Battery Pack Abnormality Detection Using Dual Pressure Sensors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery systems face challenges in accurately detecting abnormalities in cells, which can lead to inefficiencies and safety concerns.

Innovation Solution

A battery system comprising a plurality of cells, a hermetically sealed pack case, a first abnormality detection sensor, a second abnormality detection sensor, and a controller. The system includes a first pressure valve in each cell and a second pressure valve in the pack case, with sensors detecting pressure, temperature, and gas generation to determine abnormal cell conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single pressure sensor is used to detect abnormalities in battery cells, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision and reliability of abnormality detection deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of sensorsVSAvoidabnormality detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the detection system into multiple independent pressure sensors positioned at different locations within the battery pack. Each sensor monitors pressure changes in its local region, allowing the system to detect abnormalities with higher precision while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular deployment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines data from multiple pressure sensors with threshold comparison logic to create a comprehensive abnormality detection system. By merging multiple measurement points and applying unified detection criteria, the system achieves high measurement precision without proportionally increasing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Measurement precision

If multiple sensors are deployed to improve detection accuracy, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabnormality detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor network configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent places pressure sensors at specific strategic locations within the battery pack where pressure changes most clearly indicate cell abnormalities. This localized positioning strategy ensures high detection precision while minimizing the total number of sensors required, thereby controlling device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the natural pressure changes that occur during normal battery operation and during abnormalities as the detection signal. By leveraging these inherent physical phenomena rather than requiring complex active testing mechanisms, the system achieves high measurement precision with relatively simple sensor deployment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 provides enhanced accuracy in detecting abnormalities in cells, ensuring safety and efficiency by promptly identifying and responding to abnormal conditions.

Implementation Method 1

The cell case includes a first pressure valve configured to irreversibly rupture by a predetermined activation pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure-induced rupture: Fracture Mechanics

Implementation Method 2

The pack case includes a second pressure valve to be released at a predetermined pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure-driven release: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 3

The first abnormality detection sensor is a sensor that detects a pressure value in the pack case

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure detection: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 4

The second abnormality detection sensor is a sensor that detects at least one of detection values including a pressure value, a temperature, and a generated gas in the pack case

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure detection: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP4546503A1Battery system
Publication Date: 2025.04.30 PRIME PLANET ENERGY & SOLUTIONS INC
  • EP4546503A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4546503A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4546503A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A battery system includes a plurality of cells, a hermetically sealed pack case, a first abnormality detection sensor, a second abnormality detection sensor, and a controller. The plurality of cells each includes a hermetically sealed cell case. The cell case includes a first pressure valve configured to irreversibly rupture by a predetermined activation pressure. The controller is configured to execute an abnormality determination process of determining that an abnormality occurs in at least one of the plurality of cells if the pressure value detected by the first abnormality detection sensor is higher than a predetermined threshold value and the detection value detected by the second abnormality detection sensor is higher than a predetermined threshold value.