JP2012174418A - Nonaqueous electrolyte battery and battery system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To detect a battery temperature during non-operation as well.SOLUTION: A nonaqueous electrolyte battery comprises: two detection terminals 77 fixed to a cell case 60; conducting wires 72 extending from the respective detection terminals 77 into the cell case 60; and a conductor 71 electrically connecting respective ends of the conducting wires 72 to each other. The conductor 71 is a low melting point metal which melts at a temperature predetermined as a temperature affecting battery performance.

Description

  The present invention relates to a nonaqueous electrolyte battery in which positive and negative electrode bodies and an electrolytic solution are accommodated in a container, and a battery system including the same.

  For example, non-aqueous electrolyte batteries typified by lithium ion batteries are attracting attention as high energy density batteries.

  Thus, since the performance of a non-aqueous electrolyte battery having a high energy density is affected by the temperature of the battery, it is preferable to manage the temperature of the battery. Therefore, in the technique described in Patent Document 1 below, a temperature sensor is provided outside the cell of the unit cell, and the temperature of the unit cell is managed by inputting an output from the temperature sensor to a control circuit.

JP 2010-080135 A

  In non-aqueous electrolyte batteries typified by lithium ion batteries, according to tests by the inventors, the outer surface of the container and the temperature inside the container can vary depending on the battery installation environment and charging / discharging current, especially in large batteries of several tens to 100 Ah. The difference can be very large, for example, a temperature difference of 30 ° C. or higher can occur. For this reason, when a temperature sensor is provided outside the container as in the technique described in Patent Document 1, there is a problem that an appropriate battery temperature may not be detected in managing the battery.

  Furthermore, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, the battery temperature can be detected only when the battery is charged and discharged under the control of the control circuit that is being activated, and the control circuit is not activated (for example, There is a problem that the temperature of the battery when the battery is not operated cannot be detected at all. A non-aqueous electrolyte battery represented by a lithium ion battery may be mounted on an electric vehicle or the like. In this case, when the electric vehicle or the like is placed under hot weather, the non-aqueous electrolyte mounted on the electric vehicle or the like. It is conceivable that the battery temperature becomes extremely high and the battery performance is significantly deteriorated. For this reason, there is an important problem that the temperature of the battery when the battery is not operated cannot be detected at all.

  Accordingly, the present invention pays attention to such problems of the prior art, and can detect an appropriate battery temperature for managing battery management, and can also detect a battery temperature during non-operation, and this It aims at providing the battery system provided with.

The invention relating to the battery for solving the above problems is
In a nonaqueous electrolyte battery in which positive and negative electrode bodies and an electrolytic solution are accommodated in a container, first and second detection terminals exposed to the outside of the container, and the first detection terminal extend into the container. A first conductor, a second conductor extending from the second detection terminal into the container, a conductor electrically connecting an end of the first conductor and an end of the second conductor, and the positive and negative electrode bodies In contrast, the first conductor, the second conductor and an insulator for insulating the conductor,
The conductor is a low melting point metal that melts at a temperature that is predetermined as a temperature that affects battery performance.

  In the non-aqueous electrolyte battery, the temperature in the container is determined in advance as a temperature that affects the battery performance, regardless of whether the battery is operated, the battery is not operated, or the battery is stored alone. Above the temperature, the conductor melts and the conductor splits into multiple pieces. For this reason, in the non-aqueous electrolyte battery, the temperature in the container was equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature at any time when the battery was operated, when the battery was not operated, or when the battery was stored alone. The history of remains. Therefore, according to the nonaqueous electrolytic battery, the temperature in the container is determined in advance by measuring the electrical resistance value between the first detection terminal and the second detection terminal regardless of the operation state of the battery. It is possible to detect that the temperature has been exceeded.

  Here, in the nonaqueous electrolyte battery, only one of the positive electrode terminal connected to the positive electrode body and the negative electrode terminal connected to the negative electrode body is the first detection. You may serve as one detection terminal of a terminal and said 2nd detection terminal.

  In the nonaqueous electrolyte battery, since only one of the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal serves as one of the first detection terminal and the second detection terminal, the number of parts and the manufacturing process are reduced. And the manufacturing cost of a battery can be held down.

  In the nonaqueous electrolyte battery, the positive electrode terminal also serves as the first detection terminal, the second detection terminal is electrically connected to the container, and the second detection terminal and the conductor are connected to each other. In the second conducting wire, a resistor having a resistance value higher than the electrical resistance of the first conducting wire, the second conducting wire, and the container may be provided.

  In the nonaqueous electrolyte battery, the positive electrode terminal and the container are electrically connected via a resistor. For this reason, a container becomes close to the electric potential of a positive electrode terminal, and can suppress the corrosion of the container by reacting with the ion in electrolyte solution.

  The nonaqueous electrolyte battery may include a plurality of conductor units each having the first conductor, the second conductor, and the conductor, and the conductors for each of the plurality of conductor units may have different melting points. .

  In the nonaqueous electrolyte battery, a plurality of different temperatures can be detected as the temperature in the container.

  Further, in the nonaqueous electrolyte battery, at least at the predetermined temperature, a separation force that separates the end of the first conductor on the conductor side and the end of the second conductor on the conductor side There may be provided a separating force generating means for generating.

  Specifically, at least one of the first conductor and the second conductor is an elastic body that is elastically deformed in a direction away from an end of the other conductor on the conductor side, and the elastic body The at least one of the conducting wires may constitute the separation force generating means.

  Further, at least one of the first conductor and the second conductor is formed of a shape memory alloy that is deformed in a direction away from the conductor-side end of the other conductor at the predetermined temperature, The at least one conductor formed of the shape memory alloy may form the separation force generating means.

  Moreover, it is arrange | positioned between said 1st conducting wire and said 2nd conducting wire, The elastic body which generate | occur | produces the said separation force may be provided, and the said elastic body may comprise the said separation force generation means.

  In the non-aqueous electrolyte battery, when the temperature in the container becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature and the conductor melts, the separation force between the conductor-side end of the first conductor and the conductor-side end of the second conductor This ensures that the conductor is split. Therefore, according to the nonaqueous electrolyte battery, it can be clearly detected that the temperature in the container has reached a predetermined temperature.

  Further, in the non-aqueous electrolyte battery, in the conductor, a direction in which the first detection terminal and the second detection terminal are aligned forms a longitudinal direction, and a length in the longitudinal direction is the first detection terminal. The end of the first conductor is connected to one end in the longitudinal direction of the conductor, and the end of the second conductor is connected to the other end. May be connected.

  In the non-aqueous electrolyte battery, since the length of the conductor in the longitudinal direction is long, when the temperature in the container becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature and the conductor melts, the possibility of the conductor splitting is increased. it can.

  Further, in the non-aqueous electrolyte battery, the plurality of positive electrode bodies and the plurality of negative electrode bodies are alternately overlapped via an insulating separator to form a bundle of positive and negative electrode bodies, The conductor may be disposed in the bundle of the positive and negative electrode bodies or may be disposed outside the bundle of the positive and negative electrode bodies.

The invention relating to the battery system for solving the above problems is as follows:
A non-aqueous electrolyte battery; a resistance value sensor that detects a value of electrical resistance between the first detection terminal and the second detection terminal; and a controller that controls the operation of the non-aqueous electrolyte battery. ,
The controller is connected to the resistance value sensor, and the electrical resistance value between the first detection terminal and the second detection terminal detected by the resistance value sensor exceeds a predetermined value. The non-aqueous electrolyte battery is sent to the outside that there is a temperature abnormality.

  In the battery system, it is possible to notify the outside that the temperature inside the container has become equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature.

  In the present invention, when the temperature in the container is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, the conductor melts and the history remains, so the battery in the container is in an operating state or a non-operating state. It can be detected that the temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature. For this reason, according to the present invention, it is possible to detect an appropriate battery temperature in managing battery management, and it is also possible to detect a battery temperature during non-operation.

It is a block diagram of the battery system in 1st embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a principal part notch perspective view of the battery which concerns on this invention. FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2 (before the conductor is melted). FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2 (after the conductor is melted). It is sectional drawing of the battery in 2nd embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is sectional drawing of the battery in 3rd embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is sectional drawing of the battery in 4th embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a front view of the conductor unit of the battery in a fifth embodiment concerning the present invention. It is a front view of the temperature detection structure of the battery in 5th embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a front view of the temperature detection structure of the battery in 6th embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a front view of the temperature detection structure of the battery in 7th embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a front view of the temperature detection structure of the battery in 8th embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is sectional drawing of the battery in 9th embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a principal part notched perspective view of the battery in 10th embodiment which concerns on this invention.

  Hereinafter, various embodiments of a battery system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

"First embodiment"
First, a battery system as a first embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a battery system 100 according to the present embodiment controls an assembled battery 101 including a plurality of lithium ion single cells (hereinafter simply referred to as batteries) 1 that are nonaqueous electrolyte batteries, and each battery 1. A control circuit 105 and an ammeter 109 that detects the value of the current supplied from the assembled battery 101 to the power load 111 are provided. The battery system 100 is mounted on, for example, an electric vehicle. In this case, the power load 111 of the battery system 100 is a motor or the like.

  In the plurality of batteries 1, these electrode terminals are electrically connected to each other by a bus bar or the like to constitute the assembled battery 101 described above.

  The control circuit 105 is provided for each of the plurality of batteries 1, and includes a CMU (Cell Monitoring Unit) 5 that monitors and controls the operation state of the battery 1, and a BMU (Battery Management Unit) that manages the operation of each CMU 5 and the state of each battery. 6). The CMU 5 for each battery 1 is connected to the BMU 6 in parallel by a bus, and transmits / receives data to / from the BMU 6.

  Here, the CMU 5 is provided for each battery 1, but the CMU 5 may be provided for each of several batteries 1, or one CMU 5 may be provided for the entire assembled battery 101. In addition, although the plurality of CMUs 5 and the BMU 6 are connected in parallel here, the plurality of CMUs 5 and the BMU 6 may be connected in a serial bus.

  Various sensors 2 for detecting the state of the battery 1 are attached to the battery 1. In this embodiment, one battery 1, various sensors 2 for this battery 1, and CMU 5 for this battery 1 constitute a battery module 108. Outputs from the various sensors 2 are input to the CMU 5. The CMU 5 transmits output data from the various sensors 2 to the BMU 6 as necessary.

  A load control device 112 that controls the operation of the power load 111 is connected to the power load 111. When the battery system 100 is mounted on an electric vehicle, the load control device 112 is, for example, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit). The BMU 6 is connected to the load control device 112 via a bus, and transmits / receives data to / from the load control device 112. The load control device 112 is connected to an input device 113 that gives control instructions for the power load 111 and an output device 114 that outputs information about each battery 1.

  The input device 113 is, for example, switches on an instrument panel of a device in which the power load 111 is provided. The output device 114 is a display device that displays information about the power load 111 and each battery 1, a speaker that outputs sound, and the like.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the battery 1 includes a plurality of positive plates (positive electrode bodies) 10, a plurality of negative plates (negative electrode bodies) 20, a separator 30 that covers the negative plates 20, electrolysis The liquid and the cell case (container) 60 which accommodates these are provided.

  As the electrolytic solution of the battery 1, an aqueous solution is not used, and an organic solvent solution in which lithium ions are dissolved is used.

  Each of the electrode plates 10 and 20 is formed by applying an active material or the like to a sheet-like current collector. The current collector has a rectangular sheet-shaped main body and tabs 14 and 24 extending from the edges of the rectangular sheet-shaped portion. The active material is applied to the main body of the current collector. The positive electrode plate 10 is coated with a positive electrode active material (for example, lithium manganate: LiMn2O2 or ternary material: LiNixCoyMnzO2 (x + y + z = 1)) on the current collector body such as aluminum foil. A positive electrode plate body 11 and the above-described tab 14 not coated with the active material. Moreover, the negative electrode plate 20 is not coated with a negative electrode plate main body 21 in which a negative electrode active material (for example, carbon or artificial graphite) is coated on a main body of a current collector such as copper foil. And the aforementioned tab 24.

  The negative electrode plate body 21 of the negative electrode plate 20 is completely covered with the separator 30, and a part of the tab 24 of the negative electrode plate 20 is exposed from the separator 30. The separator 30 is formed of a resin having insulating properties and electrolyte resistance, for example, a polyolefin such as polyethylene or polypropylene.

  The plurality of positive electrode plates 10 and the plurality of negative electrode plates 20 each covered with a separator 30 are alternately stacked so that the sides on which the tabs 14 and 24 are provided are the same side, and an electrode laminate 40 is formed.

  The cell case 60 is made of a metal such as aluminum. The cell case 60 includes a case main body 61 in which a rectangular parallelepiped storage recess into which the electrode stack 40 is placed, and a lid 62 that closes the opening of the case main body 61.

  Positive and negative electrode terminals 65 and 66 are fixed to the lid 62 of the cell case 60 via an insulating material 63. Further, a safety valve (not shown) and the like are also fixed to the lid 62. The positive and negative electrode terminals 65 and 66 are fixed to the lid 62 while penetrating the lid 62, and protrude to the inside and outside of the cell case 60.

  A lead 41 joined to the tab 14 of the positive electrode plate 10 is connected to the positive electrode terminal 65 with a screw 43. Further, a lead 42 connected to the tab 24 of the negative electrode plate 20 is connected to the negative electrode terminal 66 with a screw 43.

  The battery 1 of the present embodiment further includes two detection terminals 77 fixed to the lid 62 of the cell case 60 via an insulating material 78, a conductive wire 72 connected to each detection terminal 77, and each conductive wire 72. A conductor 71 that electrically connects the end portions of the first and second electrodes, and insulators 73 and 74 that insulate the conductor 71 and the conductive wire 72 from the positive and negative electrode plates 10 and 20, respectively.

  Similar to the electrode terminals 65 and 66, the two detection terminals 77 are fixed to the lid 62 while penetrating the lid 62 of the cell case 60, and protrude to the inside and outside of the cell case 60. One end of a conducting wire 72 is connected to each detection terminal 77 by a screw 79. The other end of the conducting wire 72 connected to each of the two detection terminals 77 is connected to the conductor 71. The conductor 71 is disposed at a substantially central portion in the electrode laminate 40 that is a bundle of the electrode plates 10 and 20.

  The conductor 71 is formed of a low-melting-point metal that has resistance to electrolyte and melts at a temperature (for example, 60 ° C.) that is predetermined as a temperature that affects battery performance. The low melting point metal is formed of, for example, a Bi—Sn—Pb—Cd alloy. The melting point of the low melting point metal can be changed in the range of about 15 ° C. to 190 ° C. by changing the composition ratio of each composition metal. As this low melting point alloy, for example, there is an alloy called U-alloy manufactured by Osaka Asahi Metal Factory.

  The insulator 73 covering the conductor 71 and the insulator 74 covering the conductor 72 are formed not only of insulating properties but also of a resin having heat resistance and electrolytic solution resistance, such as polyolefin, polyimide, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), etc. Has been.

  The insulator 73 covering the conductor 71 is formed with a hollow portion 73 s into which the conductor 71 enters, and two openings 73 t through which the conducting wire 72 passes through the hollow portion 73 s. The hollow portion 73s is formed in a size larger than the conductor 71 so that it can be deformed when the conductor 71 is melted by heat. Each opening 73t is formed to be long in this direction so that the two conductors 72 can be moved away when the conductor 71 in the hollow portion 73s is thermally melted.

  The two detection terminals 77 are connected to a resistance value sensor 2a that detects the value of the electrical resistance between them. The resistance value sensor 2a is one of the various sensors 2 for each battery described with reference to FIG. 1 and is connected to the CMU 5.

  In this embodiment, it has two conducting wires 72, a conductor 71, insulators 73 and 74 that cover the conductor 72, insulators 73 and 74 that cover the conductor 71, and two detection terminals 77. Thus, a temperature detection structure for detecting the temperature in the cell case 60 is configured.

  Next, operation | movement of the battery system of this embodiment is demonstrated.

  In the battery 1 according to the present embodiment, the battery 1 is stored as a single unit when the battery 1 is charged / discharged under the control of the control circuit 105 that is being activated, or when the battery 1 that is not activated is not operating. When the temperature in the cell case 60 is equal to or higher than a temperature (for example, 60 ° C.) that is predetermined as a temperature that affects the battery performance, as shown in FIG. Melts and splits into multiple pieces. For this reason, in the battery 1 according to the present embodiment, the battery 1 is charged / discharged under the control of the control circuit 105 that is being activated, the battery that is not activated, and the battery alone is not operated. At any time during storage, a history that the temperature in the cell case 60 has become equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature remains.

  When the control circuit 105 is activated, the CMU 5 activates the resistance value sensor 2a, and acquires the electrical resistance value between the two detection terminals 77 from the resistance value sensor 2a. If the temperature in the cell case 60 is a predetermined temperature when the battery is not operated before the control circuit 105 is activated, the conductor 71 in the cell case 60 is melted as described above. , Split into multiple. For this reason, the electrical resistance value between the two conducting wires 72, in other words, the electrical resistance value between the two detection terminals 77 is substantially infinite.

  When the CMU 5 acquires the electrical resistance value between the two detection terminals 77 from the resistance value sensor 2a, the CMU 5 determines whether or not the electrical resistance value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and is equal to or greater than the predetermined value. In such a case, together with the ID of the battery 1, for example, the battery 1 is notified to the BMU 6 that there is a possibility that the battery 1 may not satisfy the specification performance. Here, the predetermined value of the battery resistance value is sufficiently higher than the electric resistance value between the two detection terminals 77 when the conductor 71 is not melted.

  When the BMU 6 receives a notification from the CMU 5 together with the ID of the battery 1 that the battery 1 may no longer satisfy the specified performance, the BMU 6 outputs, for example, a battery use stop command to the load control device 112. When the load control device 112 receives this stop command, for example, the load control device 112 stops the use of the power load 111 and also notifies the output device 114, for example, “the battery no longer satisfies the specification performance.” “The power load due to the battery abnormality”. “Stopped use” is output.

  When the CMU 5 determines that the electrical resistance value between the two detection terminals 77 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the CMU 5 further makes the battery 1 inoperable under the control of the BMU 6. As a method for making the battery 1 inoperable, for example, a breaker or the like provided between the assembled battery 101 including the battery 1 and the power load 111 is operated, so that the battery 1 is connected between the assembled battery 101 and the power load 111. There are methods for disconnecting electrical connections.

  Further, when the control circuit 105 is activated and the battery 1 is in operation, the temperature in the cell case 60 becomes a predetermined temperature, the conductor 71 in the cell case 60 is melted, and the two detection terminals 77 are connected. Even when the electrical resistance value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the battery system 100 operates basically in the same manner as above.

  Further, when the battery is stored alone, for example, if the temperature in the storage environment rises significantly and the temperature in the cell case 60 becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, the conductor 71 in the cell case 60 is It melts and the electric resistance value between the two detection terminals 77 becomes a predetermined value or more. For this reason, for example, before the battery unit being stored is incorporated into the battery system 100, the electrical resistance value between the two detection terminals 77 of the battery 1 is measured with a tester or the like, and the electrical resistance value obtained by the measurement is previously determined. Whether or not the battery 1 can be incorporated may be determined according to whether or not the value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. If the battery 1 is incorporated in the battery system 100 without executing the measurement of the electric resistance value by a tester or the like, the temperature in the cell case 60 is not increased when the battery is not in operation. The operation is the same as when the temperature reaches a predetermined temperature.

  As mentioned above, in this embodiment, since the temperature in the cell case 60 of the battery 1 can be detected, an appropriate battery temperature can be acquired for battery management. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the history remains when the temperature in the cell case 60 becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, the cell case 60 is used regardless of whether the battery 1 is in an operating state or a non-operating state. It can be detected that the temperature inside is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, since the temperature detection structure for detecting the temperature in the cell case 60 is provided in the place independent of the charging / discharging path | route of the battery 1, the battery performance fall by this temperature detection structure Can be prevented.

  Note that the battery system 100 of the present embodiment includes the resistance value sensor 2a that detects the electrical resistance value between the two detection terminals 77 of the battery 1. As described above, the maintenance person can detect whether or not the temperature in the cell case 60 is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature by measuring the electrical resistance value between the two detection terminals 77 with a tester or the like during maintenance. If the electrical resistance value obtained by measurement by a tester or the like is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, it can be determined that the temperature in the cell case 60 is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature. Thus, it is possible to take an appropriate process such as replacing the battery.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the temperature in the cell case 60 becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature and the conductor 71 is melted, it is assumed that the conductor 71 is split, and the electricity acquired by the CMU 5 from the resistance value sensor 2a. A predetermined resistance value used when determining the resistance value, that is, a threshold value is determined. However, even if the temperature in the cell case 60 is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature and the conductor 71 is melted, the conductor 71 may not be split and only a part of the cross-sectional area may be reduced. possible. Therefore, the threshold value used by the CMU 5 is a value higher than the electric resistance value between the two detection terminals 77 when the conductor 71 is not melted, and a part of the conductor 71 is assumed in such a case. The cross-sectional area may be set to a value lower than the electrical resistance value between the two detection terminals 77 when the cross-sectional area becomes smaller than a predetermined cross-sectional area.

"Second embodiment"
Next, a battery system as a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the battery systems of the following embodiments, the temperature detection structure is mainly different from the battery system of the first embodiment, and other configurations of the battery system are basically the same. The temperature detection structure will be mainly described.

  The temperature detection structure of the battery system of the present embodiment includes one detection terminal 77, two conductive wires 72, a conductor 71 to which ends of the two conductive wires 72 are connected, and an insulator 74 that covers the conductive wire 72. And an insulator 73 that covers the conductor 71.

  One detection terminal 77 is fixed to the lid 62 of the cell case 60 via an insulating material 78 as in the first embodiment. Of the two conducting wires 72, one conducting wire 72 is connected to the detection terminal 77 with a screw 79. On the other hand, the remaining one conducting wire 72 is connected to one electrode terminal 65 of the positive and negative electrode terminals 65 and 66 together with the lead 41 connected to the electrode terminal 65 with a screw 43.

  That is, the temperature detection structure of this embodiment is such that one of the positive and negative electrode terminals 65, 66 serves as one of the two detection terminals 77 in the first embodiment.

  The resistance value sensor 2a is connected to one detection terminal 77 and the electrode terminal 65 to which the conducting wire 72 is connected among the positive and negative electrode terminals 65 and 66.

  As described above, also in the present embodiment, when the temperature in the cell case 60 is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, the conductor 71 is melted, and therefore the temperature in the cell case 60 is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature. Regardless of whether the battery is in operation or not, it can be detected that the temperature in the cell case 60 is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature.

  Further, in this embodiment, since only one detection terminal 77 is required, the number of parts and the manufacturing process are reduced compared to the battery 1 of the first embodiment, and the manufacturing cost of the battery can be suppressed.

  By the way, in this embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the temperature detection structure is not provided independently of the charge / discharge path of the battery. That is, in the temperature detection structure of the present embodiment, one of the current paths formed of a conductive material is connected to the electrode terminal 65 in the charge / discharge path of the battery. However, since the other side of the current path of this temperature detection structure is closed, there is basically no charge / discharge current flowing into this current path. In addition, if the lead 41 connected to the electrode terminal 65 is made of copper, the lead wire 72 connected to the electrode terminal 65 is also made of copper, so that different materials are not interposed in the charge / discharge path of the battery. It will end. Therefore, also in this embodiment, it is possible to prevent a decrease in battery performance due to this temperature detection structure.

"Third embodiment"
Next, a battery system as a third embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  Similarly to the second embodiment, the temperature detection structure of the battery system of the present embodiment also includes one detection terminal 77, two conductive wires 72, and a conductor 71 to which the ends of the two conductive wires 72 are connected. An insulator 74 that covers the conductive wire 72 and an insulator 73 that covers the conductor 71 are provided. Further, the temperature detection structure has a resistor 75 provided in one conductive wire 72.

  Unlike the second embodiment, one detection terminal 77 is fixed to the lid 62 of the cell case 60 without an insulating material. That is, the detection terminal 77 is electrically connected to the cell case 60.

  Of the two conductive wires 72, the conductive wire 72 provided with the resistor 75 is connected to one detection terminal 77 with a screw 79. On the other hand, the remaining conducting wire 72 is connected to the positive terminal 65 by a screw 43 together with the lead 41 connected to the positive terminal 65. The resistance value of the resistor 75 is higher than the resistance value of each conducting wire 72, the resistance value of the conductor 71, and the resistance value of the cell case 60, and is, for example, 1 KΩ.

  In the present embodiment, the point that the resistor 75 is provided in one conductor 72, the point that one detection terminal 77 is electrically connected to the cell case 60, and the electrode terminal that also serves as the detection terminal are positive electrodes. The second embodiment is the same as the second embodiment except that the terminal 65 is limited. For this reason, the present embodiment can provide basically the same effect as the second embodiment.

  By the way, in the case of a lithium ion battery, when the cell case 60 is made of Al, the Al forming the cell case 60 reacts with ions in the electrolytic solution, and part of the cell case 60 is corroded. It becomes a problem that Al melts into the cell case 60 to deteriorate the battery performance. As one method for solving this problem, there is a method in which the positive terminal 65 and the cell case 60 are electrically connected via a resistor so that the potential of the cell case 60 is close to the potential of the positive terminal 65.

  In the present embodiment, the Al cell case 60 and the positive electrode terminal 65 are electrically connected to each other by the two conductive wires 72 and the conductor 71 via the resistor 75. For this reason, if the conductor 71 is not melted and split, the potential of the Al cell case 60 approaches the potential of the positive electrode terminal 65. Therefore, in this embodiment, the corrosion etc. of the cell case 60 can be prevented.

  In the present embodiment, unlike the second embodiment, current flows from the positive terminal 65 in the charge / discharge path of the battery to the cell case 60 via the current path of the temperature detection structure of the present embodiment. Become. However, since the resistor 75 having a large resistance value is interposed in the current path, the value of the current is extremely small, and the deterioration of the battery performance due to the temperature detection structure is substantially equal.

"Fourth embodiment"
Next, a battery system as a fourth embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  The temperature detection structure of the battery system of this embodiment is basically the same as that of the third embodiment. However, the temperature detection structure of the present embodiment includes two conductors 72, a resistor 75 provided in one conductor 72, and a conductor 71 to which the ends of the two conductors 72 are connected. The third embodiment is different from the third embodiment in that a plurality of conductor units 70 including insulators 73 and 74 covering the conductor 71 and the conductor 72 are provided. The plurality of conductor units 70 are connected to one detection terminal 77 and the positive electrode terminal 65 in parallel with each other.

  The conductors 71 of the conductor units 70 have different melting points. For example, when the melting point of the conductor 71 in one conductor unit 70 is 60 ° C., the melting point of the conductor 71 in the other conductor unit 70 is 120 ° C.

  Also in this embodiment, the CMU 5 acquires the electrical resistance value between the two terminals (the detection terminal 77 and the positive terminal 65) from the resistance value sensor 2a, and this electrical resistance value is determined in advance, as in the above embodiment. It is determined whether or not the value is greater than or equal to the value. However, a predetermined value, that is, a threshold value exists corresponding to the number of conductor units 70, and the CMU 5 has an electrical resistance value acquired from the resistance value sensor 2a equal to or greater than the threshold value for each of a plurality of threshold values. Determine whether or not. That is, the CMU 5 determines whether or not the temperature in the cell case 60 is equal to or higher than the melting point of each of the plurality of conductors 71.

  Here, the plurality of threshold values are higher than the electric resistance value between the two terminals when none of the conductors 71 is melted. In addition, for example, among the three threshold values when there are three conductive units, the first threshold value is two detections when only the conductor 71 having the lowest melting point is melted and only the conductor 71 is split. The value is lower than the electric resistance value between the terminals 77. Further, the second threshold value is higher than the first threshold value, and only the conductor 71 having the lowest melting point and the conductor 71 having the next lowest melting point are melted, and only these conductors 71 are melted. It is a value lower than the electric resistance value between the two detection terminals 77 when split. The third threshold is a value sufficiently higher than the second threshold.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the battery system of the present embodiment has two conductor units 70. As described above, the melting point of the conductor 71 in one conductor unit is 60 ° C., and the other conductor unit. It is assumed that the melting point of the conductor 71 is 120 ° C.

  In this case, the CMU 5 determines whether the temperature in the cell case 60 is 60 ° C. or higher and lower than 120 ° C. or 120 ° C. or higher, using a threshold value for each of the two conductor units. To do.

  When the CMU 5 determines that the temperature is 60 ° C. or higher and lower than 120 ° C., the CMU 5 also determines that the temperature is 120 ° C. or higher. Notifies the BMU 6 that there is a possibility that the specification performance is not satisfied. Further, when the CMU 5 determines that the temperature is 60 ° C. or higher and lower than 120 ° C., the CMU 5 notifies the BMU 6 that the temperature in the cell case 60 is in this temperature range, and determines that the temperature is 120 ° C. or higher. Then, the BMU 6 is notified that the temperature in the cell case 60 is within this temperature range.

  When receiving the notification from the CMU 5, the BMU 6 outputs, for example, a battery use stop command to the load control device 112 as in the first embodiment. Further, the BMU 6 stores the temperature in the cell case 60 among the notifications from the CMU 5. Also in each of the above embodiments, when the BMU 6 receives a notification from the CMU 5 that the battery may no longer satisfy the specified performance, for example, the battery ID is stored. It is preferable.

  As described above, when the temperature in the cell case 60 is stored in the BMU 6, the maintenance person can determine whether the temperature in the cell case 60 of the battery is 60 ° C. or more and less than 120 ° C. or 120 ° C. during maintenance. You can find out if it's over.

  Here, when the temperature in the cell case 60 of the battery becomes a temperature of 60 ° C. or higher and lower than 120 ° C., the battery may not satisfy the specification performance required for a battery mounted for an electric vehicle. For example, it is assumed that the specification performance required for a battery for a storage battery in a general household is satisfied. Moreover, when the temperature in the battery cell case 60 becomes a temperature of 120 ° C. or higher, there is a possibility that the safety performance of the battery may not be satisfied.

  In such a case, when the maintenance person knows that the temperature in the cell case 60 stored in the BMU 6 is a temperature of 60 ° C. or more and less than 120 ° C., the maintainer removes the battery from the battery system and other batteries Instead, the battery removed from the battery system is used as a used battery for a storage battery in a general household. When the maintainer knows that the temperature in the cell case 60 stored in the BMU 6 is 120 ° C. or higher, remove the battery from the battery system and install another battery instead. Dispose of batteries removed from the battery system.

  As mentioned above, since the temperature detection structure of the battery system of this embodiment has the same structure as the temperature detection structure of the battery system of the third embodiment, the same effects as those of the third embodiment are obtained in this embodiment. Can be obtained.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, since it has the some conductor unit 70 and the melting | fusing point of the conductor 71 of each conductor unit 70 is mutually different, several different temperature is detected as temperature in the cell case 60. FIG. Can do.

  Although this embodiment is a modification of the third embodiment, a plurality of conductor units may be used in the first and second embodiments as in this embodiment.

"Fifth embodiment"
Next, a battery system as a fifth embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In each of the above embodiments, even if the temperature in the cell case 60 is equal to or higher than the melting point of the conductor 71 and the conductor 71 melts, the conductor 71 may not be split. In this case, the battery resistance value between the two terminals has a small change before and after the melting of the conductor 71, so that it is not possible to clearly detect that the temperature in the cell case 60 is equal to or higher than the melting point of the conductor 71. There is sex. Therefore, in the sixth to eighth embodiments including this embodiment, a configuration that can increase the possibility of division of the conductor 71 when the conductor 71 is melted will be described.

  The temperature detection structure of the battery system according to the present embodiment is one in which the two conductive wires in the temperature detection structure of the first embodiment are each formed by a leaf spring. The conducting wire 72a, which is a leaf spring, has such rigidity that the amount of deformation due to its own weight is negligible with respect to its length in the longitudinal direction.

  As shown in FIG. 9, one end 72 s of the conducting wire 72 a is connected to the other end 72 t of the conducting wire 72 a, that is, to the connection side with the conductor 71 when connected to the detection terminal 77 with a screw 79. In contrast, it is bent at an acute angle.

  However, as shown in FIG. 8, one end portion 72s of the conducting wire 72a is bent only at an obtuse angle with respect to the other end side 78t in a state before being connected to the detection terminal 77 with the screw 79. It is not done. When one end 72s of the conducting wire 72a is connected to the detection terminal 77 with the screw 79, the one end 72s is forcibly elastically deformed with respect to the other end side 72t of the conductor 72a, and Then, the one end 72 s is connected to the detection terminal 77 with a screw 79.

  Therefore, in a state where one end portion 72s of the conducting wire 72a is connected to the detection terminal 77 with the screw 79, the conducting wire 72a has a restoring force to return to the state before being connected to the detecting terminal 77 with the screw 79. ing. This restoring force is a force in the direction in which the angle of the other end 72t of the conducting wire 72a increases with respect to the one end 72s, so that the other end 72t of one conducting wire 72a It can be said that the separation force F is about to leave the other end 72t of the lead wire 72a. That is, the conducting wire 72a formed of a leaf spring forms a separating force generating means.

  Thus, in this embodiment, since the separation force F which always separates the other end part of each conducting wire 72a is generated in the two conducting wires 72a, the temperature in the cell case 60 is a conductor. When the melting point of 71 is exceeded and the conductor 71 melts, it is surely split. For this reason, in the present embodiment, it is possible to reliably detect that the temperature in the cell case 60 is equal to or higher than the melting point of the conductor 71.

  In the present embodiment, since one end 72s of the conducting wire 72a is bent only at an obtuse angle with respect to the other end side 72t, the one end 72s is turned to the other end side 72t. On the other hand, the aforementioned separating force F is generated by forcibly elastically deforming and bending at an acute angle. However, as long as the separating force F can be generated, how can the conductor 72a be elastically deformed? It may be deformed.

  In the present embodiment, both of the two conductive wires 72a are formed by leaf springs, but only one conductive wire 72a may be formed by leaf springs.

"Sixth embodiment"
Next, a battery system as a sixth embodiment according to the invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  The temperature detection structure of the battery system of this embodiment is provided with a spring 76 between the two conductors 72 in the temperature detection structure of the first embodiment. The spring 76 may be formed of a metal having electrolytic solution resistance, but may be formed of a resin having electrolytic solution resistance and heat resistance.

  One end of the spring 76 is joined to the insulator 74 of one conductor 72, and the other end of the spring 76 is joined to the insulator 74 of the other conductor 72. The spring 76 is in a contracted state when both ends thereof are joined to the insulator 74 of the conducting wire 72 and the two conducting wires 72 are connected to the detection terminal 77, respectively. For this reason, the spring 76 in this state has a restoring force, which is a separation force F for separating the conductor-side end of the other conductor 72 from the conductor-side end of the one conductor 72. ing. That is, the spring 76 forms a separating force generating means.

  Therefore, in this embodiment as well as in the fifth embodiment, when the temperature in the cell case 60 becomes equal to or higher than the melting point of the conductor 71 and the conductor 71 melts, the cell case 60 is surely divided. It can be reliably detected that the temperature is equal to or higher than the melting point of the conductor 71.

  In this embodiment, both ends of the spring 76 are joined to the insulators 74 of the two conducting wires 72. However, when the spring 76 is formed of an insulating material, both ends of the spring 76 are connected. The part may be directly joined to the two conductive wires 72. In the present embodiment, the spring 76 is provided at the intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the two conducting wires 72, but a spring may be provided at the end of the two conducting wires 72 on the conductor side. In this case, the insulator 73 covering the conductor 71 may be elastically deformed, and the insulator 73 may be used as a spring.

"Seventh embodiment"
Next, a battery system as a seventh embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  The temperature detection structure of the battery system of this embodiment is one in which one of the two conductive wires 72b in the temperature detection structure of the first embodiment is formed of a shape memory alloy.

  The shape of the conductor 72b is memorized so as to be deformed in the direction away from the conductor-side end of the other conductor 72, as shown by the imaginary line in FIG. For this reason, when the conducting wire 72b formed of the shape memory alloy reaches the melting point of the conductor 71, a separating force F is generated that tends to be deformed in a direction away from the conductor-side end of the other conducting wire 72. That is, the conducting wire 72b formed of a shape memory alloy forms a separating force generating means.

  Therefore, also in this embodiment, as in the fifth and sixth embodiments, since the temperature in the cell case 60 becomes equal to or higher than the melting point of the conductor 71 and the conductor 71 is melted, the cell case is surely divided. It can be reliably detected that the temperature in 60 is equal to or higher than the melting point of the conductor 71.

  In the present embodiment, of the two conductors 72 and 72b, only one conductor 72b is formed of a shape memory alloy, but both conductors may be formed of a shape memory alloy.

In addition, the fifth and sixth embodiments, including this embodiment, are all modifications of the first embodiment, but the separating force generating means of these embodiments is changed to the second to fourth embodiments. You may apply.
"Eighth embodiment"
Next, a battery system as an eighth embodiment according to the invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the temperature detection structure of the battery system of the present embodiment, the longitudinal direction of the conductor in the temperature detection structure of the first embodiment is the direction in which the two detection terminals 77 are aligned, and the length in the longitudinal direction is defined as the longitudinal direction. The distance between the two detection terminals 77 is greater than the distance.

  One end of the conductor 71c in the longitudinal direction is connected to the end of one conductor 72, and the other end is connected to the end of the other conductor 72.

  As described above, in this embodiment, since the length of the conductor 71c in the longitudinal direction is long, the possibility that the conductor 71c is split when the conductor 71c is melted is extremely high. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is possible to increase the possibility of detecting that the temperature in the cell case 60 is equal to or higher than the melting point of the conductor 71c.

In addition, although this embodiment is a modification of 1st embodiment, in 2nd-4th embodiment, the length of the longitudinal direction of a conductor may be lengthened similarly to this embodiment.
You may apply to.

"Ninth embodiment"
Next, a battery system as a ninth embodiment according to the invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  Each of the temperature detection structures of the battery system according to each of the embodiments described above is disposed at a substantially central portion in the electrode laminate in which the conductor is a bundle of a plurality of electrode plates. However, in the present embodiment, the conductor 71 is located outside the electrode stack 40 and is disposed between the electrode stack 40 and the lid 62 of the cell case 60.

  For this reason, in this embodiment, although the temperature in the cell case 60 can be detected, the temperature of the electrode laminated body 40 in the cell case 60 cannot be detected more accurately than in the above embodiment. On the other hand, in this embodiment, since the possibility of foreign matter mixing in the electrode laminate 40 is reduced, the electrode laminate 40 is defective during manufacture or battery operation (occurrence of internal short circuit due to the conductor 71 or the like). Risk can be reduced. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since it is not necessary to secure a gap for putting the conductor 71 and the insulator 73 in the electrode laminate 40, the battery can be made smaller than the above embodiment.

  In addition, although this embodiment is a modification of 1st embodiment, in another embodiment, you may arrange | position a conductor outside the bundle | flux of an electrode plate similarly to this embodiment. In particular, in the battery system of the third to seventh embodiments, when the conductor is arranged in the bundle of electrode plates, the width of the bundle of electrode plates is likely to be widened. Similar to the embodiment, it is effective to dispose the conductor outside the bundle of electrode plates.

"Tenth embodiment"
Next, a battery system as a tenth embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  The battery of the present embodiment includes a plurality of electrode plate blocks 50, and the conductor 71 described in the above embodiments is disposed between adjacent electrode plate blocks 50 among the plurality of electrode plate blocks 50. Is.

  The electrode plate block 50 includes an electrode laminate 40 in which a plurality of electrode plates are laminated, and an insulating resin plate 51 that covers the electrode laminate 40. However, the insulating resin plate 51 is not disposed on the electrode laminate 40 on the side where the tabs 14 and 24 are formed. The plurality of electrode plate blocks 50 are stacked in the stacking direction of the electrode stack 40 of each electrode plate block 50. As described above, the insulating resin plate 51 is interposed between the plurality of electrode plate blocks 50, and the insulating resin plate 51 is conductive even if the conductor 71 is disposed between the adjacent electrode plate blocks 50. It functions as an insulator that prevents a short circuit between the body 71 and the conductive wire 72 and the electrode plate.

  For this reason, in this embodiment, unlike each of the above embodiments, the insulators 73 and 74 covering the conductor 71 and the conductive wire 72 are not provided. That is, in the present invention, if there is an insulator that ensures the insulation between the conductor 71 and the conductor 72 and the electrode plate, the insulators 73 and 74 covering the conductor 71 and the conductor 72 are separately provided. There is no need to provide it.

  1: battery, 2a: resistance sensor, 5: CMU, 6: BMU, 10: positive electrode plate, 20: negative electrode plate, 30: separator, 40: electrode laminate, 50: electrode plate block, 60: cell case 61: Case main body, 62: Lid, 70: Conductor unit, 71, 71c: Conductor, 72, 72a, 72b: Conductor, 73, 74: Insulator, 75: Resistor, 76: Spring, 77: Detection terminal , 100: battery system, 101: assembled battery, 105: control circuit, 111: power load, 112: load control device

Claims (12)

In a non-aqueous electrolyte battery in which positive and negative electrode bodies and an electrolytic solution are accommodated in a container,
First and second detection terminals exposed to the outside of the container;
A first conducting wire extending from the first detection terminal into the container;
A second conducting wire extending from the second detection terminal into the container;
A conductor that electrically connects the end of the first conductor and the end of the second conductor;
An insulator for insulating the first conductor, the second conductor, and the conductor from the positive and negative electrode bodies;
With
The conductor is a low melting point metal that melts at a temperature that is predetermined as a temperature that affects battery performance.
The nonaqueous electrolyte battery characterized by the above-mentioned. The nonaqueous electrolyte battery according to claim 1,
Of the positive electrode terminal connected to the positive electrode body and the negative electrode terminal connected to the negative electrode body, only one of the electrode terminals is the first detection terminal and the second detection terminal. Also serves as one of the detection terminals
The nonaqueous electrolyte battery characterized by the above-mentioned. The nonaqueous electrolyte battery according to claim 2,
The positive terminal also serves as the first detection terminal,
The second detection terminal is electrically connected to the container;
In the second conductor connecting the second detection terminal and the conductor, a resistor having a resistance value higher than the electric resistance of the first conductor, the second conductor, and the container is provided.
The nonaqueous electrolyte battery characterized by the above-mentioned. In the nonaqueous electrolyte battery according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A plurality of conductor units having the first conductor, the second conductor and the conductor,
The conductors for each of the plurality of conductor units have different melting points,
The nonaqueous electrolyte battery characterized by the above-mentioned. In the nonaqueous electrolyte battery according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
And a separation force generating means for generating a separation force that separates the end of the first conductor on the conductor side and the end of the second conductor on the conductor side at least at the predetermined temperature. ing,
The nonaqueous electrolyte battery characterized by the above-mentioned. The nonaqueous electrolyte battery according to claim 5,
At least one of the first conductor and the second conductor is an elastic body that is elastically deformed in a direction away from the end on the conductor side of the other conductor, and the at least one that is the elastic body The conducting wire of the above forms the separation force generating means,
The nonaqueous electrolyte battery characterized by the above-mentioned. The nonaqueous electrolyte battery according to claim 5,
Of the first conductor and the second conductor, at least one conductor is formed of a shape memory alloy that is deformed in a direction away from the conductor-side end of the other conductor at the predetermined temperature. The at least one conductor formed of a memory alloy forms the separation force generating means;
The nonaqueous electrolyte battery characterized by the above-mentioned. The nonaqueous electrolyte battery according to claim 5,
An elastic body that is disposed between the first conductor and the second conductor and generates the separation force;
The elastic body forms the separation force generating means;
The nonaqueous electrolyte battery characterized by the above-mentioned. The nonaqueous electrolyte battery according to claim 1,
In the conductor, the direction in which the first detection terminal and the second detection terminal are arranged forms a longitudinal direction, and the length in the longitudinal direction is between the first detection terminal and the second detection terminal. Is greater than or equal to
The end of the first conductor is connected to one end of the conductor in the longitudinal direction, and the end of the second conductor is connected to the other end.
The nonaqueous electrolyte battery characterized by the above-mentioned. The nonaqueous electrolyte battery according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
The plurality of positive electrode bodies and the plurality of negative electrode bodies alternately overlap with each other through an insulating separator to form a bundle of positive and negative electrode bodies, and the conductor includes the positive and negative electrodes. Placed in a bundle of bodies,
The nonaqueous electrolyte battery characterized by the above-mentioned. The nonaqueous electrolyte battery according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
The plurality of positive electrode bodies and the plurality of negative electrode bodies alternately overlap with each other through an insulating separator to form a bundle of positive and negative electrode bodies, and the conductor includes the positive and negative electrodes. Placed outside the body bundle,
The nonaqueous electrolyte battery characterized by the above-mentioned. The nonaqueous electrolyte battery according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
A resistance sensor for detecting a value of electrical resistance between the first detection terminal and the second detection terminal;
A controller for controlling the operation of the non-aqueous electrolyte battery;
With
The controller is connected to the resistance value sensor, and the electrical resistance value between the first detection terminal and the second detection terminal detected by the resistance value sensor exceeds a predetermined value. , Send to the outside that the non-aqueous electrolyte battery has a temperature abnormality
A battery system characterized by that.

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