Device and method for detecting overheating of battery modules

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for detecting battery module overheating. The apparatus includes: a battery pack, a first thermal fuse, a second thermal fuse, and a controller. The battery pack includes a first battery module and a second battery module. The first thermal fuse is arranged on the first battery module and has a first resistance value. The second thermal fuse is arranged on the second battery module and has a second resistance value. The controller detects an overheated battery module based on the total resistance value of the first and second thermal fuses connected in parallel.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0058456, filed on May 15, 2020, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a technology for detecting whether at least one battery module of a battery pack is overheated. Background Art

[0004] Batteries (e.g., lithium polymer batteries) that supply power to electric vehicles include battery cells, modules, and battery packs. In this case, a module includes a plurality of battery cells, and a battery pack includes a plurality of modules. For example, a BMW The battery includes a battery pack containing 96 battery cells, wherein one battery pack includes 8 modules, and each module includes 12 battery cells.

[0005] Since overheating can cause an electric vehicle to catch fire, which can potentially affect the safety of passengers, when such a battery overheats, it is important to know in advance whether the battery is overheating.

[0006] Generally, since a battery management system (BMS) mounted on an electric vehicle detects whether a battery pack is overheated by using a temperature sensor, the BMS cannot specifically determine which battery module in the battery pack has overheated.

[0007] Therefore, even if the first battery module overheats, when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor is normal, the driver of the electric vehicle will not be warned in advance of the possibility of fire. Specifically, when a battery fire occurs, it is impossible to know which battery module caused the fire.

[0008] Although a solution of providing a temperature sensor for each battery module has been considered, the increase in size of the battery module requires the provision of additional temperature sensors, and the increase in the number of temperature sensors requires the provision of additional connectors (or pins) on the printed circuit board (PCB), making it difficult to commercialize this solution.

[0009] The matters described in the background technology section are intended to facilitate understanding of the background of the present invention and may include matters that are not known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0010] One aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus and method for detecting overheating of a battery module, the apparatus including a plurality of thermal fuses having different resistance values, and capable of detecting an overheated battery module based on a resistance value obtained due to the melting of at least one thermal fuse, wherein a thermal fuse is arranged on a battery module constituting a battery pack and the thermal fuses are connected in parallel with each other.

[0011] The technical problems solved by the inventive concept are not limited to the aforementioned problems, and those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains will clearly understand any other technical problems not mentioned herein through the following description.

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for detecting overheating of a battery module includes: a battery pack, a first temperature fuse, a second temperature fuse, and a controller, wherein the battery pack includes a first battery module and a second battery module; the first temperature fuse is arranged on the first battery module and has a first resistance value; the second temperature fuse is arranged on the second battery module and has a second resistance value; the controller detects an overheated battery module based on the total resistance value of the first temperature fuse and the second temperature fuse connected in parallel with each other.

[0013] The apparatus may further include: a storage device storing a reference table in which reference resistance values corresponding to the blowing of the first temperature fuse or the second temperature fuse are recorded.

[0014] The controller may measure a total resistance value of the first and second temperature fuses, search a reference table for a blown temperature fuse based on the measured total resistance value, and determine that the battery module corresponding to the searched temperature fuse is overheated.

[0015] The apparatus may further include: a third temperature fuse spaced apart from the first battery module and the second battery module and having a third resistance value; wherein the third temperature fuse is connected in parallel with the first temperature fuse and the second temperature fuse.

[0016] When the first and second temperature fuses are blown, the controller may determine, based on the resistance value of the third temperature fuse, whether the disconnection of the first and second temperature fuses is caused by overheating or a poor connector connection.

[0017] The controller can warn of the possibility of fire when it detects an overheated battery module.

[0018] The controller can cut power to the battery pack if it detects an overheated battery module.

[0019] The first temperature fuse and the second temperature fuse may include a metal wire that melts at a threshold temperature or above, and the entire metal wire may be melted.

[0020] The first temperature fuse may be disposed in a portion of the first battery module where heat generation is highest.

[0021] The second temperature fuse may be disposed in a portion of the second battery module where heat generation is highest.

[0022] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for detecting overheating of a battery module includes: arranging a first temperature fuse having a first resistance value on a first battery module constituting a battery pack; arranging a second temperature fuse having a second resistance value on a second battery module constituting the battery pack; the first temperature fuse and the second temperature fuse are connected in parallel to each other; and detecting an overheated battery module based on the total resistance value of the first temperature fuse and the second temperature fuse.

[0023] Detecting an overheated battery module may include: storing a reference table in which reference resistance values corresponding to the blowing of a first temperature fuse or a second temperature fuse are recorded; measuring the total resistance value of the first temperature fuse and the second temperature fuse; searching the reference table for a temperature fuse that has blown based on the measured total resistance value; and determining that the battery module corresponding to the searched temperature fuse is overheated.

[0024] The method may further include: a third temperature fuse having a third resistance value is arranged to be separated from the first battery module and the second battery module; the third temperature fuse is connected in parallel with the first temperature fuse and the second temperature fuse; when the first temperature fuse and the second temperature fuse are blown, based on the resistance value of the third temperature fuse, determining whether the disconnection of the first temperature fuse and the second temperature fuse is caused by overheating or poor connector connection.

[0025] The method may further include warning of a possibility of fire when an overheated battery module is detected. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood through the following detailed description presented in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0027] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an apparatus for detecting overheating of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing a specific structure of an apparatus for detecting overheating of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a connection structure of a temperature fuse provided in an apparatus for detecting overheating of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method for detecting overheating of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 5 is a block diagram illustrating a computing system for executing a method of detecting overheating of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] It should be understood that the term "vehicle" or "vehicular" or other similar terms used herein generally include motor vehicles, such as passenger cars including sport utility vehicles (SUVs), buses, trucks, various commercial vehicles, watercraft including various boats and ships, aircraft, etc., and include hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles, and other alternative fuel vehicles (e.g., fuels derived from non-fossil energy sources). As referred to herein, a hybrid vehicle is a vehicle having two or more power sources, such as a vehicle having both gasoline power and electric power.

[0033] The terms used herein are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. As used herein, the singular forms "one", "an" and "said" are intended to also include plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be further understood that when the terms "including" and / or "comprising" are used in this specification, it is indicated that there are described features, numerical values, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but the presence or addition of one or more other features, numerical values, steps, operations, elements, components and / or their groups are not excluded. As used herein, the terms "and / or" include any and all combinations of one or more related enumerated items. Throughout the specification, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the terms "including" and variations such as "including" or "comprising" should be understood to imply the inclusion of described elements but do not exclude any other elements. In addition, the terms "unit", "device", "component" and "module" described in the specification are meant to be units for performing at least one function and operation, and can be implemented by hardware components or software components and their combinations.

[0034] Furthermore, the control logic of the present invention can be implemented as non-volatile computer-readable media on a computer-readable medium containing executable program instructions executed by a processor, controller, or the like. Examples of computer-readable media include, but are not limited to, ROM, RAM, compact disc (CD)-ROMs, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, flash drives, smart cards, and optical data storage devices. The computer-readable medium can also be distributed across networked computer systems so that the computer-readable medium is stored and executed in a distributed manner, for example, via a telematics server or a controller area network (CAN).

[0035] Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the exemplary drawings. When adding reference numerals to the components of each drawing, it should be noted that even if the same or equivalent components are shown in other drawings, they are also represented by the same reference numerals. In addition, when describing the embodiments of the present invention, detailed descriptions of known features or functions will be excluded so as not to unnecessarily obscure the main purpose of the present invention.

[0036] When describing components according to embodiments of the present invention, terms such as first, second, "A", "B", (a), (b), etc. may be used. These terms are intended only to distinguish one component from another, and these terms do not limit the nature, order, or sequence of the components. Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical or scientific terms) have the same meaning as those generally understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs. Terms defined in general dictionaries are interpreted as having the same meaning as the contextual meaning in the relevant technical field and are not interpreted as having an ideal or overly formal meaning unless explicitly defined as having such a meaning in the present invention.

[0037] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an apparatus for detecting battery module overheating according to an embodiment of the present invention. Although five thermal fuses are described as an example to facilitate understanding, the number of thermal fuses can be changed according to the designer's intention, and even if the number of thermal fuses is changed, there is no difficulty in applying the present invention.

[0038] like Figure 1 As shown, the apparatus 100 for detecting overheating of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention may include: a storage device 10, a warning device 20, a controller 30, and first to fifth temperature fuses 110 to 150. In this case, according to a scheme for implementing the apparatus 100 for detecting overheating of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention, each component may be combined with each other to be implemented together, and some components may be omitted.

[0039] Regarding each component, first, the storage device 10 may store a reference table in which reference resistance values corresponding to the blowing of at least one of the first to fifth temperature fuses 110 to 150 are recorded. For example, the reference table is shown in Table 1 below.

[0040] Table 1

[0041] Fuse location R0 R1 R2 R3 R4 Reference resistance value Case 1 ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ 0.0 Case 2 43.8 Case 3 ○ 48.0 Case 4 ○ 49.2 Case 5 ○ 51.3 Case 6 ○ ○ 54.5 Case 7 ○ 56.1 Case 8 ○ ○ 57.1 Case 9 ○ ○ 58.8 Case 10 ○ ○ 63.2 Case 11 ○ ○ 65.2 Case 12 ○ ○ ○ 66.7 Situation 13 ○ ○ 69.0 Situation 14 ○ ○ ○ 75.0 Case 15 ○ 77.9 Case 16 ○ ○ ○ 80.0 Situation 17 ○ ○ ○ 83.3 Situation 18 ○ ○ 92.3 Situation 19 ○ ○ 100.0 Situation 20 ○ ○ ○ ○ 105.3 Situation 21 ○ ○ 120.0 Situation 22 ○ ○ ○ 127.7 Situation 23 ○ ○ 133.3 Situation 24 ○ ○ ○ 142.9 Case 25 ○ ○ ○ 142.9 Situation 26 ○ ○ ○ 171.4 Situation 27 ○ ○ ○ 187.5 Situation 28 ○ ○ ○ ○ 200.0 Situation 29 ○ ○ ○ 222.2 Case 30 ○ ○ ○ ○ 300.0 Case 31 ○ ○ ○ ○ 400.0 Case 32 ○ ○ ○ ○ 500.0

[0042] In Table 1, "○" indicates a blown condition. For example, the first temperature fuse 110 may have a resistance value R1 of 200Ω, the second temperature fuse 120 may have a resistance value R2 of 300Ω, the third temperature fuse 130 may have a resistance value R3 of 400Ω, the fourth temperature fuse 140 may have a resistance value R4 of 500Ω, and the fifth temperature fuse 150 may have a resistance value R0 of 100Ω.

[0043] For example, in case 7 where the first temperature fuse 110 is blown, the reference resistance value is 56.1Ω. Thus, when the measured resistance value of the entire temperature fuse satisfies 56.1Ω, the controller 30 may determine that the first temperature fuse 110 is overheated.

[0044] As another example, in case 20 where the first to fourth temperature fuses 110 to 140 are blown, since no temperature fuse 150 is blown, when the measured total resistance value of the temperature fuses satisfies 105.3Ω, the controller 30 can determine that all the first to fourth temperature fuses 110 to 140 are overheated.

[0045] As another example, in case 1 where all the first to fifth temperature fuses 110 to 150 are blown, when the measured total resistance value of the temperature fuses satisfies 0Ω, considering that the fifth temperature fuse 150 is arranged spaced apart from the battery module, the controller 30 can determine that a disconnection has occurred in the connection line with the controller 30 (or the PCB connector is poorly connected).

[0046] Therefore, when all of the first to fourth temperature fuses 110 to 140 are blown, the resistance value R0 of the fifth temperature fuse 150 can be used to detect whether the blown is caused by overheating or by disconnection of the connection line with the controller 30 .

[0047] The storage device 10 may store various logics, algorithms, and programs required for measuring the total resistance value of the first to fourth temperature fuses 110 to 140 and the auxiliary temperature fuse 150 and detecting which temperature fuse is blown, that is, which battery module is overheated, based on a reference table.

[0048] The storage device 10 may include at least one of the following types of storage media: flash memory, hard disk memory, micro memory, card memory (for example, secure digital (SD) card or extreme digital (XD) card), etc., as well as random access memory (RAM), static RAM (SRAM), read-only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), magnetic memory (MRAM), magnetic disk and optical disk type memory.

[0049] The warning device 20 may warn of the possibility of fire due to overheating of each battery module under the control of the controller 30 .

[0050] Warning device 20 can warn of the possibility of fire by at least one of visual, audible, or tactile warnings. For example, warning device 20 can visually warn of the possibility of fire through a display (not shown), audibly warn of the possibility of fire through a speaker (not shown), or tactilely warn of the possibility of fire through a vibrating element (not shown). When the embodiments of the present invention are applied to an electric vehicle, the display, speaker, and vibrating element provided in the electric vehicle can be used.

[0051] The controller 30 performs overall control so that each component can perform its function normally. The controller 30 can be implemented in the form of hardware or software, or can be implemented in the form of a combination of hardware and software. Preferably, the controller 30 can be implemented with a microprocessor, but is not limited thereto.

[0052] The processor may include a single processor core, or may include multiple processor cores. For example, the processor may include multiple cores, such as dual-core, quad-core, and hexa-core. According to the embodiment, the processor may further include an internal or external cache memory. According to the embodiment, the processor may be configured with one or more processors. For example, the processor may include at least one of an application processor, a communication processor, or a graphics processing unit (GPU).

[0053] The processor may receive instructions from other components, interpret the received instructions, and perform calculations or process data corresponding to the interpreted instructions. The processor may interpret and process messages, data, instructions, or signals received from the storage device 10. The processor may generate new messages, data, instructions, or signals based on the received messages, data, instructions, or signals. The processor may provide the processed or generated messages, data, instructions, or signals to the storage device 10.

[0054] The processor can process data or signals generated or created in the program. For example, the processor can request instructions, data, or signals from the storage device 10 to execute or control the program. The processor can record (or store) or update instructions, data, or signals to the memory 10 to execute or control the program.

[0055] The controller 30 may perform various controls required in measuring the total resistance value of the first to fifth temperature fuses 110 to 150 connected in parallel to each other and detecting which temperature fuse is blown, that is, which battery module is overheated, based on a reference table.

[0056] In the following, reference Figure 2 , the arrangement structure between each battery module 210 to 240 and each temperature fuse 110 to 150 will be described in detail.

[0057] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a specific structure of an apparatus for detecting overheating of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0058] like Figure 2 As shown, the first temperature fuse 110 may be arranged on the first battery module 210 and may be blown by overheating generated in the first battery module 210. In this case, the first temperature fuse 110 may be installed in a portion of the first battery module 210 where the highest heat is generated. When the first temperature fuse 110 is blown, the total resistance value R measured by the controller 30 may be expressed as the following equation 1.

[0059] [Equation 1]

[0060]

[0061] Here, R0 represents the resistance value of the fifth temperature fuse 150 , R2 represents the resistance value of the second temperature fuse 120 , R3 represents the resistance value of the third temperature fuse 130 , and R4 represents the resistance value of the fourth temperature fuse 140 .

[0062] The second temperature fuse 120 may be disposed on the second battery module 220 and may be blown by overheating caused in the second battery module 220. In this case, the second temperature fuse 120 may be installed in a portion of the second battery module 220 where the highest heat is generated. When the second temperature fuse 120 is blown, the total resistance value R measured by the controller 30 may be expressed as the following equation 2.

[0063] [Equation 2]

[0064]

[0065] Here, R1 represents the resistance value of the first temperature fuse 110 .

[0066] The third temperature fuse 130 may be disposed on the third battery module 230 and may be blown by overheating caused in the third battery module 230. In this case, the third temperature fuse 130 may be installed in a portion of the third battery module 230 where the highest heat is generated. When the third temperature fuse 130 is blown, the total resistance value R measured by the controller 30 may be expressed as the following equation 3.

[0067] [Equation 3]

[0068]

[0069] The fourth temperature fuse 140 is arranged on the fourth battery module 240 and can be blown by overheating caused in the fourth battery module 240. In this case, the fourth temperature fuse 140 can be installed in a portion of the fourth battery module 240 where the highest heat is generated. When the fourth temperature fuse 140 is blown, the total resistance value R measured by the controller 30 can be expressed as the following equation 4.

[0070] [Equation 4]

[0071]

[0072] Since the fifth temperature fuse 150 is installed spaced apart from the battery module, the fifth temperature fuse 150 can be used to detect whether the disconnection of the first to fourth temperature fuses 110 to 140 is caused by overheating of the battery module or by disconnection of the connecting wire 270 (or poor connection of the PCB connector).

[0073] The temperature fuses 110 to 150 include a metal wire that melts at a threshold temperature or above, so that the entire metal wire can be melted. For example, the connection structure of each temperature fuse is as follows: Figure 3 shown.

[0074] Meanwhile, the controller 30 may control the warning device 20 to warn of the possibility of fire when an overheated battery module is detected.

[0075] When the controller 30 detects an overheated battery module, it may turn off a relay (not shown) so that the power of the battery pack 310 is not supplied to the load. In other words, the controller 30 may cut off the power supply of the battery pack 310.

[0076] Figure 3is a schematic diagram illustrating a connection structure of a temperature fuse provided in an apparatus for detecting overheating of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein a temperature fuse having a wire shape is connected to each battery module provided in a battery pack 310 .

[0077] Figure 4 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method for detecting overheating of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. Although the following description will be made based on the first and second temperature fuses 110 and 120 to facilitate understanding, the same can be applied to the case including the third and fourth temperature fuses 130 and 140.

[0078] First, in step 401 , a first temperature fuse 110 having a first resistance value is disposed on a first battery module 210 constituting a battery pack 310 .

[0079] Then, in step 402 , the second temperature fuse 120 having a second resistance value is disposed on the second battery module 220 constituting the battery pack 310 .

[0080] Thereafter, in step 403 , the first temperature fuse 110 and the second temperature fuse 120 are connected in parallel to each other.

[0081] Thereafter, in step 404, the controller 30 detects an overheated battery module based on the total resistance value of the first and second thermal fuses 110, 120. Specifically, the controller 30 may store a reference table containing reference resistance values corresponding to the blowing of the first or second thermal fuse 110, 120; measure the total resistance value of the first and second thermal fuses 110, 120; search the reference table for a blown thermal fuse based on the measured total resistance value; and determine that the battery module corresponding to the found thermal fuse is overheated.

[0082] Figure 5 is a block diagram illustrating a computing system for executing a method of detecting overheating of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0083] refer to Figure 5 As described above, the method for detecting battery module overheating according to an embodiment of the present invention can be implemented by a computing system. The computing system 1000 may include: at least one processor 1100, a memory 1300, a user interface input device 1400, a user interface output device 1500, a storage device 1600, and a network interface 1700 connected via a system bus 1200.

[0084] The processor 1100 may be a central processing unit (CPU) or a semiconductor device that processes instructions stored in the memory 1300 and / or the storage device 1600. The memory 1300 and the storage device 1600 may include various types of volatile or non-volatile storage media. For example, the memory 1300 may include a read-only memory (ROM) 1310 and a random access memory (RAM) 1320.

[0085] Therefore, the processing of the method or algorithm described in the embodiment of the present invention can be directly implemented by hardware, software modules or their combination performed by the processor 1100. The software module can be present in a storage medium (that is, memory 1300 and / or storage device 1600) such as RAM, flash memory, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, register, hard disk, solid state drive (SSD), removable hard disk or CD-ROM. An exemplary storage medium is connected to the processor 1100, and the processor 1100 can read information from the storage medium and can write information to the storage medium. In another method, the storage medium can be integrated with the processor 1100. The processor and the storage medium can be present in an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The ASIC can be present in a user terminal. In another method, the processor and the storage medium can be present in a user terminal as separate components.

[0086] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus and method for detecting overheating of a battery module are provided, the apparatus including a plurality of thermal fuses having different resistance values, and capable of detecting an overheated battery module based on a resistance value obtained due to the melting of at least one thermal fuse, wherein a thermal fuse is arranged on each battery module constituting a battery pack, and the thermal fuses are connected in parallel with each other.

[0087] The above description is a simple example of the technical spirit of the present invention, and those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains can make various corrections and modifications to the present invention without departing from the basic characteristics of the present invention.

[0088] Therefore, the disclosed embodiments of the present invention do not limit the technical spirit of the present invention, but are illustrative, and the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention is not limited by the embodiments of the present invention. The scope of the present invention should be interpreted by the claims, and it should be understood that all technical spirits within the equivalent scope fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A device for detecting overheating of a battery module, the device comprising: a battery pack comprising a first battery module and a second battery module; a first temperature fuse, disposed on the first battery module and having a first resistance value; a second temperature fuse, disposed on the second battery module and having a second resistance value; a third temperature fuse, which is spaced apart from the first battery module and the second battery module and has a third resistance value; wherein the first temperature fuse, the second temperature fuse and the third temperature fuse are connected in parallel to each other; a storage device configured to store a reference table in which reference resistance values corresponding to the fusing of at least one of the first temperature fuse, the second temperature fuse, or the third temperature fuse are recorded; and A controller is configured to detect an overheated battery module based on a total resistance value of a first temperature fuse, a second temperature fuse, and a third temperature fuse and a reference table, and to determine that a poor connector connection has occurred on a connection line between the first temperature fuse, the second temperature fuse, and the third temperature fuse and the controller when the total resistance value of the first temperature fuse, the second temperature fuse, and the third temperature fuse is 0Ω.

2. The device for detecting overheating of a battery module according to claim 1, wherein: The controller is configured to measure a total resistance value of the first temperature fuse and the second temperature fuse, search a reference table for a temperature fuse that has blown based on the measured total resistance value, and determine that the battery module corresponding to the searched temperature fuse is overheated.

3. The device for detecting overheating of a battery module according to claim 1, wherein: The controller is configured to warn of the possibility of fire when an overheated battery module is detected.

4. The device for detecting overheating of a battery module according to claim 1, wherein: The controller is configured to cut off power to the battery pack when an overheated battery module is detected.

5. The device for detecting overheating of a battery module according to claim 1, wherein: The first temperature fuse and the second temperature fuse include metal wires that melt at a threshold temperature or above, wherein all portions of the metal wires can melt.

6. The device for detecting overheating of a battery module according to claim 1, wherein: The first temperature fuse is arranged in a portion of the first battery module where the highest heat generation occurs.

7. The device for detecting overheating of a battery module according to claim 1, wherein: The second temperature fuse is arranged in a portion of the second battery module where heat generation is highest.

8. A method for detecting overheating of a battery module, the method comprising: Arranging a first temperature fuse having a first resistance value on a first battery module constituting the battery pack; disposing a second temperature fuse having a second resistance value on a second battery module constituting the battery pack; a third temperature fuse having a third resistance value arranged to be spaced apart from the first battery module and the second battery module; wherein the first temperature fuse, the second temperature fuse and the third temperature fuse are connected in parallel to each other; storing a reference table in which reference resistance values corresponding to the fusing of at least one of the first temperature fuse, the second temperature fuse, or the third temperature fuse are recorded; An overheated battery module is detected based on the total resistance value of the first temperature fuse, the second temperature fuse and the third temperature fuse and a reference table, and when the total resistance value of the first temperature fuse, the second temperature fuse and the third temperature fuse is 0Ω, it is determined that a poor connector connection has occurred on the connecting line between the first temperature fuse, the second temperature fuse and the third temperature fuse and the controller.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein Battery modules that detect overheating include: measuring the total resistance value of the first thermal fuse and the second thermal fuse; Based on the measured total resistance value, searching the reference table for the thermal fuse that has blown; It is determined that the battery module corresponding to the searched thermal fuse is overheated.

10. The method according to claim 8, further comprising: When an overheated battery module is detected, it warns of the possibility of fire.

11. The method according to claim 8, further comprising: When an overheated battery module is detected, power is cut off from the battery pack.

12. The method according to claim 8, wherein The first temperature fuse and the second temperature fuse include metal wires that melt at a threshold temperature or higher, and all portions of the metal wires can melt.

13. The method according to claim 8, wherein The first temperature fuse is arranged in a portion of the first battery module where the highest heat generation occurs.

14. The method according to claim 8, wherein The second temperature fuse is arranged in a portion of the second battery module where heat generation is highest.

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