WO2021090974A1

WO2021090974A1 - Temperature sensor for battery module, and battery module including same

Info

Publication number: WO2021090974A1
Application number: PCT/KR2019/014949
Authority: WO
Inventors: 박희완; 하성호
Original assignee: 고려전자주식회사
Priority date: 2019-11-06
Filing date: 2019-11-06
Publication date: 2021-05-14

Abstract

A temperature sensor, according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprises: an FPCB; a temperature measurement unit disposed on the upper surface of the FPCB; a connection circuit printed on one surface of the FPCB in order to deliver a signal measured by the temperature measurement unit; and a reinforcement unit which is disposed on the FPCB and provides a set stiffness to the FPCB.

Description

Temperature sensor for battery module and battery module including the same

The present invention relates to a temperature sensor for a battery module to which an FPCB printed with a connection circuit for signal transmission and a reinforcing circuit for applying rigidity is applied.

Lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicle smartphones are charged and discharged as lithium ions move during operation. Accordingly, there is a problem in that a chemical reaction of lithium ions occurs slowly at a low temperature, resulting in a slow movement speed and rapid discharge. On the other hand, if the temperature is too high, there is a problem that the moving speed of lithium ions too quickly causes malfunction or ignition.

Accordingly, it is very important to maintain an appropriate temperature when using a lithium-ion battery. In particular, when used in electric vehicles, proper temperature management is more important as a large amount of lithium-ion batteries are used.

Accordingly, when using a lithium-ion battery, a system that monitors the condition of the battery in real time (BMS: Battery Management System) is generally adopted to increase the efficiency of the battery and prevent the life of the battery from deteriorating. Among these, the measurement of the temperature of the battery is very important. It is a measurement factor.

Therefore, it is common to have a plurality of temperature sensors in lithium-ion battery packs for electric vehicles. However, in the case of lithium-ion battery packs used in vehicles, there are cases in which FPCBs are used as in Korean Registered Gazette No. 10-1750489 in consideration of the degree of freedom of installation in the battery pack and to prevent disconnection due to vibration during operation. .

However, in the case of using the FPCB, there is a problem in that there is a risk of disconnection due to fine vibration due to vibration caused by vehicle operation due to the specificity of the flexible material.

In particular, the thermistor chip is hard on the bonding surface between the soldered thermistor chip and the substrate, while the substrate is flexible, so that cracks occur in the solder according to the difference in the degree of deformation of the two with respect to external force.

The present invention is intended to solve the above problems, and to provide.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is not limited to the above-described problems, and problems that are not mentioned will be clearly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art from the present specification and the accompanying drawings. .

The temperature sensor of the present invention for solving the above problems includes an FPCB, a temperature measuring unit disposed on the upper surface of the FPCB, a connection circuit printed on one surface of the FPCB to transmit the signal measured by the temperature measuring unit, and the FPCB. It is disposed on and includes a reinforcing part for applying a certain rigidity to the FPCB.

Here, it may further include a protection member provided in at least one of the front and rear of the temperature measurement unit based on the longitudinal direction of the FPCB to report the temperature measurement unit.

In addition, it may further include a protective cover provided on the FPCB to cover the upper portion of the temperature measuring member.

Meanwhile, a plurality of connection circuits may be provided, and the other end of the FPCB may be branched according to the number of connection circuits.

In addition, the temperature sensor may further include wires corresponding to the number of the connection circuits, and may further include a wire protection unit for fixing and protecting the plurality of wires.

In addition, the temperature sensor includes a wire for transmitting a signal of the temperature measuring unit, and one end of the wire is soldered with the connection circuit, and may further include a solder protection unit for protecting the soldered solder.

Meanwhile, the reinforcement part may be a reinforcement circuit printed on the other surface of the FPCB to apply a certain rigidity to the FPCB.

Here, the connection circuit may be formed on an upper surface of the FPCB, and the reinforcement circuit may be formed on a lower surface of the FPCB.

In addition, the connection circuit may be formed on a lower surface of the FPCB, and a first via hole connecting the connection circuit and the thermistor chip may be formed in the FPCB.

And the temperature sensor further includes a wire for transmitting a signal of the thermistor chip, the wire is coupled to the upper surface of the FPCB, and a second via hole connecting the connection circuit and the wire may be formed in the FPCB. have.

A plurality of reinforcing circuits may be provided to be spaced apart along the longitudinal direction of the FPCB.

The temperature sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention has the following effects.

First, it is possible to implement a reinforcement part for applying a certain rigidity to the FPCB through a simple process.

Second, by arranging the connection circuit and the wire or element coupled to the connection circuit on the opposite side of the FPCB, it is possible to maintain a more stable coupling against repeated applied vibrations.

Third, it is possible to form a reinforcement circuit with a simple process only at points excluding the points where the FPCB should be bent.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to the above-described effects, and effects that are not mentioned will be clearly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art from the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

1 is a partially exploded perspective view of a temperature sensor according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an FPCB part of the temperature sensor of the first embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a view showing the rear surface of the temperature sensor of the first embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a cross section of a temperature sensor according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

5 is a perspective view showing the rear of the FPCB of the temperature sensor of the second embodiment of the present invention;

6 is a perspective view showing the top surface of the FPCB of the temperature sensor of the third embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the rear surface of the FPCB of the temperature sensor according to the third embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a cross section of a temperature sensor according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

9 is a perspective view showing the upper surface of the FPCB of the temperature sensor of the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the spirit of the present invention is not limited to the presented embodiments, and those skilled in the art who understand the spirit of the present invention can add, change, or delete other elements within the scope of the same idea. Other embodiments included within the scope of the inventive concept may be easily proposed, but this will also be said to be included within the scope of the inventive concept.

1 is an exploded perspective view of a part of the temperature sensor of the first embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a perspective view of the FPCB portion of the temperature sensor of the first embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 3 is a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a view showing the rear surface of the temperature sensor, and FIG. 4 is a view showing a cross section of the temperature sensor of the first embodiment of the present invention.

1 to 4, the temperature sensor 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an FPCB 110, a temperature measuring unit 101, a connection circuit 120, and a reinforcing unit 130.

The FPCB 110 may be made of various flexible materials that can be bent. It is formed long in the longitudinal direction, a temperature measuring unit 101 is mounted at one end, and a wire 2 for transmitting a signal from the temperature measuring unit 101 is coupled to the other end.

The other end of the FPCB 110 is formed to be branched into two. Therefore, when the two wires 2 are respectively soldered to the two connection circuits 120, both are shorted or the flux in the solder is electrically energized, thereby preventing an electrical characteristic value error. .

The temperature measuring unit 101 measures the temperature of a battery or an environment to which the battery is exposed. Various types of sensors for temperature measurement may be applied, and in this embodiment, an on thermistor chip is used, and it is electrically connected to two connection circuits 120 for converting and transmitting a thermal signal into an electrical signal. .

The connection circuit 120 may be printed on one side of the FPCB 110 in various ways. In this embodiment, the two connection circuits 120 are printed side by side to transmit the signal of the temperature measuring unit 101 to the two wires 2.

Meanwhile, in this embodiment, the connection circuit 120 is printed on the upper surface of the FPCB on which the temperature measuring unit 101 is mounted. Accordingly, the temperature measuring unit 101 is mounted on one end of the connection circuit 120 and the two wires 2 are coupled to the other end of the connection circuit 120 by soldering.

The reinforcing part 130 is provided in the FPCB 120 to provide a certain rigidity to the FPCB 120. As shown in the drawing, since the FPCB 120 is formed long in the longitudinal direction and made of a flexible material, when used for a battery of a vehicle, it is continuously deformed according to external vibrations generated during a driving process. In this case, there is a problem in that a lot of deformation occurs in parts that are coupled to each other, such as the FPCB 110, the connection circuit 120, the temperature measuring unit 101, and the wire 2, resulting in poor durability. Accordingly, in the present invention, the FPCB 110 is provided with the reinforcing portion 130 to limit the deformation of the portion in contact with the reinforcing portion 130 of the FPCB.

The reinforcing part 130 may be made of various materials having greater rigidity than the FPCB 120, and various bonding methods may be adopted. The reinforcing part 130 in this embodiment may be provided in the form of a reinforcing circuit 130 printed on one side of the connection circuit 120 and the FPCB 110.

That is, in general, a method of printing a circuit on an FPCB is applied, but this is not for electrical connection, but will be printed for use in utilizing the rigidity of the printed material (eg, copper).

In addition, when printing is performed on the same surface as the connection circuit 120 described above, the connection circuit 120 and the reinforcement circuit 130 may be printed in one process.

In this embodiment, the reinforcement circuit 130 will be printed on the rear surface of the FPCB 110 along the lengthwise direction of the FPCB 120 as shown in FIG. 3. Therefore, by cutting a separate material into a size that can be attached to the FPCB 120 and printing a circuit without a process such as bonding, a certain rigidity can be provided to the FPCB 120 simply.

In addition, when applied to the battery of a vehicle, since vibration is continuously applied, it is possible to maintain a more rigid bonded state than attaching with an adhesive or the like.

That is, in this embodiment, a connection circuit 120 for transmitting a signal from the temperature measuring unit 101 to the battery monitoring system is printed on the upper surface of the FPCB 110 through a process of printing a commonly used circuit, and the FPCB A certain stiffness is provided to the FPCB 110 through a simple process of printing a reinforcement circuit 130 for securing a certain stiffness to the FPCB 110 on the rear surface of (110).

On the other hand, the temperature sensor 100 of the present embodiment further includes a connection terminal (1), a wire (2), a wire protection unit (3), a solder protection unit (4).

The connection terminal 2 is connected to a battery monitoring system (BMS) that monitors the voltage, temperature, and current of the battery in real time, and transmits the signal measured by the temperature measuring unit 101 to be described later to the battery monitoring system. do.

The wire 3 serves as a path through which the signal measured by the temperature measuring unit 101 is transmitted, and in this embodiment, a wire protection unit 3 may be provided to protect the two wires 3 from spreading. .

In addition, the solder protection unit 4 functions to protect the connection circuit 120 and the solder 5 soldered to the wire 2 from an external environment.

The temperature sensor 100 of this embodiment includes a protective member 102 and a protective cover 103 for protecting the temperature measuring unit 101 from external impact. Two protective members 102 are provided at the front and rear of the temperature measuring unit 101 based on the longitudinal direction of the FPCB 110. And the protective cover 103 is formed with a width equal to or smaller than that of the FPCB 110. And one end is coupled to the front of the protection member 102 located in front of the temperature measurement unit 101, and is provided to cover the upper portion of the two protection members 102 and the temperature measurement unit 101, the other end at the rear end. It is coupled to the protective member 102 to be disposed. That is, both left and right sides of the protective cover 103 will be formed in an open state in order to measure the temperature of the temperature measuring unit 101.

5 is a perspective view showing the rear surface of the FPCB of the temperature sensor of the second embodiment of the present invention.

In the present embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the reinforcing circuits 230 are disposed at a predetermined distance along the longitudinal direction of the FPCB 210. Therefore, the point where the reinforcing circuit 230 is not formed is relatively easily bent compared to the point where the reinforcing circuit 230 is formed.

Therefore, the reinforcing circuit 230 is provided only in a portion that is not a portion that should be bent in consideration of the internal design of the battery pack to be actually applied. Therefore, it can be configured to facilitate bending of a portion to be bent and arranged according to the installation structure.

Furthermore, when a plurality of points are to be bent, a plurality of reinforcing parts are not fixed with an adhesive, but are implemented in a single printing process, so even if the arrangement shape of the plurality of reinforcing circuits 230 is complicated, it will be possible to easily implement them.

Other configurations of the temperature sensor of the present embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment described above, and thus a description thereof will be omitted.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the top of the FPCB of the temperature sensor of the third embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the rear of the FPCB of the temperature sensor of the third embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 8 is a fourth of the present invention. It is a perspective view showing a cross section of the temperature sensor of the embodiment.

6 to 8, in this embodiment, the connection circuit 320 is provided on the rear surface of the FPCB 310 (see FIG. 7 ), and the reinforcement circuit 330 is disposed on the upper surface of the FPCB 310.

Meanwhile, in this embodiment, the temperature control unit 101 is mounted on the upper surface of the FPCB 310 as in the above embodiments, and the wire 2 is also coupled to the upper surface of the FPCB 310 by solder 5. .

Therefore, in the FPCB 310 in this embodiment, the first via hole 310a for electrically connecting the connection circuit 320 printed on the lower surface of the FPCB 310 and the temperature controller 101 mounted on the upper surface of the FPCB 310 ) And a second via hole 310b for electrically connecting the wire 2 disposed on the upper surface and the connection circuit 320 are formed.

In addition, a connection pad 321 in consideration of the contact area with the temperature control unit 101 and the wire 2 may be formed on the upper surface of the FPCB 310 in which the first via hole 310a and the second via hole 310b are formed. .

In addition, the connection pad 321 may be printed like the reinforcement circuit 330 printed on the upper surface of the FPCB 310.

On the other hand, as in the first embodiment, when the wire 2 is located on the upper surface of the connection circuit 120 and soldering the upper surface thereof with solder, the FPCB 110, the connection circuit 120, the wire 2, and the solder If the FPCB 110 is repeatedly bent due to the difference in the stiffness of (5), a crack occurs in the peripheral portion of the contact between the solder 5 and the connection circuit 120, or a short circuit causes the signal from the temperature measuring unit 101 to be There are cases where it cannot be accurately delivered.

Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the connection circuit 320 is provided on the rear surface of the FPCB 310 and is electrically connected to the wire 2 through the second via hole 310b.

Therefore, when compared to the first embodiment, even if a crack occurs in the peripheral portion of the contact between the solder 5 and the FPCB 310, the wire 2 is connected to the connection circuit 320 on the rear of the FPCB 310 and the second Since the state of being electrically connected through the via hole 312b is maintained, there is an advantage in that a signal can be transmitted more stably against external vibrations.

In this embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the reinforcing circuits 430 are disposed to be spaced apart a predetermined distance along the length direction. Accordingly, the point where the reinforcing circuit 430 is not formed is relatively easily bent compared to the point where the reinforcing circuit 430 is formed.

Therefore, in consideration of the internal design of the battery pack to be actually applied, the reinforcing circuit 230 is provided in a portion that is not a portion that should be bent. Therefore, it can be configured to facilitate bending of a portion to be bent and arranged according to the installation structure.

Furthermore, when a plurality of points should be bent, a plurality of reinforcing parts are not fixed with an adhesive or the like, but are implemented in a single printing process, so even if the arrangement shape of the plurality of reinforcing circuits 430 is complicated, it will be possible to easily implement them.

In the above, the configuration and features of the present invention have been described based on the embodiments according to the present invention, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and it is understood that various changes or modifications can be made within the spirit and scope of the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and therefore, such changes or modifications should be found to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

FPCB;

A temperature measuring unit disposed on the upper surface of the FPCB;

A connection circuit printed on one surface of the FPCB to transmit the signal measured by the temperature measuring unit; And

A temperature sensor disposed on the FPCB and including a reinforcing part for applying a certain rigidity to the FPCB.
The method of claim 1,

A temperature sensor further comprising a protection member provided in at least one of a front and a rear of the temperature measurement unit based on the longitudinal direction of the FPCB to report the temperature measurement unit.
The method of claim 1,

Temperature sensor further comprising a protective cover provided on the FPCB so as to cover an upper portion while keeping both sides of the temperature measuring member open.
The method of claim 1,

The connection circuit is provided with a plurality,

The other end of the FPCB is a temperature sensor that is branched according to the number of the connection circuits.
The method of claim 4,

The temperature sensor further comprises a wire corresponding to the number of the connection circuit,

Temperature sensor further comprising a wire protection unit for fixing and protecting the plurality of wires.
The method of claim 1,

The temperature sensor includes a wire for transmitting a signal of the temperature measuring unit,

One end of the wire is soldered with the connection circuit,

Temperature sensor further comprising a solder protection unit for protecting the soldered solder.
The method of claim 1,

The reinforcing part is a temperature sensor that is a reinforcing circuit printed on the other surface of the FPCB to apply a certain rigidity to the FPCB.
The method of claim 7,

The connection circuit is formed on the upper surface of the FPCB,

The reinforcing circuit is a temperature sensor formed on a lower surface of the FPCB.
The method of claim 7,

The connection circuit is formed on the lower surface of the FPCB,

A temperature sensor in which a first via hole connecting the connection circuit and the temperature measuring unit is formed in the FPCB.
The method of claim 9,

The temperature sensor further comprises a wire for transmitting a signal of the temperature measuring unit,

The wire is coupled to the upper surface of the FPCB,

A temperature sensor in which a second via hole connecting the connection circuit and the wire is formed in the FPCB.
The method of claim 7,

The temperature sensor is provided with a plurality of the reinforcing circuit is spaced apart along the longitudinal direction of the FPCB.
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11,

A battery module comprising the temperature sensor.