KR102052672B1 - Service plug, battery pack comprising the service plug and vehicle comprising the battery pack - Google Patents

Abstract

The service plug according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted on the pack case, the plug body electrically connected to the battery module assembly, detachably mounted to the plug body, and electrically connected to the battery module assembly when combined with the plug body. And at least one of a plug cover and a plug cover and a plug cover for disconnecting the electrical connection of the battery module assembly when the plug body is separated from the plug body. It characterized in that it comprises a high voltage blocking unit for cutting off the high voltage of the battery module assembly when the temperature is above.

Description

SERVICE PLUG, BATTERY PACK COMPRISING THE SERVICE PLUG AND VEHICLE COMPRISING THE BATTERY PACK}

The present invention relates to a service plug, a battery pack comprising such a service plug and a motor vehicle comprising such a battery pack.

A secondary battery having high applicationability and high electrical energy characteristics such as high energy density according to a product group is not only a portable device but also an electric vehicle (EV) or a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) driven by an electric driving source. It is applied universally. The secondary battery is attracting attention as a new energy source for improving eco-friendliness and energy efficiency in that not only the primary advantage of significantly reducing the use of fossil fuels is generated, but also no by-products of energy use are generated.

Types of secondary batteries currently widely used include lithium ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel cadmium batteries, nickel hydrogen batteries, nickel zinc batteries, and the like. The operating voltage of the unit cell of the secondary battery, that is, the unit battery cell is about 2.5V to 4.2V. Therefore, when a higher output voltage is required, a battery pack may be configured by connecting a plurality of battery cells in series. In addition, the battery pack may be configured by connecting a plurality of battery cells in parallel according to the charge / discharge capacity required for the battery pack. Therefore, the number of battery cells included in the battery pack may be variously set according to the required output voltage or charge / discharge capacity.

Meanwhile, when a battery pack is configured by connecting a plurality of battery cells in series / parallel, the battery module including at least one battery cell is configured first, and the battery pack is added by adding other components using the at least one battery module. How to configure it is common.

The battery pack mounted on a vehicle such as an electric vehicle is provided with a service plug that can block electrical connection of the battery pack in order to prevent an electric shock accident of the worker, etc., when checking or managing the battery pack of the worker.

The service plug is also referred to as a safety plug or a manual service disconnect (MSD). The service plug is mounted on the battery pack as a component that electrically connects the battery module assembly inside the battery pack or blocks the electrical connection of the battery module assembly.

When inspecting or managing the battery pack, the operator should first remove the plug cover from the plug body of the service plug to cut off the electrical connection inside the battery pack to prevent electric shock, and then inspect or manage the battery pack. Will be performed.

In addition, the service plug may block the current of the battery module assembly when the current exceeds the allowable current of the battery module assembly to prevent ignition, which may occur in the internal electrical components of the battery module assembly which is vulnerable to high current when the current exceeds the allowable current. Service fuses are blown off.

However, in the conventional battery pack, when a current such that the service fuse of the service plug is not blown continues to flow, the temperature rise of the service fuse and the plug busbar connected to the service fuse is continued, which causes the body of the plug body to rise. There is a problem that damage such as melting of the housing or the cover housing of the plug cover occurs.

In addition, in the conventional battery pack, due to the bonding of the main body housing and the cover housing heated to a high temperature, or the main body housing and the cover housing heated to a high temperature, it is difficult for an artificial user operation to remove the plug cover from the plug main body. There is a problem.

Accordingly, in the conventional battery pack, there is a problem that operation or access of a service plug such as an operator becomes difficult when inspecting or managing the battery pack.

Therefore, a search for a method for providing a service plug, a battery pack including the service plug, and a vehicle including the battery pack, which can prevent damage to the service plug due to the temperature increase of the service plug is required.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a service plug, a battery pack including such a service plug, and a vehicle including the battery pack, which can prevent damage to the service plug due to a temperature rise of the service plug.

In order to solve the above object, the present invention is a service plug provided in a battery pack including a battery module assembly including at least one battery module and a pack case for accommodating the battery module assembly, and is mounted to the pack case. A plug body electrically connected to the battery module assembly; A plug cover detachably mounted according to a user's manipulation with the plug body, electrically connecting the battery module assembly when coupled with the plug body, and blocking electrical connection of the battery module assembly when separated from the plug body; And at least one of the plug cover and the plug body, and for blocking the high voltage of the battery module assembly when the temperature of the plug body or the plug cover is greater than or equal to a preset temperature when the plug body and the plug cover are coupled to each other. It provides a service plug comprising a; high voltage blocking unit.

The plug cover may include: a service fuse which is blown to cut off a current of the battery module assembly when a current exceeding an allowable current of the battery module assembly is generated; A pair of plug busbars connected to the service fuse, connected to the battery module assembly when coupled to the plug body, and separated from the battery module assembly when separated from the plug body; And a cover housing accommodating the pair of plug busbars and the service fuse and detachably mounted to the plug body, wherein the high voltage blocking unit comprises: at least one plug of the pair of plug busbars; It can be placed close to the busbar.

The plug cover is provided in the cover housing, the operation handle is mounted to the cover housing rotatably in accordance with the user operation; And a high voltage interlock terminal separated from the plug body or coupled to the plug body to be electrically connected to the battery module assembly to block the high voltage of the battery module assembly according to the rotation of the operation handle. The high voltage blocking unit may be connected to the high voltage interlock terminal to release the connection between the high voltage interlock terminal and the battery module assembly when the temperature is higher than the preset temperature.

The high voltage blocking unit may include a terminal connection part provided in the cover housing and connected to the high voltage interlock terminal; And a thermal fuse connected to the terminal connection part and disconnected to release a connection between the high voltage interlock terminal and the battery module assembly above the preset temperature.

The terminal connection unit may be connected to the high voltage interlock terminal through a welding process.

The thermal fuse is provided in the cover housing and may be disposed between the at least one plug busbar and the high voltage interlock terminal.

The high voltage interlock terminal may include: a first interlock terminal spaced apart from each other; And a second interlock terminal.

The terminal connection unit may include: a first connection unit connecting the first interlock terminal and the thermal fuse; And a second connector connecting the second interlock terminal to the thermal fuse.

The thermal fuse may release the connection between the first interlock terminal and the second interlock terminal when the thermal fuse is blown above the preset temperature.

The plug body may include a body housing mounted to the pack case and connected to the battery module assembly; A pair of plug busbar slots provided in the body housing and into which the pair of plug busbars are inserted when the plug cover is coupled; And an interlock terminal slot spaced apart from the pair of plug busbar slots, into which the first interlock terminal and the second interlock terminal are inserted when the plug cover is coupled.

The interlock terminal slot is connected to a non-MS unit of the battery module assembly, and the non-MS unit detects disconnection of the high voltage interlock terminal after the thermal fuse is blown to cut off the high voltage of the battery module assembly. You can.

The plug main body may include a misassembly prevention slot provided in the main body housing and disposed in an oblique direction of the interlock terminal slot.

The high voltage blocking unit may be a temperature sensor.

The high voltage blocking unit may be connected to the BMS unit of the battery module assembly when the plug body and the plug cover are coupled to each other.

The BMS unit may block the high voltage of the battery module assembly when the temperature of the high voltage blocking unit is equal to or greater than the preset temperature.

The high voltage blocking unit may be provided in the plug body or the plug cover.

The preset temperature may be a heat deformation temperature of at least one of the plug cover and the plug body.

The heat distortion temperature may be 121 degrees.

In addition, the present invention provides a battery pack, comprising a service plug according to the embodiments described above, as a battery pack.

In addition, the present invention provides a vehicle, including as a vehicle, at least one battery pack according to the above-described embodiment.

According to various embodiments as described above, it is possible to provide a service plug, a battery pack including such a service plug, and a vehicle including the battery pack, which can prevent damage to the service plug due to a temperature increase of the service plug. .

The following drawings attached to this specification are illustrative of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and together with the detailed description of the invention to serve as a further understanding of the technical spirit of the present invention, the present invention described in those drawings It should not be construed as limited to.
1 is a view for explaining a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a service plug of the battery pack of FIG. 1.
3 is an exploded perspective view of the service plug of FIG. 2.
4 is a bottom perspective view of the plug body of the service plug of FIG. 3.
5 and 6 are views for explaining the plug cover of the service plug of FIG.
FIG. 7 is a diagram for describing a high voltage blocking unit of the plug cover of FIG. 6.
8 to 11 are diagrams for describing an operation of the high voltage blocking unit of FIG. 7 when the temperature of the service plug of the battery pack of FIG. 1 rises.
12 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when a temperature of a service plug of the battery pack of FIG. 1 rises.
13 is a block diagram illustrating a battery pack according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a diagram for describing a service plug of the battery pack of FIG. 13.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when a temperature rise of a service plug of the battery pack of FIG. 13 occurs.

The invention will become more apparent by describing the preferred embodiments of the invention in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Embodiments described herein are shown by way of example in order to facilitate understanding of the invention, it should be understood that the present invention may be modified in various ways different from the embodiments described herein. In addition, in order to facilitate understanding of the invention, the accompanying drawings may not be drawn to scale, but the dimensions of some of the components may be exaggerated.

1 is a view for explaining a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a perspective view of the service plug of the battery pack of Figure 1, Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the service plug of Figure 2, Figure 4 3 is a bottom perspective view of the plug body of the service plug of FIG. 3, FIGS. 5 and 6 are views for explaining the plug cover of the service plug of FIG. 3, and FIG. 7 is a view for explaining the high voltage blocking unit of the plug cover of FIG. 6. It is for the drawing.

1 to 7, the battery pack 1 may be provided as a fuel source of an automobile. For example, the battery pack 1 may be provided in an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, a plug-in hybrid vehicle, and various other vehicles in which the battery pack 1 may be used as a fuel source.

In addition, the battery pack 1 may be provided in other devices, devices, and facilities, such as an energy storage system using a battery cell as a secondary battery, in addition to the vehicle.

The battery pack 1 may include a pack case 10, a battery module assembly 20, and a service plug 30.

The pack case 10 forms an appearance of the battery pack 1 and may accommodate various components constituting the battery pack 1. The pack case 10 may be mounted on a vehicle such as the electric vehicle, the hybrid vehicle, the plug-in hybrid vehicle, and a facility such as the electric power storage device.

The battery module assembly 20 is provided in the pack case 10, and may be formed of an assembly of main components constituting the battery pack 1. The battery module assembly 20 may include a battery module 22 and a non-MS unit 25.

At least one battery module 22 may be provided. Hereinafter, the battery module 22 will be described as being limited to a plurality of battery modules 22. The plurality of battery modules 22 may be formed of a laminate electrically connected to each other.

The plurality of battery modules 22 may each include at least one battery cell. The at least one battery cell may be provided as a secondary battery, for example, may be provided as a pouch type secondary battery. Since the said secondary battery, especially the said pouch type secondary battery is well known, detailed description is abbreviate | omitted hereafter.

The BMS unit 25 is for managing and controlling the battery module assembly 20 and may be electrically connected to the plurality of battery modules 22.

The BMS unit 25 may be electrically connected to the vehicle equipped with the battery pack 1, and the management and control of the battery module assembly 20 may be performed in connection with the electric component such as the vehicle. Can be done. In this embodiment, the specific management and control of the battery module assembly 20 associated with the BMS unit 25 will be described in more detail in the following related description.

The service plug 30 may cut off the electrical connection of the battery pack 1 according to a user's operation in order to prevent an electric shock accident of the worker or the like when checking or managing the battery pack 1 such as an operator. As one example, the battery pack may be mounted on the pack case 10 and electrically connected to the battery module assembly 20.

The service plug 30 may include a plug body 100, a plug cover 200, and a high voltage blocking unit 300.

The plug body 100 may be mounted on one side of the pack case 10. The upper side (+ Z axis direction) of the plug body 100 is exposed outside the pack case 10, and the lower side (−Z axis direction) of the plug body 100 is the battery in the pack case 10. It may be electrically connected to the module assembly 20.

The plug body 100 may include a body housing 110, a plug busbar slot 130, an interlock terminal slot 150, a misassembly prevention slot 170, and a connection connector 190.

The body housing 110 may form an appearance of the plug body 100 and may be fixedly mounted to one side of the pack case 10 through at least one fastening member B. The body housing 110 may be made of a plastic material to prevent an electric shock, such as the worker.

A pack mounting hole 115 may be formed in the body housing 110.

The pack mounting hole 115 is for fastening the at least one fastening member B, and may be provided in plurality. The plurality of pack mounting holes 115 may be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance along an edge of the body housing 110.

The at least one fastening member B fastened through the plurality of pack mounting holes 115 may be coupled to the pack case 10 to fix the body housing 110 to the pack case 10. have.

The plug bus bar slot 130 may be provided on an upper surface of the main body housing 110, and a pair of plug bus bars 250 to be described later may be inserted when the plug cover 200 is to be described later. Accordingly, the plug busbar slots 130 may also be provided in pairs to correspond to a pair of plug busbars 250 to be described later, and may be disposed to face in an oblique direction.

The interlock terminal slot 150 may be electrically connected to the BMS unit 25 of the battery module assembly 20 when the connecting connector 190 is connected to the battery module assembly 20.

The interlock terminal slot 150 may be provided on an upper surface of the body housing 110 and spaced apart from the pair of plug busbar slots 130. Specifically, the interlock terminal slot 150 may be disposed to face the respective plug busbar slots 130 in the front (X-axis direction) and the side (Y-axis direction) of the main body housing 110. .

The first interlock terminal 292 and the second interlock terminal 296 of the high voltage interlock terminal 290 to be described later may be inserted into the interlock terminal slot 150 when the plug cover 200 is coupled.

The misassembly prevention slot 170 may be provided on an upper surface of the body housing 110 and disposed in an oblique direction of the interlock terminal slot 150.

The misassembly prevention slot 170 may prevent misassembly of the plug cover 200 when the main housing 110 of the plug cover 200 to be described later. Specifically, the misassembly prevention slot 170 is provided with a structure that does not allow the insertion of the high voltage interlock terminal 290 to be described later, when the plug cover 200 is coupled in the lateral direction (Y-axis direction). The misassembly of the plug cover 200 may be prevented.

The connection connector 190 may be provided on the bottom surface of the body housing 110 and may be connected to the battery module assembly 20. The plug body 100 may be electrically connected to the battery module assembly 20 through the connection connector 190.

The plug cover 200 may be mounted to the plug body 100 to be detachable from the plug body 100 according to artificial user manipulation. Specifically, the plug cover 200 electrically connects the battery module assembly 20 when the plug cover 200 is coupled to the plug body 100, and electrically disconnects the battery module assembly 20 when the plug cover 200 is separated from the plug body 100. You can break the connection.

The plug cover 200 may include a cover housing 210, a service fuse 230, a plug bus bar 250, an operation handle 270, and a high voltage interlock terminal 290.

The cover housing 210 forms an appearance of the plug cover 200, and may be detachably coupled to the body housing 110 of the plug body 100 according to an artificial user's operation such as the worker.

The bottom of the cover housing 210 may be provided with an accommodation space for accommodating the service fuse 230, plug bus bar 250 and the high voltage interlock terminal 290 to be described later.

In addition, like the cover housing 210 and the body housing 110 of the plug body 100, the cover housing 210 may be made of a plastic material to prevent an electric shock of the worker or the like.

The service fuse 230 may be mounted on a bottom surface of the cover housing 210 and may be blown to cut off a current of the battery module assembly 20 when a current exceeding an allowable current of the battery module assembly 20 is generated. .

The plug busbar 250 is connected to the service fuse 230, and is coupled to the battery module assembly 20 when coupled with the plug body 100 and the battery module assembly when separated from the plug body 100. 20 may be separated.

The plug bus bar 250 electrically connects the service plug 30 and the battery module assembly 20 when combined with the plug body 100, and the battery when the plug bus bar 250 is separated from the plug body 100. The electrical connection of the module assembly 20 may be interrupted.

The plug bus bar 250 may be provided as a pair. The pair of plug busbars 250 are electrically connected to both ends of the service fuse 230 through screw members, respectively, so that the service is coupled when the plug body 100 of the plug cover 200 is coupled. The fuse 230 and the battery module assembly 20 may be electrically connected to each other.

The pair of plug busbars 250 may include a service fuse mounting part 252 and a slot coupling part 255, respectively.

The service fuse mounting part 252 may be in surface contact with the end of the service fuse 230 and may be screwed to the end of the service fuse 230 through the screw member.

The slot coupling part 255 may protrude downwardly (-Z axis direction) from the service fuse mounting part 252. The slot coupling part 255 is inserted into a plug busbar slot 130 to be described later when the plug cover 20 and the plug body 100 are coupled, and the plug cover 20 and the plug body When the separation of the 100 may be separated from the plug busbar slot 130 to be described later.

The manipulation handle 270 may be provided at an upper side (+ Z axis direction) of the cover housing 210. The manipulation handle 270 may be mounted to the cover housing 210 to be rotatable according to the artificial user manipulation.

According to the rotation of the operation handle 270, the high voltage interlock terminal 290 to be described later may be released from the electrical connection with the plug body 100, which is described in the related description of the high voltage interlock terminal 290. Take a closer look.

The high voltage interlock terminal 290 is separated from the plug body 100 or coupled to the plug body 100 to block the high voltage of the battery module assembly 20 so as to be electrically connected to the battery module assembly 20. Can be connected. In this case, the high voltage interlock terminal 290 may be electrically connected to the BMS unit 25 of the battery module assembly 20.

The reason why the high voltage blocking of the high voltage interlock terminal 290 is needed is as follows. When the plug cover 200 is detached from the plug body 100 of the service plug 30 by the worker, specifically, when the cover housing 210 is separated from the body housing 110, the Due to the high voltage in the battery module assembly 20, the service plug 30 may also have the high voltage applied thereto. Due to the high voltage, an electrical contact between the plug body 100 and the plug cover 200, for example, a pair of plug busbars 250 and a pair of plug busbar slots (to be described later) An arc, such as sparks, may be generated at the contacts of the 130 and the like. Such an arc may cause a safety accident such as an electric shock of the worker or the like.

The high voltage interlock terminal 290 is connected to the rotation of the operation handle 270 according to the artificial user's operation in order to block such arc generation before the separation of the cover housing 210 from the body housing 110. The high voltage of the battery module assembly 20 may be cut in advance.

Specifically, the high voltage blocking mechanism of the battery module assembly 20 associated with the high voltage interlock terminal 290 and the operation handle 270 will be described in more detail.

The high voltage interlock terminal 290 may be inserted into the interlock terminal slot 150 when the plug cover 200 and the plug body 100 are coupled to each other. Thereafter, when the plug cover 200 is detached from the plug body 100 such as an operator, the operator may first rotate the operation handle 270 at a predetermined angle. The predetermined angle may be, for example, approximately 45 degrees. When the operation handle 270 is rotated at the predetermined angle, the high voltage interlock terminal 290 moves upward from the interlock terminal slot 150 while moving upward in the cover housing 210. Can be separated.

When the high voltage interlock terminal 290 is separated from the interlock terminal slot 150, the connection of the high voltage interlock terminal 290 and the battery module assembly 20 may be released. When such disconnection occurs, the BMS unit 25 of the battery module assembly 20 detects the disconnection of the high voltage interlock terminal 290 to cause the arc of the battery module assembly 20. High voltage can be cut off in advance.

Thereafter, the operator rotates the operation handle 270 associated with the high voltage interlock terminal 290 at a predetermined angle, and then lifts the plug cover 200 from the body housing 110 to lift the plug cover 200 into the plug body. Completely separated from (100). Here, the second predetermined angle may be approximately 90 degrees.

The high voltage is not applied to the service plug 30 due to the high voltage interruption of the battery module assembly 20 by disconnecting the high voltage interlock terminal 290. The arc may not be generated at the contacts of the bars 250 and the pair of plug busbar slots 130. Accordingly, the worker or the like may safely disconnect the plug cover 200 from the plug body 100 of the service plug 30 to completely block the electrical connection of the battery pack 1. Thereafter, the worker or the like may safely perform the inspection or management of the battery pack 1.

Looking at the configuration of the high voltage interlock terminal 290 in more detail, the high voltage interlock terminal 290 may include a first interlock terminal 292 and a second interlock terminal 296.

The first interlock terminal 292 may be detachably inserted into the interlock terminal slot 150. Here, an end portion of the first interlock terminal 292 in the opposite direction (+ Z-axis direction) that is the insertion direction (−Z axis direction) of the first interlock terminal 292 may be a high voltage blocking unit 300 described later. It may be connected to the first connection portion 312 of the terminal connection portion 310 of the.

The second interlock terminal 296 may be spaced apart from the first interlock terminal 296 and may be detachably inserted into the interlock terminal slot 150 like the first interlock terminal 292. have. Here, an end portion of the second interlock terminal 296 in an opposite direction (+ Z axis direction) that is an insertion direction (−Z axis direction) of the second interlock terminal 296 may be described below. It may be connected to the second connection portion 316 of the terminal connection portion 310 of the.

The high voltage blocking unit 300 may include the battery module when the temperature in the plug body 100 or the plug cover 200 is greater than or equal to a preset temperature when the plug body 100 and the plug cover 200 are coupled to each other. The high voltage of the assembly 20 can be cut off.

In other words, the high voltage blocking unit 300 may block the high voltage of the battery module assembly 20 in advance without artificial user manipulation above the preset temperature. On the other hand, the predetermined temperature will be described in detail when the high voltage blocking unit 300 described below.

The high voltage blocking unit 300 may be provided in at least one of the plug body 100 and the plug cover 200. Hereinafter, in the present embodiment, the high voltage blocking unit 300 is limited to that provided in the plug cover 200.

The high voltage blocking unit 300 may be provided in the cover housing 210 of the plug cover 200, and may be disposed near at least one plug bus bar 250 of the pair of plug bus bars 250. have. In detail, the high voltage blocking unit 300 may be disposed near the plug bus bar 250 disposed near the high voltage interlock terminal 290. This is because, when the temperature of the service plug 30 rises, the highest temperature in the vicinity of the pair of plug busbars 250 and the high voltage interlock terminal 290 is high.

The high voltage blocking unit 300 may be connected to the high voltage interlock terminal 290 to release the connection between the high voltage interlock terminal 290 and the battery module assembly 20 when the temperature is higher than the preset temperature. have.

Here, the preset temperature is the plug cover 200 and the plug body 100, specifically, the cover housing 210 of the plug cover 200 and the body housing 110 of the plug body 100. ) May be at least one heat distortion temperature. In this embodiment, the cover housing 210 and the body housing 110 may be provided with the same plastic material, it may be the heat deformation temperature of all of them. In the present embodiment, the heat distortion temperature may be approximately 121 degrees. If the cover housing 210 and the body housing 110 are provided with different plastic materials, the cover housing 210 and the body housing 110 may be at a temperature at which thermal deformation occurs first.

Hereinafter, the high voltage blocking unit 300 according to the present embodiment will be described in more detail.

The high voltage blocking unit 300 may include a terminal connection part 310 and a thermal fuse 330.

The terminal connection part 310 may be provided in the cover housing 210 and may be electrically connected to the high voltage interlock terminal 290. To this end, the terminal connection portion 310 may be connected to the high voltage interlock terminal 290 through a welding process.

The terminal connection part 310 may include a first connection part 312 and a second connection part 316.

The first connector 312 may be connected to the first interlock terminal 292, and may electrically connect the thermal fuse 330 and the first interlock terminal 292 to be described later.

The second connector 316 may be connected to the second interlock terminal 296 and electrically connect the thermal fuse 330 and the second interlock terminal 296 which will be described later.

The thermal fuse 330 may be provided in the cover housing 210 and may be connected to the terminal connection part 310. Specifically, one end of the thermal fuse 330 may be connected to the first connector 312, and the other end of the thermal fuse 330 may be connected to the second connector 316.

Accordingly, when the thermal fuse 330 is coupled to the plug body 100 and the plug cover 200, the battery module assembly 20, in particular, the non-MS unit of the battery module assembly 20 ( 25) may be electrically connected.

The thermal fuse 330 may be disposed between the high voltage interlock terminal 290 and the plug bus bar 250 disposed near the high voltage interlock terminal 290 of the pair of plug bus bars 250. have. According to this arrangement, when the temperature of the service plug 30 rises, the thermal fuse 330 may be provided near the highest temperature in the service plug 30.

The thermal fuse 330 may be disconnected to disconnect the high voltage interlock terminal 290 and the battery module assembly 20 above the preset temperature. That is, the thermal fuse 330 may be physically disconnected at the temperature higher than or equal to the preset temperature, and when the thermal fuse 330 is disconnected from the temperature higher than or equal to the preset temperature, the first interlock terminal 292 may be connected to the second interconnect. The connection between the lock terminals 296 can be released.

When the thermal fuse 330 is blown, the BMS unit 25 may detect the disconnection of the high voltage interlock terminal 290 to cut off the high voltage of the battery module assembly 20.

Hereinafter, the battery pack 1 according to the present embodiment will be described in more detail with respect to the operation of the high voltage blocking unit 300 when the temperature of the service plug 30 rises.

8 to 11 are diagrams for describing an operation of the high voltage blocking unit of FIG. 7 when the temperature of the service plug of the battery pack of FIG. 1 rises.

8 and 9, when a high voltage is continuously applied from the battery pack 1, damage or further ignition of internal electric components, etc., which are vulnerable to high current, may occur. The service fuse 230 of the service plug 30 mounted on the battery pack 1 may be at least a predetermined allowable current to prevent damage of the battery pack 1 due to a high current according to the applied high voltage. When the battery module assembly 20 may be cut to cut off the current.

However, when the high current according to the high voltage continues to flow so that the service fuse 230 of the service plug 30 is not blown, the temperature of the service plug 30 may continuously increase. The elevated temperature of the service plug 30 may be the highest, particularly near the high voltage interlock terminal 290 near the electrical contact and the plug busbar 250 disposed near the high voltage interlock terminal 290. have.

10 and 11, as the temperature of the service plug 30 continues to rise in the battery pack 1, the temperature of the service plug 30, in particular, the body housing 110 and the cover The temperature near the thermal fuse 330 in the housing 210 may reach the preset temperature.

In this case, the thermal fuse 330 of the high voltage blocking unit 300 may be blown when the predetermined temperature is reached. That is, the thermal fuse 330 may be disconnected. According to the disconnection of the thermal fuse 330, the connection between the high voltage interlock terminal 290 and the battery module assembly 20 may be released.

Thereafter, the BMS unit 25 may detect the disconnection of the high voltage interlock terminal 290 to cut off the high voltage of the battery module assembly 20. Accordingly, the flow of the high current in the service plug 30 can be reduced or interrupted, whereby a more continuous temperature rise of the service plug 30 can be prevented.

Therefore, in the battery pack 1 according to the present embodiment, further increase in temperature of the body housing 110 and the cover housing 210 of the service plug 30 may be prevented, so that the body Damage such as melting of the housing 110 or the cover housing 210 due to high heat may also be prevented.

Therefore, in the battery pack 1 according to the present embodiment, the body housing 110 or the cover housing 210 is heated to a high temperature or the body housing 110 and the cover housing due to the high temperature. Damage to the service plug 30 such as the 210 is bonded can be prevented.

As a result, in the battery pack 1 according to the present embodiment, an artificial user operation for removing the plug cover 200 from the plug body 100, which may be caused by the damage of the service plug 30, may occur. Difficulties can be avoided beforehand.

Hereinafter, the operation according to the temperature rise of the service plug 30 of the battery pack 1 according to the present embodiment will be briefly described.

12 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when a temperature of a service plug of the battery pack of FIG. 1 rises.

Referring to FIG. 12, when the high current flows to the service plug according to the high voltage of the battery pack, the service plug may generate heat according to the temperature rise (S10). Accordingly, the plug bus bar may also generate heat (S12). When the predetermined temperature is reached due to the continuous temperature rise due to the heat generation, the thermal fuse of the high voltage blocking unit may be blown. In other words, the thermal fuse may be disconnected (S14).

Accordingly, in the battery pack 1, the connection of the high voltage interlock terminal may be released (S16), and the high voltage may be blocked through the non-MS unit (S18).

As such, the battery pack 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment may prevent damage due to the temperature rise of the service plug 30 through the high voltage blocking unit 300, thereby managing the battery pack 1. B. When checking, it is possible to ensure safe and easy user manipulation of the operation or access of the service plug 30.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a battery pack according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 14 is a diagram for describing a service plug of the battery pack of FIG. 13.

Since the battery pack 5 according to the present embodiment is substantially the same as or similar to the battery pack 1 in the foregoing embodiment, the same or similar configuration will not be described repeatedly but will be described based on the differences.

13 and 14, the battery pack 5 may include a pack case 50, a battery module assembly 60, and a service plug 70.

Since the pack case 50 is substantially the same as or similar to the pack case 10 of the foregoing embodiment, a redundant description will be omitted.

The battery module assembly 60 may include a battery module 62 and a BMS unit 65.

Since the battery module 62 is substantially the same as or similar to the battery module 22 of the previous embodiment, a redundant description will be omitted.

The BMS unit 65 may block the high voltage of the battery module assembly 60 when the temperature of the high voltage blocking unit 700 to be described later is greater than or equal to the preset temperature of the previous embodiment.

The service plug 70 may include a plug body 500, a plug cover 600, and a high voltage blocking unit 700.

The plug body 500 may include a body housing 710, a plug busbar slot 530, an interlock terminal slot (not shown), a misassembly prevention slot (not shown), and a connection connector (not shown). have.

The main body housing 710, the plug busbar slot 530, the interlock terminal slot, the misassembly prevention slot, and the connecting connector are the main body housing 110 and the plug busbar slot of the previous embodiment, respectively. 130, the interlock terminal slot 150, the misassembly prevention slot 170, and the connection connector 190 may be substantially the same as or similar to each other, and thus descriptions thereof will not be repeated.

The plug cover 600 may include a cover housing 610, a service fuse 630, a plug bus bar 650, an operation handle (not shown), and a high voltage interlock terminal 690.

The cover housing 610, the service fuse 630, the plug busbar 650, the operation handle and the high voltage interlock terminal 690 are each the service fuse 230 and the plug of the previous embodiment. Since the bus bar 250, the operation handle 270, and the high voltage interlock terminal 290 are substantially the same as or similar to each other, the description thereof will be omitted.

The high voltage blocking unit 700 may be provided in the plug body 500 or the plug cover 600. Specifically, the high voltage blocking unit 700 may be provided in the vicinity of having the highest temperature in the service plug 70 when the temperature of the service plug 70 rises. For example, the high voltage blocking unit 700 may be disposed near the plug bus bar 650.

The high voltage blocking unit 700 may be a temperature sensor 700. That is, the high voltage blocking unit 700 may be provided as a temperature sensor 700 for measuring the temperature of the service plug 70.

The temperature sensor 700 may be electrically connected to the BMS unit 65 of the battery module assembly 20, and may transmit temperature information measured by the BMS unit 65.

Hereinafter, the operation according to the temperature rise of the service plug 70 of the battery pack 5 according to the present embodiment will be briefly described.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when a temperature rise of a service plug of the battery pack of FIG. 13 occurs.

Referring to FIG. 15, when the high current flows to the service plug according to the high voltage of the battery pack, the service plug may generate heat due to the temperature rise (S50). Accordingly, the plug bus bar may also generate heat (S52).

Thereafter, the service plug may measure the temperature in the service plug through the high voltage blocking unit, that is, the temperature sensor, and may transmit the measured temperature information to the non-MS unit (S54).

The BMS unit may detect the measured temperature through the measured temperature information (S56), and determine whether the measured temperature is greater than or equal to the preset temperature (S58).

If the measured temperature is less than the preset temperature, the battery pack may measure the temperature in the service plug again through the temperature sensor (S54). However, when the measured temperature is greater than or equal to the preset temperature, the battery pack may block the high voltage of the battery module assembly through the non-MS unit (S59).

As such, in the battery pack 5 according to the present embodiment, when the temperature of the service plug 70 increases according to the high voltage of the battery module assembly 60, the high voltage provided to the temperature sensor 700. A temperature in the service plug 30 may be measured through the blocking unit 700. When the measured temperature is equal to or greater than the preset temperature, the battery module assembly 60 may be connected to the battery module assembly 60 through the BMS unit 65. Can cut off high voltage.

According to various embodiments as described above, the service plug (30, 70) that can prevent damage to the service plug (30, 70) according to the temperature rise of the service plug (30, 70), the service plug The battery packs 1 and 5 including the 30 and 70 and the apparatus and the equipment such as the vehicle including the battery packs 1 and 5 may be provided.

While the above has been shown and described with respect to preferred embodiments of the present invention, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, it is usually in the technical field to which the invention belongs without departing from the spirit of the invention claimed in the claims. Various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art, and these modifications should not be individually understood from the technical spirit or the prospect of the present invention.

1: battery pack 5: battery pack
10: pack case 20: battery module assembly
22: battery module 25: BMS unit
30: service plug 50: pack case
60: battery module assembly 62: battery module
66: BMS unit 70: service plug
100: plug body 110: body housing
115: pack mounting hole 130: plug busbar slot
150: interlock terminal slot 170: misassembly prevention slot
190: connection connector 200: plug cover
210: cover housing 230: service fuse
250: plug busbar 252: service fuse insert
255: slot coupling portion 270: operation handle
290: high voltage interlock terminal 292: first interlock terminal
296: second interlock terminal 300: high voltage disconnect unit
310: terminal connection part 312: first connection part
316: second connection portion 330: thermal fuse
500: plug body 510: body housing
530: plug busbar slot 600: plug cover
610: cover housing 630: service fuse
650: plug busbar 690: high voltage interlock terminal
700: high voltage disconnect unit

Claims (20)

A service plug provided in a battery pack including a battery module assembly including at least one battery module and a pack case accommodating the battery module assembly.
A plug body mounted to the pack case and electrically connected to the battery module assembly;
A plug cover detachably mounted according to a user's manipulation of the plug body, the plug cover electrically connecting the battery module assembly when coupled with the plug body, and blocking the electrical connection of the battery module assembly when separated from the plug body; And
A high voltage provided to at least one of the plug cover and the plug body, and for blocking a high voltage of the battery module assembly when the temperature of the plug body or the plug cover is greater than or equal to a preset temperature when the plug body and the plug cover are coupled; A blocking unit;
The high voltage blocking unit,
When the plug body and the plug cover is coupled, the service plug, characterized in that connected to the non-MS unit of the battery module assembly. The method of claim 1,
The plug cover,
A service fuse blown to cut off a current of the battery module assembly when a current exceeding a allowable current of the battery module assembly is generated;
A pair of plug busbars connected to the service fuse, connected to the battery module assembly when coupled to the plug body, and separated from the battery module assembly when separated from the plug body; And
And a cover housing accommodating the pair of plug busbars and the service fuse and detachably mounted to the plug body.
The high voltage blocking unit,
And at least one plug busbar of the pair of plug busbars. The method of claim 2,
The plug cover,
An operation handle provided in the cover housing and mounted to the cover housing to be rotatable according to the user operation; And
And a high voltage interlock terminal separated from the plug body or coupled to the plug body to be electrically connected to the battery module assembly to block the high voltage of the battery module assembly according to the rotation of the operation handle.
The high voltage blocking unit,
And a high voltage interlock terminal connected to the high voltage interlock terminal to disconnect the battery module assembly when the temperature is higher than the preset temperature. The method of claim 3,
The high voltage blocking unit,
A terminal connection part provided in the cover housing and connected to the high voltage interlock terminal; And
And a thermal fuse connected to the terminal connection part and disconnected to release the connection between the high voltage interlock terminal and the battery module assembly above the preset temperature. The method of claim 4, wherein
The terminal connection portion,
And a service plug connected to the high voltage interlock terminal. The method of claim 4, wherein
The thermal fuse,
And a cover provided in the cover housing and disposed between the at least one plug busbar and the high voltage interlock terminal. The method of claim 4, wherein
The high voltage interlock terminal,
A first interlock terminal spaced apart from each other; And a second interlock terminal. The method of claim 7, wherein
The terminal connection portion,
A first connector connecting the first interlock terminal and the thermal fuse; And
And a second connection part connecting the second interlock terminal to the thermal fuse. The method of claim 8,
The thermal fuse,
And disconnecting between the first interlock terminal and the second interlock terminal when disconnected above the preset temperature. The method of claim 8,
The plug body,
A body housing mounted to the pack case and connected to the battery module assembly;
A pair of plug busbar slots provided in the body housing and into which the pair of plug busbars are inserted when the plug cover is coupled; And
And an interlock terminal slot spaced apart from the pair of plug busbar slots, into which the first interlock terminal and the second interlock terminal are inserted when the plug cover is coupled. The method of claim 10,
The interlock terminal slot,
Is connected to the non-MS unit of the battery module assembly,
The BMS unit,
And disconnecting the high voltage interlock terminal after the thermal fuse is blown to cut off the high voltage of the battery module assembly. The method of claim 10,
The plug body,
And a misassembly preventing slot provided in the main body housing and disposed in an oblique direction of the interlock terminal slot. The method of claim 2,
The high voltage blocking unit,
Service plug, characterized in that the temperature sensor. delete The method of claim 1,
The BMS unit,
And when the temperature of the high voltage blocking unit is greater than or equal to the preset temperature, cut off the high voltage of the battery module assembly. The method of claim 13,
The high voltage blocking unit,
The service plug is provided on the plug body or the plug cover. The method of claim 1,
The preset temperature is,
And a heat deflection temperature of at least one of the plug cover and the plug body. The method of claim 17,
The heat distortion temperature is,
The service plug, which is 121 degrees. The battery pack comprising a; the service plug according to claim 1. 20. An automobile comprising at least one battery pack according to claim 19.

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