Vehicle safety 2030 well thought out: Impact detection also for the high-voltage battery

As the battery of an electric vehicle (BEV) is typically integrated at the bottom of the chassis there is a risk that its underside will be damaged if the vehicle hits the ground or if heavy objects will be swirled up from the road surface at higher speeds. Currently, a heavy metal plate serves to protect the battery. Continental is testing a sensor solution which facilitates the shift to plastic underbody protection elements weighing less than half of a metal design. Proven pressure sensor satellites and a pressure tube serve to detect and analyze underbody ground contact or object impact. In the case of ground contact, it is possible to mitigate the damage mechanism by quickly increasing ground clearance when the sensor signal triggers this. The driver can be informed about the potential damage and a possible subsequent risk of fire. Asa precaution, the battery cells in the area of potential damage can be discharged. Integrating this Battery Impact Detection (BID) system makes it possible to reduce the weight of a BEV because the sensor solution ensures safety and can actually even increase it through additional measures, e.g., via precautionary cell charge distribution out of a damaged battery zone. © 2022, VDI Verlag GMBH. All rights reserved.