Thermal runaway detection of automotive traction batteries using force sensing resistor (FSR) pressure sensors

Abstract

A detection device (100; 200; 300) for detecting a thermal runaway condition in a rechargeable automotive traction battery, the rechargeable automotive traction battery comprising a closed traction battery housing (10; 40) for housing at least a plurality of rechargeable electrochemical energy cells, the detection device (100; 200; 300) comprising a force sensing resistor (22). The force sensing resistor (22) comprises a vent outlet (28) and flexible substrates (24) separated by a spacer member (26). If the force sensing resistor (22) is located inside the traction battery housing (10; 40), the vent outlet (28) is fluidly connectable to an exterior space (20) of the traction battery housing (10; 40). If the force sensing resistor (22) is located outside the traction battery housing (10; 40), at least one of the flexible substrates (24) is operably connectable to an interior space (18) of the traction battery housing (10; 40).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a detection device for detecting a thermal runaway condition in a rechargeable automotive traction battery and a closed automotive traction battery housing including such a detection device. Background Art

[0002] In the field of motor vehicle technology, it is known that a motor vehicle comprises a drive comprising an electric drive train with an electric motor which can be operated by an electric current generated by an electrical energy source. The electrical energy source can be designed as an electrochemical energy storage device, for example as at least one rechargeable battery, which is often, somewhat inaccurately, referred to as a traction battery.

[0003] Such automotive vehicles may be designed as battery electric vehicles (BEVs) that employ an electric motor exclusively for propulsion, hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) that include an internal combustion engine and an electric propulsion system, or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) that include an internal combustion engine and a traction battery that can be recharged by connecting a plug to the electrical grid. A common feature of these automotive vehicles is a rechargeable traction battery with a capacity (ampere hours) that allows an acceptable range of vehicles.

[0004] Due to the amount of energy that can be stored in a rechargeable battery, there are increased safety requirements to prevent the amount of stored energy from being suddenly released. Therefore, it is critical to be able to detect if thermal runaway has begun inside the battery pack before any smoke or fire reaches the interior of the vehicle cabin.

[0005] Thermal runaway is known to be one of the most serious failure modes of rechargeable traction batteries. Details are described, for example, in "Fast Thermal Runaway Detection for Lithium-Ion Cells in LargeScale Traction Batteries." by Koch, Sascha et al. (Batteries 2018, 4(2), 16; DOI: 10.3390 / batteries4020016). Thermal runaway of single cells in large-scale lithium-ion batteries is a well-known risk that can lead to critical situations if measures are not taken in today's lithium-ion traction batteries used in battery electric vehicles (BEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). The United Nations has published a draft global technical regulation on electric vehicle safety (GTR EVS), which describes safety features that warn passengers in the event of thermal runaway. Therefore, fast and reliable detection of faulty cells experiencing thermal runaway in lithium-ion batteries is a key factor in battery design for comprehensive passenger safety.

[0006] A set of various possible sensors was selected based on the determined impact of thermal runaway on the battery cell. These sensors have been tested in battery installations of different sizes and compared with respect to their ability to detect thermal runaway quickly and reliably and their feasibility for use in traction batteries. The sensors selected are: voltage sensors, gas sensors, smoke detectors, creep distance sensors (which are sensitive to contamination of pads arranged on their surface), temperature sensors, pressure sensors (placed on the battery cell and measuring 2kPa ≤ p sens ≤304 kPa absolute pressure in the range to determine the increase in internal pressure of the battery due to gas generation in the single battery cell); and sens Single point thin film piezoresistive force sensor with a range of ≤445N for measuring the forces between a thermal runaway cell and adjacent components / cells due to cell expansion. Summary of the invention

[0007] Purpose of the invention

[0008] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a low complexity detection arrangement capable of detecting a thermal runaway condition in a rechargeable traction battery of an automotive vehicle, preferably at an early stage, for example before there is a noticeable fire or smoke outbreak in the vehicle interior.

[0009] General Description of the Invention

[0010] In one aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a detection device for detecting a thermal runaway condition in a rechargeable automotive traction battery. The automotive traction battery comprises a closed traction battery housing for housing at least a plurality of rechargeable electrochemical energy cells. The detection device comprises a force sensing resistor comprising: at least two flexible substrates separated by a spacer member and defining a force sensitive area; and an exhaust pipe connecting an exhaust outlet of the force sensing resistor and a space between the two substrates. If the force sensing resistor is located inside the traction battery housing, the exhaust outlet can be fluidly connected to the outside of the traction battery housing. If the force sensing resistor is located outside the traction battery housing, at least one flexible substrate can be operably connected to the interior space of the traction battery housing.

[0011] The term "vehicle" as used in this patent application is to be understood in particular as applying to vehicles including passenger cars, trucks, semi-trailer trucks and buses. The term "enclosed traction battery housing" as used in this patent application is to be understood in particular as a housing whose fluid leakage to the space outside the housing is sufficiently low to allow a pressure increase in the interior space of the housing for the gas generation rate expected in a thermal runaway situation. The term "operably connected" as used in this patent application is to be understood in particular as meaning that operably connected objects are connected to each other in such a way that forces can be transmitted between the objects. The transmission of forces can be performed either by direct contact or indirectly via at least one intermediate element.

[0012] In a typical FSR, as contemplated in the present application, a paste-like sensing film may be sandwiched between two conductive electrodes covered by a polymer film. When a predetermined force is applied to the sensing film, the resistance between the electrodes may drop dramatically. This change or drop in resistance may be detected and / or measured by a control circuit or resistance detection circuit operably coupled to the FSR sensor. The control circuit or resistance detection circuit operably coupled to the FSR sensor may preferably be disposed outside of the battery housing and coupled to the FSR sensor via appropriate connection wires.

[0013] Due to the low requirements on accuracy and signal drift, the adoption of FSRs in the proposed detection device allows to provide a low-complexity detection device for detecting thermal runaway conditions in rechargeable automotive traction batteries at an early stage. Furthermore, relatively simple electronics can be used to evaluate the signals from the FSRs, which can keep the hardware effort at a low level.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the detection device further comprises a fluid connection member having two ends. If the force sensing resistor is located inside the traction battery housing, one of the ends is fluidly connected to the exhaust outlet, and the other of the ends is configured to fluidly connect the exhaust outlet to the exterior space of the traction battery housing. If the force sensing resistor is located outside the traction battery housing, one of the ends of the fluid connection member is fluidly connected to the interior space of the traction battery housing, and the other of the ends is fluidly connected to one of the flexible substrates or a chamber having a flexible wall arranged adjacent to one of the flexible substrates. The phrase "configured to" as used in the present application should be particularly understood to be specifically arranged, disposed or arranged. By using the fluid connection member, the FSR can be positioned according to a specific application and appropriately achieve its intended function in a variety of locations.

[0015] Preferably, the ventilation duct is defined by a spacer member.By using a spacer member having a dual function, the design of the FSR can be kept simple.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the detection device, one of the flexible substrates of the force sensing resistor is configured to be arrangeable in contact with a portion of an inner wall of the traction battery housing. In this way, the inner wall of the traction battery housing can be used as a support for the FSR and produce a confined and directed effect of the pressure increase inside the traction battery housing on the FSR in the event of a thermal runaway condition.

[0017] Preferably, the detection device further comprises a pressure equalization vent arranged in the fluid path between the vent duct and the space outside the traction battery housing. The pressure equalization vent can maintain the space between the two substrates of the FSR at the current atmospheric pressure and can prevent false positives that might otherwise be generated by changes in atmospheric pressure, such as might occur during an ascent to a high altitude or by rapid changes in temperature.

[0018] In another aspect of the present invention, a closed automotive traction battery housing is provided, defining an interior space configured to accommodate at least a plurality of rechargeable electrochemical energy cells. The traction battery housing includes an embodiment of a detection device disclosed herein. If a force sensing resistor is located inside the traction battery housing, the exhaust outlet is fluidly connected to the exterior of the traction battery housing. If the force sensing resistor is located outside the traction battery housing, at least one flexible substrate is operably connected to the interior space of the traction battery housing.

[0019] The benefits described in conjunction with the detection device according to the invention fully apply to the proposed vehicle traction battery housing.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the automotive traction battery housing, the fluid connection member comprises a pipe which is fixedly connected to the traction battery housing in a sealed manner. In this way, the FSR can be arranged inside or outside the traction battery housing, depending on the specific application, which can provide a large degree of design freedom.

[0021] Preferably, the automotive traction battery housing further comprises a through hole and a plug member, the plug member being adapted to the through hole and being configured to be attached to the traction battery housing to cover the through hole in a sealed manner. The plug member defines a cavity comprising an opening facing the inner space of the traction battery housing in an installed state, and the cavity further comprising a flat surface at the top side of the cavity. One of the flexible substrates of the force sensing resistor is in mechanical contact with the flat surface. The plug member protrudes from the traction battery housing to the outer space so as to allow a fluid connection member designed as a through hole in a lateral surface of the plug member to establish a fluid connection between the exhaust outlet and the outer space of the traction battery housing.

[0022] This embodiment of the detection device enables a particularly compact, robust and maintenance-friendly design.

[0023] Preferably, the traction battery housing through hole is threaded and the plug member is cylindrical having an external thread corresponding to the thread of the through hole. In this way, easy access to the FSR can be provided to allow for improved maintainability that may be required by the manufacturer.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment of the automotive traction battery housing comprising a through hole and a plug member as described previously, the sensitive area of ​​the force sensing resistor has a circular shape adapted to the size of the flat surface of the plug member. In this way, an optimal sensitivity for detecting a thermal runaway condition can be achieved for a given size of the plug member meeting existing space constraints.

[0025] These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

[0026] It should be pointed out that the features and measures described individually in the preceding description can be combined with one another in any technically meaningful manner and represent further embodiments of the invention. The description characterizes and explains the invention in detail, particularly in conjunction with the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Further details and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0028] Figure 1 Schematically shows a closed automotive traction battery housing with an embodiment of a detection device according to the invention in a sectional front view in an installed state;

[0029] Figure 2 Shown according to Figure 1 A schematic detailed cross-sectional side view of a detection device;

[0030] Figure 3 is based on Figure 2 A schematic detailed view of a detection device;

[0031] Figure 4 Schematically shows the Figure 1 A closed automotive traction battery housing having an alternative embodiment of a detection device according to the invention, the detection device being in a mounted state in a cross-sectional front view;

[0032] Figure 5 Shown according to Figure 4 A schematic detailed cross-sectional side view of a detection device;

[0033] Figure 6 is based on Figure 5 A schematic detailed view of a detection device;

[0034] Figure 7 schematically shows an alternative embodiment of a closed automotive traction battery housing with a further alternative embodiment of a detection device according to the invention in a mounted state in a cross-sectional front view; and

[0035] Figure 8 is based on Figure 7 Schematic detailed view of the detection device.

[0036] In the different figures, identical parts are always provided with the same reference symbols or numbers, respectively. Therefore, they are usually described only once. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Figure 1 A closed automotive traction battery housing 10 is schematically shown with a possible embodiment of a detection device according to the invention in a sectional front view in the installed state.

[0038] The traction battery housing 10 defines an interior space 18 that is configured to accommodate a battery that is not in the Figure 1 1 and 2. The traction battery housing 10 is a housing for a plurality of rechargeable electrochemical energy cells shown in FIG. The electrochemical energy cells may form a lithium-ion battery (accumulator). The traction battery housing 10 is closed in the sense that at the gas generation rate expected in a thermal runaway condition of at least one electrochemical energy cell, fluid leakage from the traction battery housing 10 to the exterior space 20 is sufficiently low to allow a pressure increase in the interior space 18 of the traction battery housing 10.

[0039] The traction battery housing 10 may be made at least in part from sheet metal (e.g., injected aluminum side walls), from fiber reinforced plastic (e.g., glass fiber reinforced plastic), or from a combination of those materials. The traction battery housing 10 includes side walls 12 , a cover plate 14 , and a bottom plate 16 .

[0040] The traction battery housing 10 is provided with a detection device 100 for detecting a thermal runaway condition in a rechargeable automotive traction battery. The detection device 100 includes a force sensing resistor (FSR) 22 located outside the traction battery housing 10. The FSR 22 may include two flexible substrates 24 separated by a spacer member 26 and defining a force sensitive area ( Figure 3 ). The assembly may encapsulate a conductive ink layer. The FSR 22 may include two sets of conductive wires that are electrically insulated from each other and attached to at least one of the two flexible substrates 24. When a force is applied to the FSR 22, the conductive ink layer establishes a conductive path between the two sets of conductive wires, resulting in a decrease in resistance. This change or decrease in resistance may be detected and / or measured by a control circuit or resistance detection circuit operatively coupled to the FSR sensor.

[0041] The FSR 22 also includes a vent duct defined by the spacer member 26. The vent duct connects an exhaust outlet 28 of the FSR 22 and the space between the two flexible substrates 24.

[0042] The flexible substrate 24 can be made of a plastic material selected from the group of plastic materials, which includes but is not limited to the following materials: polyester (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyimide (PI), polyetherimide (PEI), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), and a combination of at least two of these plastic materials.

[0043] Suitable FSRs are commercially available in a variety of variations, covering a wide range of applications.

[0044] Figure 2 Shown according to Figure 1 1 is a schematic detailed cross-sectional side view of a detection device 100. The detection device 100 also includes a fluid connection member 102. The fluid connection member 102 includes a straight pipe with two ends. The fluid connection member 102 is fixedly connected to the cover plate 14 of the traction battery housing 10 in a sealing manner, for example by welding or by press fitting, and Figure 2 The end portion arranged at the lower part of the end portion is fluidly connected to the inner space 18 of the traction battery housing 10. The end portion arranged at the upper part of the end portion is fluidly connected to the flat circular cavity 104 ( Figure 3 ), the diameter of the chamber 104 is adapted to the force sensitive area of ​​the FSR 22. The chamber 104 has a rear wall 106 and a front wall 108 facing the FSR 22. The central portion of the front wall 108 can be designed as a circular through hole. The through hole can be open, such as Figure 3 108, or it may be covered by a flexible membrane attached to the front wall 108 in a sealed manner. The flexible membrane may be made of a plastic material similar to the plastic material of the flexible substrate 24 of the FSR 22. The FSR 22 is fixedly attached to the annular outer edge portion 110 of the front wall 108 in a sealed manner, for example by applying an adhesive. If the through-hole is designed to be open, one of the flexible substrates 24 is fluidly connected to the inner space 18 of the traction battery housing 10 in a direct manner. If the through-hole is covered by a flexible membrane, the flexible membrane is arranged adjacent to one of the flexible substrates 24 of the FSR 22. In any case, one of the flexible substrates 24 of the FSR 22 is operatively connected to the inner space 18 of the traction battery housing 10.

[0045] In the event of a thermal runaway condition in an automotive traction battery, the gas pressure increases in the interior space 18 of the traction battery housing 10. This pressure increase is transmitted to the FSR 22 through the fluid connection member 102 and the chamber 104, either directly or through deflection of the flexible membrane, and can be evaluated by monitoring the state of the resistance of the FSR 22 by means of a control circuit or resistance detection circuit operatively coupled to the FSR sensor.

[0046] The detection device 100 further includes a pressure equalization vent 30 disposed in a fluid path between the vent duct and the exterior space 20 of the traction battery housing 10. The pressure equalization vent 30 provides equal pressure conditions between the vent duct and the exterior space 20 of the traction battery housing 10 for long-term changes in atmospheric pressure to prevent false positives, but cannot compensate for the rapid increase in pressure generated by a thermal runaway condition.

[0047] It is pointed out that the drawings in the present application are not to be regarded as drawn to scale. In particular, the ratios of the longitudinal and transverse dimensions are chosen for illustrative reasons and do not necessarily correspond to actual conditions.

[0048] exist Figures 4 to 8 In the figure, alternative possible embodiments of the detection device according to the present invention are schematically shown. In order to avoid unnecessary repetition, only the differences between the various embodiments are described below. For features not described in any of the figures in these figures, refer to the description of the first embodiment.

[0049] Figure 4 Schematically shows the Figure 1 A closed automotive traction battery housing 10 is shown with an alternative embodiment of a detection device 200 according to the invention, which is shown in a mounted state in a front cross-sectional view.

[0050] The detection device 200 comprises a FSR 22 located inside the traction battery housing 10. The design of the FSR 22 is similar to the FSR 22 of the first embodiment of the detection device 100.

[0051] Figure 5 Shown according to Figure 4 1 is a schematic detailed cross-sectional side view of a detection device 200. The detection device 200 further comprises a fluid connection member 202. The fluid connection member 202 is designed as a straight pipe with two ends. The fluid connection member 202 is fixedly connected to the cover plate 14 of the traction battery housing 10 in a sealed manner, for example by welding or by press fitting, and is Figure 5 In the mounted state shown in FIG. , the end portion arranged at the bottom is fluidly connected to the exhaust outlet 28 ( Figure 6). The upper one of the ends fluidically connects the exhaust outlet 28 to the exterior space 20 of the traction battery housing 10 .

[0052] In the event of a thermal runaway condition in an automotive traction battery, the gas pressure in the interior space 18 of the traction battery housing 10 increases. This pressure increase is exerted directly on the force sensitive area of ​​the FSR 22 against the atmospheric pressure present in the exterior space 20 and provided to the space between the two flexible substrates 24 of the FSR 22 by the fluid connection member 202. The pressure increase can be evaluated by monitoring the state of the FSR 22 resistance.

[0053] Figure 7 An alternative embodiment of a closed automotive traction battery housing 40 is schematically shown, comprising a further alternative embodiment of a detection device 300 according to the invention, which is in a mounted state in a cross-sectional front view.

[0054] Compared with the previous embodiment, according to Figure 7 The automotive traction battery housing 40 also includes another through hole 304 and a plug member 308 in the cover plate 14. The through hole 304 has a circular shape and is provided with a thread 306 ( Figure 8 ). The plug member 308 is cylindrical in shape and is provided with an external thread 310 corresponding to the thread 306 of the through hole 304. The plug member 308 is adapted to the through hole 304 and is configured to be attached to the traction battery housing 40 to cover the through hole 304 in a sealed manner, which can be achieved, for example, by using a thread sealer or a sealing tape.

[0055] The plug member 308 defines a cavity 312 that includes an opening disposed at Figure 7 and 8 In the installed state shown in FIG. 4 , the cavity 312 faces the interior space 18 of the traction battery housing 40 , and the cavity 312 also includes a flat surface 314 at the top side of the cavity 312 .

[0056] The detection device 300 includes the FSR 22 having a sensitive area that is preferably circular in shape. The size of the flat surface 314 of the plug member 308, and more specifically the diameter of the flat surface 314, and the sensitive area of ​​the FSR 22 are adapted to each other.

[0057] exist Figure 8 In the installation state shown in Figure 8 is based on Figure 7 ), one of the flexible substrates 24 of the FSR 22 is in mechanical contact with a flat surface 314, which serves as a standoff and support for the FSR 22.

[0058] Since cavity 312 forms part of interior space 18, planar surface 314 of plug member 308 may be considered part of an inner wall of traction battery housing 40. In this sense, one of flexible substrates 24 of FSR 22 is arranged to contact part of the inner wall of traction battery housing 40.

[0059] The detection device 300 further comprises a fluid connection member 302 having two ends and designed as a through hole in a lateral surface of a plug member 308. In the mounted state, the plug member 308 protrudes from the traction battery housing 40 into the outer space 20 to allow the through hole in the lateral surface to establish a fluid connection between the exhaust outlet 28 of the FSR 22 and the outer space 20 of the traction battery housing 40.

[0060] In the event of a thermal runaway condition in an automotive traction battery, the gas pressure in the interior space 18 of the traction battery housing 40 increases. This pressure increase is exerted directly on the flexible substrate 24 of the FSR 22 that is not in mechanical contact with the flat surface 314 against the atmospheric pressure present in the exterior space 20 and provided to the space between the two flexible substrates 24 through the through holes in the lateral surface of the plug member 308. The pressure increase can be evaluated by monitoring the state of the resistance of the FSR 22.

[0061] While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments.

[0062] Other variations of the embodiments to be disclosed may be understood and implemented by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention by studying the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude the plural, which is intended to express a quantity of at least two. The fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

[0063] Reference Symbols List

[0064] 10 Traction battery housing

[0065] 12 Sidewall

[0066] 14 Cover

[0067] 16 Bottom Plate

[0068] 18. Interior Space

[0069] 20 External Space

[0070] 22 Force sensing resistor

[0071] 24 Flexible Substrate

[0072] 26 Spacer member

[0073] 28 Exhaust outlet

[0074] 30 Pressure equalization exhaust port

[0075] 40 Traction battery housing

[0076] 100 Detection Device

[0077] 102 Fluid connection components

[0078] 104 Flat Circular Chamber

[0079] 106 Back Wall

[0080] 108 Forearm

[0081] 110 outer edge

[0082] 200 Detection Device

[0083] 202 Fluid connection components

[0084] 300 Detection Device

[0085] 302 Fluid connection components

[0086] 304 Through Hole

[0087] 306 Thread

[0088] 308 plug member

[0089] 310 External thread

[0090] 312 cavity

[0091] 314 Flat Surface

Claims

1. A detection device (100; 200; 300) for detecting a thermal runaway condition in a rechargeable automotive traction battery, the rechargeable automotive traction battery comprising a closed traction battery housing (10; 40), the detection device (100; 200; 300) comprises a force sensing resistor (22), the force sensing resistor (22) comprising: - at least two flexible substrates (24) separated by a spacer member (26) and defining a force sensitive area; and - a ventilation duct connecting the exhaust outlet (28) of the force sensing resistor (22) and the space between the two substrates (24), wherein the exhaust outlet (28) is fluidly connectable to an exterior space (20) of the traction battery housing (10; 40) if the force sensing resistor (22) is located inside the traction battery housing (10; 40), and wherein at least one of the flexible substrates (24) is operably connectable to an interior space (18) of the traction battery housing (10; 40) if the force sensing resistor (22) is located outside the traction battery housing (10; 40).

2. The detection device (100; 200; 300) according to claim 1, further comprising a fluid connection member (102; 202; 302) having two ends, wherein: If the force sensing resistor (22) is located in the traction battery housing (10; 40), one of the ends is fluidly connected to the exhaust outlet (28) and the other of the ends is configured to fluidly connect the exhaust outlet (28) to the exterior space (20) of the traction battery housing (10; 40), or wherein, if the force sensing resistor (22) is located outside the traction battery housing (10; 40), one of the ends is fluidly connected to the interior space (18) of the traction battery housing (10; 40) and the other of the ends is fluidly connected to one of the flexible substrates (24) or to a chamber (104) having a flexible wall, the flexible wall being arranged adjacent to one of the flexible substrates (24).

3. The detection device (100; 200; 300) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ventilation duct is defined by the spacer member (26).

4. The detection device (300) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: One of the flexible substrates (24) of the force sensing resistor (22) is configured to be arrangeable in contact with a portion of an inner wall of the traction battery housing (40).

5. The detection device (100; 200; 300) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a pressure equalization vent (30) arranged in a fluid path between the ventilation duct and the external space (20) of the traction battery housing (10; 40).

6. A closed automotive traction battery housing (10; 40) defining an interior space (18) configured to accommodate at least a plurality of rechargeable electrochemical energy cells, the traction battery housing (10; 40) comprising a detection device (100; 200; 300) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein: If the force sensing resistor (22) is located in the traction battery housing (10; 40), the exhaust outlet (28) is fluidly connected to the external space (20) of the traction battery housing (10; 40), and wherein if the force sensing resistor (22) is located in the traction battery housing (10; 40), at least one of the flexible substrates (24) is operably connected to the interior space (18) of the traction battery housing (10; 40).

7. The closed automotive traction battery housing (10) according to claim 6, wherein: The fluid connection member (102; 202) comprises a pipe which is fixedly connected to the traction battery housing (10) in a sealed manner.

8. The enclosed automotive traction battery housing (40) of claim 6, further comprising a through hole (304) and a plug member (308) adapted to fit the through hole (304) and configured to be attached to the traction battery housing (40) to cover the through hole (304) in a sealed manner, wherein - the plug member (308) defines a cavity (312) comprising an opening facing the interior space (18) of the traction battery housing (40) in the installed state and further comprising a flat surface (314) on a top side of the cavity (312), - one of the flexible substrates (24) of the force sensing resistor (22) is in mechanical contact with the flat surface (314), and The plug member (308) protrudes from the traction battery housing (40) into the external space (20) to allow the fluid connection member (302) designed as a through hole in a lateral surface of the plug member (308) to establish a fluid connection between the exhaust gas outlet (28) and the external space (20) of the traction battery housing (40).

9. The traction battery housing (40) according to claim 8, wherein: The traction battery housing through hole (304) is provided with a thread (306), and the plug member (308) is cylindrical and has an external thread (310) corresponding to the thread (306) of the through hole (304).

10. The traction battery housing (40) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein: The sensitive area of ​​the force sensing resistor (22) has a circular shape that matches the size of the flat surface (314) of the plug member (308).

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