Electrochemical Store Defect Localization via Thermal Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles face risks of uncontrolled overheating, fires, and explosions due to defects such as hairline cracks or internal overpressure, which can lead to electrolyte leakage, posing safety concerns and requiring early detection to prevent further damage.
Innovation Solution
A method involving temperature control of subareas within the electrochemical store to increase internal pressure, allowing sensors to detect and localize leaks or defects by correlating sensor signals with temperature manipulation, enabling timely identification and replacement of defective cells or modules during maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If temperature control is applied to subareas to increase internal pressure for defect detection, then measurement precision of defect localization is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional temperature control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack is divided into multiple subareas (modules or cell groups), each equipped with independent temperature control. This segmentation allows localized pressure increase in specific subareas to isolate and identify defect locations precisely, improving measurement precision while managing complexity through modular control.
Solution Approach 2:
Temperature control is applied periodically or sequentially to different subareas rather than continuously to the entire battery. By cycling through subareas and observing sensor responses during each temperature manipulation cycle, the system achieves precise defect localization without requiring all temperature control systems to operate simultaneously, reducing overall device complexity.
2Reliability
If sensor systems are used to detect leaked constituents, then reliability of defect detection is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and signal processing
Solution Approach 1:
Temperature manipulation serves as an intermediary mechanism that amplifies the effect of defects on sensor detection. By increasing internal pressure through temperature control, even minor leaks become more pronounced and easier to detect, improving reliability without requiring equally complex sensor systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor signals are correlated with the applied temperature manipulation to provide feedback about defect locations. This feedback mechanism allows the system to identify which subarea produced which sensor response, enabling precise localization while using relatively simple sensor and processing components.
3Loss of time
If early defect detection is implemented through temperature manipulation, then loss of time for maintenance planning is reduced, but use of energy increases due to active temperature control
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary defect detection by applying temperature manipulation and sensor monitoring before actual failure occurs. This preliminary action enables early identification of defects, allowing maintenance to be planned in advance rather than responding to catastrophic failures, thus reducing loss of time despite the energy investment.
Solution Approach 2:
Temperature control is applied to only the necessary subareas rather than the entire battery system continuously. By limiting temperature manipulation to specific subareas where defects are suspected or during periodic diagnostics, the energy consumption is kept moderate while still achieving early detection benefits.
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 approach effectively limits the risk of complete system failure by providing early warnings of potential malfunctions, allowing for targeted intervention and reducing the need for full battery replacement, thus enhancing safety and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
controlling the temperature of a subarea of the electrochemical store to increase an internal pressure of the subarea
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for localizing a defect in an electrochemical store (165). The method includes a step of controlling the temperature of a subarea (145, 150, 155, 160, 170) of the electrochemical store (165) to increase an internal pressure of the subarea (145, 150, 155, 160, 170), a step of detecting a measured value which represents an escape of a component from the subarea (145, 150, 155, 160, 170) occurring in response to the increased internal pressure of the subarea (145, 150, 155, 160, 170), and a step of localizing the defect in the subarea (145, 150, 155, 160, 170) when the measured value is in a predetermined relation to a comparison value.