Thermal Runaway Detection Circuit for Battery Packs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current battery management systems (BMS) fail to detect thermal runaway in battery packs due to the circuit board or monitoring unit being damaged by high-temperature electrolyte, leading to reduced safety during abnormal conditions such as collision or overcharge.
Innovation Solution
A thermal runaway detection circuit comprising a sensing module with a sensing cable positioned close to the battery cell, a detection module with voltage dividing resistors, and a processing module that collects data to determine if thermal runaway occurs based on temperature changes, ensuring timely detection and improved safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional BMS circuit board or monitoring unit is used to detect thermal runaway, then the detection function can be implemented, but the circuit board or monitoring unit will be damaged by high-temperature electrolyte during thermal runaway events
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sensing function from the vulnerable circuit board environment and places it directly at the battery cell level through integrated sensing elements. The sensing module is positioned close to the battery cell to detect thermal runaway early, before the high-temperature electrolyte can reach and damage the monitoring unit or circuit board.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary sensing module that detects thermal runaway conditions before they propagate to the circuit board. This sensing module acts as a mediator between the battery cell and the monitoring system, providing early warning signals that allow the system to respond before the harmful high-temperature electrolyte reaches the vulnerable electronic components.
2Measurement precision
If the sensing cable is positioned close to the battery cell to detect thermal runaway early, then detection sensitivity is improved, but the sensing module becomes more vulnerable to damage from high-temperature electrolyte
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection system into multiple independent sensing points distributed around the battery cell. By placing multiple sensing modules at different locations rather than one vulnerable module, the system maintains detection sensitivity while reducing the risk that a single point of failure will compromise the entire detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by positioning the sensing module to detect thermal runaway at an early stage, creating a time buffer between the onset of thermal runaway and the potential damage to the sensing module. This early detection allows the system to take protective measures before the high-temperature electrolyte reaches temperatures that would damage the sensing cable.
3Measurement precision
If voltage dividing resistors are used in the detection module, then temperature measurement capability is improved, but the circuit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the temperature sensing function with the existing voltage division circuitry. The voltage dividing resistors serve dual purposes: providing voltage division for the monitoring unit and enabling temperature measurement through their temperature-dependent resistance characteristics. This integration reduces overall circuit complexity compared to adding separate temperature sensing components.
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage dividing resistors are designed to perform multiple functions: voltage division for the monitoring unit operation and temperature sensing through their resistance-temperature characteristics. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate temperature measurement components, thereby reducing circuit complexity while maintaining measurement 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
The solution effectively detects thermal runaway in battery packs, preventing damage and enhancing safety by accurately sensing temperature changes and triggering appropriate measures, even in scenarios where traditional BMS systems fail.
Implementation Method 1
a sensing module including a sensing cable, wherein a distance between at least a portion of the sensing cable and a cell of a battery pack is less than a temperature sensitive distance threshold
Implementation Method 2
a detection module connected to the sensing cable and including at least one set of voltage dividing resistors
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides a thermal runaway detection circuit and method, and relates to batteries. The thermal runaway detection circuit includes: a sensing module including a sensing cable; a detection module connected to the sensing cable and including at least one set of voltage dividing resistors; a processing module connected to the detection module, wherein the processing module is configured to obtain thermal runaway detection data, and determine whether thermal runaway occurs in the battery pack based on the thermal runaway detection data, wherein the thermal runaway detection data includes battery pack data and sampled data collected from sampling points, and the sampling points are disposed between the two connected voltage dividing resistor sets. The technical solutions in the present disclosure can improve safety of the battery pack.