Multilayer PCB Temperature Sensing for Battery Cell Connectors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery systems struggle to effectively monitor the temperature of multiple individual cells, leading to inaccurate and delayed temperature measurements.

Innovation Solution

A battery with a multilayer printed circuit board featuring heat-insulating material, multiple temperature sensors, and a multi-pole connector for precise temperature measurement, along with vias and thermally conductive sheaths for improved heat transfer and reduced heat absorption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a temperature measuring device is added to monitor battery cell temperatures, then temperature monitoring capability is improved, but the device absorbs heat from the battery cells leading to measurement inaccuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature measurement accuracyVSAvoidheat absorption by measuring device
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The measuring device is segmented into multiple independent temperature sensors distributed at different positions on the circuit board, each measuring temperature at specific locations without concentrating heat absorption in one area

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A circuit board serves as an intermediary between the temperature sensors and the battery cells, providing thermal isolation while enabling electrical connection and signal transmission

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If multiple temperature sensors are arranged on a circuit board to monitor numerous battery cells, then temperature monitoring coverage is improved, but the response time of temperature measurement is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature monitoring coverageVSAvoidtemperature measurement response time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Temperature sensors are positioned at specific critical locations on the circuit board where temperature gradients are most significant, ensuring accurate local temperature measurement without requiring sensors at every possible position

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The circuit board provides a two-dimensional mounting surface that allows multiple sensors to be arranged in space, enabling comprehensive temperature monitoring of numerous battery cells simultaneously without increasing response time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a multilayer printed circuit board with heat-insulating material is used as the carrier, then heat absorption by the measuring device is reduced, but the complexity of the device structure increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat absorption by measuring deviceVSAvoidcircuit board structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The circuit board is constructed as a composite structure with heat-insulating material layers combined with conductor layers, providing both thermal isolation and electrical functionality in a single integrated component

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The multilayer circuit board simultaneously serves multiple functions: mechanical support for sensors, electrical connection pathway, thermal isolation barrier, and structural mounting platform, eliminating the need for separate components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 accurate and rapid temperature monitoring of numerous battery cells by minimizing heat absorption and ensuring direct thermal contact, enhancing measurement accuracy and response time.

Implementation Method 1

the printed circuit board is made of a heat-insulating material, so that it has a low heat capacity. The temperature measuring device itself therefore absorbs only a small amount of heat from the battery being measured.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

The temperature sensors are primarily temperature-dependent resistors, such as NTC thermistors (Negative Temperature Coefficient Thermistors). These resistors conduct electrical current better at higher temperatures than at lower temperatures.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNegative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor effect: Thermistor

Implementation Method 3

The lower conductor layer has a second insulated area for each temperature sensor, serving as a thermal contact surface with the object being measured. These thermal contact surfaces in the lower conductor layer are arranged so that they can be positioned directly on the surface of a battery to be measured, where they are in thermal contact with the surface.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP4073870B1Battery having a temperature measurement device
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 VIESSMANN HOLDING INTERNATIONAL GMBH
  • EP4073870B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4073870B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)
  • EP4073870B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electric battery (20) comprises a multiplicity of individual cells (21). The battery (20) has at least one temperature measurement device (10). The temperature measurement device (10) comprises a multilayer circuit board (1) as carrier element, having an upper conductive layer (1a) and a lower conductive layer (1b), a multiplicity of temperature sensors (2) that are each configured to generate a temperature-dependent measured signal, and a multipole terminal (11) for reading the measured signals. Each of the multiplicity of temperature sensors (2) is in each case arranged on a first insulated region (5a) of the upper conductive layer (1a). The lower conductive layer (1b) has, for each temperature sensor (2), a second insulated region (5b) as thermal contact surface. Each first insulated region (5a) is thermally conductively connected to a corresponding second insulated region (5b), in each case via at least one through-connection (4). The second insulated regions (5b) are each in thermally conductive contact with at least one cell connector (22) of the battery (20).