Battery Module Vent-Passage Sensing for Thermal Runaway Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rechargeable battery modules face challenges in detecting thermal runaway events promptly due to the installation of temperature sensors only at the central portion, leading to time delays in fire detection, especially when thermal runaway occurs in edge battery cells, and are costly and difficult to maintain by attaching sensors to each cell.
Innovation Solution
A rechargeable battery module design that includes a temperature sensor with a first sensing part connected to the battery cell and a second sensing part exposed to the vent passage, allowing for effective detection of vent gas temperature during thermal runaway events, thereby enhancing response time and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a temperature sensor is installed in the central portion of the module to detect battery cell temperature, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing cost is lowered, but the response time to thermal runaway events in edge battery cells is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor is extended from a single central location into a third dimension by adding a sensing probe that reaches through the bus bar holder into the vent passage, allowing detection of vent gas temperature from thermal runaway events without requiring multiple sensors across the battery module
2Loss of time
If temperature sensors are attached to each battery cell to detect thermal runaway events promptly, then the response time to thermal runaway is improved, but the device complexity and maintenance cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single temperature sensor serves multiple functions: it detects the temperature of battery cells during normal operation through the first sensing part, and detects the temperature of vent gas during thermal runaway events through the second sensing part, replacing the need for multiple sensors on each cell
3Ease of manufacture
If a temperature sensor is installed in the central portion of the module, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but the detection precision for edge battery cell thermal runaway is degraded due to heat conduction delay
Solution Approach 1:
The vent passage acts as an intermediary channel that allows the temperature sensor to indirectly detect the temperature of vent gas from thermal runaway events without being physically adjacent to the battery cells, eliminating heat conduction delays while maintaining manufacturing simplicity
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
The module effectively senses temperature deviations during thermal runaway, securing a longer response time and improving safety by detecting temperature increases in vent gas, which is not possible with central-only sensor installations, and reduces maintenance costs by using a single sensor system.
Implementation Method 1
The temperature sensor detects the temperature of the battery cell by heat conduction transmitted through a short aluminum plate in contact with the body of the battery cell
Implementation Method 2
the temperature sensor further including a second sensing part connected to the body part, extending through the vent pipe part, and exposed to the vent passage
Data Source
AI summary
A rechargeable battery module incudes a plurality of battery cells stacked in a first direction; a bus bar holder including a bottom part covering the battery cells and exposing electrode terminals of the battery cells; a bus bar connecting the electrode terminals; and a temperature sensor arranged on an electrode terminal of the electrode terminals to detect a temperature of a battery cell of the battery cells, the temperature sensor including a first sensing part to transmit a detection signal through a body part connected to the first sensing part, the bus bar holder further including a vent pipe part connected to the bottom part to define a vent passage toward a vent of the battery cells along the first direction, and the temperature sensor further including a second sensing part connected to the body part, extending through the vent pipe part, and exposed to the vent passage.