Battery Module Voltage Sensing for Thermal Runaway Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thermal runaway in lithium-ion batteries of electric vehicles can lead to severe damage, including fires, due to the lack of effective detection methods that do not require separate temperature sensors, increasing manufacturing costs and safety risks.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that utilize a high voltage line connected to multiple battery cells with main and auxiliary sensing lines to detect voltage abnormalities, allowing a controller to compare cell and module voltages to identify thermal runaway conditions without a separate temperature sensor, and alert occupants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate temperature sensors are used to detect thermal runaway, then detection accuracy is improved, but manufacturing cost increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the temperature detection function with the existing voltage sensing system. By monitoring voltage changes of battery cells during charging and discharging, the system detects thermal runaway conditions without requiring separate temperature sensors. The voltage abnormality detection is integrated into the battery management system's existing architecture, eliminating additional hardware components while maintaining detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage sensing lines, originally designed for state of charge monitoring, are made multi-functional by also detecting thermal runaway conditions. The same sensing infrastructure serves both voltage measurement and temperature-related safety detection, reducing the need for dedicated temperature sensing hardware and simplifying the overall system architecture.
2Measurement precision
If separate temperature sensors are used to detect thermal runaway, then detection accuracy is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the temperature detection function with the existing voltage sensing system. By monitoring voltage changes of battery cells during charging and discharging, the system detects thermal runaway conditions without requiring separate temperature sensors. The voltage abnormality detection is integrated into the battery management system's existing architecture, eliminating additional hardware components while maintaining detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery cells themselves provide the detection signal through their voltage characteristics during thermal runaway. The system uses the battery's own electrical properties (voltage changes under load) as the detection mechanism, eliminating the need for external sensing hardware and reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining safety functionality.
3Reliability
If voltage monitoring of each battery cell is implemented, then thermal runaway detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the temperature detection function with the existing voltage sensing system. By monitoring voltage changes of battery cells during charging and discharging, the system detects thermal runaway conditions without requiring separate temperature sensors. The voltage abnormality detection is integrated into the battery management system's existing architecture, eliminating additional hardware components while maintaining detection capability.
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 rapid detection and notification of thermal runaway, reducing manufacturing costs and enhancing safety by comparing voltages across battery cells and modules, thereby reducing the risk of vehicle fires and damage.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of main sensing lines electrically connected to the HV line between the plurality of battery cells to measure voltages of respective battery cells
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method of detecting a thermal runaway of a battery for an electric vehicle are provided. The apparatus includes a plurality of battery cells that are connected in series through a high voltage (HV) line and a battery module including the plurality of battery cells. A plurality of main sensing lines are electrically connected to the HV line between the plurality of battery cells to measure voltages of respective battery cells. A plurality of auxiliary sensing lines are respectively connected to an HV line as an input line of the battery module and to an HV line as an output line of the battery module to measure a voltage of the battery module.