Battery Heating Pad Control for Overheat-Safe Reuse
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery packs face the risk of overheating, leading to potential fires or explosions due to inadequate heat management, and existing solutions that attempt to mitigate this issue often result in the battery pack becoming unusable after temperature thresholds are reached.
Innovation Solution
A heating pad control apparatus that monitors the temperature of the battery pack and adjusts the current flowing through a heating pad based on both-end voltages and temperature signals, using comparators and a control signal output circuit to manage the heating relay's state, thereby controlling the heating pad's operation to maintain the battery pack within a safe temperature range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a disposable fuse is used to short the battery when temperature reaches a critical level, then the battery pack safety is improved, but the battery pack becomes unusable and cannot be reused
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using a disposable fuse that melts and shorts the battery circuit when temperature reaches a critical level. This sacrificial component provides safety by eliminating the risk of thermal runaway, though it renders the battery pack unusable. The fuse is designed to be consumed in the event of overheating, prioritizing safety over reusability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a reusable but potentially unsafe temperature management system, the patent inverts the approach by employing a disposable fuse that actively destroys the circuit when temperature becomes dangerous. This inversion transforms the safety mechanism from being reusable to being single-use, ensuring safety through complete circuit interruption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the battery pack temperature is allowed to rise to critical levels, then the energy density and performance are improved, but the risk of fire or explosion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by pre-installing a fuse that will automatically activate when temperature reaches a predetermined critical level. This preventive measure is designed to counteract the harmful effects of overheating before they can manifest as fire or explosion, by interrupting the electrical circuit in advance when dangerous temperature conditions are detected.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of high temperature into a beneficial safety mechanism. The fuse is designed to melt and short the circuit specifically when temperature becomes dangerously high, transforming the harmful thermal condition into a trigger for safety activation. The heat that could cause fire instead triggers the fuse to protect the battery pack.
3Temperature
If a heating pad is continuously activated to manage battery temperature, then the temperature control effectiveness is improved, but the energy consumption and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the battery pack temperature and using this information to control the heating pad operation. The temperature sensor provides real-time feedback to the control circuit, which adjusts the heating pad activation and intensity accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system maintains temperature within safe ranges while avoiding unnecessary heating that would waste energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating control system operates autonomously using self-service principles. The temperature sensor automatically detects temperature conditions, and the control circuit independently decides when to activate or deactivate the heating pad based on predetermined temperature thresholds. This self-regulating system eliminates the need for external control intervention, reducing operational complexity while maintaining effective temperature management.
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
Effectively prevents the battery pack temperature from exceeding safe levels, reducing the risk of damage and accidents while allowing for continued use of the battery pack by maintaining it within a predetermined temperature range.
Implementation Method 1
a heating pad disposed on the heating line, wherein the heating pad generates heat when a current is applied thereto
Data Source
AI summary
A heating pad control apparatus capable of preventing a battery pack from maintaining a high-temperature state by controlling an operating state of a heating pad based on a temperature of the battery pack and a current flowing through the battery pack. There is an advantage in that the temperature of the battery pack may be prevented from rising above a certain level. Accordingly, since the temperature of the battery pack is maintained at a certain level, damage to the elements provided in the battery pack is reduced, and the use efficiency of the battery pack may be improved.