KR101917510B1 - Battery overcharge detection device and vehicle battery having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery overcharge detection device and a vehicle battery including the same. The battery overcharge detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a sensor unit disposed between a battery cell and an end plate to detect temperature and pressure of the battery cell. The sensor unit includes: a temperature sensor disposed on an upper end of the battery cell to detect a temperature of the battery cell; and a pressure sensor arranged to face the center of the height of the battery cell to detect the pressure of the battery cell.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a battery overcharge detection device,

The present invention relates to a battery overcharge detecting device and a vehicle battery including the same.

2. Description of the Related Art [0002] Rechargeable batteries are widely used in electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid vehicles (HVs), and the like, which are driven by electric driving sources, .

BACKGROUND ART [0002] A battery to be applied to an electric vehicle or the like typically has a plurality of unit rechargeable battery cells (hereinafter referred to as 'battery cells'), thereby enhancing suitability for a high capacity environment.

On the other hand, a battery to be applied to an electric vehicle or the like is required to control the charging / discharging of the plurality of battery cells so as to efficiently control charging / discharging thereof so that the battery maintains an appropriate operating condition and performance.

To this end, a battery management system (hereinafter referred to as "BMS") is used to manage the state and performance of the battery.

The BMS detects the current, voltage, and temperature of the battery, and based on this, calculates the SOC (State of Charge), cell voltage equalization, and whether the battery swells or not.

If the battery is detected as abnormal, the line is irreversibly disconnected to protect the battery pack and the charging / discharging current is cut off.

In general, however, even if the battery itself is poor in safety and includes a safety device using various electronic components, safety problems such as ignition, fuming, and explosion are generated due to problems of the battery pack itself.

In addition, the battery may be exposed to overcharging, overheating, short circuit, etc. depending on the use environment. In such a circumstance, the stability of the battery may be deteriorated and the risk of ignition or explosion may occur.

Particularly, when the battery is overcharged, a swelling phenomenon occurs in which the battery cell is inflated. By detecting the pressure and temperature of the battery cell at optimal positions, a method of accurately detecting the swelling phenomenon of the battery cell is requested do.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a battery overcharge detection device.

The present invention also provides a battery overcharge detection device capable of quickly and accurately detecting whether the battery module is overcharged by disposing a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor for detecting pressure and temperature information at the time of swelling of the battery cell at an optimum position do.

The present invention also provides a vehicle battery including such a battery overcharge detection device.

The objects of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned objects, and other objects and advantages of the present invention which are not mentioned can be understood by the following description and more clearly understood by the embodiments of the present invention. It will also be readily apparent that the objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

A battery overcharge detecting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a sensor unit disposed between a battery cell and an end plate to detect temperature and pressure of the battery cell, And a pressure sensor arranged to face the center of the height of the battery cell to detect the pressure of the battery cell.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a battery overcharge detection device including a sensor unit disposed on a separator disposed between a plurality of battery cells to detect a temperature and a pressure of the battery cell, A temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the cell, and a pressure sensor for detecting the pressure of the battery cell, the pressure sensor being disposed at the center of the height of the battery cell.

A battery overcharge detecting apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a first sensor unit disposed between a battery cell and an end plate to detect a temperature and a pressure of the battery cell, and a separator disposed between the plurality of battery cells And a second sensor unit for detecting the temperature and the pressure of the battery cell.

The vehicle battery according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a battery overcharge detection device according to embodiments of the present invention.

According to the present invention, the pressure sensor and the temperature sensor are arranged to detect the pressure and temperature information at the time of swelling of the battery cell at the optimum position, so that it is possible to quickly and accurately detect whether the battery module is overcharged, .

For example, the pressure sensor can be disposed at the center of the height of the battery cell where the pressure change is highest when swelling the battery cell, and the temperature sensor can be disposed at the top of the battery cell where the temperature of the battery cell is highest. As a result, it is possible to quickly and accurately detect whether the battery module is overcharged.

According to the present invention, the pressure sensor and the temperature sensor can be integrally installed through a sensor housing inserted in a position (for example, between a battery cell and an end plate, a separator, etc.) for detecting the temperature and pressure of the battery cell have.

By adopting such an integral structure, it is possible to easily replace the pressure sensor or the temperature sensor by detaching the sensor housing at a time in the event of a sensor failure, thereby simplifying the maintenance.

According to the present invention, one sensor unit for detecting the temperature and pressure of the battery cell on the end plate side and another sensor unit for detecting the temperature and pressure of the battery cell on the separator side can be simultaneously applied. As a result, it is possible to more quickly and accurately detect whether the battery module is overcharged.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a view schematically showing a battery for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG.
2 is a view showing a battery module to which a battery overcharge detecting device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.
3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a sensor unit included in the battery overcharge detection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a view for explaining a process of combining a sensor unit included in the battery overcharge detecting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a mounting structure of a battery overcharge detecting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 and 7 are views showing the shape of a guide part for guiding insertion of a sensor part among the battery overcharge detecting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a view showing a battery module to which a battery overcharge detecting device according to another embodiment of the present invention is applied.
9 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a sensor unit included in a battery overcharge detection device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a mounting structure of a battery overcharge detecting device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
11 is a view seen from the View_A direction in Fig.
12 is a view seen from the View_B direction in Fig.
13 is a view showing a battery module to which a battery overcharge detecting device according to another embodiment of the present invention is applied.
14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a mounting structure of a battery overcharge detecting device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily carry out the present invention. The present invention may be embodied in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

In order to clearly illustrate the present invention, parts not related to the description are omitted, and the same or similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the specification. Further, some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to exemplary drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals are used to denote like elements throughout the drawings, even if they are shown on different drawings. In the following description of the present invention, a detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it may make the subject matter of the present invention rather unclear.

In describing the components of the present invention, the terms first, second, A, B, (a), (b), and the like can be used. These terms are intended to distinguish the components from other components, and the terms do not limit the nature, order, order, or number of the components. When a component is described as being "connected", "coupled", or "connected" to another component, the component may be directly connected or connected to the other component, Quot; intervening " or that each component may be " connected, " " coupled, " or " connected " through other components.

The present invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. As shown in FIG.

Herein, the battery overcharge detecting device for detecting the overcharge of the battery module will be mainly described for a vehicle battery. Here, the vehicle includes various types of vehicles driven by electric driving sources such as an electric vehicle (EV) and a hybrid vehicle (HV).

In this specification, a battery overcharge detecting device for detecting pressure and temperature information of a battery cell at an optimum position and detecting battery overcharge quickly and accurately, and a vehicle battery including the battery overcharge detecting device will be described in detail.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a view schematically showing a battery for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG.

1, the illustrated vehicle battery 1 includes a battery module 10, a battery carrier 30, and a battery control unit 50. [

The vehicle battery 1 may include at least one battery module 10. Preferably, three battery modules 10 can be mounted, but the present invention is not limited to the number of such battery modules 10. Accordingly, a different number of battery modules 10 can be mounted.

The battery carrier 30 refers to a member for a case in which a plurality of components (e.g., a PRA, a printed circuit board, etc.) are accommodated, including a plurality of battery modules 10 and a battery controller 50.

The battery control unit 50 refers to a battery management system, and may also use the term battery management system (BMS).

The battery controller 50 detects the current, voltage, and temperature of the battery, and based on the detected current, voltage, and temperature, the battery controller 50 can calculate SOC (State of Charge), cell voltage equalization, If the battery control unit 50 detects an abnormality of the vehicle battery 1, the charge / discharge current may be cut off to protect the battery module.

Each of the plurality of battery modules 10 includes a plurality of battery cells 11, an end plate 15, and a separator 17.

The end plate 15 is coupled to surround the battery cell 11 on the outside of the battery module 10.

The separator 17 is disposed inside the battery module 10 and is inserted between the plurality of battery cells 11.

2 is a view showing a battery module to which a battery overcharge detecting device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

Referring to FIG. 2, the battery module 10 is provided in a stacked manner in which a plurality of battery cells 11 are stacked along a predetermined stacking direction (i.e., a Y-axis direction).

An end plate 15, which surrounds the battery cell 11, is coupled to the outside of the battery module 10.

The battery overcharge detecting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a sensor unit (hereinafter, referred to as 'first sensor unit') 100 for detecting the temperature and pressure of the battery cell.

The first sensor unit 100 may be provided between the battery cell 11 and the end plate 15. [

For example, the first sensor unit 100 may be interchangeably inserted between the battery cell 11 and the end plate 15. [

Therefore, only the connector 120 electrically connected to the battery control unit 50 (see FIG. 1) after the insertion of the first sensor unit 100 protrudes to the upper portion of the end plate 15 to be exposed.

3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a sensor unit included in the battery overcharge detection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the first sensor unit 100 includes a sensor housing 110, a connector 120 (hereinafter, referred to as a 'first connector') 120, (Hereinafter referred to as a first temperature sensor) 130, and a pressure sensor (hereinafter, referred to as a first pressure sensor) 150.

The first sensor housing 110 has a size and shape that can be interchangeably inserted between the battery cell 11 (see FIG. 2) and the end plate 15 (see FIG. 2).

The first sensor housing 110 includes a first temperature sensor 130 for detecting the temperature of the battery cell 11 (see FIG. 2) and a first pressure sensor (see FIG. 2) for detecting the pressure of the battery cell 11 150 can be arranged vertically apart.

At this time, the first temperature sensor 130 is disposed at a position where the temperature of the battery cell is maximized, which is advantageous for temperature measurement for battery overcharge detection. 5, the cooling plate 20 is disposed at the lower end of the battery cell 11, so that the first temperature sensor 130 is positioned at the upper end of the battery cell 11 located the farthest distance from the cooling plate 20, As shown in FIG.

Also, the first pressure sensor 150 is disposed at a position where the volume change is most severely generated when the pressure of the battery cell changes, which is advantageous for quickly and accurately detecting the swelling phenomenon. 5, the first pressure sensor 150 detects the battery cell 11 in which the battery cell 11 expands to the maximum by the change in the internal pressure P of the battery cell 11 when the battery is overcharged, As shown in Fig.

In this way, the first sensor unit 100 is disposed by vertically separating the first temperature sensor 130 and the first pressure sensor 150 at a predetermined interval L1 through the first sensor housing 110 The temperature and pressure of the battery cell can be precisely measured.

For this, the first sensor housing 110 may use a bar-shaped member having a length longer than the interval L1 between the first temperature sensor 130 and the first pressure sensor 150. [

For example, the first sensor housing 110 includes a lower end body 111 having a long rod shape that is easy to be inserted, an upper body (not shown) having a width larger than that of the lower end body and connected to the connector 120 through a connection portion 121 115).

At this time, the first temperature sensor 130 may be provided on the upper body 115. The first temperature sensor 130 may be disposed at the upper end of the battery cell when the first sensor housing 110 is inserted.

The first pressure sensor 150 may be disposed below the lower body 111 and may be disposed at a predetermined distance L1 from the first temperature sensor 130 provided in the upper body 115 have. The first pressure sensor 150 may be disposed at the center of the height of the battery cell when the first sensor housing 110 is inserted.

A body extension 113 may further be provided between the lower body 111 and the upper body 115.

The body extension 113 is a portion where the width gradually increases from the lower body 111 toward the upper body 115, thereby improving the structural stability.

Further, a pair of slit-shaped holes 114 may be further provided on the inner side of the upper body 115 so as to be symmetrical with respect to the center of the width of the upper body 115.

If a pair of upper protrusions 117 protruding from the upper portion of the upper body 115 are gripped in a mutually opposed direction, a predetermined elastic force can be provided by the pair of slit-shaped holes 114. Thereby, insertion and detachment of the first sensor housing 110 can be facilitated.

4 is a view for explaining a process of combining a sensor unit included in the battery overcharge detecting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the first sensor unit 100 is inserted between the battery cell 11 and the end plate 15.

The first sensor housing 110 formed in the first sensor unit 100 may be inserted between the battery cell 11 and the end plate 15. [

Specifically, the first sensor housing 110 may be inserted between the battery cell 11 and the end plate 15 through a cell cover 19 surrounding the battery cell. At this time, the cell cover 19 may further include a guide portion 19a for guiding insertion of the first sensor housing 110. As another example, the first sensor housing 110 may be inserted directly through the end plate 15. A guide portion (not shown) for guiding the insertion of the first sensor housing 110 when the first sensor housing 110 is directly inserted into the end plate 15 may be formed on the end plate 15. [

The end plate 15 may further include a support portion 15a for blocking the movement of the first pressure sensor 150 (see FIG. 3) inserted through the guide portion 19a. The supporting portion 15a will be described in detail with reference to Fig.

5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a mounting structure of a battery overcharge detecting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5, a plurality of battery cells 11 are stacked in a predetermined stacking direction (i.e., a Y-axis direction), and an end plate 15 is coupled to the outside of the battery cell 11. As shown in FIG. A cell cover 19 is provided between the end plate 15 and the battery cell 11 to be coupled with the battery cell 11.

The first sensor unit 100 includes a first sensor housing 110, a first temperature sensor 130, and a first pressure sensor 150.

The cell cover 19 is provided with a guide portion 19a for guiding the insertion of the first sensor housing 110. The first sensor housing 110 is connected to the battery cell 11 through the guide portion 19a, Can be inserted between the plates (15).

The first temperature sensor 130 and the first pressure sensor 150 are disposed at a predetermined interval through the first sensor housing 110.

At this time, the first temperature sensor 130 is disposed at the upper position Pos_1 of the battery cell 11 where the temperature is highest in the battery cell 11 when the first sensor housing 110 is inserted.

The reason why the temperature of the battery cell is maximized at the upper end position Pos_1 of the battery cell 11 is that it is located at the greatest distance from the cooling plate 20.

The first pressure sensor 150 is disposed at the height center position Pos_2 of the battery cell 11 when the first sensor housing 110 is inserted.

Here, the height center position Pos_2 of the battery cell 11 is located at a position where the battery cell 11 is maximally changed in volume (that is, expanded) due to a change in the internal pressure P of the battery cell 11 when the battery is overcharged .

The end plate 15 provides a support portion 15a for supporting the guide portion 19a from which the first sensor housing 110 is inserted and further includes a bead portion 15b for structural reinforcement .

The support portion 15a serves to prevent the first pressure sensor 150 from moving backward when the battery cell 11 expands.

If the internal pressure P changes due to the swelling phenomenon of the battery cell 11 when the battery is overcharged, the expansion foam 12 between the battery cells 11 deforms to an allowable level.

However, if excessive pressure changes occur beyond the allowable level, the battery cell 11 may be severely inflated at the height center position Pos_2 of the battery cell 11. [ In this case, it is important to fix the position of the first pressure sensor 150 in order to measure a correct pressure change through the first pressure sensor 150. Accordingly, by providing the support portion 15a through the end plate 15, the movement of the first pressure sensor 150 can be blocked and the position can be fixed.

On the other hand, the temperature value of the upper end position Pos_1 of the battery cell 11 detected by the first temperature sensor 130 and the first pressure sensor 150 and the pressure value of the center position Pos_2 of the height of the battery cell 11 And is transmitted to the outside through the connector 121 and the connector 120. [

6 and 7 are views showing the shape of a guide part for guiding insertion of a sensor part among the battery overcharge detecting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, the first sensor housing 110 may be inserted between the battery cell 11 and the end plate 15. To this end, a guide portion 19a for guiding insertion of the first sensor housing 110 may be provided.

The support portion 15a of the end plate 15 may be formed between the bead portions 15b and has a shape corresponding to the guide portion 19a into which the first sensor housing 110 is inserted and the guide portion 19a And is supported by the outside.

Referring to FIG. 7, the end plate 15 is removed in FIG.

When the end plate 15 shown in Fig. 6 is separated from the cell cover 19, only the cell cover 19 having the guide portion 19a is coupled to the outside of the battery cell 11. [

The illustrated guide portion 19a may be provided through the cell cover 19 and may be provided directly through the end plate 15 according to another embodiment. In addition, the shape of the cell cover 19 shown in FIG. 7 can be changed into different shapes depending on the size and shape of the first sensor housing 110.

8 is a view showing a battery module to which a battery overcharge detecting device according to another embodiment of the present invention is applied.

Referring to FIG. 8, the battery module 10 is provided in a laminated structure in which a plurality of battery cells 11 are stacked along a predetermined stacking direction (i.e., a Y-axis direction).

The separator 17 is inserted between the plurality of battery cells 11 and 11 'on the inner side of the battery module 10.

The battery overcharge detecting apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a sensor unit (hereinafter referred to as 'second sensor unit') 200 for detecting the temperature and pressure of the battery cell.

The second sensor unit 200 may be provided through a separator 17 between the plurality of battery cells 11 and 11 '.

The second sensor unit 200 can be inserted interchangeably through the separator 17.

9 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a sensor unit included in a battery overcharge detection device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 9, the second sensor unit 200 includes a sensor housing 210 (hereinafter, referred to as a 'second sensor housing'), a connector (hereinafter referred to as a 'second connector') 220, (Hereinafter referred to as a second temperature sensor) 230, and a pressure sensor 250 (hereinafter, referred to as a second pressure sensor).

The second sensor housing 210 has a size and shape that can be interchangeably inserted through the separator 17.

The second sensor housing 210 includes a second temperature sensor 230 for detecting the temperature of the battery cell 11 (see FIG. 8) and a second pressure sensor (see FIG. 8) for detecting the pressure of the battery cell 11 250 can be arranged vertically apart from each other.

At this time, the second temperature sensor 230 is disposed at a position where the temperature of the battery cell is maximized, which is advantageous for temperature measurement for battery overcharge detection. To this end, the second temperature sensor 230 may be disposed facing the upper end of the battery cell 11 (see FIG. 8).

The second pressure sensor 250 may be disposed at a position where the volume change is most severely generated when the pressure of the battery cell changes. And may be disposed facing the center of the height.

As described above, the second sensor unit 200 is configured such that the second temperature sensor 230 and the second pressure sensor 250 are vertically spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance L2 through the second sensor housing 210 , The temperature and pressure of the battery cell can be precisely measured.

To this end, the second sensor housing 210 may use a bar-shaped member having a length longer than the interval L2 between the second temperature sensor 230 and the second pressure sensor 250. [

For example, the second sensor housing 210 has a long bar-shaped bottom body 211 that is easy to insert, an upper body (not shown) that is wider than the bottom body and is connected to the connector 220 through a connection portion 221 215).

At this time, the second temperature sensor 230 may be provided through the upper body 215. The second temperature sensor 230 may be disposed at the upper end of the battery cell when the second sensor housing 210 is inserted.

The second pressure sensor 250 may be disposed at a lower portion of the lower body 211 and may be positioned below the second temperature sensor 230 with a predetermined gap L2 therebetween. The second pressure sensor 250 may be arranged to face the center of the height of the battery cell when the second sensor housing 210 is inserted.

Meanwhile, a body extension 213 may be further provided between the lower body 211 and the upper body 215.

The body expanding portion 213 is a portion where the width gradually increases from the lower body 211 toward the upper body 215, thereby improving the structural stability.

In addition, a pair of slit-shaped holes 214 may be provided on the inner side of the upper body 215 so as to be symmetrical with respect to the center of the width of the upper body 215.

If a pair of upper protrusions 217 protruding from the upper portion of the upper body 215 are gripped in a mutual direction, a predetermined elastic force can be provided by the pair of slit-shaped holes 214. Thus, insertion and detachment of the second sensor housing 210 can be facilitated.

10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a mounting structure of a battery overcharge detecting device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 10, the second sensor unit 200 is inserted and mounted through a separator 17 disposed between the plurality of battery cells 11 and 11 '.

The second sensor unit 200 includes a second sensor housing 210, a second temperature sensor 230, and a second pressure sensor 250.

The second temperature sensor 230 and the second pressure sensor 250 are disposed above and below the second sensor housing 210 with a predetermined gap therebetween.

At this time, the second temperature sensor 230 is disposed at the upper end position Pos_1 of the battery cell 11 when the second sensor housing 210 is inserted. The second pressure sensor 250 is disposed at the height center position Pos_2 of the battery cell 11 when the second sensor housing 210 is inserted.

Here, the height center position Pos_2 of the battery cell 11 is a position at which the battery cell 11 is maximally changed in volume, that is, the position at which the battery cell 11 is inflated by the change in the internal pressures P and P ' .

On the other hand, the second pressure sensor 250 can detect pressure on the plurality of battery cells 11, 11 'disposed on both sides of the separator 17. [

If a change occurs in the internal pressures P and P 'of the plurality of battery cells 11 and 11', the expansion foam 12 provided in each of the plurality of battery cells 11 and 11 ' Causing deformation. However, when an excessive pressure change occurs beyond the allowable level, a volumetric strain that is excessively expanded at the height center position Pos_2 of each of the plurality of battery cells 11, 11 'may appear.

At this time, the second pressure sensor 250 detects all the pressure changes of the battery cells 11 and 11 'disposed on both sides with the separator 17 therebetween.

The second pressure sensor 250 is disposed in direct contact with the battery cell 11 on one side of the separator 17 to receive the pressure P directly from the battery cell 11 on one side of the separator 17 .

The second pressure sensor 250 is disposed apart from the battery cell 11 'on the other side of the separator 17 but the battery cell 11' on the other side of the separator 17 via the lever portion 260 interposed therebetween. (P ') < / RTI >

Here, the lever portion 260 may include a pressure transmitting block 263 and a connecting bar 261.

The pressure transfer block 263 is provided with a predetermined pressure sensor 252 so as to be able to transmit the pressure P 'in the battery cell 11' on the other side of the separator 17 to the second pressure sensor 250, Refers to a member capable of flowing within a range.

The connection bar 261 is connected to the pressure transfer block 263 so that when the battery cell 11 'on the other side of the separator 17 is inflated, the pressure transfer block 263 can be urged toward the second pressure sensor 250 It will help.

FIG. 11 is a view as seen from the View_A direction in FIG. 10, and FIG. 12 is a view as viewed from a View_B direction in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 11, the detailed structure of the second sensor unit 200 viewed from the battery cell 11 side of the separator 17 can be specifically confirmed.

The second sensor unit 200 includes a second sensor housing 210, a second temperature sensor 230, and a second pressure sensor 250.

An inserting portion 17a for inserting the second sensor housing 210 is vertically formed in the separator 17. And a grid rib 17b is provided through both side surfaces of the separator 17. [

When the second sensor housing 210 is inserted through the insertion portion 17a formed in the separator 17, the second temperature sensor 230 faces the upper position Pos_1 of the battery cell 11 (see FIG. 10) . And the second pressure sensor 250 is disposed to face the center position Pos_2 of the height of the battery cell 11 (see Fig. 10).

Accordingly, the second temperature sensor 230 detects a temperature value at a position where the temperature of the battery cell is maximally high, and the second pressure sensor 250 detects a temperature change of the battery cell when the pressure change of the battery cell is maximized The pressure value is detected at the position.

On the other hand, the second pressure sensor 250 can detect all pressure changes of the plurality of battery cells 11 and 11 '(see FIG. 10) disposed on both sides of the separator 17 therebetween.

To this end, the second pressure sensor 250 is disposed in contact with the battery cell on one side of the separator 17, and can directly receive the pressure P (see FIG. 10). Referring to FIG. 12, the second pressure sensor 250 (see FIG. 11) is disposed apart from the battery cell on the other side of the separator 17. 11), the pressure P 'of the battery cell on the other side of the separator 17 through the lever portion 260 passing through the separator 17 and flowing in the Y-axis direction, ) Can be indirectly received.

Thus, the pressure transfer block 263 is formed to be capable of transferring the pressure in the battery cell on the other side of the separator 17 to the second pressure sensor.

Specifically, there is a thickness difference t1 between the pressure transmitting block 263 and the connecting bar 261. By this structure, when the battery cell 11 'on the other side of the separator 17 is inflated, 263 may transmit pressure to the second pressure sensor 250 (see FIG. 11).

13 is a view showing a battery module to which a battery overcharge detecting device according to another embodiment of the present invention is applied.

Referring to FIG. 13, the battery module 10 is provided in the form of stacking a plurality of battery cells 11 along a predetermined stacking direction (i.e., a Y-axis direction).

At this time, an end plate 15 is coupled to the outside of the battery module 10, and a separator 17 is coupled to the inside of the battery module 10 between the plurality of battery cells 11 and 11 '.

The illustrated battery overcharge detection apparatus includes a first sensor unit 100 and a second sensor unit 200. The first sensor unit 100 is provided between the battery cell 11 and the end plate 15 to detect the temperature and the pressure of the battery cell. The second sensor unit 200 is provided in the separator 17 to detect the temperature and the pressure of the battery cell.

The first sensor unit 100 can be inserted interchangeably between the battery cell 11 and the end plate 15.

The second sensor unit 200 may be interchangeably inserted through the separator 17 between the plurality of battery cells 11, 11 '.

14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a mounting structure of a battery overcharge detecting device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The first sensor unit 100 includes a first sensor housing 110, a first temperature sensor 130, and a first pressure sensor 150.

An end plate (15) is coupled to the outside of the battery cell (11).

A cell cover 19 may be provided between the end plate 15 and the battery cell 11 to surround the battery cell 11.

The cell cover 19 may be provided with a guide portion 19a for guiding insertion of the first sensor housing 110. The first sensor housing 110 can be inserted between the battery cell 11 and the end plate 15 through the guide portion 19a.

At this time, the first sensor housing 110 may be disposed with the first temperature sensor 130 and the first pressure sensor 150 being spaced apart from each other.

The first temperature sensor 130 may be disposed at an upper position of the battery cell 11 where the temperature is highest in the battery cell 11 when the first sensor housing 110 is inserted.

The first pressure sensor 150 may be disposed at a height center position of the battery cell 11 when the first sensor housing 110 is inserted.

The position of the center of the height of the battery cell 11 corresponds to the position where the battery cell 11 is at maximum volume change or expansion due to a change in internal pressure of the battery cell 11 when the battery is overcharged.

The end plate 15 provides a support portion 15a for supporting the guide portion 19a from which the first sensor housing 110 is inserted and further includes a bead portion 15b for structural reinforcement . The support portion 15a serves to prevent the first pressure sensor 150 from moving backward when the battery cell 11 expands.

If a change in the internal pressure occurs due to the swelling phenomenon of the battery cell 11 when the battery is overcharged, the expansion foam 12 between the battery cells 11 is deformed to an allowable level.

However, if excessive pressure change occurs beyond the allowable level, the battery cell 11 may be severely inflated at the height center position of the battery cell 11. [ In this case, it is important to fix the position of the first pressure sensor 150 in order to measure a correct pressure change through the first pressure sensor 150. Accordingly, by providing the support portion 15a through the end plate 15, the movement of the first pressure sensor 150 can be blocked and the position can be fixed.

The temperature value at the upper end position of the battery cell 11 detected from the first temperature sensor 130 and the first pressure sensor 150 and the pressure value at the center position of the height of the battery cell 11 are measured by the connection part 121 and the connector (120).

Also, the first sensor housing 110 can be inserted between the battery cell 11 and the end plate 15. To this end, a guide portion 19a for guiding insertion of the first sensor housing 110 may be further provided.

The guide portion 19a for guiding the insertion of the first sensor housing 110 may be provided through the cell cover 19 but is not limited thereto and the guide portion 19a may be formed through the end plate 15 have.

As the first sensor housing 110 is inserted through the guide portion 19a, the first sensor portion 100 is mounted between the battery cell 11 and the end plate 15. In this case, 120 may be exposed to the upper portion of the battery cell 11.

The second sensor unit 200 can be inserted and mounted through the separator 17 disposed between the plurality of battery cells 11 and 11 '.

The second sensor unit 200 includes a second sensor housing 210, a second temperature sensor 230, and a second pressure sensor 250.

The second sensor housing 210 may be disposed with the second temperature sensor 230 and the second pressure sensor 250 spaced up and down.

The second temperature sensor 230 is disposed at the upper end of the battery cell 11 when the second sensor housing 210 is inserted and the second pressure sensor 250 is disposed at the upper end of the battery cell 11 when the second sensor housing 210 is inserted. The battery cell 11 is positioned at the center of the height.

The position of the center of the height of the battery cell 11 corresponds to the position where the battery cell 11 is at maximum volume change or expansion due to a change in internal pressure of the battery cell 11 when the battery is overcharged.

Further, the second pressure sensor 250 can detect the pressures of the plurality of battery cells 11, 11 'disposed on both sides of the separator 17.

If the internal pressure of the plurality of battery cells 11 and 11 'is changed, the expansion foam 12 provided in each of the plurality of battery cells 11 and 11' is deformed to an allowable level. However, when an excessive pressure change occurs beyond the allowable level, a volumetric strain which is excessively expanded at the height center position of each of the plurality of battery cells 11, 11 'may appear.

At this time, the second pressure sensor 250 detects all the pressure changes of the battery cells 11 and 11 'disposed on both sides with the separator 17 therebetween.

That is, the second pressure sensor 250 is arranged in contact with the battery cell 11 on one side of the separator 17, so that the pressure in the battery cell 11 on one side of the separator 17 can be directly transmitted.

The second pressure sensor 250 is arranged to be spaced apart from the battery cell 11 'on the other side of the separator 17 but the second pressure sensor 250 is disposed on the other side of the battery cell 11' Pressure can be indirectly delivered.

As a specific example, the lever portion 260 may be configured to include a pressure transmitting block 263 and a connecting bar 261. [

The pressure transfer block 263 is disposed within the predetermined range so as to face the second pressure sensor 250 and to transmit the pressure in the battery cell 11 'on the other side of the separator 17 to the second pressure sensor 250. [ Possible members.

The connection bar 261 is connected to the pressure transfer block 263 so that when the battery cell 11 'on the other side of the separator 17 is inflated, the pressure transfer block 263 can be urged toward the second pressure sensor 250 It will help.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a vehicle battery including the battery overcharge detecting device according to the above-described embodiments of the present invention can be provided. Here, the vehicle includes various types of vehicles driven by electric driving sources such as an electric vehicle (EV) and a hybrid vehicle (HV).

As described above, according to the structure and the function of the present invention, the pressure sensor and the temperature sensor are arranged so as to detect pressure and temperature information at the time of swelling of the battery cell at the optimum position, can do. Thus, the stability of the vehicle battery can be improved. As a specific example, the pressure sensor may be disposed at the center of the height of the battery cell where the pressure change at the time of swelling of the battery cell is highest, and the temperature sensor may be disposed at the top of the battery cell where the temperature of the battery cell is highest. As a result, it is possible to quickly and accurately detect whether the battery module is overcharged.

Further, there is an advantage that the pressure sensor and the temperature sensor can be integrally installed through the sensor housing inserted in a position (for example, between the battery cell and the end plate, separator, etc.) for detecting the temperature and pressure of the battery cell. According to such an integral structure, when the sensor is defective, the sensor housing can be detached at once to easily replace the sensor part, which is advantageous in that maintenance is easy.

Furthermore, one sensor part for detecting the temperature and pressure of the battery cell on the end plate side and another sensor part for detecting the temperature and pressure of the battery cell on the separator side can be simultaneously applied. Thus, it is possible to more quickly and accurately detect whether or not the battery module is overcharged.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the scope of the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. It is obvious that a transformation can be made. Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the effects of the present invention are not explicitly described and described, but it is needless to say that the effects that can be predicted by the configurations should also be recognized.

1: vehicle battery 10: battery module
11: Battery cell 12: Expansion foam
15: end plate 15a:
15b: bead portion 17: separator
17a: Insertion part 17b: Grid rib
19: cell cover 19a: guide part
20: Cooling plate
100: first sensor unit 110: first sensor housing
111: lower body 113: body extension part
114: slit-shaped hole 115: upper body
117: upper projection 120: connector
121: connection part 130: first temperature sensor
150: first pressure sensor
200: second sensor unit 210: second sensor housing
211: lower body 213: body extension part
214: Slit-shaped hole 215: Upper body
217: upper protrusion 220: connector
221: connection part 230: second temperature sensor
250: second pressure sensor 260: lever part
261: connecting bar 263: pressure transmitting block

Claims (20)

And a sensor unit provided between the battery cell and the end plate for detecting a temperature and a pressure of the battery cell,
The sensor unit includes:
A temperature sensor disposed on an upper end of the battery cell to detect a temperature of the battery cell;
A pressure sensor arranged to face the center of the height of the battery cell to detect a pressure of the battery cell; And
A sensor housing for vertically separating the temperature sensor and the pressure sensor so as to integrally mount the sensor housing;
And an overcharge detection unit.
The method according to claim 1,
The sensor housing includes:
Wherein the end plate is inserted between the battery cell and the end plate so as to be interchangeable.
3. The method of claim 2,
And a guide portion for guiding insertion of the sensor housing.
The method of claim 3,
The guide portion
And the battery overcharge detecting device formed on the end plate.
The method of claim 3,
The guide portion
And a cell cover surrounding the battery cell between the battery cell and the end plate.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the end plate comprises:
And a support for supporting movement of the pressure sensor when the pressure of the battery cell changes.
And a sensor unit provided in a separator disposed between the plurality of battery cells for detecting a temperature and a pressure of the battery cell,
The sensor unit includes:
A temperature sensor disposed on an upper end of the battery cell to detect a temperature of the battery cell;
A pressure sensor arranged to face the center of the height of the battery cell to detect a pressure of the battery cell; And
A sensor housing for vertically separating the temperature sensor and the pressure sensor so as to integrally mount the sensor housing;
And an overcharge detection unit.
8. The method of claim 7,
The sensor housing includes:
And is inserted interchangeably through the separator.
8. The method of claim 7,
The pressure sensor includes:
And detects pressure on a plurality of battery cells arranged on both sides of the separator.
10. The method of claim 9,
The pressure sensor includes:
A separator contacting the battery cell on one side of the separator,
Wherein a lever portion for transmitting a pressure is provided between the pressure sensor and the battery cell on the other side of the separator, the lever being separated from the battery cell on the other side of the separator.
A first sensor unit provided between the battery cell and the end plate for detecting a temperature and a pressure of the battery cell; And
And a second sensor unit provided in a separator disposed between the plurality of battery cells to detect a temperature and a pressure of the battery cell,
Wherein each of the first and second sensor units comprises:
A temperature sensor disposed opposite to an upper end of the battery cell;
A pressure sensor disposed on the center of the height of the battery cell; And
A sensor housing for vertically separating the temperature sensor and the pressure sensor so as to integrally mount the sensor housing;
And an overcharge detection unit.
The method of claim 11, wherein
Wherein the first sensor unit comprises:
A first temperature sensor disposed opposite to an upper end of the battery cell adjacent to the end plate;
A first pressure sensor disposed opposite to a center portion of the height of the battery cell adjacent to the end plate; And
And a first sensor housing inserted between the battery cell and the end plate so as to be interchangeable, the first sensor housing separating the first temperature sensor and the first pressure sensor vertically.
13. The method of claim 12,
And a guide portion for guiding insertion of the first sensor housing.
14. The method of claim 13,
The guide portion
And the battery overcharge detecting device formed on the end plate.
14. The method of claim 13,
The guide portion
Wherein the battery cover is formed on a cell cover interposed between the battery cell and the end plate.
13. The method of claim 12,
Wherein the end plate comprises:
And a support for supporting movement of the first pressure sensor when the pressure of the battery cell changes.
The method of claim 11, wherein
Wherein the second sensor unit comprises:
A second temperature sensor disposed facing the upper end of the battery cell adjacent to the separator;
A second pressure sensor disposed opposite to the center of the height of the battery cell adjacent to the separator;
And a second sensor housing interposed between the separators so as to be interchangeable, the second sensor housing separating the second temperature sensor and the second pressure sensor vertically.
18. The method of claim 17,
Wherein the second pressure sensor comprises:
And detects pressure on a plurality of battery cells arranged on both sides of the separator.
19. The method of claim 18,
Wherein the second pressure sensor comprises:
A separator disposed in contact with the battery cell on one side of the separator,
Wherein a lever portion for transmitting a pressure is provided between the pressure sensor and the battery cell on the other side of the separator, the lever being disposed apart from the battery cell on the other side of the separator.
A battery for a vehicle comprising the battery overcharge detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 19.

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