Vehicle Energy Storage Housing Pressure Sensing After Collisions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing energy storage systems in motor vehicles, such as fuel tanks and batteries, often suffer undetected damage from collisions, leading to potential subsequent damage and safety risks due to lack of effective detection mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A closed housing with a pressure sensor and evaluation device that monitors internal pressure changes to detect collision-related forces, allowing for the initiation of protective measures, such as warning messages or system shutdowns, to prevent further damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If no monitoring system is installed, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability of detecting collision damage is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces housing air pressure as an intermediary parameter to indirectly detect collision damage. Instead of directly monitoring the energy storage device, the system uses the pressure changes in the housing air to indicate collisions, making damage detection feasible through a simple pressure sensor rather than complex direct monitoring of the energy storage device itself

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing itself serves as the monitoring medium. The closed housing structure with its internal air pressure automatically responds to collisions through pressure changes, eliminating the need for external monitoring infrastructure. The system uses the housing's own physical properties (air pressure) to detect damage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If a complex monitoring system is installed, then the measurement precision of collision detection is high, but the ease of manufacture decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollision detection precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the detection function from complex direct monitoring of the energy storage device and separates it into a simple pressure sensing system. By taking out only the essential detection need (collision detection) and fulfilling it through a separate, simple pressure sensor system, the manufacturing process remains simple while detection precision is maintained

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses inexpensive pressure sensors and a simple closed housing structure rather than expensive complex monitoring systems. The approach favors simple, easily manufacturable components over complex precision instruments, making the system cost-effective and easy to produce

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Measurement precision

If direct monitoring of energy storage device is used, then the measurement precision is high, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedamage detection precisionVSAvoidmonitoring system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses housing air pressure as an intermediary to detect energy storage device damage indirectly. When the energy storage device is damaged, it affects the housing air pressure, which is then measured by a simple pressure sensor. This intermediary approach maintains detection precision while avoiding the complexity of directly monitoring the energy storage device

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The closed housing serves multiple functions: it protects the energy storage device, maintains structural integrity, and acts as a pressure-containing chamber for collision detection. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate monitoring infrastructure, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining detection capability

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

This solution provides a simple and cost-effective monitoring system that detects potential damage to energy storage devices, ensuring vehicle safety by triggering protective measures upon detecting pressure changes indicative of collisions, thereby preventing further damage.

Implementation Method 1

at least one pressure sensor which is intended to detect or measure the internal pressure in the housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure sensing:

Data Source

PatentEP4281331B1Energy storage arrangement for a motor vehicle and motor vehicle comprising such an energy storage arrangement
Publication Date: 2024.05.29 AUDI AG
  • EP4281331B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2b

AI summary

The invention relates to an energy storage arrangement (100) for a motor vehicle, comprising: - a closed housing (110); - at least one energy storage device (120) arranged in the housing (110) for storing fuel or electric energy; - a pressure sensor (130) which is provided for detecting the internal pressure (p) in the housing (110); - an evaluation device (150) which is provided for determining a collision-induced application of force (F) onto the housing (110) by evaluating the internal pressure (p) detected by the pressure sensor (130). The invention further relates to a motor vehicle comprising such an energy storage arrangement (100).