Battery Module Thermistor Plate for Central Cell Temperature Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery packs face challenges in accurately measuring the temperature of the central portion of a cell assembly, where multiple battery cells are stacked, and are prone to damage when swelling occurs, affecting the safety and efficiency of temperature monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A battery module design featuring a thermistor plate positioned between battery cells, with a guide groove and accommodation groove to accommodate a substrate, allowing the thermistor to be placed at arbitrary positions, including the central portion, ensuring stable contact and minimizing stress concentration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the thermistor is covered with the battery pack housing or provided to the bus bar frame, then the battery pack structure is simple, but the temperature measurement precision is insufficient and the reliability is poor when swelling occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The thermistor is nested within a groove on the battery cell, and the substrate is nested within a groove on the thermistor plate. This nested structure allows the thermistor to be positioned at the central portion of the cell assembly for accurate temperature measurement while maintaining a compact design that does not significantly increase overall structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate acts as an intermediary between the thermistor and the external environment, providing mechanical support and electrical connection while allowing the thermistor to be protected within the thermistor plate groove. The thermistor plate itself serves as an intermediary structure that facilitates precise positioning and protection of the thermistor.
2Measurement precision
If the thermistor is placed at the central portion of the cell assembly, then the temperature measurement precision is improved, but the thermistor and battery cell may be damaged when swelling occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The groove structure on the battery cell and the substrate provide a cushioning effect by creating a dedicated accommodation space for the thermistor. When battery cell swelling occurs, this pre-designed groove structure absorbs the expansion stress, preventing direct damage to the thermistor while maintaining its central positioning for accurate temperature monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate acts as a flexible intermediate layer that can accommodate minor dimensional changes and swelling of the battery cell. The groove structures provide a constrained but flexible environment that allows the thermistor to maintain contact with the battery cell for accurate measurement while protecting it from excessive stress during swelling events.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the thermistor is placed at arbitrary positions, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermistor plate with its integrated groove structure serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical support for the thermistor, positions the thermistor at arbitrary locations including the central portion, protects the thermistor from damage, and facilitates thermal contact. This multi-functional design achieves positioning flexibility without proportionally increasing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery module structure is segmented into distinct functional components: the battery cell with its groove, the substrate, the thermistor plate with its groove, and the thermistor itself. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity, enabling arbitrary thermistor positioning without complicating the entire system.
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 measurement at any desired location within the cell assembly, particularly the central high-temperature area, enhancing safety and efficiency by preventing thermistor and battery cell damage, and improving monitoring accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
the thermistor may include an element whose resistance value varies according to temperature, such as NTC (Negative Temperature Coefficient)
Implementation Method 2
a substrate having one side to which the thermistor is coupled and configured to transmit temperature information of the battery cell sensed by the thermistor to the outside
Data Source
AI summary
A battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a cell assembly having a plurality of stacked battery cells, a thermistor configured to sense the temperature of the battery cell, a substrate having one side to which the thermistor is coupled and configured to transmit temperature information of the battery cell sensed by the thermistor to the outside, and a thermistor plate on which the substrate is disposed and a guide groove in which the thermistor is accommodated is formed, the thermistor plate being disposed between the plurality of battery cells.