Battery Pack Gas Sensing Using Mie Scattering for Early Fault Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional gas detection methods in battery packs are slow and prone to false positives, failing to accurately and promptly detect gas generation, which can lead to thermal runaway, fire, or explosion.

Innovation Solution

A battery pack equipped with a laser unit using Mie scattering to directly sense gas generation by comparing the intensity of laser light scattered by gas particles against a reference value, integrated with a control system to trigger alarms and potentially shut down the battery pack.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional heat sensors or smoke sensors are used for gas detection, then the system structure is simple, but the detection speed is slow and accuracy is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical/electrical sensors (heat sensors, smoke sensors) with an optical detection system using laser light and photodetectors. This substitution enables rapid detection of gas particles through light scattering effects, significantly improving detection speed and accuracy while maintaining manageable system complexity through integrated circuitry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the detection parameter from thermal or optical absorption (conventional sensors) to light scattering intensity. By measuring the scattering of laser light by gas particles, the system achieves rapid and accurate detection of gas generation, resolving the contradiction between detection precision and system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If optical fiber sensors are used to detect gas, then detection capability is improved, but errors occur due to separated or dissolved gas and measurement time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection reliabilityVSAvoidmeasurement time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the detection function from complex optical fiber sensors and implements a simplified direct optical detection system. By removing the optical fiber component and using direct laser-photodetector measurement, the system eliminates errors caused by gas separation or dissolution in the fiber medium while achieving instantaneous measurement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces laser light as an intermediary between the gas particles and the detection system. The laser light interacts with gas particles through scattering, providing a direct and error-free measurement of gas presence without the time delays and errors associated with optical fiber sensors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If high-capacity battery packs are used to increase energy storage, then energy capacity is improved, but cooling difficulty increases and thermal runaway risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy capacityVSAvoidthermal runaway risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary detection of gas generation before thermal runaway occurs. By continuously monitoring for gas particles using the laser-based optical detection system, the system can identify early signs of battery degradation or thermal instability, enabling preventive action before dangerous thermal runaway conditions develop in high-capacity battery packs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 detection of gas generation, reducing the risk of thermal runaway and explosions by providing timely warnings and safety measures.

Implementation Method 1

a laser unit disposed at one surface of the rack housing, the laser unit being configured to sense a gas using Mie scattering

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMie scattering: Scattering

Data Source

PatentEP4007041B1Battery pack including gas generation sensing apparatus using mie scattering and gas detection method using the same
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4007041B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4007041B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4007041B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Disclosed is a battery pack capable of sensing the generation of a gas using Mie scattering, whereby it is possible to rapidly detect abnormality of the battery pack. In addition, whether a battery is abnormal is determined in consideration of a gas generation time as well as the generation of the gas, whereby it is possible to rapidly detect whether the battery is abnormal.