Battery Thermal Gradient Monitoring for Swelling Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery-powered electronic devices face challenges in monitoring battery health due to excessive heating and swelling, which traditional fuel gauges fail to effectively track, especially in systems where batteries are mainly held at full charge and rarely fully discharged.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack system with temperature sensors and a control board that monitor the temperature gradient between the battery and a heat source, transmitting alerts if the gradient exceeds predefined thresholds, and optionally disabling the device to prevent damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional fuel gauges are used to monitor battery health, then battery capacity can be tracked during charge and discharge, but the system fails to effectively monitor battery degradation when the battery is held at full charge and rarely fully discharged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the monitoring parameter from battery capacity (used by traditional fuel gauges) to temperature gradient between the battery and heat source. This parameter change enables effective monitoring of battery degradation regardless of charge/discharge patterns, as temperature gradients continuously reflect battery health even when the battery remains at full charge.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electrochemical-based fuel gauge system with a thermal-based monitoring system using temperature sensors and heat sources. This substitution allows the system to monitor battery degradation through thermal characteristics rather than capacity measurements, making it effective for batteries that are rarely discharged.
2Ease of operation
If the battery is held at full charge for extended periods, then the device maintains readiness for use, but the battery experiences excessive heating and accelerated degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where temperature sensors continuously monitor the battery temperature and heat source temperature, and the control board compares these readings to determine temperature gradients. When degradation is detected through gradient changes, the system can alert users or adjust charging behavior to prevent further degradation, thus extending battery lifespan while maintaining device readiness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses temperature gradient monitoring to detect early signs of battery degradation before significant damage occurs. By continuously measuring the temperature difference between the battery and heat source, the system can identify degradation trends and take preventive actions such as adjusting charging parameters or notifying users to change usage patterns.
3Measurement precision
If temperature monitoring is implemented to detect battery degradation, then battery health can be tracked, but the system complexity increases with additional sensors and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the heat source serve multiple functions: it provides thermal energy for battery charging/warming and acts as a reference temperature source for degradation detection. The temperature sensors similarly serve dual purposes by monitoring both battery temperature and heat source temperature. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby limiting the increase in system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery's own thermal characteristics during normal operation serve as the monitoring mechanism. The temperature gradient between the battery and heat source during charging naturally reveals degradation information without requiring external test equipment or complex diagnostic procedures. The system uses the battery's operational thermal behavior itself as the detection method.
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
Effectively tracks battery degradation by monitoring temperature gradients, preventing damage from battery swelling and ensuring safe operation of electronic devices.
Implementation Method 1
the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor include thermistors
Implementation Method 2
a heat source disposed proximate to the battery and configured to heat the battery
Data Source
AI summary
A battery pack includes a battery, a first temperature sensor configured to provide a first temperature value associated with a temperature of the battery, a heat source disposed proximate to the battery and configured to heat the battery, a second temperature sensor configured to provide a second temperature value associated with a temperature of the heat source, and a control board coupled to the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor, wherein the control board is configured to receive the first temperature value and the second temperature value. The control board is configured to compare the first temperature value and the second temperature value to determine a temperature gradient between the battery and the heat source and transmit an alert if the temperature gradient exceeds a first temperature gradient threshold.