Battery module and method for suppressing battery expansion

Abstract

A battery module for suppressing battery expansion can interact with a charging device and includes: a battery cell, a conductive tag, a switch, and a controller. The battery cell includes a non-conductive shell, wherein the battery cell can be charged by a supply potential of the charging device. The conductive tag can be set on the non-conductive shell of the battery cell. The switch can be coupled between the battery cell and the conductive tag. The controller can detect a change in a resistance value of the conductive tag and generate a control potential accordingly. If the resistance value of the conductive tag increases, the supply potential will be adjusted according to the control potential. If the change in the resistance value of the conductive tag is greater than or equal to a predetermined ratio, the controller will turn on the switch so that the battery cell can be fully discharged through the conductive tag. The present invention also relates to a method for suppressing battery expansion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery module, and more particularly to a battery module capable of suppressing battery expansion. Background Art

[0002] Laptops or tablets usually require battery components. However, after long-term use, the battery may swell without warning and cause damage to the computer device. In view of this, a new solution must be proposed to overcome the difficulties faced by previous technologies. Summary of the invention

[0003] In a preferred embodiment, the present invention proposes a battery module that inhibits battery expansion, interacts with a charging device, and includes: a battery cell, including a non-conductive shell, wherein the battery cell is charged by a supply potential of the charging device; a conductive tag, disposed on the non-conductive shell of the battery cell; a switch, coupled between the battery cell and the conductive tag; and a controller, detecting a change in a resistance value of the conductive tag and generating a control potential accordingly; wherein if the resistance value of the conductive tag increases, the supply potential is adjusted according to the control potential; wherein if the change in the resistance value of the conductive tag is greater than or equal to a predetermined ratio, the controller turns on the switch so that the battery cell is fully discharged through the conductive tag.

[0004] In some embodiments, if the change in the resistance value of the conductive tag is smaller than the predetermined ratio, the switch will remain in an off state.

[0005] In some embodiments, the conductive label includes: a polyester plastic layer; an insulating adhesive layer; and a conductive layer between the polyester plastic layer and the insulating adhesive layer, wherein the insulating adhesive layer is adhered to the non-conductive shell of the battery cell.

[0006] In some embodiments, the battery module further includes: a resistor coupled in series with the conductive layer of the conductive tag to form a voltage divider circuit.

[0007] In some embodiments, the controller estimates the change in the resistance value of the conductive tag by detecting a voltage and a current of the voltage divider circuit.

[0008] In some embodiments, the controller is a gas gauge chip or an embedded controller (EC).

[0009] In some embodiments, whenever the resistance value of the conductive tag increases by 10%, the supply potential decreases by about 0.05V.

[0010] In some embodiments, if the change in the resistance value of the conductive tag is greater than or equal to the predetermined ratio, the supply potential is reduced to 0V.

[0011] In some embodiments, the predetermined ratio is approximately equal to +55%.

[0012] In another preferred embodiment, a method for inhibiting battery expansion includes the following steps: providing a battery cell, wherein the battery cell includes a non-conductive shell, and the battery cell is charged by a supply potential; setting a conductive label on the non-conductive shell of the battery cell; coupling a switch between the battery cell and the conductive label; detecting a change in a resistance value of the conductive label; if the resistance value of the conductive label increases, adjusting the supply potential; and if the change in the resistance value of the conductive label is greater than or equal to a predetermined ratio, turning on the switch so that the battery cell is completely discharged through the conductive label. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1A is a schematic diagram showing a battery module and a charging device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 1B FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a battery module and a charging device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 1C FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a battery module and a charging device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 2 FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 3A FIG. 4 is a top view of a conductive tag according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 3B FIG. 4 is a top view of a conductive tag according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 3C FIG. 4 is a top view of a conductive tag according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 4 The figure shows the relationship between the tension borne by the conductive tag and the change in resistance value according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 5A is an equivalent circuit diagram showing a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention

[0022] Figure 5BFIG. 4 is an equivalent circuit diagram of a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 6 is a flow chart showing a method for suppressing battery swelling according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] The reference numerals are described as follows:

[0025] 100, 101, 500, 700: battery module

[0026] 110: Battery Cell

[0027] 115: Non-conductive housing

[0028] 120: Conductive label

[0029] 124: Polyester plastic layer

[0030] 125: Insulation layer

[0031] 126: Conductive layer

[0032] 130: Resistor

[0033] 140: Switcher

[0034] 150: Controller

[0035] 160: Voltage divider circuit

[0036] 190: Charging device

[0037] 770: Discharge switch

[0038] 780: Charging switch

[0039] I1, I2: current

[0040] ND: Internal Node

[0041] NP: Receiving Node

[0042] PA: loop path

[0043] R0: initial resistance value

[0044] R1: The first resistance value

[0045] R2: Second resistance value

[0046] RD: Fixed resistor

[0047] RV: variable resistor

[0048] S610, S620, S630, S640, S650, S660, S670, S680: Steps

[0049] T1: First tension

[0050] T2: Second tension

[0051] V1, V2: voltage

[0052] VC: Controlled Potential

[0053] VP: Supply Potential

[0054] ΔR: Change in resistance value DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] In order to make the purpose, features and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, specific embodiments of the present invention are given below and described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0056] Certain words are used in the specification and claims to refer to specific components. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that hardware manufacturers may use different terms to refer to the same component. This specification and claims do not use differences in names as a way to distinguish components, but use differences in the functions of components as the criteria for distinction. The words "include" and "comprise" mentioned throughout the specification and claims are open-ended terms and should be interpreted as "include but not limited to". The word "substantially" means that within an acceptable error range, those skilled in the art can solve the technical problem and achieve the basic technical effect within a certain error range. In addition, the word "coupled" in this specification includes any direct and indirect electrical connection means. Therefore, if the text describes a first device coupled to a second device, it means that the first device can be directly electrically connected to the second device, or indirectly electrically connected to the second device via other devices or connection means.

[0057] The following disclosure provides many different embodiments or examples to implement the different features of the present invention. The following disclosure describes specific examples of various components and their arrangements to simplify the description. Of course, these specific examples are not intended to be limiting. For example, if the present disclosure describes a first feature formed on or above a second feature, it means that it may include an embodiment in which the first feature and the second feature are in direct contact, and may also include an embodiment in which an additional feature is formed between the first feature and the second feature, so that the first feature and the second feature may not be in direct contact. In addition, the different examples disclosed below may reuse the same reference symbols and / or marks. These repetitions are for the purpose of simplification and clarity, and are not intended to limit the specific relationship between the different embodiments and / or structures discussed.

[0058] In addition, spatially related terms such as "below," "below," "lower," "above," "higher," and similar terms are used to facilitate description of the relationship between one element or feature and another element or features in the diagram. In addition to the orientation shown in the drawings, these spatially related terms are intended to include different orientations of the device in use or operation. The device may be turned to different orientations (rotated 90 degrees or other orientations), and the spatially related terms used herein may be interpreted accordingly.

[0059] Figure 1A 1 is a schematic diagram showing a battery module (Electronic Device) 100 and a charging device (Charging System) 190 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The battery module 100 may be a mobile device (Mobile Device), such as a smart phone (Smart Phone), a tablet computer (Tablet Computer), or a notebook computer (Notebook Computer). Figure 1A As shown, the battery module 100 at least includes: a battery cell 110, a conductive label 120, a resistor 130, a switch element 140, and a controller 150. The charging device 190 is not part of the battery module 100, but its operation can be controlled by the battery module 100. It should be understood that although not shown in FIG. Figure 1A However, the battery module 100 may further include other components, such as: a display device, a speaker, a touch control module, and a housing.

[0060] The battery cell 110 includes a nonconductive housing 115, the shape and size of which are not particularly limited in the present invention. The conductive label 120 is disposed on the nonconductive housing 115. The charging device 190 can provide power to the battery cell 110. For example, the battery cell 110 can be charged by a supply voltage VP of the charging device 190.

[0061] Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a battery module 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2In the embodiment of the present invention, the conductive label 120 includes a polyester plastic (Polyethylene Terephthalate, PET) layer 124, an insulation glue (Insulation Glue) layer 125, and a conductive layer 126, wherein the conductive layer 126 is between the polyester plastic layer 124 and the insulation glue layer 125, and the insulation glue layer 125 is adhered to the non-conductive shell 115. For example, the safety specification data of the battery cell 110 can be printed on the polyester plastic layer 124. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In other embodiments, if the safety specification data of the battery cell 110 is printed on the non-conductive shell 115, the polyester plastic layer 124, the insulation glue layer 125, and the conductive layer 126 can all be implemented with transparent materials.

[0062] Please refer to Figure 1A , Figure 2 The resistor 130 may be coupled in series with the conductive layer 126 of the conductive tag 120 to form a voltage divider circuit 160. For example, the resistor 130 and the conductive layer 126 of the conductive tag 120 may both be coupled to an internal node ND, and the internal node ND may be between the resistor 130 and the conductive layer 126 of the conductive tag 120.

[0063] The switch 140 is coupled between the battery cell 110 and the conductive layer 126 of the conductive tag 120. For example, one end of the switch 140 can be coupled to a receiving node NP of the battery cell 110, and the other end of the switch 140 can be coupled to the conductive layer 126 of the conductive tag 120 and the internal node ND at the same time, wherein the receiving node NP can receive the supply potential VP from the charging device 190. The switch 140 can be selectively turned on (Closed) or off (Opened), and its switching state can be controlled by the controller 150.

[0064] The controller 150 may be a gas gauge chip or an embedded controller (EC), but is not limited thereto. The controller 150 may detect a change ΔR of a resistance value of the conductive tag 120 through the resistor 130, and generate a control potential VC corresponding to the change ΔR. In some embodiments, the controller 150 estimates the change ΔR of the resistance value of the conductive tag 120 by analyzing a voltage (Voltage Difference) V1 and a current (Current) I1 of the voltage divider circuit 160. For example, according to Ohm's Law, the controller 150 may calculate the total resistance value of the resistor 130 and the conductive tag 120 based on the voltage V1 and the current I1. Then, because the resistance value of the resistor 130 is known, the resistance value of the conductive tag 120 and its change ΔR can be accurately calculated by the controller 150.

[0065] Figure 1B FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a battery module 101 and a charging device 190 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1B and Figure 1A Similar. Figure 1B In the embodiment, the resistor 130 may be omitted, and the controller 150 may estimate the change ΔR of the resistance value of the conductive tag 120 by directly detecting and analyzing a voltage V2 and a current I2 of the conductive tag 120, and then generate the aforementioned control potential VC accordingly. Figure 1B The remaining features of the battery module 101 are the same as Figure 1A The battery module 100 is similar, so the two embodiments can achieve similar operating effects.

[0066] Figure 1C FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a battery module 700 and a charging device 190 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1C and 1B Figure is similar. Figure 1C In the embodiment of the present invention, the battery module 700 further includes a discharge switch 770 and a charge switch 780, wherein the receiving node NP of the battery cell 110 can receive the supply potential VP from the charging device 190 via the discharge switch 770 and the charge switch 780. The switching operations of the discharge switch 770 and the charge switch 780 can be controlled by the controller 150. For example, when the battery cell 110 is fully discharged, the controller 150 can turn off the discharge switch 770, and when the battery cell 110 is fully charged, the controller 150 can turn off the charge switch 780. Figure 1C The remaining features of the battery module 700 are the same as Figure 1B The battery module 101 is similar, so the two embodiments can achieve similar operating effects.

[0067] Figure 3A FIG. 1 is a top view of a conductive tag 120 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3A In the embodiment of FIG. 1 , the battery cell 110 has not yet expanded, so the conductive label 120 can maintain its original shape. At this time, the conductive layer 126 of the conductive label 120 has an initial resistance value R0.

[0068] Figure 3B FIG. 1 is a top view of a conductive tag 120 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3B In the embodiment of FIG. 1 , the battery cell 110 has slightly expanded, so both ends of the conductive label 120 thereon will be subjected to a first tension force T1 which is relatively small. At this time, the conductive label 120 will be stretched as a whole, wherein the conductive layer 126 of the conductive label 120 has a first resistance value R1.

[0069] Figure 3C FIG. 1 is a top view of a conductive tag 120 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3C In the embodiment of FIG. 1 , the battery cell 110 has been severely expanded, so both ends of the conductive label 120 thereon will bear a larger second tension T2. ​​At this time, the conductive label 120 as a whole will be further extended, wherein the conductive layer 126 of the conductive label 120 has a second resistance value R2.

[0070] Figure 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the tension borne by the conductive tag 120 according to an embodiment of the present invention and the change in resistance value ΔR. Figure 4 From the measurement results, it can be seen that if the tension on the conductive label 120 increases, the conductive label 120 will extend and become longer. According to the Law of Resistance, under the premise that the material of the conductive layer 126 remains unchanged, the resistance value of the conductive label 120 will be proportional to the length of the conductive label 120 (depending on the situation, it can be a linear or non-linear relationship). In other words, the expanded battery cell 110 will correspond to the extended conductive label 120, and the extended conductive label 120 will correspond to its own increased resistance value (that is, the change ΔR is a positive value). Please refer again Figure 3A , Figure 3B , Figure 3C In some embodiments, the first resistance value R1 is greater than the initial resistance value R0, and the second resistance value R2 is greater than the first resistance value R1. In some embodiments, the aforementioned change ΔR can be defined as a difference between the current resistance value of the conductive tag 120 and the initial resistance value R0 (for example: the current resistance value minus the initial resistance value R0), but is not limited thereto.

[0071] As described above, the controller 150 can detect the change ΔR of the resistance value of the conductive tag 120 and generate the control potential VC. If the resistance value of the conductive tag 120 increases, it means that the battery cell 110 may expand, so the supply potential VP of the charging device 190 will be adjusted (for example, remain the same or become lower) according to the control potential VC to extend the service life of the battery cell 110. In some embodiments, the relationship between the supply potential VP and the change ΔR can be described in Table 1 below.

[0072] stage Change ΔR Supply potential VP Initial stage 0%≤ΔR<+10% 4.4V Phase 1 +10%≤ΔR<+20% 4.35V Phase II +20%≤ΔR<+30% 4.3V Phase 3 +30%≤ΔR<+40% 4.25V Stage 4 +40%≤ΔR<+50% 4.2V Stage 5 +50%≤ΔR<+55% 4.15V

[0073] Table 1: Relationship between supply potential VP and change ΔR

[0074] According to Table 1, the supply potential VP can be set to 4.4V initially, and whenever the resistance value of the conductive tag 120 increases by 10%, the supply potential VP can decrease by about 0.05V. It should be understood that although Table 1 only divides six different stages, in other embodiments, the controller 150 can also divide into fewer or more stages according to different needs.

[0075] In addition, in order to protect the battery cell 110 from damage, the controller 150 can further compare the change ΔR of the resistance value of the conductive tag 120 with a predetermined ratio. This predetermined ratio can be regarded as a safety upper limit of the overall design. In some embodiments, the predetermined ratio is approximately equal to +55%. Once the change ΔR reaches the predetermined ratio, the safety protection mechanism of the battery cell 110 will be triggered, which will be as follows Figure 5A , Figure 5B The embodiments are discussed in detail in the examples.

[0076] Figure 5A 1 is an equivalent circuit diagram of a battery module 500 according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the resistor 130 can be simulated as a fixed resistor RD, and the conductive tag 120 can be simulated as a variable resistor RV (because its resistance value will change due to the expansion of the battery cell 110). Figure 5A In the embodiment of FIG. 1 , the change ΔR of the resistance value of the conductive tag 120 is smaller than the predetermined ratio. At this time, the safety protection mechanism has not been triggered, so the switch 140 is maintained in the disconnected state.

[0077] Figure 5B FIG. 5 is an equivalent circuit diagram of a battery module 500 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5BIn the embodiment, the change ΔR of the resistance value of the conductive tag 120 is greater than or equal to the predetermined ratio, and the safety protection mechanism will be triggered. Therefore, the switch 140 will be turned on by the controller 150, so that the battery cell 110 can be fully discharged through the conductive tag 120 (as shown by a loop path PA in the figure). On the other hand, the controller 150 can also control the charging device 190 to reduce the supply potential VP to 0V. That is, if the battery cell 110 is severely expanded and the change ΔR of the resistance value of the conductive tag 120 is too high, the safety protection mechanism and the design of full discharge can prevent the battery cell 110 from accidentally catching fire and burning.

[0078] In other embodiments, the battery module 100 may include two or more conductive tags 120, which are all disposed on the non-conductive housing 115 of the battery cell 110 and are all coupled to the resistor 130. The controller 150 may detect and calculate an average value of the variation of the resistance values ​​of all conductive tags 120, and this average value may be used to replace the aforementioned variation ΔR. This judgment procedure using the average value of the variation may reduce the probability of the controller 150 making a misjudgment.

[0079] Figure 6 is a flow chart showing a method for inhibiting battery expansion according to an embodiment of the present invention. In step S610, a battery cell is provided, wherein the battery cell includes a non-conductive shell, and the battery cell is charged by a supply potential. In step S620, a conductive label is set on the non-conductive shell of the battery cell. In step S630, a switch is coupled between the battery cell and the conductive label. In step S640, a change in a resistance value of the conductive label is detected. In step S650, it is determined whether the change in the resistance value of the conductive label is greater than or equal to a predetermined ratio. If so, in step S660, the switch is turned on so that the battery cell is completely discharged through the conductive label. If not, in step S670, it is determined whether the resistance value of the conductive label increases (or whether the change is greater than 0). If not, the program will return to step S640. If so, in step S680, the supply potential is adjusted accordingly (for example, reduced or maintained). It must be understood that the above steps do not need to be performed in sequence, but Figure 1A-Figure 5B Each feature of the embodiment of the present invention can be applied to Figure 6 among the methods.

[0080] The present invention provides a novel battery module and method, which can effectively suppress the non-ideal expansion of the battery core. Generally speaking, the present invention has at least the advantages of improving safety, reducing manufacturing costs, and extending battery life, so it is very suitable for application in various mobile communication devices.

[0081] It is worth noting that the above-mentioned component parameters are not limiting conditions of the present invention. Designers can adjust these setting values ​​according to different needs. The battery module and method of the present invention are not limited to Figure 1A-Figure 6 The present invention may only include Figure 1A-Figure 6 In other words, not all the features shown in the figures need to be implemented in the battery module and method of the present invention at the same time.

[0082] The method of the present invention, or a specific form or part thereof, may exist in the form of program code. The program code may be contained in a physical medium, such as a floppy disk, an optical disk, a hard disk, or any other machine-readable (such as computer-readable) storage medium, or a computer program product not limited to an external form, wherein when the program code is loaded and executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machine becomes a device for participating in the present invention. The program code may also be transmitted through some transmission media, such as wires or cables, optical fibers, or any transmission mode, wherein when the program code is received, loaded and executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machine becomes a device for participating in the present invention. When implemented on a general-purpose processing unit, the program code combines with the processing unit to provide a unique device that operates similarly to an application-specific logic circuit.

[0083] In the present specification and claims, ordinal numbers, such as "first", "second", "third", etc., have no sequential relationship with each other, and are only used to distinguish two different components with the same name.

[0084] Although the present invention is disclosed as above in terms of preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Anyone skilled in the art may make some changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A battery module for suppressing battery expansion, interacting with a charging device, and comprising: a battery cell comprising a non-conductive housing, wherein the battery cell is charged by a supply potential of the charging device; a conductive label disposed on the non-conductive shell of the battery cell; a switch coupled between the battery cell and the conductive label; as well as a controller for detecting a change in a resistance value of the conductive tag and generating a control potential accordingly; If the resistance value of the conductive tag increases, the supply potential is adjusted according to the control potential; If the change in the resistance value of the conductive tag is greater than or equal to a predetermined ratio, the controller will turn on the switch so that the battery cell is fully discharged through the conductive tag; The resistance value of the conductive tag changes in response to the expansion of the non-conductive housing.

2. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: If the change in the resistance value of the conductive tag is smaller than the predetermined ratio, the switch will remain in the disconnected state.

3. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: The conductive tag includes: a polyester plastic layer; an insulating adhesive layer; and A conductive layer is disposed between the polyester plastic layer and the insulating adhesive layer, wherein the insulating adhesive layer is adhered to the non-conductive shell of the battery core.

4. The battery module according to claim 1, further comprising: A resistor is coupled in series with the conductive layer of the conductive tag to form a voltage divider circuit.

5. The battery module according to claim 2, wherein: The controller estimates the change in the resistance value of the conductive tag by detecting a voltage and a current of the voltage divider circuit.

6. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: The controller is a battery monitoring chip or an embedded controller.

7. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: Whenever the resistance value of the conductive tag increases by 10%, the supply potential decreases by approximately 0.05V.

8. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: If the change in the resistance value of the conductive tag is greater than or equal to the predetermined ratio, the supply potential is reduced to 0V.

9. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: The established ratio is approximately equal to +55%.

10. A method for inhibiting battery expansion, comprising the following steps: Providing a battery cell, wherein the battery cell comprises a non-conductive housing, and the battery cell is charged by a supply potential; Disposing a conductive label on the non-conductive casing of the battery cell; coupling a switch between the battery cell and the conductive tag; Detecting a change in a resistance value of the conductive tag; If the resistance value of the conductive tag increases, adjusting the supply potential; as well as If the change in the resistance value of the conductive tag is greater than or equal to a predetermined ratio, the switch is turned on so that the battery cell is fully discharged through the conductive tag; The resistance value of the conductive tag changes in response to the expansion of the non-conductive housing.

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