Battery Cell Thermistor Placement at Anode Ends for Safer Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable power supplies lack effective temperature monitoring and safety features, particularly in the placement of thermistors, which can lead to unreliable temperature measurements and increased risk of electrical hazards due to their positioning on the cathode end of battery cells.
Innovation Solution
The placement of thermistors on the anode end of battery cells, rather than the cathode end, provides safer and more reliable temperature measurement by avoiding critical electrical parts and reducing the risk of short circuits, while also allowing for easier mechanical attachment and replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If thermistors are placed on the cathode end of battery cells, then temperature monitoring is achieved, but electrical hazards increase due to proximity to critical electrical parts and risk of short circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The thermistors are extracted from the cathode end location and relocated to the anode end location, separating the temperature sensing function from the high-voltage electrical components. This spatial extraction eliminates the electrical hazard risk while preserving temperature monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The anode end serves as an intermediary location that provides thermal access to the battery cell without the electrical hazards present at the cathode end. This intermediary position allows temperature monitoring while maintaining electrical safety through proper isolation.
2Measurement precision
If thermistors are placed on the cathode end of battery cells, then temperature monitoring is achieved, but susceptibility to temperature variations from air cooling and turbulence increases
Solution Approach 1:
The anode end location provides a locally superior thermal environment with reduced air cooling and turbulence compared to the cathode end. This local quality improvement enhances temperature measurement accuracy by placing the thermistor in a more thermally stable region.
3Reliability
If thermistors are placed on the anode end of battery cells, then safety and reliability are enhanced, but manufacturing complexity increases due to post-assembly attachment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is designed with pre-integrated attachment features for thermistors, enabling straightforward post-assembly attachment. This preliminary design of the attachment mechanism simplifies the manufacturing process despite the relocated thermistor position.
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
This configuration enhances safety and reliability by isolating thermistor wires from high power bus voltages and reduces susceptibility to temperature variations caused by air cooling and turbulence, enabling more accurate temperature monitoring and easier maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
A thermistor is disposed on a respective battery cell of the plurality of battery cells. The thermistor is located nearer to the anode end than to the cathode end of the battery cell.
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments provide a portable power supply comprising a housing having a plurality of sides defining an internal cavity. The portable power supply further includes a battery cell assembly positioned in the internal cavity. The battery cell assembly includes a frame and a plurality of battery cells arranged in the frame. Each of the battery cells includes a cathode end, an anode end opposite the cathode end, and a body extending between the cathode end and the anode end. A thermistor is disposed on a respective battery cell of the plurality of battery cells. The thermistor is located nearer to the anode end than to the cathode end of the battery cell.