Wireless Battery Temperature Monitoring for Thermal Runaway Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium-ion batteries pose a significant risk of thermal runaway, leading to fires and explosions when stored in large quantities, especially in warehouse environments or during transportation, due to uncontrolled temperature increases, which can result in extensive damage and safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of wireless temperature sensors (WTS) to monitor both battery and ambient temperatures, with battery-monitoring WTSs transmitting data to a processing system that compares measurements to initiate preventive actions when thresholds are exceeded, such as notifications or isolation, to prevent thermal runaway.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If lithium-ion batteries are stored in large quantities in close proximity, then storage efficiency and space utilization are improved, but the risk of thermal runaway propagation and fire damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the storage area into multiple zones with individual temperature monitoring and control. Each battery or battery group is isolated into separate monitoring units, allowing localized detection and response to thermal issues without affecting the entire storage area. This segmentation enables high-density storage while mitigating thermal propagation risk through spatial separation of monitoring and control functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces wireless temperature sensors and a central processing system as intermediaries between the batteries and the environment. These sensors act as mediators that detect thermal conditions and transmit data to the processing system, which then coordinates preventive actions. This intermediary layer enables early detection and intervention before thermal runaway can propagate to adjacent batteries.
2Reliability
If wireless temperature sensors are deployed to monitor battery temperatures, then thermal runaway detection capability is improved, but system complexity and implementation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where wireless temperature sensors continuously monitor battery temperatures and transmit data to a processing system. The system compares readings against threshold values and automatically triggers preventive actions when abnormalities are detected. This closed-loop feedback system improves detection reliability while automating the response process to reduce operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system is designed to be self-regulating through automated threshold comparison and preventive action triggering. The processing system automatically analyzes sensor data, identifies thermal anomalies, and initiates appropriate responses without requiring constant human intervention. This self-service capability reduces the operational burden despite the increased number of sensors deployed.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If preventive actions are automatically initiated when temperature thresholds are exceeded, then safety and damage prevention are improved, but false alarms and unnecessary interventions may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes predetermined temperature thresholds and preventive action protocols before thermal runaway occurs. When sensors detect temperatures approaching these pre-set limits, the system automatically initiates preventive measures such as isolation or cooling protocols. This preliminary action approach ensures timely intervention while the pre-established criteria help filter out false alarms by basing decisions on scientifically determined safety margins.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors multiple temperature parameters and compares them against dynamically adjusted thresholds. By tracking temperature trends and rate of change rather than relying on single static values, the system can distinguish between normal operational variations and genuine thermal runaway risks. This multi-parameter approach reduces false alarms while maintaining sensitive detection capability.
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
Early detection of abnormal temperature increases allows for timely intervention, reducing the risk of fires and explosions, thereby ensuring safer storage and transportation of lithium-ion batteries.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of battery-monitoring wireless temperature sensors that are configured to be placed in thermal communication with the plurality of batteries
Data Source
AI summary
Battery-monitoring wireless temperature sensors (WTSs) are positioned so that they can obtain temperature data related to batteries that are being stored in a storage area. Reference WTSs are positioned throughout the storage area to provide representative ambient temperature data. The battery-monitoring WTSs and the reference WTSs wirelessly transmit temperature measurements to a temperature processing system. The temperature processing system processes the battery-monitoring temperature measurements based on the reference temperature measurements and previous battery-monitoring temperature measurements. In some embodiments, the temperature processing system compares a battery-monitoring temperature measurement received from a particular battery-monitoring WTS to (i) at least one reference temperature measurement, and (ii) any previous battery-monitoring temperature measurements from that same WTS. If the battery-monitoring temperature measurement exceeds (i) or (ii) by a predefined threshold amount, then some type of preventive action is initiated.