Battery Pack Thermal Runaway Detection During BMS Communication Failure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for detecting thermal runaway in battery packs are hindered when voltage and temperature measurements from battery cells cannot be obtained due to damaged analog front end (AFE) integrated circuits or communication line issues.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for detecting thermal runaway in a battery pack that involves detecting communication errors with slave BMSs, obtaining the temperature of the master board from a temperature sensor, and using this temperature to detect thermal runaway.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If voltage and temperature measurements from battery cells are used to detect thermal runaway, then detection accuracy is improved, but the system becomes vulnerable to measurement failures when AFE IC or communication lines are damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from battery cell voltage and temperature to master board temperature. This alternative parameter provides a backup detection method that remains reliable even when the original measurement parameters become unavailable due to AFE IC or communication line failures.
Solution Approach 2:
The master board temperature serves as an intermediary indicator for thermal runaway detection. Instead of directly measuring battery cell parameters, the system uses the master board temperature as a proxy that reflects thermal conditions in the battery pack, providing indirect but reliable detection when direct measurement is unavailable.
2Reliability
If the system continuously monitors communication with slave BMS to detect errors, then system reliability is improved, but communication overhead and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary communication verification by checking whether information is received within a predetermined time period. This preliminary check quickly identifies communication failures without requiring extensive verification processes, reducing time loss while maintaining reliability.
3Reliability
If the system switches to using master board temperature for thermal runaway detection, then detection capability is maintained when cell data is unavailable, but measurement precision may be reduced compared to direct cell measurement
Solution Approach 1:
The system prepares backup detection capabilities in advance by having the master board temperature sensor ready and calibrated. When communication failures or AFE IC damage occur, this pre-prepared alternative measurement method immediately takes over, cushioning against the loss of primary measurement capabilities and maintaining continuous detection availability.
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 the detection of thermal runaway even when voltage and temperature data from battery cells are unavailable, ensuring reliable safety monitoring of battery packs.
Implementation Method 1
obtaining temperature of a master board from a temperature sensor located on the master board
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for detecting thermal runaway of a battery pack including at least one battery module in a master battery management system (BMS) is provided. The method for detecting thermal runaway includes: detecting a communication error with at least one slave BMS that detects information on the at least one battery module; if a communication error with the at least one BMS is detected, obtaining temperature of a master board from a temperature sensor located on the master board in which the master BMS is installed; and detecting thermal runaway of the battery pack using the temperature of the master board.