Battery Element Safety Device for Terminal Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrochemical storage batteries in electric vehicles pose safety risks during maintenance due to high voltage at terminals, which can cause electrocution and hydrogen gas production, and require complex cooling systems to prevent water ingress and voltage-induced operating issues.
Innovation Solution
A battery element with a safety device comprising normally closed and open switches, MOSFET transistors, and a control circuit that selectively isolates or connects terminals, ensuring safe operation by managing voltage application and detecting transistor deterioration, thereby preventing electric arcs and hydrogen production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the battery is provided with a disconnecting circuit to isolate the battery from the vehicle's high voltage bus, then the accessibility of battery terminals for maintenance is improved, but the voltage remains applied to the terminals posing electrocution risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the voltage application function from the battery terminals by introducing a switching circuit that can separate the terminals from the high voltage bus while maintaining electrical isolation. The first switch disconnects the first terminal from the high voltage bus, and the second switch disconnects the second terminal, effectively removing the harmful voltage potential from the accessible terminals during maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces switching circuitry as an intermediary between the battery's internal electrochemical accumulators and the external terminals. This intermediary mechanism (comprising first and second switches) controls the flow of voltage, allowing terminals to be accessible while preventing harmful voltage application through the switching action that isolates terminals from the high voltage bus when needed.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the battery cooling system is designed to prevent water ingress, then the risk of hydrolysis and hydrogen production is reduced, but the battery cannot be housed as tightly as desired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary protective measures by providing a sealing arrangement that prevents water from reaching the battery terminals before hydrolysis can occur. This preliminary defense mechanism (the sealing arrangement) blocks water ingress pathways, preventing the chemical reaction between water and terminals that would produce hydrogen gas, thereby addressing the harmful effect before it can manifest.
3Quantity of substance
If the battery is designed with high voltage capability, then the energy storage capacity is improved, but the safety risks during maintenance increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic control through switching circuitry that can change the electrical configuration of the battery based on operational requirements. The first and second switches can dynamically isolate the terminals from the high voltage bus during maintenance while allowing full voltage application during normal operation, making the high voltage system adaptable to different operational states and safer during maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical parameters at the terminals through controlled switching actions. By opening the first and second switches, the voltage parameter at the terminals is changed from high voltage to zero voltage state, allowing the battery to maintain high voltage capability for energy storage while temporarily altering the terminal voltage parameter to ensure maintenance safety.
4Reliability
If switches are added to isolate terminals, then maintenance safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the switching function with the existing battery terminal structure by integrating the first and second switches into the terminal configuration. Rather than adding completely separate isolation mechanisms, the switches are combined with the terminal assembly, allowing terminal isolation functionality to be achieved while minimizing additional complexity through integrated design.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a battery element (21), including: a plurality of electrochemical battery cells (22) applying a potential difference between first and second poles (25, 26); and two power output terminals (23, 24). The element further includes: a security device (8) including first and second switches (802, 803) connected, in series, between the first and second poles, the first switch being a switch that is normally closed and the second switch being a switch that is normally open, the normally open switch being configured to selectively insulate/connect the first pole and the first terminal from/to one another, and the normally closed switch being configured to selectively insulate/connect the first and second terminals from/to one another, wherein the control signal of the normally closed switch is a voltage applied by said electrochemical battery cells.