Sealed Battery Pack Abnormality Detection Using Pressure and Gas 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 issues.
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
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
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
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the detection system into two independent sensor groups: first abnormality detection sensors (pressure sensors) and second abnormality detection sensors (gas concentration sensors or temperature sensors). Each sensor type detects different aspects of cell abnormalities, and their combined results provide comprehensive detection accuracy while maintaining manageable system complexity through functional segmentation.
2Reliability
If multiple types of sensors (pressure, temperature, gas) are deployed in the pack case, then the reliability of abnormality detection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is designed to universally process detection results from multiple sensor types (pressure sensors, gas concentration sensors, temperature sensors) using a unified abnormality determination algorithm. This multi-functional approach allows the same controller to handle various sensor inputs and determine cell abnormalities reliably, reducing the need for separate processing systems for each sensor type.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary that integrates detection results from different sensor types. Instead of having separate processing systems for each sensor, the controller mediates between the diverse sensor inputs and the final abnormality determination, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining high reliability through multi-parameter analysis.
3Speed
If pressure valves with low activation pressure are used, then the safety response time is reduced, but the loss of information about early-stage abnormalities increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection using gas concentration sensors and temperature sensors before pressure buildup reaches rupture levels. These sensors detect early-stage abnormalities (such as internal short circuits or thermal events) before the pressure valve activates, preserving information about the onset of failures and enabling earlier safety responses without waiting for pressure valve activation.
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 improved accuracy in detecting abnormalities in cells, ensuring safety by disconnecting affected cells from the load and enabling timely maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the plurality of cells includes an electrode body and a hermetically sealed cell case housing the electrode body. The cell case includes a first pressure valve configured to irreversibly rupture by a predetermined activation pressure.
Implementation Method 2
The pack case includes a second pressure valve to be released at a predetermined pressure.
Implementation Method 3
The first abnormality detection sensor is a sensor that detects a pressure value in the pack case.
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.
Implementation Method 5
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
Data Source
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.