Power Storage Temperature Control with Redundant Thermistor Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power storage systems with multiple thermistors for temperature detection are costly and do not adequately ensure safety, as they require redundant systems for high-temperature control to prevent risks like smoke and fire generation in lithium ion batteries.
Innovation Solution
A management device with a first temperature detector for high-temperature and low-temperature areas, a main controller for charge/discharge control, and a sub-controller for redundant high-temperature detection, using a second temperature detector to calculate differences and provide alternative temperature values during abnormalities, reducing the number of thermistors required while maintaining safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If four or more thermistors are provided in a power storage module to measure temperatures at multiple positions, then temperature detection robustness is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides temperature detection into two functional segments: a main control system with one thermistor for normal operation, and a redundant safety system with one thermistor specifically for high-temperature detection. This segmentation allows the system to achieve robust safety monitoring without requiring four or more thermistors, thereby reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining detection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a redundant copy of the high-temperature detection function through the safety control system. Instead of using multiple thermistors in the main control system, a second thermistor is copied for safety purposes only, providing backup temperature monitoring capability without the full cost of multiple comprehensive temperature sensors.
2Reliability
If a redundant control system is implemented for high-temperature detection to ensure safety, then safety reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into two independent functional units: a main controller for normal charge/discharge control and a safety controller dedicated to high-temperature monitoring. This segmentation allows the safety function to be implemented with minimal complexity, as the safety controller only needs to monitor one thermistor and execute a simple stop command when high temperature is detected, without the complexity of full control algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety-critical high-temperature detection function is extracted from the main control system and placed in a separate safety control system. This extraction simplifies the main controller's complexity while ensuring that safety monitoring operates independently with its own dedicated thermistor and control logic, improving reliability without significantly increasing overall system complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If the number of thermistors is reduced to lower cost, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but temperature detection precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by placing the redundant thermistor specifically in the high-temperature area where safety is most critical. Instead of uniformly distributing multiple thermistors throughout the power storage module, the second thermistor is strategically positioned to monitor the most dangerous high-temperature zone, providing precise temperature detection where it matters most for safety while minimizing the total number of sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the functional parameter of the thermistors from comprehensive temperature monitoring to specialized high-temperature safety detection. The safety control system is designed to monitor only high-temperature conditions and trigger stop commands when temperature exceeds safe thresholds, rather than providing continuous detailed temperature profiles. This parameter change allows cost-effective single-point monitoring to achieve the required safety precision.
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 configuration provides a cost-effective temperature control system for power storage units while ensuring safety by reducing the number of thermistors needed and maintaining continuous operation during high-temperature abnormalities.
Implementation Method 1
A thermistor is typically provided in a power storage module including a plurality of cells so as to detect a temperature of the cells
Data Source
AI summary
A first temperature detector detects a temperature in a high-temperature area and a temperature in a low-temperature area of a power storage unit based on an output value of a first temperature detection element provided at a first position in the high-temperature area and an output value of a temperature detection element provided at a predetermined position in the low-temperature area. A main controller controls charge and discharge based on the temperatures by the first temperature detector. A second temperature detector detects a temperature in the high-temperature area based on an output value of a second temperature detection element provided at a second position in the high-temperature area. A sub-controller controls charge and discharge based on the temperature detected by the second temperature detector during occurrence of an abnormality in the main controller.