Battery Cell Temperature Monitoring via Inductive Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Monitoring the operability of batteries in vehicles, particularly in hybrid and electric vehicles, is challenging due to the high cost and complexity of wiring required to measure parameters like temperature across multiple cells, with only voltage being commonly measured across all cells.
Innovation Solution
The method involves positioning electronic units, such as microchips with thermal oscillators, directly on or in each battery cell to measure temperature and other parameters, using inductive or capacitive coupling to transmit data to a central control unit, eliminating the need for individual wiring and allowing for unique identification of each cell's measurements through frequency modulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If individual wiring is used to measure temperature and parameters of each battery cell, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple measurement functions (temperature, voltage, current) into a single electronic unit that is inductively coupled to the battery cell. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate wiring for each parameter, reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision through the use of a single integrated sensor unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary inductive coupling mechanism that transfers measurement data from the electronic unit to the external monitoring system without direct electrical wiring. This intermediary approach allows precise measurement of cell parameters while avoiding the complexity of individual wiring connections for each cell.
2Measurement precision
If individual wiring is installed for each battery cell to measure parameters, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple measurement capabilities into a single electronic unit that can be inductively coupled to the battery cell. This consolidation simplifies the manufacturing process by reducing the number of wiring connections required, making battery assembly easier while still enabling individual cell parameter measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical wiring system with an inductive coupling mechanism. This substitution eliminates the need for physical wiring connections between the electronic unit and battery cell terminals, significantly easing manufacturing and assembly processes while maintaining measurement precision.
3Measurement precision
If electronic units are positioned on each battery cell for measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic measurement and transmission of data by the electronic units positioned on battery cells. Instead of continuous operation, the units measure and transmit parameters at intervals, significantly reducing power consumption while maintaining adequate measurement precision for monitoring battery health and performance.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables cost-effective, individual measurement of cell temperatures and other parameters across a large number of cells without additional wiring, reducing production variance and power consumption, while enhancing reliability and simplifying the measurement setup.
Implementation Method 1
Positioned so as to be in contact with a cell is, in particular, an electronic unit, e.g. a microchip, in particular a CMOS chip, having a thermal oscillator for measuring the variable, in particular for measuring temperature
Implementation Method 2
The electronic units are inductively or capacitively coupled to the control unit, in particular to the current bars, in order to supply themselves with energy and/or in order to pass along the recorded data
Data Source
AI summary
In a method for monitoring a battery which includes a number of cells, in each instance, at least one electronic unit is situated so as to be in contact with at least two of the cells, in order to record a variable of this cell and forward it to a central receiver.