Battery Overcharge Sensor System Preventing Flame via Gas and Temperature Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery charging systems fail to effectively prevent overcharge-induced fires by relying solely on temperature measurements, as they do not account for the detection of inflammable gases or vapors vented during overcharge conditions, leading to potential explosive and fire hazards.
Innovation Solution
A sensor system comprising a temperature sensor and an organic gas sensor that detects elevated temperatures and inflammable gases, respectively, to trigger a shutdown of the charging current when both conditions are met, thereby preventing potential flame conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If temperature monitoring alone is used to detect overcharge conditions, then the system complexity is low, but the reliability of fire prevention is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines temperature sensing and gas detection capabilities into an integrated sensor system. The temperature sensor (first sensor) and gas sensor (second sensor) work together to provide comprehensive monitoring of battery conditions, merging multiple detection functions into a unified safety system that triggers charging interruption when either threshold is exceeded.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system is designed with multi-functionality to detect both thermal conditions and chemical emissions. By incorporating sensors that can detect different types of hazards (temperature and gas), the system provides universal protection against various failure modes including overheating, internal short circuits, and chemical decomposition.
2Reliability
If gas detection is added to temperature monitoring, then the reliability of fire prevention improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor control implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring signals from both the temperature sensor and gas sensor. When either sensor detects conditions exceeding predetermined thresholds, the control system receives feedback and automatically interrupts the charging current, creating a closed-loop safety system that responds dynamically to battery conditions.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If charging current is interrupted based on sensor detection, then the harmful effects of overcharge are reduced, but the productivity of battery charging is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by detecting early signs of overcharge conditions through temperature and gas sensors before dangerous situations develop. By interrupting charging at the first indication of abnormal conditions (elevated temperature or gas emission), the system prevents the progression to fire hazards while maximizing safe charging time.
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
The system effectively mitigates the risk of battery overcharge-induced fires by simultaneously monitoring temperature and gas emissions, ensuring timely shutdown of the charging process to prevent ignition, thus minimizing fire hazards.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of at least one component of the battery
Implementation Method 2
a gas sensor configured to detect an inflammable gas or vapor
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor system for mitigating a flame condition in a battery subject to an overcharge condition and being charged using a charging current is provided. A temperature sensor is configured to detect a temperature of at least one component of the battery, and a gas sensor is configured to detect an inflammable gas or vapor. A sensor control is configured to, when the temperature of the at least one component of the battery exceeds a pre-determined temperature threshold and when the gas sensor detects an inflammable gas or vapor, halt the charging current.