TWI495177B - Space adjusting system and method for a battery module - Google Patents

Description

Battery pack spacing adjustment system and method

At least one embodiment of the present invention is directed to a battery, and more particularly to a system and method for adjusting battery spacing in a battery pack.

In general, the primary battery is a disposable battery. Conversely, a secondary battery, generally referred to as a rechargeable battery, can be repeatedly charged and discharged. Generally, secondary batteries are classified into different types according to their external shapes. Common secondary battery shapes include prismatic shapes such as square and cylindrical batteries. Low-capacity batteries are available for a variety of portable electronic devices such as mobile phones, laptops, camcorders, and the like. Large-capacity batteries can be used as a power source for driving motors, such as hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs).

For use in high power or high capacity applications, such as drive motors, hybrid electric vehicles, etc., multiple batteries may be assembled in the form of a battery pack. The battery pack can be formed by connecting, for example, in series, several individual cells. For the sake of clarity, a single battery is referred to herein as a "battery unit." A collection of battery cells connected in series, in parallel, or a combination of both is referred to as a "battery pack."

The battery pack may include several to several tens or more battery cells. Since the battery unit can generate heat, it is necessary to efficiently dissipate the heat generated by each battery unit in the battery pack including the plurality of battery units. Especially when the battery pack is a large-sized one, for example, for driving a secondary battery pack of an engine, a hybrid electric vehicle, an electric vehicle, an electric motorcycle, a rechargeable vacuum cleaner, etc., effective heat dissipation may be of significant importance.

If the heat dissipation of the battery pack is not properly managed, the temperature of the battery pack may rise excessively due to the heat release of each battery unit, and the battery pack and the machine connected to the battery pack may malfunction.

If the internal pressure of the battery cell rises due to overheating or other factors, for example, due to a chemical reaction inside the battery unit, the outer dimensions of the unit battery may be deformed. This deformation adversely affects the characteristics of the battery unit and may also affect the overall battery pack.

In addition, the battery pack generally consists of a number of battery cells arranged in a straight line. The battery cells at different locations in the battery pack have different temperatures. For example, the temperature of the internal battery unit is higher than the temperature of the external battery unit. However, the spacing between the battery cells in the battery pack is fixed, and due to these non-adjustable spacing devices, the airflow provided by an air cooling system remains fixed for each battery cell and cannot be optimized for different situations.

Therefore, there is a need for a new system and method for a battery pack to regulate the spacing between battery cells in a battery pack.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a system, computer readable medium and method comprising an adjustable spacing device between battery cells in a battery pack to optimize air flow according to the temperature of a single battery cell.

In one embodiment, the method includes monitoring a temperature within the battery compartment; calculating an optimized size of a spacing between the battery cells in the battery compartment; and responsive to receiving an instruction based on the calculated optimized size from the control unit, Adjust the spacing between battery cells.

In one embodiment, the calculating step further includes setting a temperature threshold; determining whether the temperature monitored in the monitoring exceeds a temperature threshold; if the monitored temperature in the monitoring is greater than the temperature threshold, calculating a need The size to be increased; if the monitored temperature in the monitoring is less than the temperature threshold, a size that needs to be reduced is calculated; wherein the size that needs to be reduced and the size that needs to be increased must Must be the same ratio.

In one embodiment, the adjusting step includes activating the first locking crystal set and unlocking the second locking crystal set; locking one side of the movable element by the activated first locking crystal set; triggering the movable crystal set and Expanding the first locking crystal set in a first direction; moving the movable element toward the first direction; unlocking the activated first locking crystal set while simultaneously locking the second locking crystal set; unlocking the movable crystal set and facing The first direction retracts the second locking crystal set; moving the movable element toward the first direction.

In an embodiment, the adjusting step further includes activating the second locking crystal set and unlocking the first locking crystal set; locking one side of the movable element by the activated second locking crystal set; triggering the movable crystal group and facing a second direction opposite the second direction expanding the second locking crystal group; moving the movable element toward the second direction; unlocking the activated second locking crystal group while simultaneously locking the first locking crystal group; unlocking the movable crystal group and facing The second direction retracts the first locking crystal set; moving the movable element toward the second direction.

In an embodiment, the system includes two or more battery cells, one or more spacers, one or more temperature sensors, and a control unit. The temperature sensor is coupled to the control unit by wireless or wired communication and is mounted on the battery unit, on the spacer between the battery units, in the space between the battery units, and/or elsewhere and configured It is used to monitor the temperature inside the battery box. The control unit is communicatively coupled to the temperature sensor and configured to calculate an optimal spacing between the battery cells in the battery compartment. The spacer device, mounted between the battery cells and communicatively coupled to the control unit, is configured to adjust an interval between the battery cells in response to an instruction received from the control unit based on the calculated optimized size.

In one embodiment, the battery cells are arranged in a one-dimensional manner, and the spacer device is mounted between every two adjacent battery cells.

In an embodiment, the battery cells are arranged in a two-dimensional manner, the spacer device It is configured to connect every two adjacent battery cells in the first dimension and in the second dimension.

In an embodiment, the battery cells are arranged in a two-dimensional manner, and the spacing device is configured to connect each of the two battery cells diagonally.

In an embodiment, the battery cells are arranged in a three-dimensional manner, and the spacing device is configured to connect every two adjacent battery cells in a first dimension, a second dimension, and a third dimension.

In one embodiment, the spacer device includes a movable element configured to connect one of the adjacent battery cells, and a housing configured to connect another one of the adjacent battery cells; a locking crystal set configured to lock or unlock the movable element; a second locking crystal set configured to lock or unlock the movable element; expandable or retractable in a first direction or a second direction opposite the first direction The movable crystal set is configured to move the movable element in a first direction or a second direction.

In an embodiment, the system includes a monitoring logic unit configured to receive temperature sensor measurements from a temperature sensor within the battery compartment; an optimization logic unit configured to calculate an adjacent battery unit based on the received temperature An optimized size of the interval; an instruction transfer logic unit configured to transmit an instruction received from the optimization logic unit to the spacing device such that the spacing device is responsive to the calculated optimized size based instruction received from the optimization logic unit To adjust the spacing between battery cells.

In one embodiment, a computer readable medium initiates a method of software execution, the method comprising: receiving a temperature sensor measurement from a temperature sensor within a battery compartment; calculating a spacing between adjacent battery cells based on the received temperature Optimizing the size; transmitting the instructions received from the optimization logic unit to the spacing device to enable the spacing device to adjust the spacing between the battery cells in response to the instructions based on the calculated optimized size received from the optimization logic unit.

100‧‧‧ system

110‧‧‧ battery unit

120‧‧‧ spacer

130‧‧‧temperature sensor

140‧‧‧Control unit

200‧‧‧ Architecture

210‧‧‧ processor

220‧‧‧Storage

230‧‧‧Output equipment

240‧‧‧Communication interface

250‧‧‧Input equipment

260‧‧‧Connected

310‧‧‧Monitoring Logic Unit

320‧‧‧Optimized logical unit

330‧‧‧ instruction transfer logic unit

400‧‧‧ spacer

420‧‧‧Mobile components

430‧‧‧shell

510‧‧‧Monitor the temperature of the battery unit

520‧‧‧ Calculate the optimal size / adjustment

530‧‧‧Transfer the calculated adjustment amount to the spacer

By way of example, one or more embodiments of the invention are not limited to the elements shown in the reference.

FIG. 1 illustrates an interval adjustment system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a high level diagram showing an example of the structure of the control unit of FIG. 1.

Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the composition of the storage unit of Figure 2.

Figure 4 illustrates a spacer device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a flow chart of an interval adjustment method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The "embodiment", "an embodiment" or similar expression referred to in the specification means that the specific features, functions, structures or characteristics described are included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearance of such expressions in this specification does not necessarily mean the same embodiment. On the other hand, such statements are not necessarily mutually exclusive.

FIG. 1 illustrates an interval adjustment system 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The interval adjustment system 100 includes a battery unit 110, one or more spacers 120, one or more temperature sensors 130, and a control unit 140. In an embodiment, the battery cells 110 may be arranged in a one-dimensional, two-dimensional, or three-dimensional manner. The system 100 can be located within a battery compartment.

In one embodiment, the battery cells 110 in the battery pack are interconnected by one or more spacers 120 in the battery pack. Embodiments of the invention may be employed in a variety of batteries, such as lithium polymer batteries or nickel cadmium batteries. The present embodiment can also be applied to various batteries such as a cylindrical battery or a rectangular battery.

One or more spacers 120 are mounted between each two battery cells 110. The spacers 120 can be connected in any dimension. Spacer 120 can be cylindrical or rectangular or any other shape. The spacer 120 will be discussed further below in conjunction with FIG.

The temperature sensor 130 is mounted on the battery unit 110, on the spacer 120 between the battery units 110, in the space between the battery units 110, and/or other locations, And coupled to control unit 140 by wireless or wired communication. Temperature sensor 130 is used to monitor the temperature in the battery compartment. Temperature sensor 130 may include a resistive temperature sensor, an electric dipole type temperature sensor, and/or other temperature sensors. In an embodiment, the resistance temperature sensor 130 detects the temperature within the battery compartment and transmits the measured value to the control unit 140. The control unit 140 then calculates an optimized size of the spacing between the battery cells 110 in the battery compartment and transmits an instruction based on the calculated optimized size to the spacing device 120. The spacing device 120 adjusts the spacing between adjacent battery cells 110 based on the received command.

The architecture of control unit 140 will be discussed further below in conjunction with FIG.

2 is a high level diagram showing an example of the control unit 140 architecture 200 of FIG. The architecture 200 includes one or more processors 210 and memory 220 coupled to an interconnect 260. Interconnect 260, as shown in Figure 2, is an abstraction that represents any one or more separate physical busses, point-to-point connections, or both connected by appropriate bridges, adapters, or controllers. Thus, interconnect 260 can include, for example, system bus, peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus, ultra-transport or industry standard architecture (ISA) bus, small computer system interface (SCSI) bus, universal serial bus (USB) ), IIC (I2C) bus, CAN-bus (Controller Area Network), or Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standard 1394 bus, also known as "FireWire" and / or any other suitable form of physical connection .

The processor(s) 210 are central processing units (CPUs) of the architecture 200, thus controlling the overall operation of the architecture 200. In some embodiments, processor 210 implements control by executing software or firmware stored in memory 220. Processor 210 can be, or can include, one or more programmable general purpose or special purpose microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), programmable controllers, dedicated integrated circuits (ASICs), programmable logic devices ( PLDs), or similar, or a combination of such devices.

The memory 220 is or includes a main memory of the architecture 200. Memory 220 Represents any form of random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), flash memory, or the like, or a combination of such devices. In addition, the in-memory memory 220 can include software or firmware code for implementing at least some of the embodiments of the invention described herein.

Also connected to processor(s) 210 via interconnect 260 is communication interface 240, such as, but not limited to, a network adapter, one or more output devices 230, and one or more input devices 250. It is to be noted that the output device 230 and the input device 250 are all selectable as well as other devices. Communication interface 240 provides architecture 200 with the ability to communicate with other portions of interval adjustment system 100 and may be, for example, an Ethernet adapter or a Fibre Channel adapter. Input device 250 can include a touch screen, a keyboard, and/or a mouse. Output device 230 can include a screen and/or a speaker or the like.

The techniques described above may be implemented by software and/or firmware programmed/configured programmable circuitry or entirely by dedicated circuitry or a combination of these. Such dedicated circuits, if any, may be, for example, in the form of one or more dedicated integrated circuits (ASICs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and the like.

Software or firmware for implementing the techniques described herein can be stored in a machine readable storage medium and can be executed by one or more general purpose or special purpose programmable microprocessors. The term "machine-readable medium" as used herein, includes any machine that can be, for example, a computer, a network device, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a manufacturing tool, any one or more processors. Device, etc.) A mechanism for storing information in an accessible form. For example, machine accessible media include writable/unwritable media (eg, read only memory (ROM); random access memory (RAM); magnetic disk storage media; optical storage media; flash memory devices, etc.).

The term "logic" as used herein refers to: a) dedicated circuit wiring, such as one or more dedicated integrated circuits (ASICs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or Other similar equipment; b) by software and / Or firmware-programmed programmable circuits, such as one or more programmable general purpose microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs) and/or microcontrollers, or other similar devices; or c) by a) and b The combination of the forms mentioned in ).

3 is a block diagram showing the composition of the storage unit 220 of FIG. 2, including a monitoring logic unit 310, an optimization logic unit 320, and an instruction transmission logic unit 330.

The monitoring logic unit 310 receives the monitoring data detected by the temperature sensor 130. The temperature sensor 130 monitors data for each battery cell or other area, such as data between battery cells or data for the bay device. Monitoring logic unit 310 receives the monitoring data and transmits it to optimization logic unit 320. The monitoring data includes temperature and/or optionally temperature measurement time, sensor ID, and measurement location.

The optimization logic unit 320 receives the monitoring data from the monitoring logic unit 310 and analyzes the monitoring data. The optimization logic unit 320 then calculates an optimized size of the spacing between the battery cells 110 based on the results of the analysis.

The instruction transfer logic unit 330 is coupled to the optimization logic unit 320 and transmits instructions to the bay device 120 via the communication interface 240 in accordance with the results of the calculation. In one embodiment, the instruction transfer logic unit 330 first transmits the instructions to the processor 210, which then transmits the instructions to the bay device 120 via the communication interface 240. The spacing device 120 receives the instructions and adjusts the spacing between the battery cells 110 accordingly.

Figure 4 illustrates an embodiment of a spacer 400 utilizing a piezoelectric engine. In an embodiment, the spacer device 120 can include a spacer device 400. In practice, the spacer 400 can include any mechanical or electrical structure capable of effecting the spacing function between the battery cells 110 or a combination of the two. The battery unit can provide electrical energy to the spacer 400. Alternatively, if the battery pack is used on a hybrid electric vehicle, the energy transmitted to the spacer 400 can be provided by the engine of the hybrid electric vehicle or other energy source. The spacer 400 includes two sets of locking crystal groups A1, A2 and B1, B2, a movable crystal group C1, C2, a movable element 420 and a housing 430. One end of the movable crystal group C1 is connected to the lock crystal group A1, and the other end is connected to the lock crystal group B1. One end of the movable crystal group C2 is connected to the locking crystal Group A2, the other end is connected to the locking crystal group B2. The movable crystal groups C1, C2 may expand or retract in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction. When the active crystal groups C1, C2 expand or retract, the locking crystal groups A1, B1 or the locking crystal groups A2, B2 can move with C1, C2. The movable element 420 of the spacer 400 is adjacent to the locking crystal group A1, one end of which is connected to one battery unit, and the housing 430 is connected to the other battery unit. A piezoelectric engine is an electric motor based on deformation of a piezoelectric material when an electric field is applied. In one embodiment, the spacer 400 is mounted between every two adjacent battery cells, wherein the battery cells 110 are arranged in one dimension. In another embodiment, the battery cells 110 are arranged in a two-dimensional manner, and the spacer device 400 is configured to connect every two adjacent battery cells in a first dimension (eg, level) and a second dimension (eg, vertical) or It is connected diagonally diagonally to each of the two battery cells. In another embodiment, the battery cells 110 are arranged in a three-dimensional manner, and the spacer device 400 is configured to connect every two adjacent battery cells in the first, second, and third dimensions.

When the interval between the battery cells 110 needs to be expanded (for example, the temperature is too high), the interval size can be adjusted by repeatedly performing the following steps until the optimized size is reached: S401: The locking crystal groups A1, A2 are activated, which generates a lock. The ends A1, A2 and an unlocking end B1, B2 are such that the locking crystal groups A1, A2 securely lock the movable element 420.

S402: the movable crystal groups C1, C2 are triggered to expand in the first direction, and the expansion of the A1, A2 locking group causes the movable element 420 to move a distance in the first direction.

S403: The lock groups A1, A2 activated in S401 are unlocked and the lock crystal groups B1, B2 are activated and locked substantially simultaneously, and thus the lock crystal groups B1, B2 can securely lock the movable member 420.

S404: the active groups C1, C2 are unlocked and retracted in the first direction, and the retracted tail locking crystal group should be B1, B2, that is, the retraction of the movable crystal groups C1, C2 causes the movable element 420 to move in the first direction. A distance.

The spacing between the battery cells 110 can be narrowed by changing the order of activation from the crystal groups A1, A2 to B1, B2. The spacing size can be adjusted by repeating the following steps until the optimized size is reached: S405: The locking crystal groups B1, B2 are activated to produce a locking end B1, B2 and an unlocking end A1, A2 to lock the crystal group B1 B2 first securely locks the movable element 420.

S406: The movable crystal group C1, C2 is triggered to expand in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and the expansion of the B1, B2 group causes the movable element 420 to move a distance in the second direction.

S407: The locked crystal groups B1, B2 activated in S405 are unlocked, and the locking crystal groups A1, A2 are activated substantially simultaneously to lock the locking crystal groups A1, A2 to securely lock the movable member 420.

408: the movable group C1, C2 is unlocked and retracted in the second direction, and the retracted tail locking crystal group should be A1, A2, that is, the retraction of the moving crystal group C1, C2 also causes the movable element 420 to move to the second direction. Move a distance.

In this way, the interval between the battery unit 110 connected to the housing and the battery unit 110 connected to the movable member 420 is narrowed. In another embodiment, a bimetal array is used as the spacer, and a lever gear can be utilized for enhanced effects.

FIG. 5 shows a flow chart of the interval adjustment method 500.

510: Monitor the temperature of the battery unit 110. In another embodiment, the temperature of the spacer device 400, the temperature between the battery cells 110, and/or other locations are monitored.

520: Calculate the optimal size / adjustment

530: Transfer the calculated adjustment amount to the spacing device 400.

The principle of calculation includes that the spacing between the higher temperature battery cells 110 should be increased and the spacing between the lower temperature battery cells 110 should be reduced. In order to maintain uniformity of the external dimensions, the reduced spacing between the battery cells must be the same as the increased spacing ratio between the high temperature batteries. In an embodiment, the adjacent battery cells can be adjusted Set a temperature threshold before the interval. If the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 130 exceeds the temperature threshold, the control unit 100 can identify the temperature as a higher temperature, but if the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 130 is lower than the temperature threshold, the control unit 100 can The temperature is identified as a lower temperature. The factors that determine the temperature threshold can be the type and performance of the battery, and the environment in which the battery pack is installed. In one embodiment, the threshold is about 25 degrees Celsius.

By adjusting the spacing between the battery cells 110 based on the temperature and/or other temperature of the individual battery cells 110, the ratio of gas flow per cell can be optimized.

It is to be noted that any and all of the above-described embodiments may be combined with one another, except as otherwise specified above or any embodiment that may be functionally and/or structurally mutually exclusive.

While the invention has been described with respect to the specific exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the described embodiments, but may be modified and changed within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be considered in a

100‧‧‧ system

110‧‧‧ battery unit

120‧‧‧ spacer

130‧‧‧temperature sensor

140‧‧‧Control unit

Claims (15)

A system for adjusting an interval between battery cells, comprising: a temperature sensor configured to monitor a temperature within the battery compartment; a control unit coupled to the temperature sensor configured to calculate an optimization between battery cells in the battery compartment And a spacer device mounted between the battery unit and coupled to the control unit, configured to adjust an interval between the battery units in response to receiving an instruction based on the calculated optimized size from the control unit . The system of claim 1, wherein the temperature sensor is mounted on the battery unit. The system of claim 1 wherein the temperature sensor is mounted on the spacer between the battery cells. The system of claim 1, wherein the temperature sensor is installed in the interval between the battery cells. The system of claim 1, wherein the battery cells are arranged in a one-dimensional manner and the spacer is mounted between every two adjacent battery cells. The system of claim 1, wherein the battery cells are arranged in two dimensions, and the spacing device is configured to connect every two adjacent battery cells in the first dimension and the second dimension. The system of claim 1, wherein the battery cells are arranged in two dimensions, and the spacing device is configured to diagonally connect each of the two battery cells. The system of claim 1, wherein the battery cells are arranged in three dimensions, and the spacing device is configured to connect every two adjacent battery cells in the first, second, and third dimensions. The system of claim 1, wherein the spacer comprises: a movable element configured to connect one of the adjacent battery cells; and a housing configured to connect the other of the adjacent battery cells a battery unit; a first locking crystal set configured to lock or unlock the movable element; a second set of locking crystals configured to lock or unlock the movable element; and a movable crystal set expandable or retractable in a first direction or a second direction opposite the first direction, and configured to face The first direction or the second direction moves the movable element. A method of adjusting an interval between battery cells, comprising: monitoring a temperature in a battery box by a temperature sensor; calculating an optimal size of a space between battery cells in the battery box by the control unit; and receiving the response from the spacer device The control unit adjusts the spacing between the battery cells based on the calculated optimal size instructions. The method of claim 10, wherein the calculating further comprises: setting a temperature threshold by the optimization logic; determining whether the temperature monitored in the monitoring exceeds the temperature threshold; if the temperature monitored in the monitoring is greater than The temperature threshold, the size to be increased is calculated; if the temperature monitored in the monitoring is less than the temperature threshold, the size to be reduced is calculated; wherein the size and the need to be reduced are increased This size must be the same ratio. The method of claim 10, wherein the adjusting further comprises: activating the first set of locked crystals and unlocking the second set of locked crystals; locking one end of the movable element by the activated first set of locking crystals; triggering the active crystal set And expanding the first set of locking crystals in a first direction; moving the movable element toward the first direction by the triggered movable crystal group; unlocking the activated first locking crystal set and simultaneously locking the second locking Crystal group Unlocking the active crystal set and retracting the second set of locking crystals in the first direction; and moving the movable element toward the first direction by unlocking the movable crystal set. The method of claim 12, wherein the adjusting further comprises: activating the second locking crystal set and unlocking the first locking crystal set; locking one end of the movable element by the activated second locking crystal set; triggering the active crystal set And expanding the second set of locking crystals in a second direction opposite the first direction; moving the movable element in the second direction by the triggered movable crystal group; unlocking the second locked crystal set activated in activation And simultaneously locking the first set of locking crystals; unlocking the movable crystal set and retracting the first set of locking crystals in the second direction; and moving the movable element in the second direction by unlocking the movable crystal set. A system for adjusting an interval between battery cells, comprising a monitoring logic unit configured to receive temperature sensor measurements from a temperature sensor within the battery compartment; an optimization logic unit configured to calculate neighbors based on the received temperature An optimized size of the spacing between the battery cells; and an instruction transfer logic unit configured to transmit an instruction received from the optimization logic unit to the spacing device such that the spacing device is responsive to receiving based on the optimization logic The calculated optimal size command is used to adjust the spacing between the battery cells. A computer readable medium triggers a method of software execution, the method comprising: receiving, by a monitoring logic unit, a temperature sensor measurement from a temperature sensor in a battery compartment; and calculating, by the optimization logic unit, an adjacent battery unit according to the received temperature Optimum size of the interval between; Transmitting, by the instruction transfer logic unit, an instruction received from the optimization logic unit to the spacing device such that the spacing device can adjust the battery unit in response to an instruction based on the calculated optimized size received from the optimization logic The interval between.