Battery Module Housing Opening Detection and Locking Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

The risk of operating an electric bicycle with a potentially dangerous battery module due to improper repairs or the use of unsuitable components, which can lead to damage and safety hazards.

Innovation Solution

A method for detecting an opening in the battery module's housing using multiple sensors to generate a locking signal that deactivates the battery management system, preventing normal operation, charging, or discharging, and featuring a reset mechanism to ensure safe operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of repair

If the housing is opened for repair or component replacement, then maintenance and replacement can be performed, but the risk of improper repair or use of unsuitable components increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveEase of repairVSAvoidReliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by detecting the opening of the housing before any repair or component replacement takes place. Sensors detect when the housing is opened and trigger the battery management system to store locking signals, preventing operation with potentially improper repairs. This proactive detection ensures that even if repair work is performed, the system can identify and prevent unsafe conditions before they lead to failures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the battery management system is deactivated by opening the housing, then safety is improved by preventing operation with damaged components, but the loss of information about the opening event occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveReliabilityVSAvoidLoss of information
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by using sensors to detect when the housing is opened and providing this information back to the battery management system. The system stores locking signals that record the opening event and prevent further operation, while maintaining information about what occurred. This feedback loop ensures both safety through deactivation and preservation of diagnostic information about the housing opening and any subsequent repairs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3722139B1Battery module, electric bicycle andmethod for detecting an opening of a housing,
Publication Date: 2023.05.17 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3722139B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3722139B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3722139B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for detecting an opening in the housing (250) of a battery module (100) comprising the steps of: acquiring (310) a first measurement by means of a first sensor (260), wherein the acquired first measurement represents a detected opening of the housing (250); generating (320) a first sensor signal by means of the first sensor (260) depending on the acquired first measurement; activating (330) a battery management system (200) depending on the first sensor signal; generating (340) a locking signal depending on the first sensor signal of the first sensor (260) by means of the battery management system (200); and deactivating (350) the battery management system (200) depending on the generated locking signal.