Battery Pack Internal Sensing for Thermal Runaway Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery thermal runaway detection methods are prone to significant detection errors due to external temperature measurements, leading to delayed warnings and increased safety risks, as they fail to accurately reflect internal cell conditions.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack design incorporating a cell module with internal first collecting units, such as temperature, pressure, and gas collecting units, connected to a data processing module for direct data collection and real-time thermal runaway detection, enabling early and accurate warning notifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If external temperature measurement methods are used for thermal runaway detection, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision and detection accuracy deteriorate significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The first collecting unit is nested inside the cell structure, with collecting elements positioned within the cell's internal space. This nesting approach enables direct measurement of internal temperature and other parameters without requiring external measurement systems, thereby improving detection accuracy while maintaining relatively simple device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces collecting elements as intermediaries that are placed inside the cell to directly sense internal conditions. These collecting elements act as mediators between the cell's internal state and the detection system, providing accurate real-time data about temperature, pressure, and gas composition without the need for complex external measurement apparatus.
2Measurement precision
If internal collecting units are placed within the cell, then the measurement precision and detection sensitivity are improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The first collecting unit is designed with multi-functionality, where a single integrated structure performs multiple measurement functions (temperature, pressure, gas composition) simultaneously. This reduces the number of separate components needed inside the cell, thereby improving detection precision while limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in physical parameters (temperature, pressure, gas composition) that naturally occur during cell operation and thermal runaway processes. By measuring these inherent parameter changes rather than introducing active sensing mechanisms, the system achieves high detection precision with minimal added complexity to the cell structure.
3Reliability
If multiple collecting elements are arranged inside the cell, then the detection sensitivity and early warning capability are improved, but the manufacturing precision and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple collecting elements are merged into a single integrated first collecting unit structure. This combination approach maintains the ability to detect multiple parameters (temperature, pressure, gas) simultaneously for improved reliability, while reducing the number of separate assembly steps and positioning requirements compared to installing multiple independent sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The collecting elements within the first collecting unit are strategically positioned at specific locations inside the cell where they can most effectively detect thermal runaway conditions. This localized placement optimization ensures high detection reliability without requiring uniform distribution of sensors throughout the entire cell, thereby reducing manufacturing and assembly complexity.
4Loss of time
If real-time internal data collection is implemented, then the response time for thermal runaway warning is reduced, but the energy consumption and data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The first collecting unit is designed to passively collect and transmit data using the cell's own operational energy fields (temperature gradients, pressure differentials, gas flow). This self-service approach enables real-time monitoring with minimal additional energy consumption, as the system leverages existing physical phenomena rather than requiring active power-intensive sensing mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The collecting elements continuously monitor temperature, pressure, and gas composition without interruption, providing uninterrupted real-time data about cell conditions. This continuous monitoring capability detects thermal runaway events immediately when they begin, minimizing warning delay while the energy consumption is managed through efficient signal transmission and processing protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
A battery pack includes a cell module including at least one cell, a first collecting module including at least one first collecting unit arranged in the cell and configured to collect first operation data of the cell, and a data processing module connected with the first collecting unit and configured to perform a thermal runaway detection on the cell based on the first operation data to obtain a first detection result.