Battery Pressure Sensor Internal Short Circuit Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current battery management systems lack reliable methods for early detection of internal short circuits and gas generation in lithium-ion batteries, which can lead to thermal runaway, explosions, and other safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A battery management system utilizing pressure sensors to measure swelling forces and convert them into electrical signals, allowing for real-time monitoring and comparison against reference signals or characteristic curves to detect potential internal short circuits and gas generation before significant temperature increases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional battery management systems are used, then the system structure is simple, but the detection capability for internal short circuits and gas generation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection function by adding separate pressure sensors to monitor different aspects of battery cell behavior (swelling, gas generation) independently from the existing voltage and temperature monitoring systems. This allows targeted improvement of detection capability without completely redesigning the entire BMS architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure sensor serves multiple detection functions simultaneously: it detects cell swelling caused by gas generation, identifies internal short circuits through abnormal pressure patterns, and monitors overall cell health. This multi-functionality improves detection capability while minimizing the addition of hardware complexity.
2Reliability
If pressure sensors are added to detect internal short circuits, then detection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensor acts as an intermediary element that indirectly detects internal short circuits by measuring the mechanical effects (swelling, pressure changes) they cause, rather than directly measuring electrical parameters. This approach improves reliability by providing an independent detection mechanism that complements existing electrical sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces purely electrical detection methods with a mechanical sensing approach using pressure sensors. This substitution enables detection of physical phenomena (gas generation, swelling) that electrical sensors cannot detect, thereby improving reliability through multi-physics monitoring.
3Loss of time
If real-time pressure monitoring is implemented, then early detection capability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic pressure monitoring at strategically chosen intervals rather than continuous monitoring. Pressure readings are taken at key moments such as during charging/discharging transitions or when abnormal patterns are detected, enabling early detection while minimizing unnecessary energy consumption during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback mechanisms where pressure readings trigger further monitoring or alerts only when abnormal patterns are detected. During normal operation, monitoring can be reduced to periodic checks, and intensive monitoring is activated only when the feedback from pressure sensors indicates potential issues, thus balancing early detection with energy efficiency.
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
Enables early and confident detection of internal short circuits and gas generation, reducing the risk of thermal runaway and associated hazards by providing actionable alerts before battery damage occurs.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensor for measuring swelling forces of the battery cell, wherein the pressure sensor converts levels of pressure into electrical signals
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical device comprises a battery cell; a pressure sensor for measuring swelling forces of the battery cell, optionally with voltage, temperature and current sensors, and a battery management system including a controller. The controller executes a program to: (i) determine a reference swelling force corresponding to a reference electrical signal received from the pressure sensor at an earlier reference time, (ii) determine a second swelling force corresponding to a second electrical signal received from the pressure sensor at a later second time, and (iii) determine whether a risk of internal short circuit of the battery cell exists by comparing a reference level of the reference electrical signal and a signal representative of the second electrical signal. When the signal representative of the second electrical signal exceeds the reference level of the reference electrical signal by a threshold amount, a risk of internal short circuit of the cell exists.