Battery Cell Vent Deformation Detection for Pre-Venting Response

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Solution Overview

Problem

Battery cell venting can result in the release of hazardous or toxic materials, contaminating surrounding components and causing damage, as existing sensing methods only detect venting events after they occur, failing to prevent contamination or damage in a timely manner.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for monitoring vent deformation in battery cells using deformation detectors arranged at a distance from the vent portion, allowing for early detection of potential venting by determining if the detected deformation meets a threshold deformation, enabling action to be taken before material discharge, without interfering with the vent's primary safety function.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If current sensing methods are used to detect venting events, then venting can be detected, but detection only occurs after venting has already happened, allowing contamination and damage to occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveventing detection accuracyVSAvoidresponse time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by monitoring vent deformation before actual venting occurs. The deformation detector continuously monitors the vent portion for early signs of deformation, allowing the system to detect potential venting events before they happen and take preventive action, thus resolving the time loss issue of post-event detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the conventional electrical sensing method with a mechanical deformation detection method. Instead of using electrical sensors to detect venting after it occurs, the system uses a deformation detector to monitor physical deformation of the vent portion, enabling earlier detection before venting actually happens

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of time

If a deformation detector is arranged close to the vent portion to detect deformation, then early detection is enabled, but the detector may interfere with the vent's structure and hinder its primary safety function

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection timeVSAvoidvent safety function

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses an intermediary approach by positioning the deformation detector at a specific distance from the vent portion. This distance allows the detector to monitor vent deformation effectively while preventing direct contact that could interfere with the vent's structural integrity and safety function, thus resolving the contradiction between early detection and reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by creating a specific spatial relationship between the deformation detector and the vent portion. The detector is positioned at a predetermined distance that optimizes detection capability while maintaining vent functionality, allowing different parts of the system to have different properties (detection proximity vs. structural independence)

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4475265A1Battery cell monitoring

Publication Date: 2024.12.11 VOLVO TRUCK CORP

Figure 1A~1C
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Figure 3~4B

AI summary

A system for monitoring a battery cell, the system comprising a deformation detector configured to be arranged at a distance from a vent portion of the battery cell when the vent portion is in a non-deformed position and configured to detect a deformation of the vent portion; and processing circuity for determining if the detected deformation meets a threshold deformation.