Battery Module Swelling Detection Using a Slant Contact Panel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies fail to easily detect swelling in battery cells within a battery module, leading to potential performance degradation, toxic gas ejection, and safety risks in electric vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A swelling detection apparatus with a swelling detection panel, slant portion, contact sensor, and control unit that outputs an alarm when the panel moves along the slant surface due to excessive swelling, allowing for easy detection without altering the module's internal structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a swelling detection panel is attached to the battery module with a slant portion and contact sensor, then swelling detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is segmented into distinct functional components: a swelling detection panel that contacts the battery module, a slant portion that converts swelling motion into sensor activation, and a contact sensor that detects the swelling condition. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The slant portion acts as an intermediary mechanism between the swelling detection panel and the contact sensor. It converts the motion of the panel caused by battery swelling into a form that activates the sensor, enabling indirect detection while maintaining system simplicity.
2Reliability
If the swelling detection panel moves along the slant surface to trigger the contact sensor, then detection reliability is improved, but the structure requires more space
Solution Approach 1:
The slant portion introduces a dimensional transformation by converting linear swelling motion into angular displacement. This allows the detection mechanism to function effectively within a compact space by utilizing spatial transformation rather than requiring additional volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The slant surface provides a curved geometric path for the detection panel to follow during swelling detection. This curved geometry enables compact arrangement of components while ensuring reliable contact between the panel edge and the contact sensor.
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 detection of excessive swelling, improving module stability and safety by alerting users or drivers, particularly in electric vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
a contact sensor installed within the space of the battery module housing immediately adjacent to the second location; the contact sensor is configured to output a swelling detection signal in response to the swelling detection panel moving along the slant surface away from the second location such that the edge of the swelling detection panel contacts the contact sensor
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for detecting swelling of a battery module, which includes a swelling detection panel having an edge in contact with an inner surface of a battery module housing; a slant portion configured to protrude from the inner surface of the battery module housing and having a slant surface extending from a first location adjacent to the edge of the swelling detection panel to a second location while forming a predetermined angle with the inner surface; a contact sensor unit installed to the inner surface of the battery module housing immediately adjacent to an end of the slant surface corresponding to the second location; and a control unit configured to receive a swelling detection signal from the contact sensor unit when the edge of the swelling detection panel contacts the contact sensor unit, and to control an alarm unit to output an alarm message.