Battery Temperature Estimation Using Dual-Sensor Thermal Gradient
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods of measuring the temperature of an energy storage device using the case top surface result in inaccuracies, leading to increased safety margins and reduced performance due to the discrepancy between the surface and internal temperatures.
Innovation Solution
Employing a first temperature sensor to measure the temperature of an area on or adjacent to the energy storage device's interior, a second sensor to measure the ambient temperature, and an arithmetic device to estimate the device's temperature based on the temperature gradient between these sensors, allowing for accurate temperature estimation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If the temperature of the case top surface is measured and used as the internal temperature, then the measurement is simple, but the temperature measurement accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a temperature gradient model as an intermediary computational framework that bridges the gap between easily measurable surface temperatures and the difficult-to-measure internal temperature. By using the measured surface temperature as input to the thermal model, the system indirectly obtains accurate internal temperature estimates without direct internal sensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct physical temperature measurement (mechanical/thermal sensing) inside the energy storage device with a computational thermal model. Instead of placing sensors inside the device, the system uses mathematical modeling and surface temperature measurements to calculate internal temperature, substituting physical measurement with computational analysis.
2Reliability
If a safety margin is increased to account for temperature measurement discrepancy, then the safety is improved, but the performance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the thermal model continuously uses measured surface temperatures to update and refine the internal temperature estimation. This closed-loop approach allows the system to dynamically adjust safety assessments based on actual thermal conditions, eliminating the need for fixed conservative safety margins while maintaining reliability.
3Measurement precision
If a temperature gradient model is used to estimate internal temperature, then the temperature measurement accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the arithmetic device perform multiple functions: it not only controls the energy storage device but also executes thermal modeling and temperature estimation calculations. By integrating the thermal analysis functionality into the existing control unit, the system avoids adding separate hardware components, thus reducing overall complexity while achieving accurate temperature measurement.
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 precise temperature estimation of energy storage devices, enhancing safety and performance by reducing the need for excessive safety margins.
Implementation Method 1
a first temperature sensor to measure a temperature of an area on the circuit board or a first area at or adjacent to an interior of the energy storage device
Implementation Method 2
a second temperature sensor to measure an ambient temperature of the circuit board or a temperature of a second area that is farther from the interior of the energy storage device than the first area
Implementation Method 3
an arithmetic device including a processor and a memory, the memory including a program that is executable by the processor to cause the processor to estimate a temperature of the energy storage device based on a temperature gradient between the temperature measured by the first temperature sensor and the temperature measured by the second temperature sensor
Data Source
AI summary
An energy storage apparatus includes an energy storage device, a first temperature sensor to measure a temperature of an area on a circuit board or a first area at or adjacent to an interior of the energy storage device, a second temperature sensor to measure an ambient temperature of the circuit board or a temperature of a second area that is farther from the interior of the energy storage device than the first area, and an arithmetic device including a processor and a memory, the memory including a program that is executable by the processor to cause the processor to estimate a temperature of the energy storage device based on a temperature gradient between the temperature measured by the first temperature sensor and the temperature measured by the second temperature sensor.