In-Cell Sensor Assembly for Wireless Battery Pressure Sensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium-ion battery cells lack effective internal pressure measurement capabilities, which are crucial for safety and health monitoring, as traditional methods require wires to break the hermetic seal and face significant signal attenuation from metallic casings, limiting the operational range and reliability of wireless communication.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for in-cell sensing using a hermetically sealed sensor assembly within the battery cell, comprising a sensing element, processor, and radio, which measures temperature, pressure, voltage, and shock, and transmits data wirelessly without altering the seal, utilizing the battery cell casing or electrodes as part of the antenna to optimize signal transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hermetically sealed sensor assembly is used to maintain the battery cell seal, then the hermetic seal integrity is improved, but wireless signal transmission is blocked by the metallic casing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary coupling mechanism where the antenna is positioned to couple with the battery cell casing or electrodes, which act as intermediate conductive elements to transmit the RF signal from the sealed sensor assembly to external receivers without breaking the hermetic seal
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical wire-based connections that would break the hermetic seal with a wireless RF communication system that uses electromagnetic fields to transmit data through the metallic casing, substituting a mechanical transmission system with an electromagnetic field-based system
2Length of moving object
If wireless communication is implemented for internal sensing, then the operational range is extended, but signal attenuation from metallic casings reduces reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the battery cell's own metallic casing and electrodes as part of the antenna system, turning the casing that causes signal attenuation into a functional component that enhances signal transmission, allowing the system to serve itself rather than requiring additional external components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes RF signal parameters including frequency selection, power levels, and modulation schemes to achieve reliable transmission through the metallic casing, adjusting these parameters to compensate for signal attenuation and extend operational range while maintaining reliability
3Measurement precision
If additional power sources are added to the sensor assembly, then the sensing capabilities are enhanced, but the device complexity and power management requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the battery cell serve multiple functions: it acts as both the power source and the antenna for wireless communication, eliminating the need for separate power management components and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining enhanced sensing capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the power source, antenna, and sensor assembly into a single integrated unit within the battery cell, combining multiple functions into one system to reduce complexity while maintaining full sensing and wireless communication capabilities
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 reliable wireless measurement and reporting of internal conditions, improving battery management and state of health monitoring, extending battery life and ensuring safety by preventing thermal runaway, while maintaining the hermetic seal and avoiding additional power sources.
Implementation Method 1
The radio may be in communication with the processor and may be configured to send and receive sensing data
Implementation Method 2
The sensing data may include at least one of temperature, pressure, voltage and shock of the battery cell
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method of in cell sensing is provided. The method may include measuring sensing data from a sensor assembly hermetically sealed within a battery cell. The sensor assembly may include a sensing element, a processor and a radio. The method may further include sending and receiving the sensing data, via the sensor assembly. The sensing data may include at least one of temperature, pressure, voltage and shock of the battery cell.