Variable Repetition Rate Pressure Sensor for EV Battery Thermal Runaway
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrochemical energy storage devices, such as lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles, face the risk of thermal runaway, leading to temperature increases, gas generation, pressure rises, and potential fires, necessitating timely passenger warning systems to ensure safe evacuation.
Innovation Solution
A method and sensor device that monitor pressure increases in electrochemical energy storage units using different repetition rates to detect threshold exceedances, outputting a signal to a control unit to alert of potential thermal runaway, thereby enabling timely warnings and potential pressure relief or disconnection of the energy storage unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If continuous monitoring at high repetition rate is used to detect thermal runaway quickly, then detection speed and reliability improve, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the monitoring repetition rate variable rather than fixed. The system dynamically adjusts the repetition rate based on temperature thresholds: using a first (lower) repetition rate during normal operation and a second (higher) repetition rate when temperature increases are detected, allowing the monitoring intensity to adapt to the actual risk level
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action through multi-stage monitoring with different repetition rates. Instead of continuous high-rate monitoring, the system uses periodic monitoring at adjusted intervals based on temperature conditions, switching between a first periodic monitoring phase (lower rate) and a second periodic monitoring phase (higher rate) to balance detection reliability with energy efficiency
2Speed
If monitoring repetition rate is increased to improve detection speed, then response time to thermal runaway decreases, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the monitoring repetition rate based on temperature conditions. During normal operation, a lower first repetition rate is used to conserve energy. When temperature increases are detected, the system switches to a higher second repetition rate to improve detection speed and response time, making the monitoring speed adaptive to the actual thermal state
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses periodic monitoring with variable intervals. The system performs monitoring at a first periodic rate during stable conditions and switches to a second periodic rate with shorter intervals when temperature thresholds are approached, allowing faster detection when needed while maintaining energy efficiency during normal operation
3Use of energy by moving object
If low repetition rate monitoring is used to reduce energy consumption, then energy efficiency improves, but detection reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts the monitoring repetition rate based on temperature conditions. It uses a lower first repetition rate during normal stable temperature conditions to reduce energy consumption, and automatically increases to a higher second repetition rate when temperature increases are detected, thereby maintaining detection reliability only when actually needed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a two-stage periodic monitoring approach. The first stage uses periodic monitoring at a lower repetition rate for energy efficiency during normal operation. The second stage activates periodic monitoring at a higher repetition rate when temperature thresholds are approached, ensuring detection reliability is maintained during critical phases while minimizing energy consumption during safe phases
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 reduces energy consumption while enhancing the detection of thermal runaway risks, allowing for timely warnings and preventive measures to mitigate the risk of fires in electric vehicles, thereby ensuring passenger safety.
Implementation Method 1
The pressure sensor is configured for determining a first pressure increase in an electrochemical energy storage unit based on a first repetition rate
Data Source
AI summary
A method comprises determining a first pressure increase in an electrochemical energy storage unit based on a first repetition rate, detecting that the first pressure increase has exceeded a first threshold value, determining a second pressure increase in the energy storage unit based on a second repetition rate, the second repetition rate being greater than the first repetition rate, detecting that the second pressure increase exceeds a second threshold value, and outputting a signal to a control unit based on detecting that the second pressure increase has exceeded the second threshold value.