Vehicle Battery Safety Module for First Responder Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle battery pack systems lack a comprehensive and accessible method for first responders to safely discharge battery packs and monitor conditions, especially after accidents, due to the absence of a standardized communication system for sensor outputs and potential inaccessibility of charging connections.
Innovation Solution
A battery system with a safety module that processes signals from various sensors, including impact, moisture, and smoke sensors, communicating with both the vehicle battery management system (BMS) and body control management (BCM) to identify abnormal conditions, isolate the battery pack, and provide alerts to operators and responders, while also enabling remote signal transmission and stranded energy discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a power charging connection is provided for battery pack discharge, then first responders can discharge the battery pack, but the connection may not be accessible after a collision or accident
Solution Approach 1:
A communication system acts as an intermediary between the battery management system and first responders. The system transmits battery status information and enables remote discharge control without requiring physical access to the charging connection, allowing responders to safely discharge batteries even when the vehicle is inaccessible due to collision damage.
2Loss of information
If battery pack sensors are monitored locally only, then the vehicle operator can see battery status, but first responders cannot access sensor output information
Solution Approach 1:
The battery management system is enhanced with multi-functionality to serve both the vehicle operator and first responders. The communication module transmits sensor data through multiple channels (display, audio, wireless) and to multiple recipients (operator, responders), allowing the same system to provide information universally to all parties without requiring separate dedicated systems.
3Reliability
If multiple sensors are integrated to monitor various battery conditions, then comprehensive safety monitoring is achieved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sensors monitoring different battery conditions (temperature, voltage, current, impact) are merged into a single integrated battery management system. The system consolidates data from all sensors through a common processing architecture, enabling comprehensive monitoring while reducing overall system complexity compared to separate independent monitoring systems.
Data Source
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AI summary
A battery system for a vehicle includes a battery pack having a structure receiving at least one battery. Multiple sensors are mounted to the structure and sense operating conditions inside and outside of the structure. A safety module is disposed on the structure, the safety module having a centralized sensor processor processing signals received from the multiple sensors to identify if any of the operating conditions defines an abnormal condition of the structure. At least one battery pack sensor senses a condition within the battery pack and is in communication with a vehicle battery management system (BMS). The safety module is in communication with the BMS such that the condition within the battery pack is also communicated to the safety module. The centralized sensor processor identifies if the condition within the battery pack correlates with the abnormal condition of the structure.