Battery Module Gas Detection Conduit for Early Fault Warning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing secondary battery abnormality detection systems face challenges in accurately and timely detecting internal and external short circuits caused by active material leakage, as voltage changes occur gradually, leading to delayed response times.
Innovation Solution
A secondary battery abnormality notification system that draws gas from the upper portion of a module string and detects the concentration of active material using a detection unit, allowing for early detection and notification of abnormalities, with a conduit pipe guiding gases to a detection unit positioned below, avoiding exposure to high temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If voltage change detection is used to detect short circuiting in battery cells, then the detection method is simple, but the response time is delayed because voltage changes occur gradually
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gas detection system as an intermediary method to detect active material leakage. Instead of directly monitoring voltage changes in battery cells, the system detects gases (such as sulfur trioxide) that are released when active materials leak from damaged cells. This intermediary detection method provides earlier warning of potential failures before voltage changes become significant, thereby reducing response time while maintaining relative simplicity in the detection approach.
2Measurement precision
If the detection unit is positioned at the upper portion of the module string to detect leaking gases, then the detection sensitivity is improved, but the detection unit is exposed to high temperatures which may cause damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by positioning the detection unit at the lower portion of the module string instead of the upper portion. The detection unit draws gases upward from the bottom of the container, allowing it to detect active material leakage without being exposed to the high temperatures at the top of the battery module. This inversion resolves the contradiction by maintaining detection sensitivity while protecting the detection unit from thermal damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a conduit pipe as an intermediary structure that transports gases from the upper portion of the module to the detection unit positioned at the lower portion. This conduit system allows the detection unit to access leaking gases without being physically located in the high-temperature zone, thereby maintaining detection sensitivity while avoiding thermal exposure.
3Loss of time
If gas detection is used to detect active material leakage, then the early detection capability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the natural buoyancy and upward movement of hot gases within the battery container as a self-service mechanism. The detection system does not require complex active pumping or forced circulation systems; instead, it leverages the inherent thermal convection currents that naturally transport gases upward. This approach enables early detection capability while minimizing the complexity of the gas transport mechanism, requiring only a conduit pipe and detection unit.
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 early detection and notification of abnormalities, reducing the risk of delayed responses and potential damage by utilizing a gas detection system that is not exposed to high temperatures, thereby improving the accuracy and speed of fault identification.
Implementation Method 1
The detection unit draws in a measurement target gas from the conduit pipe to detect concentration of active material contained in the measurement target gas
Implementation Method 2
The conduit pipe extends from an upper position to a lower position of the module string
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a secondary battery abnormality warning system. The secondary battery abnormality warning system has: a module line (24) in which two or more modules (22) formed by housing a large number of secondary batteries are mounted in a vertical direction; a pipe (66) installed from the upper portion of the module line (24) to the lower portion thereof; a detection unit (68) installed at the lower portion of the module line (24) and drawing a gas to be measured flowing in the pipe (66) to detect the concentration of an active material contained in the gas to be measured; and a warning unit (16) for, based on at least the output of the detection unit (68), detecting the occurrence of an abnormality and warning of the abnormality.