Battery Module Vent-Passage Sensor for Early Thermal Runaway Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rechargeable battery modules face delays in detecting temperature deviations during thermal runaway due to centralized temperature sensors, which are costly and inefficient in responding to fire events.
Innovation Solution
A rechargeable battery module design with a temperature sensor having a first sensing part connected to battery cells and a second sensing part exposed to the vent passage, allowing for early detection of vent gas temperature during thermal runaway.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a temperature sensor is installed in the central portion of the module to detect battery cell temperature, then the structure is simple and cost-effective, but there is a time delay in detecting thermal runaway events in edge battery cells
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor is extended from a single central location into the vent passage through the bus bar holder, adding a spatial dimension to temperature detection. This allows the sensor to detect vent gas temperature directly, providing early warning of thermal runaway before it affects the central battery cells.
Solution Approach 2:
The vent gas acts as an intermediary that carries thermal information from edge battery cells to the temperature sensor. The sensor detects temperature changes in the vent gas through the vent passage, indirectly monitoring battery cell conditions without direct contact with the cells themselves.
2Loss of time
If temperature sensors are attached to each battery cell to detect thermal runaway immediately, then the detection response time is improved, but the cost and maintenance complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single temperature sensor performs multiple functions: it monitors the temperature of battery cells through thermal conduction via the bus bar holder and simultaneously detects vent gas temperature through the vent passage. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple separate sensors on each cell.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature sensor is integrated with the bus bar holder structure, combining the electrical connection function and temperature sensing function into a single component. This merging reduces the total number of components and simplifies the overall system architecture.
3Ease of manufacture
If a single temperature sensor is used in the central portion, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the ability to detect thermal events in edge battery cells is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensing function is segmented into two distinct sensing parts: a first sensing part for detecting battery cell temperature through thermal conduction, and a second sensing part for detecting vent gas temperature. This segmentation allows a single sensor to monitor multiple thermal zones effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The second sensing part positioned in the vent passage enables preliminary detection of thermal runaway events through vent gas temperature changes before the heat propagates to the central battery cells, providing early warning capability that maintains reliability while using only one sensor.
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
Enhances fire response time by quickly sensing temperature changes in the vent gas, improving safety and responsiveness to thermal events.
Implementation Method 1
The temperature sensor detects the temperature of the battery cell by heat conduction transmitted through a short aluminium plate in contact with the body of the battery cell
Implementation Method 2
the temperature sensor further including a second sensing part connected to the body part, extending through the vent pipe part, and exposed to the vent passage
Data Source
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AI summary
A rechargeable battery module incudes a plurality of battery cells stacked in a first direction; a bus bar holder including a bottom part covering the battery cells and exposing electrode terminals of the battery cells; a bus bar connecting the electrode terminals; and a temperature sensor arranged on an electrode terminal of the electrode terminals to detect a temperature of a battery cell of the battery cells, the temperature sensor including a first sensing part to transmit a detection signal through a body part connected to the first sensing part, the bus bar holder further including a vent pipe part connected to the bottom part to define a vent passage toward a vent of the battery cells along the first direction, and the temperature sensor further including a second sensing part connected to the body part, extending through the vent pipe part, and exposed to the vent passage.