BPS Series Battery Safety Pressure Sensor

Honeywell’s BPS series automotive-grade pressure sensors use a combination of microelectromechanical system (MEMS) and application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) technologies to detect pressure changes in the battery packs of electric vehicles and energy storage systems (ESS). The detected value is transmitted to the battery management system (BMS) using controller area network (CAN) communication.

Thermal runaway is a safety risk inherent in lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles. It is a phenomenon in which lithium-ion battery cells enter an irreversible, self-heating state that may ultimately lead to fire. Electrolytes used in lithium-ion batteries are highly volatile and flammable. Any form of abuse to the battery pack may initiate exothermic chemical reactions, creating a self-heating, irreversible state (thermal runaway) that generates more heat and pressure. The BPS series allows early detection of a thermal runaway event in a lithium-ion battery pack.

The BPS series measures from 50 kPa to 300 kPa absolute pressure. It has settable warning thresholds for both absolute pressure and rate of pressure change and functions in ECO mode or continuous mode for reduced power consumption. The BPS series is RoHS compliant, automotive qualified, and incorporates integrated circuits that are AEC-Q100 qualified to meet higher quality and reliability requirements.

The series can be customized to better meet application needs for improved time to market, lower total system costs, and enhanced reliability.

Features and Benefits

• High accuracy and low-temperature drift
• Detection range: 50 kPa to 300 kPa absolute pressure
• Settable warning thresholds for absolute pressure and rate of pressure change allow use with different equipment types
• CAN communication protocol
• Wake-up output and request input for high-reliability system integration
• Options of ECO mode (low power) or continuous mode
• Operating temperature range: -40°C to +105°C
• CE and UKCA certifications; REACH and RoHS compliant