Battery Cooling Sensing for Early Thermal Runaway Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery technologies face challenges in detecting early stages of thermal runaway, which can lead to fires or explosions, due to the technical difficulty and cost of implementing numerous temperature and gas sensors, and existing sensors often detect thermal runaway too late to prevent damage.
Innovation Solution
A battery component with a battery cooling system and sensing elements that monitor temperature and pressure differences across separate portions of the cooling system to identify thermal runaway conditions, triggering deactivation or alerts when threshold values are exceeded.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are deployed across all battery cells to detect thermal runaway early, then detection precision and reliability improve, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The battery cooling system is segmented into multiple portions, each associated with specific battery cells. Sensing elements are strategically placed at these segmented portions rather than on every cell, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining detection capability through localized monitoring points.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery cooling system acts as an intermediary medium that indirectly senses thermal conditions. Instead of placing sensors directly on battery cells, the cooling system's temperature and pressure changes serve as proxies for cell thermal states, simplifying sensor deployment while preserving detection accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If sensors are placed directly on battery cells to monitor temperature, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system serves as an intermediary structure that is easier to manufacture and install than direct cell-mounted sensors. Temperature and pressure sensors are integrated into the cooling system's portions, which are designed as separate, manufacturable components rather than custom cell attachments.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system performs multiple functions: it cools battery cells during normal operation and simultaneously serves as a platform for thermal runaway detection. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate sensor installation infrastructure, simplifying manufacturing.
3Reliability
If extensive sensor deployment is used to detect thermal runaway in all battery cells, then reliability of detection improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system is segmented into discrete portions, each with its own sensing elements. This segmentation allows the controller to independently analyze thermal conditions in different battery regions, improving reliability through localized detection without requiring a monolithic complex system.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller receives feedback from sensing elements through the cooling system and uses this information to identify thermal runaway conditions. The feedback mechanism enables reliable detection by continuously monitoring cooling system parameters and comparing them against thermal models, reducing the need for extensive direct cell sensing.
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
Early detection and prevention of thermal runaway, reducing the risk of battery damage, fires, and explosions by effectively monitoring temperature and pressure changes across multiple battery cells.
Implementation Method 1
a battery cooling system operatively coupled to the plurality of battery cells that is configured to absorb heat emitted by the plurality of battery cells
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, assemblies, and associated methods for identifying a thermal runaway condition are provided. An example battery component comprises a plurality of battery cells disposed within a housing; and a battery cooling system operatively coupled to the plurality of battery cells that is configured to absorb heat emitted by the plurality of battery cells, wherein: at least a first portion of the battery cooling system is associated with at least a first battery cell and a first sensing element that is configured to obtain at least a first measurement associated with the first portion of the battery cooling system, and at least a second portion of the battery cooling system is associated with at least a second battery cell and a second sensing element that is configured to obtain at least a second measurement associated with the second portion of the battery cooling system.