Continental’s Latest Battery Pack Protection Sensors Revealed

Paul Myles

TU-Editor

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25th May 2022

Continental has launched two new battery management sensors that claim to detect battery current and even impact damage.

Its the Current Sensor Module (CSM) and the Battery Impact Detection (BID) system focus on protecting the battery and/or on battery parameter retention. Within 2022, Continental will begin to manufacture the high-voltage CSM. This compact modular sensor design measures the current and simultaneously detects temperature. Both values are highly relevant as input for the battery management.

The BID solution is a light-weight alternative to heavy underfloor “armoring” against damage, a device particularly relevant to the increasing numbers of new BEV SUVs that are currently finding favor among many new EV adopters.

Considering that the battery is the single most expensive component in an electric car, the CSM was not just developed to protect the battery from overcurrents but it will also help to retain the battery parameters by limiting ageing effects. Integrated either in the battery disconnect unit or in the battery itself, the CSM should provide the two decisive bits of information for battery protection as well as reliable driving range monitoring. To support strict functional safety requirements, the CSM is available as a two-channel sensor, measuring current independently by integrating shunt technology and hall technology in a compact, single unit.

The BID in combination with a lightweight structure detects underfloor impacts and alerts the driver if a stop at a garage is necessary as a result. This relieves the driver of the challenging decision whether an impact at high speed or a low-speed ground contact may have damaged the battery. In comparison to current metal underfloor protection the BID solution can save up to 50% of weight.

Laurent Fabre, head of passive safety and sensorics segment at Continental, said: “Vehicle electrification brings new use cases and thus opens up more opportunities to our sensor activities, because an electric car has all the sensor needs a conventional car has – and more. Protecting the battery and retaining its performance, for instance, are two additional tasks in electrified vehicles. The Current Sensor Module and Battery Impact Detection solutions serve both purposes.”

— Paul Myles is a seasoned automotive journalist based in Europe. Follow him on Twitter @Paulmyles_