Battery Fire Detector Using Gas, Smoke, and Heat Precursors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lithium ion batteries are prone to overheating and catching fire, with current fire suppression systems being ineffective due to a lack of early detection capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A multi-criteria detector that combines sensors for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), hydrogen fluoride (HF) and carbon dioxide (CO2) gases, smoke particulates, and local temperature rise to identify the onset of a fire or overheated condition, using a chambered detector with specific light sources and photodetectors, along with a controller to discriminate between nuisance alarms and real events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a detector system uses multiple detection assemblies (temperature, gas, smoke) to improve early fire detection accuracy, then the reliability of fire detection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detector system is segmented into three independent detection assemblies: temperature sensor assembly, gas detection assembly, and smoke detection assembly. Each assembly independently monitors a specific parameter (temperature, gas composition, smoke particles) and can independently trigger an alarm, allowing the system to achieve high reliability through multiple independent detection paths rather than a single complex detection mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The detector system is designed with multi-functionality by integrating temperature sensing, gas detection (for HF and CO2), and smoke particle detection into a single unified device. This allows one system to perform multiple detection functions simultaneously, improving fire detection reliability while avoiding the need for separate independent detection systems that would increase overall complexity.
2Measurement precision
If the smoke detection assembly uses multiple light sources (UV and IR) to discriminate smoke particles from nuisance particles, then the measurement precision is improved, but the use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The smoke detection assembly employs local quality by using different light sources (UV and IR) targeted at specific wavelengths that interact differently with smoke particles versus nuisance particles. This wavelength-specific detection approach enables precise discrimination of particle types based on their unique optical absorption and scattering characteristics at different energy levels, achieving high measurement precision while managing energy consumption through selective wavelength targeting.
3Loss of time
If the detector monitors multiple criteria (temperature, gas composition, smoke particles) to enable early fire detection, then the early detection capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detector system implements preliminary action by continuously monitoring multiple fire precursor indicators (temperature changes, gas composition changes, smoke particle presence) simultaneously and independently. This allows the system to detect early signs of battery thermal runaway before a full fire develops, enabling early intervention while maintaining a manageable device architecture through the use of standardized, off-the-shelf sensor components for each detection modality.
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
Enables rapid and accurate early detection of lithium ion battery fires or overheated conditions, allowing for timely fire suppression or mitigation without false alarms.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature sensor operably disposed proximate to the detection space
Implementation Method 2
gas detection assemblies configured to detect gases through absorption in the detection space
Implementation Method 3
a light source configured to emit light having a wavelength range of about 2.0-3.0 μm through the detection space and a photodetector configured to detect the light
Implementation Method 4
a smoke detection assembly configured to detect particle scattering in the detection space to discriminate smoke particles from nuisance particles
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4
AI summary
A fire and/or overheated condition detector for a lithium ion battery is provided. The fire and/or overheated condition detector includes a chamber defining a detection space fluidly communicative with an interior of the lithium ion battery, a temperature sensor operably disposed proximate to the detection space, gas detection assemblies configured to detect gases through absorption in the detection space and a smoke detection assembly configured to detect particle scattering in the detection space to discriminate smoke particles from nuisance particles.