Battery Discharge Device Aging Monitoring via Temperature Trend
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Solution Overview
Problem
High energy density batteries used in electric vehicles face increased risk of unsafe energy release due to internal shorts, and existing antifuse discharge devices cannot reliably monitor structural parameters for aging-related damage, making it difficult to determine if the discharge device is functional.
Innovation Solution
A method to monitor the probability of failure of the discharge device by measuring the temperature trend of the device, using either direct temperature measurement or an auxiliary element that undergoes the same temperature changes, allowing for the calculation of a parameter indicating the device's reliability through integration over time, and determining the degree of haze or oxidation in auxiliary materials to assess aging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If energy density of the battery is increased, then the battery capacity and range are improved, but the risk of unsafe energy release due to internal shorts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge device is pre-configured with activating and isolating foils before battery operation. When an internal short is detected, the system immediately activates the pre-positioned discharge device to establish a controlled high-current path, bypassing the need for complex real-time decision algorithms and enabling instant safety response
Solution Approach 2:
The discharge device acts as an intermediary safety mechanism between the high-energy battery cells and the external environment. It provides a controlled pathway for energy release, mediating the transition from unsafe internal short conditions to safe external discharge, thereby protecting the battery system without requiring changes to the high-energy-density cell design
2Speed
If antifuse discharge device is activated, then fast discharging capability is achieved, but structural parameters of the activating foil cannot be measured to determine aging damage
Solution Approach 1:
A temperature sensor is introduced as an intermediary measurement element that indirectly monitors the condition of the activating foil. Since direct measurement of the foil's structural parameters is impossible, the temperature sensor serves as a proxy, providing measurable data that correlates with the foil's aging state and health without interfering with the fast-discharge function
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces direct mechanical/structural measurement of the activating foil with thermal field measurement using a temperature sensor. This substitution enables non-intrusive monitoring of the foil's condition through temperature trends, avoiding the need for physical contact or disruption of the high-current path functionality
3Measurement precision
If temperature sensor is placed directly on the discharge device, then accurate temperature measurement is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensing function is extracted as a separate, dedicated component rather than being integrated into the discharge device structure. This allows the monitoring function to be added without modifying the core antifuse mechanism, maintaining simplicity of the high-current path while enabling precise temperature measurement through a standalone sensor element
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 method provides a reliable means to assess the probability of failure of the discharge device due to aging, enabling timely replacement and preventing unsafe energy releases by determining if the discharge device can establish a high-current path between battery terminals.
Implementation Method 1
The temperature of the discharge device is measured via a temperature sensor
Implementation Method 2
The measured temperature is integrated over time in order to determine the parameter corresponding to probability of failure
Implementation Method 3
The current heats the activating foil which destroys the isolating foil by burning and/or melting
Implementation Method 4
The current heats the activating foil which destroys the isolating foil by burning and/or melting
Implementation Method 5
determining the degree of haze or oxidation in auxiliary materials to assess aging
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention regards to a method for monitoring a discharge device (2) of a battery (1), the discharge device (2) being electrically connected to battery terminals (3, 4) and being adapted to be activated to shortcut the battery terminals (3, 4), wherein a parameter corresponding to probability of failure of said activating due to aging of the discharge device (2) is determined based on the trend of temperature of the discharge device (2).