Sensor, battery pack and electric device

Abstract

The utility model provides a sensor, a battery pack and an electric device. The sensor comprises a flexible substrate, a conductive layer, a flexible lining layer and an output electrode, the flexible lining layer is arranged on the flexible substrate, the conductive layer covers the surface of the flexible lining layer, and the output electrode is electrically connected with the conductive layer; the flexible substrate is provided with micropores communicating the upper surface and the lower surface of the flexible substrate. The flexible lining layer comprises a plurality of micro protrusions which abut against one another, and the conductive layer is arranged on the surfaces of the micro protrusions in a covering mode. The sensor provided by the utility model can improve the use quality of the battery pack.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of sensors, and in particular to a sensor, a battery pack equipped with the sensor, and an electrical device equipped with the battery pack. Background Art

[0002] With the rapid development of battery pack technology, the safety and reliability of battery pack systems have become a focus of attention both within and outside the industry. The unpredictability of the location and cause of battery pack failure poses significant challenges to the design and optimization of battery pack management systems.

[0003] Traditionally, non-flexible sensors have been used to monitor battery status and prevent potential safety risks. However, since battery surfaces often exhibit irregular shapes, including bumps, depressions, and curves, non-flexible sensors struggle to adhere fully and tightly, compromising the accuracy and integrity of monitoring data.

[0004] To this end, the industry typically increases the number of sensors to improve monitoring coverage. By placing multiple sensors in different locations within the battery pack, the goal is to achieve comprehensive monitoring of the battery pack's overall status. However, the placement of multiple sensors takes up valuable battery interspace, posing a challenge to the compact design and space utilization of the battery pack. Furthermore, the presence of sensors can adversely affect the battery pack's thermal management, especially when the sensors are attached to the surface of the battery cells, hindering proper heat dissipation and hindering the battery pack's performance. Utility Model Content

[0005] In view of this, the present invention aims to provide a sensor to improve the performance of a battery pack.

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the technical solution of the utility model is achieved as follows:

[0007] A sensor for detecting the expansion force of a battery cell, comprising a flexible substrate, a conductive layer, a flexible lining, and an output electrode, wherein the flexible lining is provided on the flexible substrate, the conductive layer is covered on the surface of the flexible lining, and the output electrode is electrically connected to the conductive layer;

[0008] The flexible substrate is provided with micropores communicating with the upper surface and the lower surface of the flexible substrate;

[0009] The flexible lining layer includes a plurality of micro protrusions abutting against each other, and the conductive layer is covered on the surface of the micro protrusions.

[0010] Furthermore, the flexible substrate is a woven layer.

[0011] Furthermore, the braided layer is any one of a polyurethane braided layer, an Ecoflex braided layer, a polydimethylsiloxane braided layer or a polyester braided layer.

[0012] Furthermore, the flexible substrate is in a shape of a cross or a rectangle.

[0013] Furthermore, the flexible lining is a polymer layer.

[0014] Furthermore, the polymer layer is any one of a polystyrene microsphere layer, a silicon dioxide spherical polymer layer or a titanium dioxide spherical polymer layer.

[0015] Furthermore, the conductive layer is a layered structure made of MXene material.

[0016] Furthermore, the output electrode is a copper wire, one end of the copper wire is electrically connected to the conductive layer, and the other end of the copper wire is electrically connected to an external device to output a signal.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages:

[0018] The sensor described in the present invention, through the provision of a flexible substrate, is convenient for adapting to changes in the surface shape of the battery cell, and is beneficial for keeping the detection surface of the sensor attached to the surface of the battery cell when the battery cell expands. The provision of micropores on the flexible substrate has good air permeability, which is beneficial for the heat dissipation of the battery cell. Moreover, through the provision of a flexible lining layer, the conductive layer can be supported as a three-dimensional structure, realizing point-to-point sensing, which is beneficial for monitoring the surface of the battery cell. The structure is simple and is conducive to design and implementation.

[0019] In addition, the flexible substrate is a braided layer, which facilitates the formation of micropores, better ensures the heat dissipation of the battery cell, and facilitates design implementation. The braided layer is any one of a polyurethane braided layer, an Ecoflex braided layer, a polydimethylsiloxane braided layer, or a polyester braided layer, which facilitates processing and manufacturing, and facilitates design implementation. The flexible substrate is shaped like a cross, which allows the sensor to be attached to the corresponding detection position according to the detection requirements, which is convenient for saving materials and costs. The flexible substrate is shaped like a rectangle, which facilitates comprehensive detection of the battery cell surface, covers a large detection area, and facilitates design implementation.

[0020] Furthermore, the flexible lining is a polymer layer, which facilitates conductivity of the conductive layer and facilitates the placement of the conductive layer on the flexible lining, facilitating design and implementation. The polymer layer is made of any of polystyrene microspheres, silica spherical polymer layers, or titanium dioxide spherical polymer layers, facilitating processing and manufacturing, and facilitating design and implementation. The conductive layer is made of MXene material, which has excellent conductivity and can further improve the accuracy of detection results, facilitating design and implementation. The output electrode is made of copper wire, which is also easy to process and manufacture, facilitating design and implementation.

[0021] The present invention also provides a battery pack, wherein the sensor as described above is provided in the battery pack. The present invention also provides an electrical device, wherein the battery pack as described above is provided in the electrical device.

[0022] The battery pack and the electrical device described in the present invention have the same beneficial effects as the sensor described above compared to the prior art, so they will not be described in detail here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The accompanying drawings, which constitute part of the present invention, are intended to provide a further understanding of the present invention. The exemplary embodiments of the present invention and their descriptions are intended to explain the present invention and do not constitute an improper limitation of the present invention. In the accompanying drawings:

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of the sensor according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0025] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the sensor according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0026] Description of reference numerals:

[0027] 1. Flexible substrate;

[0028] 101, micropore;

[0029] 2. Conductive layer;

[0030] 3. Flexible lining;

[0031] 301. Micro-protrusions. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the embodiments of the present invention and the features therein can be combined with each other.

[0033] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that if terms such as "upper," "lower," "inner," and "outer" appear to indicate orientation or positional relationships, these are based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are intended solely to facilitate the description of this utility model and simplify the description. They do not indicate or imply that the device or component referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed, or operate in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model. Furthermore, if terms such as "first" and "second" appear, they are used solely for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0034] Furthermore, in the description of this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly defined, the terms "mounted," "connected," "connection," and "connector" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to fixed, removable, or integral connections; mechanical or electrical connections; direct or indirect connections through an intermediary; and internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of these terms in this utility model based on specific circumstances.

[0035] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and in combination with embodiments.

[0036] Example 1

[0037] This embodiment relates to a sensor, which aims to improve the performance of a battery pack by optimizing the structure of the sensor.

[0038] In terms of overall structure, as shown in the figure, the sensor in this embodiment is used to detect the expansion force of the battery cell, and includes a flexible substrate 1, a conductive layer 2, a flexible lining 3 and an output electrode. The flexible lining 3 is arranged on the flexible substrate 1, and the conductive layer 2 is covered on the surface of the flexible lining 3. The output electrode is electrically connected to the conductive layer 2. The flexible substrate 1 is provided with micropores 101 connecting the upper surface and the lower surface of the flexible substrate 1. The flexible lining 3 includes a plurality of micro protrusions 301 abutting each other, and the conductive layer 2 is covered on the surface of the micro protrusions 301.

[0039] As configured above, the sensor in this embodiment, through the provision of the flexible substrate 1, is convenient for adapting to changes in the shape of the surface of the battery cell, and is beneficial for keeping the detection surface of the sensor attached to the surface of the battery cell when the battery cell expands. Through the provision of the micropores 101 on the flexible substrate 1, it has good air permeability, which is beneficial for the heat dissipation of the battery cell, and through the provision of the flexible lining 3, the conductive layer 2 can be supported as a three-dimensional structure to achieve point-to-point sensing, which is beneficial for monitoring the surface of the battery cell. The structure is simple and is conducive to design and implementation.

[0040] Specifically, in this embodiment, as an exemplary structure, the flexible substrate 1 in this embodiment is a woven layer, which makes the flexible substrate 1 a woven layer, which is conducive to the formation of micropores 101, better ensures the heat dissipation of the battery cell, and is conducive to design implementation.

[0041] In more detail, the braided layer in this embodiment can be, for example, any one of a polyurethane braided layer, an Ecoflex braided layer, a polydimethylsiloxane braided layer or a polyester braided layer, so that the braided layer is any one of a polyurethane braided layer, an Ecoflex braided layer, a polydimethylsiloxane braided layer or a polyester braided layer, which is convenient for processing and manufacturing and conducive to design implementation.

[0042] In addition, when the braided layer in this embodiment is processed and manufactured, the shape of the flexible substrate 1 can be, for example, a 'M' shape or a rectangle. The 'M' shape of the flexible substrate 1 allows the sensor to be attached to the corresponding detection position according to the detection requirements, which is convenient for saving materials and facilitating cost savings. The rectangular shape of the flexible substrate 1 facilitates comprehensive detection of the battery cell surface, and the detection surface has a large coverage range, which is conducive to design implementation. In addition, the thickness of the braided layer can be, for example, 20μm-100μm, and it is only necessary to control the processing thickness during electrostatic braiding. The thin thickness of the braided layer allows the braided layer to be arranged between the battery cells without taking up too much space between the battery cells, which helps to arrange the battery cells tightly and facilitates design implementation.

[0043] The flexible lining 3 in this embodiment can support the conductive layer 2 into a three-dimensional structure. Specifically, the flexible lining 3 in this embodiment is a polymer layer, which makes the flexible lining 3 a polymer layer, convenient for the conduction of the conductive layer, and convenient for the covering setting of the conductive layer on the flexible lining 3, which is beneficial to the design implementation.

[0044] In more detail, the polymer layer in this embodiment can be, for example, any one of a polystyrene microsphere layer, a silica spherical polymer layer or a titanium dioxide spherical polymer layer, so that the polymer layer is any one of a polystyrene microsphere layer, a silica spherical polymer layer or a titanium dioxide spherical polymer layer, which is convenient for processing and manufacturing and facilitates design implementation.

[0045] The conductive layer 2 in this embodiment can change the resistance of the conductive layer 2 according to the change of pressure, thereby being able to be used to sense the change of the expansion force of the expansion of the battery cell. Specifically, the conductive layer 2 in this embodiment can be made of MXene material, for example. It is worth mentioning that the MXene material in this embodiment is a type of two-dimensional material with a layered structure, generally composed of transition metal carbides, nitrides or carbonitrides. The conductive layer 2 is made of MXene material, which has good electrical conductivity, can better improve the accuracy of the detection results, and is conducive to design implementation. Of course, other conductive materials in the prior art that can cover the surface of the flexible liner 3 in this embodiment can also achieve the effect of this embodiment.

[0046] The output electrode in this embodiment can be connected to an external device, such as a BMS (battery management system) board to transmit electrical signals. Specifically, the output electrode in this embodiment can be, for example, a copper wire, one end of the copper wire is electrically connected to the conductive layer 2, and the other end of the copper wire is electrically connected to the BMS board to output the electrical signal, so that the output electrode is a copper wire, which is convenient for processing and manufacturing and facilitates design implementation.

[0047] It is worth mentioning that the sensor in this embodiment can be encapsulated in the shell of the battery module due to its own thin structural design. It only needs to reserve a channel for connecting the copper wire to the BMS, which is conducive to the compact design of the battery module and helps to improve the quality of the battery pack.

[0048] The sensor of this embodiment can support the conductive layer 2 into a three-dimensional structure by providing a flexible lining 3. By adopting a microsphere layer or a spherical polymer layer, point-to-point monitoring can be achieved on the surface of the battery cell, which is beneficial to improving the accuracy of monitoring the expansion force of the battery cell. In addition, the sensor in this embodiment has good environmental stability due to its own structural composition and can be closely attached to the surface of the battery cell, which is beneficial to real-time monitoring of changes in the expansion force of the battery cell, thereby improving the use quality of the battery pack.

[0049] Example 2

[0050] This embodiment relates to a battery pack. The battery pack in this embodiment is provided with the sensor in the first embodiment.

[0051] The battery pack in this embodiment can realize point-to-point monitoring on the surface of the battery cell through the setting of the sensor in Example 1, which is beneficial to improving the accuracy of monitoring the expansion force of the battery cell. The structure of the sensor itself has good environmental stability, can be closely attached to the surface of the battery cell, and can more accurately sense the changes in the expansion force of the battery cell, thereby improving the accuracy of battery pack monitoring and helping to improve the quality of battery pack use.

[0052] Example 3

[0053] This embodiment relates to an electrical device, in which the battery pack of the second embodiment is provided.

[0054] The battery pack in this embodiment is configured with the battery pack in the second embodiment, so that the safety and quality of the battery pack can be improved, thereby improving the safety and quality of the electrical device.

[0055] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A sensor for detecting the expansion force of a battery cell, characterized in that: It includes a flexible substrate, a conductive layer, a flexible lining layer and an output electrode, wherein the flexible lining layer is provided on the flexible substrate, the conductive layer is covered on the surface of the flexible lining layer, and the output electrode is electrically connected to the conductive layer; The flexible substrate is provided with micropores communicating with the upper surface and the lower surface of the flexible substrate; The flexible lining layer includes a plurality of micro protrusions abutting against each other, and the conductive layer is covered on the surface of the micro protrusions.

2. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein: The flexible substrate is a woven layer.

3. The sensor according to claim 2, characterized in that: The braided layer is any one of a polyurethane braided layer, an Ecoflex braided layer, a polydimethylsiloxane braided layer or a polyester braided layer.

4. The sensor according to claim 2, characterized in that: The flexible substrate is in a shape of a cross or a rectangle.

5. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein: The flexible lining is a polymer layer.

6. The sensor according to claim 5, characterized in that: The polymer layer is any one of a polystyrene microsphere layer, a silicon dioxide spherical polymer layer or a titanium dioxide spherical polymer layer.

7. The sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The conductive layer is a layered structure made of MXene material.

8. The sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The output electrode is a copper wire, one end of the copper wire is electrically connected to the conductive layer, and the other end of the copper wire is electrically connected to an external device to output a signal.

9. A battery pack, characterized in that: The battery pack is provided with a sensor as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. An electrical device, characterized in that: The electrical device is provided with the battery pack as claimed in claim 9.

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