Temperature sensor, information acquisition device and battery

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the technical field of batteries, and discloses a temperature sensor, an information acquisition device and a battery, the temperature sensor comprises an NTC thermistor and a protective sleeve, the NTC thermistor comprises an insulating base layer, a thermistor main body, an electrode pin and a reinforcing layer, the insulating base layer is provided with the thermistor main body and the electrode pin which are connected with each other, and the thermistor main body and the electrode pin are connected with each other. A reinforcing layer is arranged on the side, away from the electrode pins, of the insulating base layer, and the NTC thermistor is partially arranged in the protective sleeve. According to the temperature sensor provided by the utility model, through the arrangement of the reinforcing layer, the compression resistance and tensile strength of the electrode pins can be effectively enhanced, the supporting strength of the electrode pins when the electrode pins are plugged with an external structure under the action of external force is ensured, and the installation stability of the temperature sensor and the external structure is improved; the NTC thermistor is protected by the protective sleeve, so that the influence of the external environment on the performance of the thermistor main body is reduced, and the stability and reliability of the NTC thermistor can be effectively enhanced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of battery technology, and in particular to a temperature sensor, an information acquisition device, and a battery. Background Technology

[0002] Information acquisition from inside a battery typically employs an external component design. This means the data acquisition device is located outside the battery, with its acquisition end extending through the battery's insulating cover into the battery's interior to collect data. Currently, the data acquisition device includes a housing, circuit board, wireless transmitter, and temperature sensor. The circuit board is located inside the housing and houses the wireless transmitter. The temperature sensor is located outside the housing and extends into the battery to detect internal information. The temperature sensor usually consists of a substrate and an NTC thermistor (NTC stands for Negative Temperature Coefficient) mounted on the substrate. The NTC thermistor's leads pass through the housing and connect to the circuit board for data transmission. However, due to the limitations of the battery's internal structure, the temperature sensor is relatively thin. When the NTC thermistor's leads are inserted into the circuit board, the substrate's support strength is insufficient, easily causing both the substrate and the leads to bend simultaneously, affecting the installation quality of the temperature sensor. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a temperature sensor, an information acquisition device, and a battery, which have a simple structure and high electrode pin support strength and stable connection of the NTC thermistor.

[0004] To achieve this objective, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0005] In a first aspect, a temperature sensor is provided, including an NTC thermistor and a protective sleeve. The NTC thermistor includes an insulating base layer, a thermistor body, electrode leads, and a reinforcing layer. The thermistor body and the electrode leads are disposed on one side of the insulating base layer arranged along a first direction, and the electrode leads are connected to the thermistor body. The reinforcing layer is disposed on the other side of the insulating base layer arranged along the first direction, and the projection of the reinforcing layer along the first direction at least covers the electrode leads. The NTC thermistor is partially disposed inside the protective sleeve, and one end of the NTC thermistor having the electrode leads extends outside the protective sleeve.

[0006] As a preferred embodiment of the temperature sensor, the NTC thermistor includes two electrode pins, which are spaced apart along a second direction. The temperature sensor also includes an insulating baffle disposed between the two electrode pins, and the lengths of both the electrode pins and the insulating baffle extend along a third direction, wherein the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction are perpendicular to each other.

[0007] As a preferred embodiment of the temperature sensor, the side of the insulating barrier away from the insulating base layer along the first direction is aligned with the side of the electrode pin away from the insulating base layer, and the two electrode pins respectively abut against the two sides of the insulating barrier along the second direction.

[0008] As a preferred embodiment of the temperature sensor, the insulating stop is a blocking portion, which protrudes from the insulating base layer; or...

[0009] The insulating base layer is recessed with a positioning groove, and the insulating stop is inserted into the positioning groove.

[0010] As a preferred embodiment of the temperature sensor, the dimension D of the electrode pin along the first direction satisfies: 0.25mm≤D≤0.3mm.

[0011] As a preferred embodiment of the temperature sensor, the electrode pins include copper conductors with a nickel layer plated on their surface.

[0012] As a preferred embodiment of the temperature sensor, the thermistor body is sputtered onto the insulating substrate in a serpentine pattern.

[0013] As a preferred embodiment of the temperature sensor, the protective sleeve comprises a polypropylene protective sleeve; and / or,

[0014] The insulating base layer includes a polyimide substrate.

[0015] In a second aspect, an information acquisition device is provided, including a housing, a circuit board, and a temperature sensor as described above. The housing has a receiving cavity, and the circuit board is sealed within the receiving cavity. A through hole is provided on the housing. One end of the NTC thermistor of the temperature sensor, which has electrode pins, is inserted into the circuit board, and the other end extends through the through hole to the outside of the housing. At least part of the protective sleeve of the temperature sensor is located outside the housing and blocks the through hole. The end of the NTC thermistor away from the circuit board is located inside the protective sleeve.

[0016] The protective sleeve is thermally fused to the wall of the through hole; or, the housing extends outward toward the receiving cavity to form the protective sleeve.

[0017] Thirdly, a battery is provided, including a battery casing, a battery cell, and an information acquisition device as described above. The battery casing has an installation cavity, the battery cell is disposed in the installation cavity, the information acquisition device is disposed on the cavity wall of the installation cavity, and the temperature sensor of the information acquisition device is attached to the battery cell.

[0018] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: By setting the reinforcing layer, the compressive and tensile strength of one end of the NTC thermistor electrode pin can be effectively enhanced, ensuring the support strength of the electrode pin when it is inserted into the external structure under the action of external force, and improving the installation stability of the temperature sensor and the external structure; by protecting the NTC thermistor with the protective sleeve, the influence of the external environment on the performance of the thermistor body is reduced, which can effectively enhance the stability and reliability of the NTC thermistor. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the temperature sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 ;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the temperature sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 ;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the information collection device according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0023] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the information collection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] In the picture:

[0025] 1. NTC thermistor; 11. Insulating base layer; 12. Thermistor body; 13. Electrode leads; 14. Reinforcing layer; 2. Protective sleeve; 3. Insulating baffle; 4. Housing; 41. Receiving cavity; 5. Circuit board. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the present invention and not intended to limit it. Furthermore, it should be noted that, for ease of description, the accompanying drawings show only the parts relevant to the present invention, not the entire structure.

[0027] In the description of this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected," "linked," and "fixed" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.

[0028] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0029] In the description of this embodiment, the terms "upper," "lower," "right," etc., refer to the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for ease of description and simplification of operation, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for distinction in description and have no special meaning.

[0030] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the temperature sensor of this utility model embodiment includes an NTC thermistor 1 and a protective sleeve 2. The NTC thermistor 1 includes an insulating base layer 11, a thermistor body 12, electrode pins 13, and a reinforcing layer 14. The thermistor body 12 and electrode pins 13 are disposed on one side of the insulating base layer 11 arranged along a first direction (the first direction is the X direction shown in the figure). The electrode pins 13 are connected to the thermistor body 12. The reinforcing layer 14 is disposed on the other side of the insulating base layer 11 arranged along the first direction, and the projection of the reinforcing layer 14 along the first direction at least covers the electrode pins 13. The NTC thermistor 1 is partially disposed inside the protective sleeve 2, and the end of the NTC thermistor 1 with the electrode pins 13 extends to the outside of the protective sleeve 2.

[0031] It is understandable that by setting the reinforcing layer 14, the compressive and tensile strength of one end of the electrode pin 13 of the NTC thermistor 1 can be effectively strengthened, ensuring the support strength of the electrode pin 13 when it is plugged into the external structure under the action of external force, and improving the installation stability of the temperature sensor and the external structure; by protecting the NTC thermistor 1 with the protective sleeve 2, the influence of the external environment on the performance of the thermistor body 12 can be reduced, and the stability and reliability of the NTC thermistor 1 can be effectively enhanced.

[0032] It is worth noting that in this embodiment, the thermistor body 12 and the electrode pins 13 are arranged along a third direction (the third direction is the X direction shown in the figure). The length of the electrode pins 13 extends along the third direction. The size of the reinforcing layer 14 along the first direction is consistent with the size of the electrode pins 13 along the third direction, so as to ensure that the reinforcing layer 14 can strengthen the overall electrode pins 13, and does not affect the thickness of the NTC thermistor 1 at one end of the thermistor body 12, resulting in a compact structure.

[0033] Furthermore, such as Figure 2 As shown, the NTC thermistor 1 includes two electrode pins 13, which are spaced apart along a second direction (the second direction is the Y direction shown in the figure). The temperature sensor also includes an insulating baffle 3, which is disposed between the two electrode pins 13. The lengths of both the electrode pins 13 and the insulating baffle 3 extend along a third direction, wherein the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction are perpendicular to each other. By providing the insulating baffle 3 between the two electrode pins 13, short circuits or poor electrical contact between the two electrode pins 13 can be avoided, thus improving the safety and lifespan of the temperature sensor.

[0034] Furthermore, the dimension of the insulating baffle 3 along the first direction is the same as the dimension of the electrode pin 13 along the first direction, that is, the thickness of the insulating baffle 3 is the same as the thickness of the electrode pin 13, and the two electrode pins 13 respectively abut against the two sides of the insulating baffle 3 along the second direction. In other words, there is no gap between the insulating baffle 3 and the electrode pin 13 on both sides along the first direction and on the side away from the insulating base layer 11 along the third direction, so as to facilitate the protective sleeve 2 to cover the electrode pin 13 and the insulating baffle 3, and avoid the presence of air bubbles in the gap. Moreover, the abutment between the electrode pin 13 and the insulating baffle 3 can also improve the installation structure strength of the electrode pin 13 and the positioning accuracy of the electrode pin 13.

[0035] Optionally, the insulating stop 3 is a stop portion, with the stop portion protruding from the insulating base layer 11. That is, the insulating base layer 11 and the insulating stop 3 are integrally injection molded structures, resulting in high connection strength. In addition to being an integrally molded structure, the insulating base layer 11 and the insulating stop 3 can also have a positioning groove recessed in the insulating base layer 11. The insulating stop 3 is inserted into the positioning groove to achieve connection. Disassembling and assembling the two parts facilitates production, and the positioning groove helps improve the installation accuracy of the insulating stop 3.

[0036] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, the dimension D (i.e., the thickness of the electrode pin 13) along the first direction satisfies: 0.25mm ≤ D ≤ 0.3mm. For example, the thickness D of the electrode pin 13 can be 0.25mm, 0.26mm, 0.27mm, 0.28mm, 0.29mm, 0.3mm, etc. If the electrode pin 13 is too thick, it can easily increase the size of the temperature sensor and affect its thermal response capability, impacting the structural layout of the battery's internal space. If the electrode pin 13 is too thin, it is prone to breakage, leading to poor contact or potentially causing an excessively rapid thermal response, affecting signal accuracy. This design provides a moderate thickness, enabling the electrode pin 13 to provide stable electrical contact, ensuring the reliability of current and signal transmission, and also helping to balance response speed and accuracy, guaranteeing the sensitivity and stability of the temperature sensor to temperature changes, and avoiding overheating or excessively rapid thermal conduction effects.

[0037] Furthermore, the electrode pin 13 includes a copper conductor with a nickel layer plated on its surface. Copper has excellent conductivity, ensuring stable and accurate signal transmission from the temperature sensor. Nickel is chemically inert, while copper readily reacts with oxygen in air to form copper oxide, affecting conductivity. By plating nickel on the copper surface, oxidation can be effectively prevented, extending the lifespan of the electrode pin 13. Even further, the thermistor body 12 is sputtered onto the insulating base layer 11 in a serpentine pattern. Sputtering makes the thermistor distribution more uniform, and the serpentine pattern provides a larger detection surface, resulting in a smoother contact with the battery cell. This avoids lithium plating that can easily occur when local bumps contact the battery cell, leading to high surface detection accuracy.

[0038] Optionally, the protective sleeve 2 includes a polypropylene protective sleeve. Polypropylene material has strong corrosion resistance to various chemicals, effectively preventing the temperature sensor from being corroded by acids, alkalis, and other chemicals in the electrolyte, ensuring long-term stable operation of the temperature sensor. Furthermore, polypropylene has good high-temperature resistance, remaining stable within a certain temperature range and not deforming or degrading due to changes in ambient temperature. Of course, polypropylene is also a good electrical insulator, helping to prevent electromagnetic interference from the battery cell to the conductive parts of the temperature sensor, ensuring the measurement accuracy and stability of the temperature sensor.

[0039] Furthermore, the insulating base layer 11 includes a polyimide substrate. First, polyimide is an excellent electrical insulator material, effectively isolating the NTC thermistor 1 from other circuits, preventing electrical interference or short circuits, thereby improving the measurement accuracy and safety of the temperature sensor. Second, polyimide material has high mechanical strength and toughness, maintaining good stability under physical pressure or impact, reducing the risk of substrate deformation or damage. Finally, polyimide has very high thermal stability; using a polyimide substrate helps ensure the long-term stability and reliability of the temperature sensor under high-temperature conditions.

[0040] The existing information acquisition device has a connection hole on its housing for the temperature sensor to pass through. The temperature sensor is then connected to the housing by adhesive to seal the gap between the connection hole wall and the temperature sensor. This works fine under normal pressure. However, in negative pressure environments or under high pressure environments with thermal expansion, the electrolyte can easily enter the housing of the information acquisition device through the gap between the temperature sensor and the connection hole wall, thereby damaging the electronic components inside the information acquisition device.

[0041] Currently, embodiments of this utility model also provide an information collection device, such as... Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the information acquisition device includes a housing 4, a circuit board 5, and a temperature sensor as described above. The housing 4 has a receiving cavity 41, and the circuit board 5 is sealed within the receiving cavity 41. A through-hole is formed on the housing 4. One end of the NTC thermistor 1 of the temperature sensor, with electrode leads 13, is inserted into the circuit board 5, and the other end extends through the through-hole to the outside of the housing 4. A protective sleeve 2 of the temperature sensor is at least partially located outside the housing 4 and blocks the through-hole. The end of the NTC thermistor 1 away from the circuit board 5 is located inside the protective sleeve 2. The protective sleeve 2 is thermally fused to the wall of the through-hole. That is, after the temperature sensor is assembled, it is inserted into the housing molding mold of the information acquisition device. Both the housing 4 and the protective sleeve 2 of the temperature sensor are made of polypropylene to ensure a seamless thermal fusion connection between the housing 4 and the protective sleeve 2 during injection molding, guaranteeing the sealing and strength of the connection between the housing 4 and the protective sleeve 2.

[0042] Alternatively, the housing 4 can extend outward toward the receiving cavity 41 to form a protective sleeve 2, that is, the protective sleeve 2 is generated simultaneously when the housing 4 is directly formed, and then the NTC thermistor 1 of the temperature sensor is connected to the protective sleeve 2 to ensure the sealing of the connection between the protective sleeve 2 and the housing 4.

[0043] Understandably, the reinforcement layer 14 in the temperature sensor effectively enhances the compressive and tensile strength of the electrode pins 13, ensuring their support strength when inserted into the circuit board 5 under external force, and improving the installation stability of the temperature sensor and the circuit board 5. Of course, the information acquisition device also includes a power supply battery and a wireless transmitter, which are electrically connected via the circuit board 5 to facilitate the transmission of information collected by the temperature sensor.

[0044] This utility model also provides a battery, including a battery casing, a battery cell, and an information acquisition device as described in any of the above embodiments. The battery casing has an installation cavity, the battery cell is disposed within the installation cavity, and the information acquisition device is disposed on the cavity wall of the installation cavity, with the temperature sensor of the information acquisition device attached to the battery cell. The battery casing includes a battery housing and a cover, with a placement groove provided within the battery casing. The battery cell is disposed within the placement groove, and the cover seals the opening of the placement groove to form the installation cavity. This placement of the information acquisition device within the battery allows it to acquire information in the electrolyte environment, thereby improving the technical problem of complex battery cell cover structure and insufficient reliability caused by external placement of the information acquisition device. Furthermore, both the housing 4 of the information acquisition device and the protective sleeve 2 of the temperature sensor are made of polypropylene. After the temperature sensor is assembled, it is inserted into the molding mold of the housing 4 for injection molding connection, resulting in a high degree of sealing between the temperature sensor and the housing 4. This reduces the possibility of electrolyte seeping into the housing 4 through the gap between the temperature sensor and the housing 4 when the information acquisition device is placed inside the battery, thus preventing damage to electrical components and ensuring the service life of both the information acquisition device and the battery.

[0045] Preferably, the information acquisition device is detachably connected to the cavity wall of the mounting cavity. For example, the cavity wall of the mounting cavity is provided with a snap-fit ​​groove, and the housing 4 of the information acquisition device is snapped into the snap-fit ​​groove.

[0046] Obviously, the above embodiments of this utility model are merely examples for clearly illustrating the present utility model, and are not intended to limit the implementation of the present utility model. Those skilled in the art can make various obvious changes, readjustments, and substitutions without departing from the protection scope of this utility model. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively describe all embodiments here. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the protection scope of the claims of this utility model.

Claims

1. A temperature sensor, characterized in that, The device includes an NTC thermistor (1) and a protective sleeve (2). The NTC thermistor (1) includes an insulating base layer (11), a thermistor body (12), electrode pins (13), and a reinforcing layer (14). The thermistor body (12) and the electrode pins (13) are disposed on one side of the insulating base layer (11) arranged along a first direction. The electrode pins (13) are connected to the thermistor body (12). The reinforcing layer (14) is disposed on the other side of the insulating base layer (11) arranged along the first direction. The projection of the reinforcing layer (14) along the first direction at least covers the electrode pins (13). The NTC thermistor (1) is partially disposed inside the protective sleeve (2). One end of the NTC thermistor (1) with the electrode pins (13) extends outside the protective sleeve (2).

2. The temperature sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The NTC thermistor (1) includes two electrode pins (13) and the two electrode pins (13) are spaced apart along a second direction. The temperature sensor also includes an insulating baffle (3) which is disposed between the two electrode pins (13). The lengths of the electrode pins (13) and the insulating baffle (3) both extend along a third direction, wherein the first direction, the second direction and the third direction are perpendicular to each other.

3. The temperature sensor according to claim 2, characterized in that, Along the first direction, the side of the insulating stop (3) away from the insulating base layer (11) is aligned with the side of the electrode pin (13) away from the insulating base layer (11), and the two electrode pins (13) respectively abut against the two sides of the insulating stop (3) along the second direction.

4. The temperature sensor according to claim 3, characterized in that, The insulating stop (3) is a blocking part, and the blocking part is protruding from the insulating base layer (11); or, The insulating base layer (11) is recessed with a positioning groove, and the insulating stop (3) is inserted into the positioning groove.

5. The temperature sensor according to claim 2, characterized in that, The dimension D of the electrode pin (13) along the first direction satisfies: 0.25mm≤D≤0.3mm.

6. The temperature sensor according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The electrode pin (13) includes a copper conductor with a nickel layer plated on its surface.

7. The temperature sensor according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The thermistor body (12) is sputtered onto the insulating base layer (11) in a serpentine pattern.

8. The temperature sensor according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The protective sleeve (2) includes a polypropylene protective sleeve; and / or, The insulating base layer (11) includes a polyimide substrate.

9. An information acquisition device, characterized in that, The device includes a housing (4), a circuit board (5), and a temperature sensor as described in any one of claims 1-8. The housing (4) has a receiving cavity (41), the circuit board (5) is sealed in the receiving cavity (41), and a through hole is provided on the housing (4). One end of the NTC thermistor (1) of the temperature sensor, which has an electrode pin (13), is inserted into the circuit board (5), and the other end extends through the through hole to the outside of the housing (4). The protective sleeve (2) of the temperature sensor is at least partially located outside the housing (4) and blocks the through hole. One end of the NTC thermistor (1) away from the circuit board (5) is located inside the protective sleeve (2). The protective sleeve (2) is thermally fused to the wall of the through hole; or, the housing (4) extends outward toward the receiving cavity (41) to form the protective sleeve (2).

10. A battery, characterized in that, The device includes a battery casing, a battery cell, and an information acquisition device as described in claim 9. The battery casing has an installation cavity, the battery cell is disposed in the installation cavity, the information acquisition device is disposed on the cavity wall of the installation cavity, and the temperature sensor of the information acquisition device is in contact with the battery cell.

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