefore, in the case of the first exhaust event, the quotient changes instantaneously and significantly. Therefore, comparing the quotient determined as the change in thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere 401 over time with the threshold allows the normal operation of the battery and the first exhaust event to be distinguished. An output signal or output data 102 indicating whether the occurrence of the first exhaust gas is determined is a result of step 450 .

[0045] Optionally, in step 420 before step 430, signal conditioning processing, such as signal amplification, signal filtering or analog-to-digital conversion, may be performed on the measurement signal 101. In other words, the processing circuit device 120 may be configured to perform signal conditioning processing on the measurement signal 101 before determining the change in thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere over time. The signal conditioning processing may allow the signal characteristics (properties) of the measurement signal 101 to be enhanced for subsequent signal analysis.

[0046] Figure 5 An exemplary thermal conductivity sensor 500 is illustrated in FIG. Figure 5 As shown in the upper part of FIG. 5 , the thermal conductivity sensor 500 includes a housing 510. Two cavities 520 and 530 are formed in the housing 510. The cavity 520 is open, that is, the cavity 520 can be entered from the outside of the thermal conductivity sensor 500 via an opening 525 in the housing 510. Therefore, a gas to be measured, such as a gas from the gas atmosphere in the battery, can enter the cavity 520. The cavity 530 is sealed, that is, the cavity 530 cannot be entered from the outside of the thermal conductivity sensor 500. The cavity 530 is used as a reference cavity and is filled with a reference gas (e.g., air, oxygen, or nitrogen).

[0047] Two piezoresistive lines 540, 550 and 560, 570 are arranged in each of the cavities 520 and 530. The piezoresistive lines 540, 550, 560 and 570 are coupled to form a Wheatstone bridge, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 The voltage V i The nodes 580 and 585 of the Wheatstone bridge are applied to the piezoresistive lines 540 , 550 , 560 , and 570 to heat the piezoresistive lines 540 , 550 , 560 , and 570 .

[0048] A change in the thermal conductivity of the gas entering chamber 520 will result in a change in the temperature of resistors 540 and 550, and therefore a change in resistance, which is measured as a measured voltage between nodes 590 and 595 of the Wheatstone bridge. i The piezoresistive lines 560 and 570 in the reference chamber 530 compensate for drift due to temperature fluctuations. The measured voltage O of the Wheatstone bridge i It can be used as the measurement signal 101 mentioned above.

[0049] It should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to the thermal conductivity sensor 500. Any other type of thermal conductivity sensor may also be used to generate a measurement signal indicative of the thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere in the battery. In particular, a thermal conductivity sensor using only a single resistive wire and / or using only a single cavity (i.e., without a reference cavity) may be used. The present disclosure does not require a specific structure of the thermal conductivity sensor. In other words, any type of thermal conductivity sensor may be used. Due to the proposed signal processing, an uncalibrated and uncompensated thermal conductivity sensor may be used to measure the thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere in the battery.

[0050] Figure 6 The application of using the proposed technique to detect the first venting event of a battery is illustrated in FIG. Figure 6 A vehicle 600 is shown. Figure 6 In the example of , the vehicle 600 is depicted as a car, but it should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to this. In general, a vehicle can be understood as a device (system) that includes one or more engines (e.g., electric engines) for propulsion. The vehicle can include various components driven by one or more engines for propulsion of the vehicle, such as one or more tires, one or more rotors, and / or one or more propellers. The vehicle 600 can be both a passenger car and a commercial vehicle. For example, the vehicle 600 can be a Figure 6 Shown is a car (motor vehicle), truck, motorcycle, tractor, aircraft (such as an airplane or helicopter), or naval vehicle (such as a boat).

[0051] Vehicle 600 includes battery 610. For example, battery 610 can be configured to supply electrical energy to at least one of the one or more engines of vehicle 600. Figure 6 In the example of FIG. 6 , the battery 610 includes a plurality of battery cells 611 - 1 , . . . , 611 - n (where n ≥ 2). The battery cells 611 - 1 , . . . , 611 - n are arranged as a cell array within a housing 612 of the battery 610 . A thermal conductivity sensor 620 is also arranged within the housing 612 .

[0052] The thermal conductivity sensor 620 is configured to measure the thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere in the battery 610 and generate a corresponding measurement signal 621. The measurement signal 621 indicates the thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere in the battery 610. For example, the thermal conductivity sensor 620 can be as described above with respect to Figure 5 The thermal conductivity sensor 500 is implemented in the same manner as described above. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Other types of thermal conductivity sensors may also be used.

[0053] According to the present disclosure, vehicle 600 further includes a device 630 for detecting a first venting event of battery 610. For example, device 630 may be configured as described above for device 100. Device 630 is coupled to thermal conductivity sensor 620 and is configured to receive measurement signal 621.

[0054] The device 630 allows monitoring the state of the battery 610 and determining the occurrence of a first exhaust event of the battery 610. The detection of the first exhaust event of the battery 610 allows early detection of a thermal runaway event of the battery 610. Information about the first exhaust event can be used to prevent undesirable situations in the vehicle cabin. For example, the vehicle 600 may include a vehicle control circuit device 640 coupled to the device 630. For example, the vehicle control circuit device can be configured to: if it is determined that the first exhaust event occurs, then execute a vehicle safety routine. The vehicle safety routine may, for example, include at least causing the vehicle 600 to output a warning (such as an acoustic or optical warning) to the user of the vehicle 600. Thus, before a thermal runaway event occurs in the battery 610, the user can be warned and leave the vehicle 600. It should be noted that the vehicle safety routine may include additional, fewer or different measures, such as, for example, stopping the vehicle 600 or sending one or more warning messages to the corresponding receiving devices of one or more of the owner of the vehicle 600, the (nearby) fire department and the manufacturer of the vehicle 600.

[0055] exist Figure 6In the example of the embodiment, the device 630 and the thermal conductivity sensor 620 are separate elements, one is arranged in the housing of the battery 610, and the other is arranged outside the battery 610. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In other examples, the device 630 may also be arranged in the housing of the battery 610. Similarly, the device 630 may be integrated into the thermal conductivity sensor 620 to provide a compact system (e.g., integrated into a conventional thermal conductivity sensor as an additional circuit device).

[0056] Figure 7 A flow chart of an exemplary method 700 for detecting a first venting event of a battery is illustrated in . The method 700 includes receiving 702 a measurement signal indicative of thermal conductivity of a gas atmosphere in the battery. Additionally, the method 700 includes determining 704 the occurrence of a first venting based on the measurement signal.

[0057] Method 700 allows for detection of the occurrence of a first venting event of a battery based on the measured thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere in the battery. Detection of a first venting event of a battery allows for early detection of a thermal runaway event.

[0058] Further details and aspects of the method 700 are explained in conjunction with the proposed technology or one or more examples described above. The method 700 may include one or more additional optional features corresponding to one or more aspects of the proposed technology or one or more examples described above.

[0059] The examples described in this article can be summarized as follows:

[0060] Example 1 is a device for detecting a first gas venting event of a battery. The device includes an interface circuit device configured to receive a measurement signal indicating the thermal conductivity of a gas atmosphere in the battery. Additionally, the device includes a processing circuit device configured to determine the occurrence of the first gas venting based on the measurement signal.

[0061] Example 2 is a device according to Example 1, wherein in order to determine the occurrence of a first exhaust event, the processing circuit device is configured to: determine the change in thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere over time based on the measurement signal; and if the change in thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere over time meets a standard, determine that the first exhaust event has occurred.

[0062] Example 3 is the apparatus of Example 2, wherein the processing circuit apparatus is configured to determine that the first exhaust event occurs if a change in thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere over time exceeds a threshold value.

[0063] Example 4 is the apparatus of example 2 or example 3, wherein the processing circuit apparatus is configured to determine a standard deviation of a number of measurement values ​​represented by the measurement signal as a change in thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere over time.

[0064] Example 5 is the apparatus of Example 4, wherein the number of measurements covers a measurement period of at least 100 milliseconds.

[0065] Example 6 is an apparatus according to example 4 or example 5, wherein the number of measured values ​​covers a measurement period of no more than 10 seconds.

[0066] Example 7 is a device according to Example 2 or Example 3, wherein in order to determine the change in thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere over time, the processing circuit device is configured to: filter the measurement signal to obtain an auxiliary conductivity value representing the long-term thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere; determine a difference indicating the difference between the measurement value represented by the measurement signal and the auxiliary conductivity value; and determine the quotient of the difference and the auxiliary conductivity value as the change in thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere over time.

[0067] Example 8 is the apparatus of Example 7, wherein to obtain the auxiliary conductivity value, the processing circuitry is configured to average the measurement values ​​represented by the measurement signal.

[0068] Example 9 is an apparatus according to any one of Examples 2 to 8, wherein the processing circuit device is configured to perform signal conditioning processing on the measurement signal before determining the change in thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere over time.

[0069] Example 10 is a system comprising the apparatus for detecting a first gas venting event of a battery according to any one of Examples 1 to 9. The system further comprises a thermal conductivity sensor configured to measure thermal conductivity of a gas atmosphere in the battery and generate a measurement signal.

[0070] Example 11 is a system according to Example 10, wherein the device is integrated into a thermal conductivity sensor.

[0071] Example 12 is a system according to Example 11, wherein the device and the thermal conductivity sensor are separate components.

[0072] Example 13 is a vehicle comprising the system according to any one of Examples 10 to 12, and a battery.

[0073] Example 14 is a vehicle according to Example 13, further comprising a vehicle control circuit device configured to execute a vehicle safety routine if it is determined that the first exhaust event has occurred.

[0074] Example 15 is a vehicle according to Example 14, wherein the vehicle safety routine includes: at least causing the vehicle to output a warning to a user.

[0075] Example 16 is a vehicle according to any one of Examples 13 to 15, wherein the thermal conductivity sensor is arranged within a housing of the battery.

[0076] Example 17 is a method for detecting a first gas exhaust event of a battery. The method includes: receiving a measurement signal of thermal conductivity of a gas atmosphere in the battery. Additionally, the method includes determining the occurrence of the first gas exhaust based on the measurement signal.

[0077] The aspects and features described with respect to a specific example in the previous examples may also be combined with one or more other examples to replace the exact same or similar features of the other examples, or to additionally introduce these features into the other examples.

[0078] The example may also be or relate to a (computer) program including a program code, which, when executed on a computer, a processor or other programmable hardware component, executes one or more of the methods described above. Therefore, the steps, operations or processes of the above-mentioned different methods may also be executed by a programmed computer, a processor or other programmable hardware component. The example may also cover a program storage device, such as a digital data storage medium, which is machine-readable, processor-readable or computer-readable, and encodes and / or contains machine-executable, processor-executable or computer-executable programs and instructions. For example, the program storage device may include or be a digital storage device, a magnetic storage medium such as a disk and a tape, a hard drive, or an optically readable digital data storage medium. Other examples may also include a computer, a processor, a control unit, a (field) programmable logic array ((F) PLA), a (field) programmable gate array ((F) PGA), a graphics processor unit (GPU), an integrated circuit (IC) or a system on a chip (SoC) system programmed to perform the steps of the above method.

[0079] It should also be understood that the disclosure of several steps, processes, operations or functions disclosed in the specification or claims should not be interpreted as implying that these operations necessarily depend on the order described, unless explicitly stated in individual cases or necessary for technical reasons. Therefore, the previous description does not limit the execution of several steps or functions to a certain order. In addition, in other examples, a single step, function, process or operation may include and / or be decomposed into several sub-steps, sub-functions, sub-processes or sub-operations.

[0080] If some aspects have been described with respect to a device or system, these aspects should also be understood as descriptions of corresponding methods. For example, functional aspects of a block, device, or device or system may correspond to features of a corresponding method, such as method steps. Therefore, aspects described with respect to a method should also be understood as descriptions of characteristics or functional features of a corresponding block, corresponding element, corresponding device, or corresponding system.

[0081] The following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description, where each claim may stand on its own as a separate example. It should also be noted that, although in the claims a dependent claim refers to a specific combination with one or more other claims, other examples may also include a combination of a dependent claim with the subject matter of any other dependent or independent claim. Such combinations are expressly proposed herein, unless it is stated in individual cases that a specific combination is not intended. In addition, features of a claim should also be included in any other independent claim, even if the claim is not directly defined as being dependent on the other independent claim.

Claims

1. A device (100) for detecting a first exhaust event of a battery, comprising: an interface circuit device (110) configured to receive a measurement signal (101) indicative of thermal conductivity of a gas atmosphere in the battery; as well as Processing circuitry (120) is configured to determine the occurrence of the first exhaust gas based on the measurement signal (101).

2. The apparatus (100) of claim 1, wherein in order to determine the occurrence of the first exhaust event, the processing circuit device (120) is configured to: determining a change in the thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere over time based on the measurement signal (101); and If the change in the thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere over time satisfies a criterion, it is determined that the first exhaust event occurs.

3. The apparatus (100) of claim 2, wherein the processing circuit device (120) is configured to determine that the first exhaust event occurs if the change in the thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere over time exceeds a threshold value.

4. The device (100) according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the processing circuit device (120) is configured to: determine the standard deviation of a certain number of measurement values ​​represented by the measurement signal (101) as the change in the thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere over time.

5. The device (100) according to claim 4, wherein the number of measured values ​​covers a measurement period of at least 100 milliseconds.

6. The device (100) according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the number of measured values ​​covers a measurement period of no more than 10 seconds.

7. The apparatus (100) of claim 2 or claim 3, wherein to determine the change in the thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere over time, the processing circuit means (120) is configured to: filtering the measurement signal (101) to obtain an auxiliary conductivity value representing the long-term thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere; determining a difference value indicative of a difference between a measurement value represented by the measurement signal (101) and the auxiliary conductivity value; and A quotient of the difference and the auxiliary conductivity value is determined as the change in the thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere over time.

8. The device (100) according to claim 7, wherein, in order to obtain the auxiliary conductivity value, the processing circuit means (120) is configured to average the measurement values ​​represented by the measurement signal (101).

9. The device (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the processing circuit device (120) is configured to: perform signal conditioning processing on the measurement signal (101) before determining the change in the thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere over time.

10. A system comprising: The device (630) for detecting a first venting event of a battery (610) according to any one of claims 1 to 9; as well as A thermal conductivity sensor (620) is configured to measure the thermal conductivity of the gas atmosphere in the battery (610) and generate the measurement signal (621).

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the device (630) is integrated into the thermal conductivity sensor.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the device (630) and the thermal conductivity sensor (620) are separate elements.

13. A means of transport (600), comprising: A system according to any one of claims 10 to 12; as well as The battery (610).

14. The vehicle (600) of claim 13, further comprising a vehicle control circuit device (640) configured to execute a vehicle safety routine if it is determined that the first exhaust event has occurred.

15. The vehicle (600) of claim 14, wherein the vehicle safety routine comprises: At least the vehicle (600) is caused to output a warning to a user.

16. The vehicle (600) according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the thermal conductivity sensor (620) is arranged within a housing (612) of the battery (610).

17. A method (700) for detecting a first venting event of a battery, comprising: receiving (702) a measurement signal indicative of thermal conductivity of a gas atmosphere in the cell; as well as An occurrence of the first exhaust gas is determined ( 704 ) based on the measurement signal.

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