Lithium Battery Thermal Management via Variable Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium battery systems face challenges in thermal management, particularly in preventing thermal runaway, due to the need for accurate temperature monitoring and balancing or disconnecting of battery cells to prevent overheating in hybrid vehicle applications.
Innovation Solution
A lithium battery system that includes a variable-resistance element for temperature monitoring and a mechanism to balance or disconnect cells when a predetermined temperature threshold is reached, using a device that determines the voltage of the variable-resistance element to assess cell temperature and take corrective actions such as balancing or disconnecting from the circuit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If lithium battery cells are used to provide enhanced power and performance, then the power and performance of the battery system are improved, but the risk of thermal runaway and safety hazards increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary thermal management actions by continuously monitoring cell temperatures and proactively balancing or disconnecting cells before thermal runaway conditions develop. The system detects temperature thresholds and takes corrective action in advance, preventing the harmful thermal runaway effect rather than responding after it occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary battery management system that mediates between the high-power lithium battery cells and the vehicle electrical system. This intermediary system monitors cell temperatures, balances cell voltages, and controls cell disconnection, thereby reducing the harmful thermal runaway risk while preserving the power benefits of lithium batteries.
2Reliability
If temperature monitoring and cell management mechanisms are implemented, then thermal runaway prevention is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multi-functional battery management system that performs temperature monitoring, cell voltage balancing, and cell disconnection control through a single integrated device. This universal approach improves thermal runaway prevention while minimizing the increase in device complexity by combining multiple safety functions into one system rather than adding separate mechanisms for each function.
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 system effectively reduces the occurrence of thermal runaway by accurately monitoring and managing lithium battery cell temperatures, ensuring safe and efficient operation of lithium battery systems in vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
a variable-resistance element electrically connected to a cell and positioned proximate any portion of the cell; and a device for determining, utilizing the variable-resistance element, whether the temperature of the cell has exceeded a predetermined threshold
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a system for managing a lithium battery system having a plurality of cells. The battery system comprises a variable-resistance element electrically connected to a cell and located proximate a portion of the cell; and a device for determining, utilizing the variable-resistance element, whether the temperature of the cell has exceeded a predetermined threshold. A method of managing the temperature of a lithium battery system is also included.