Hydrogen sulfide detection device

Abstract

The present invention provides a hydrogen sulfide detection device that utilizes metal corrosion and is capable of suppressing the scattering of corroded metal particles. [Solution] The hydrogen sulfide detection device comprises a substrate having a pattern formed of a metal that corrodes in reaction with hydrogen sulfide. The pattern includes a detection unit that detects hydrogen sulfide by the corrosion of the metal exposed on the surface of the substrate. The detection unit is covered with a filter that allows hydrogen sulfide gas to pass through but prevents particles generated from the corroded metal from passing through.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a hydrogen sulfide detection device applied to a battery pack that stores a battery cell having a sulfide-based electrolyte.

Background Art

[0002] All-solid-state batteries are attracting attention as next-generation battery cells that make up battery packs. All-solid-state batteries have advantages such as high safety and long life compared to conventional batteries with liquid electrolytes. In particular, all-solid-state batteries using sulfide-based electrolytes have a large capacity and high output, and are expected to be used for vehicle batteries.

[0003] On the other hand, when a battery cell having a sulfide-based electrolyte is configured as a battery cell of an all-solid-state battery, hydrogen sulfide gas may be generated due to a failure. Hydrogen sulfide gas is toxic and corrodes surrounding metal parts. Therefore, there is a need for a technique for appropriately detecting the generation of hydrogen sulfide in a battery pack that stores a battery cell having a sulfide-based electrolyte.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a detection system that provides a resistance change member including a resistance change material whose electrical resistance changes due to a chemical reaction with hydrogen sulfide in a battery cell, and determines the presence or absence of hydrogen sulfide generation in the battery cell based on a detection value between terminals of the resistance change member. In addition, there is the following Patent Document 2 as a document showing the technical level of this technical field.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In recent years, a technique has been proposed to detect hydrogen sulfide generation in battery packs by using metals that corrode in response to hydrogen sulfide. This technique can detect hydrogen sulfide generation by detecting changes in resistance due to metal corrosion, or by causing disconnections or short circuits in wiring due to metal corrosion. By utilizing metal corrosion in this way, it is expected that a hydrogen sulfide detection device with high detection accuracy can be realized.

[0007] On the other hand, in hydrogen sulfide detection devices that utilize metal corrosion, there is a possibility that particles generated from the corroded metal may be scattered. Since corroded metal is conductive, if these particles are scattered into the battery pack, they may cause a short circuit in the equipment inside the battery pack, potentially leading to malfunction.

[0008] This disclosure has been made in view of the above-mentioned issues. One objective of this disclosure is to provide a technology that can suppress the scattering of corroded metal particles in a hydrogen sulfide detection device that utilizes metal corrosion. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] One aspect of this disclosure relates to a hydrogen sulfide detection device applied to a battery pack housing a battery cell having a sulfide-based electrolyte. The hydrogen sulfide detection device comprises a substrate having a pattern formed of a metal that reacts with and corrodes in response to hydrogen sulfide. The pattern includes a detection unit that detects hydrogen sulfide by the corrosion of the metal exposed on the surface of the substrate. The detection unit is covered with a filter formed to allow hydrogen sulfide gas to pass through but not particles generated from the corroded metal. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to this disclosure, the detection section of the substrate is covered with a filter that allows hydrogen sulfide gas to pass through but prevents particles generated from corroded metal from passing through. This makes it possible to suppress the scattering of corroded metal particles while maintaining the detection function of the hydrogen sulfide detection device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a hydrogen sulfide detection device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a flowchart showing the processing flow of the monitoring circuit. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the function of the filter covering the detection section of the circuit board. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a first modified example of the hydrogen sulfide detection device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a second modified example of the hydrogen sulfide detection device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a hydrogen sulfide detection device according to the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. In each drawing, identical or corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are simplified or omitted.

[0013] 1. First Embodiment 1.1 Configuration Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the hydrogen sulfide detection device 10 according to the first embodiment. (A) in Figure 1 shows the overall configuration of the hydrogen sulfide detection device 10 according to the first embodiment. (B) in Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view with respect to the cutting line A-A' shown in (A).

[0014] The hydrogen sulfide detection device 10 is applied to a battery pack containing battery cells having a sulfide-based electrolyte and detects the generation of hydrogen sulfide. The hydrogen sulfide detection device 10 is housed together with the battery cells in the battery pack. The battery cells having a sulfide-based electrolyte are typically all-solid-state batteries using a solid sulfide-based electrolyte. The form of the battery cells is not particularly limited. For example, the form of the battery cells may be laminated or prismatic. All-solid-state batteries using sulfide-based electrolytes have high capacity and high output and are suitable for vehicle batteries. Therefore, the battery pack to which the hydrogen sulfide detection device 10 is applied may be a battery mounted in a vehicle.

[0015] The hydrogen sulfide detection device 10 comprises a monitoring circuit 100 and a substrate 200. The substrate 200 is a printed circuit board (PCB) having a pattern 220 formed of metal. The substrate 200 may also be a flexible printed circuit board (FPC).

[0016] The monitoring circuit 100 and the circuit board 200 are connected to external equipment via connectors 110 and 210, respectively. As shown in Figure 1, the monitoring circuit 100 and the circuit board 200 are connected by a cable 300. The cable 300 and the pattern 220 on the circuit board 200 form wiring (hereinafter also simply referred to as wiring) that electrically connects the first node 401 and the second node 402. The wiring is a single current path.

[0017] The monitoring circuit 100 monitors the voltage between the first node 401 and the second node 402. In the monitoring circuit 100, the first node 401 is connected to a power supply with voltage Vcc (e.g., 5V) via a resistor 120, and the second node 402 is connected to the ground GND with a reference potential (e.g., 0V). The monitoring circuit 100 includes a monitoring processing unit 130. The monitoring processing unit 130 is a computer that executes a process of monitoring the voltage. In particular, the monitoring processing unit 130 may be a microcontroller. The monitoring processing unit 130 is arranged such that the potential between the resistor 120 and the first node 401 is input. For example, when the monitoring processing unit 130 is a microcontroller, the input port of the microcontroller is connected between the resistor 120 and the first node 401. The resistor 120 serves as a pull-up resistor for the monitoring processing unit 130. For example, the resistance value of the resistor 120 is about 10 kΩ. The monitoring circuit 100 constitutes a voltage dividing circuit, and the monitoring processing unit 130 can detect the voltage between the first node 401 and the second node 402.

[0018] Note that the configuration of the monitoring circuit 100 shown in FIG. 1 is an example, and the monitoring circuit 100 can also adopt other configurations. For example, by measuring the voltage across both ends of the resistor 120, the voltage between the first node 401 and the second node 402 can also be indirectly detected. That is, monitoring the voltage between the first node 401 and the second node 402 includes monitoring the voltage across both ends of the resistor 120. Therefore, the monitoring processing unit 130 may be arranged to measure the voltage across both ends of the resistor 120. Also, for example, the monitoring circuit 100 can be configured to have a pull-down resistor for the monitoring processing unit 130. That is, the first node 4 can be directly connected to the power supply, and the second node 402 may be connected to the ground GND via a resistor. Then, the monitoring processing unit 130 may be arranged to detect the voltage between the first node 401 and the second node 402. For example, the input port of the microcontroller is connected between the resistor and the second node 402.

[0019] The monitoring and processing unit 130 includes one or more processors 131 (hereinafter simply referred to as processor 131) and one or more storage devices 132 (hereinafter simply referred to as storage devices 132). The processor 131 executes various processes. The processor 131 is composed of, for example, a general-purpose processor, a special-purpose processor, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), an integrated circuit, a conventional circuit, and one or more combinations thereof. The processor 131 can also be called processing circuitry. The storage device 132 stores various information necessary for the execution of processes by the processor 131. The storage device 132 is composed of, for example, a recording medium such as RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), SSD (Solid State Drive), HDD (Hard Disk Drive), etc. The storage device 132 stores computer programs that can be executed by the processor 131. The computer program consists of multiple instruction codes that describe the processes to be executed by the processor 131. The computer program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. The functions of the monitoring processing unit 130 are realized through the cooperation of the processor 131, which executes the computer program, and the storage device 132.

[0020] The metal for forming the pattern 220 on the substrate 200 is a metal that reacts with hydrogen sulfide and corrodes. For example, copper or silver is used as the metal. Further, the pattern 220 includes a detection unit 500 for detecting hydrogen sulfide. In the first embodiment, the detection unit 500 is formed by exposing a part of the metal of the pattern 220 on the surface of the substrate 200. That is, the detection unit 500 is the metal exposed part of the pattern 220. This can be realized by configuring the substrate 200 so that surface protection (e.g., coverlay, solder resist) or surface treatment (e.g., flux, gold plating) is not performed on a part of the pattern 220. The hydrogen sulfide detection device 10 according to the first embodiment can detect the generation of hydrogen sulfide as follows by the detection unit 500.

[0021] Normally, that is, when hydrogen sulfide is not generated from the battery cell, the space between the first node 401 and the second node 402 simply becomes a current path having no resistance. Therefore, the monitoring processing unit 130 acquires the reference potential of the ground GND as the detection value. When an abnormality occurs, that is, when hydrogen sulfide is generated from the battery cell, the metal of the detection unit 500 reacts with the generated hydrogen sulfide and corrodes. When the metal becomes a sulfide due to corrosion, the resistance value of the detection unit 500 increases. Further, the metal tends to move radially as the corrosion progresses. Also, the corroded metal moves when vibration or impact is applied. For example, when the vibration of a vehicle is applied, the corroded metal moves. As the corrosion progresses in this way, the metal of the detection unit 500 gradually disappears and the cross-sectional area becomes smaller. As a result, the resistance value of the detection unit 500 further increases. And finally, the metal of the detection unit 500 will be disconnected.

[0022] In the process of the resistance value of the detection unit 500 increasing, the monitoring processing unit 130 acquires the voltage division by the resistance value of the detection unit 500 as the detection value. That is, as the resistance value of the detection unit 500 increases, the detection value of the monitoring processing unit 130 increases from the reference potential. And finally, when the metal of the detection unit 500 is disconnected, the voltage Vcc of the power supply is input to the monitoring processing unit 130 as it is. That is, the monitoring processing unit 130 acquires the voltage Vcc as the detection value.

[0023] When hydrogen sulfide is generated from the battery cell in this way, the detection state of the detection unit 500 is expressed as the voltage between the first node 401 and the second node 402. That is, when hydrogen sulfide is generated from the battery cell, the detected value of the monitoring and processing unit 130 changes from the reference potential to Vcc. Therefore, the monitoring and processing unit 130 can determine whether or not hydrogen sulfide is being generated from the battery cell based on the change in the detected value (voltage between the first node 401 and the second node 402). For example, the monitoring and processing unit 130 may determine that hydrogen sulfide is being generated from the battery cell when the amount of change in the detected value from its initial value exceeds a threshold. Alternatively, the monitoring and processing unit 130 may use the detected value as is without calculating the amount of change in the detected value, and determine that hydrogen sulfide is being generated from the battery cell when the detected value exceeds a threshold.

[0024] Figure 2 is a flowchart showing the processing flow of the monitoring circuit 100 (more specifically, the monitoring processing unit 130). The processing flow shown in Figure 2 is executed repeatedly at predetermined processing cycles.

[0025] First, in step S110, the monitoring circuit 100 acquires the detected value. Next, in step S120, the monitoring circuit 100 calculates the amount of change from the initial value of the detected value. In the hydrogen sulfide detection device 10 described above, the initial value of the detected value is the reference potential, and the amount of change from the initial value is the difference between the detected value and the reference potential. In particular, when the reference potential is 0V, the amount of change from the initial value matches the detected value. Next, in step S130, the monitoring circuit 100 determines whether the calculated amount of change is greater than a threshold. If the amount of change is less than or equal to the threshold (step S130; No), the monitoring circuit 100 determines that hydrogen sulfide is not being generated and terminates the process. If the amount of change is greater than the threshold (step S130; Yes), the monitoring circuit 100 determines that hydrogen sulfide is being generated from the battery cell (step S140). The monitoring circuit 100 may further execute a process to warn the user (e.g., vehicle driver) that hydrogen sulfide is being generated by display or sound.

[0026] The processing flow shown in Figure 2 is just one example, and the monitoring circuit 100 can also determine whether hydrogen sulfide is being generated from the battery cell using other processing flows. For example, as described above, the monitoring circuit 100 may be configured to determine whether hydrogen sulfide is being generated from the battery cell by using the detected value directly without calculating the amount of change in the detected value. In this case, the processing related to step S120 in the processing flow shown in Figure 2 is skipped. In step S130, it is determined whether the detected value is greater than the threshold. If the detected value is greater than the threshold, the monitoring circuit 100 should then determine that hydrogen sulfide is being generated from the battery cell.

[0027] As described above, the hydrogen sulfide detection device 10 according to the first embodiment can detect the generation of hydrogen sulfide by the corrosion of the metal of the detection unit 500. On the other hand, with the hydrogen sulfide detection device 10, there is a possibility that particles generated from the corroded metal may be scattered. Since the corroded metal is conductive, if these particles are scattered into the battery pack, there is a risk that a short circuit will occur in the equipment inside the battery pack, causing it to malfunction. This situation is a greater concern in environments where vibrations and shocks are easily transmitted, such as when the hydrogen sulfide detection device 10 is applied to a vehicle battery.

[0028] Therefore, in the hydrogen sulfide detection device 10 according to the first embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the detection unit 500 of the substrate 200 is covered by a filter 600. The filter 600 is formed to allow hydrogen sulfide gas to pass through, while preventing particles generated from corroded metal (sulfides) from passing through. Generally, the size of hydrogen sulfide gas molecules is sufficiently smaller than the size of particles generated from corroded metal. Therefore, for example, the filter 600 can be formed from a filter material having a pore size larger than the size of hydrogen sulfide gas molecules and smaller than the size of particles generated from corroded metal.

[0029] In the example shown in Figure 1, as shown in (B) in Figure 1, the filter 600 has a cover portion 610 that covers the detection portion 500 and a sealing portion 620 that adheres to the surface of the substrate 200 and seals the space 700 covered by the cover portion 610. Furthermore, in the example shown in Figure 1, the cover portion 610 has a surface 611 (hereinafter referred to as the first surface 611) that extends inclined from the end of the sealing portion 620 toward the inside of the space 700 and a surface 612 (hereinafter referred to as the second surface 612) that faces the detection portion 500 and is parallel to the surface of the substrate 200.

[0030] In this way, the detection unit 500 is covered by the filter 600, which prevents particles generated from the corroded metal from scattering. The function of the filter 600 will be explained in more detail below.

[0031] 1.2 Filter Functions Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the function of the filter 600 covering the detection unit 500 of the substrate 200. As described above, the filter 600 is formed to allow hydrogen sulfide gas to pass through but not to allow particles 510 generated from corroded metal to pass through. Therefore, as shown in (A) of Figure 3, hydrogen sulfide gas generated from the battery cell flows into the space 700 through the filter 600. The hydrogen sulfide that flows into the space 700 corrodes the metal of the detection unit 500. As a result, the hydrogen sulfide detection device 10 can detect the generation of hydrogen sulfide. On the other hand, the filter 600 does not allow particles 510 generated from corroded metal to pass through. Therefore, the particles 510 generated from corroded metal remain in the space 700. In this way, the filter 600 can prevent particles 510 generated from corroded metal from scattering into the battery pack.

[0032] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, the cover portion 610 has a first surface 611 and a second surface 612. By having the cover portion 610 have a first surface 611 and a second surface 612 in this way, as shown in Figure 3(B), a large portion of the particles 510 generated from the corroded metal can be accumulated at the end of the sealing portion 620. This makes it possible to suppress the obstruction of the flow of hydrogen sulfide gas by particles 510 remaining in the space 700. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the detection accuracy of the hydrogen sulfide detection device 10 due to particles 510 remaining in the space 700.

[0033] 1.3 Effects As described above, the hydrogen sulfide detection device 10 according to the first embodiment can detect the generation of hydrogen sulfide from a battery cell by the detection unit 500 on the substrate 200. In particular, according to the first embodiment, the detection unit 500 on the substrate 200 is covered with a filter 600 that is formed to allow hydrogen sulfide gas to pass through but not to allow particles 510 generated from corroded metal to pass through. This makes it possible to suppress the scattering of corroded metal particles 510 while maintaining the detection function of the hydrogen sulfide detection device 10.

[0034] 1.4 Variations The hydrogen sulfide detection device 10 according to the first embodiment can be modified in various ways. The following describes some modifications of the hydrogen sulfide detection device 10 according to the first embodiment.

[0035] 1.4.1 First Variation In the first modified example, the substrate 200 is configured to have a recess within the space 700 covered by the cover portion 610 of the filter 600. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the first modified example. In the example shown in Figure 4, the substrate 200 has two recesses 230 within the space 700. The recesses 230 are, for example, grooves formed on the surface of the substrate 200.

[0036] According to the first modified example, the substrate 200 has a recess 230 in the space 700, which allows corroded metal particles 510 to accumulate and remain in the recess 230. This further suppresses the obstruction of the hydrogen sulfide gas flow by the particles 510. As a result, the reduction in the detection accuracy of the hydrogen sulfide detection device 10 due to the particles 510 can be further suppressed.

[0037] Furthermore, in the example shown in Figure 4, the recess 230 has an inclined surface 231. This makes it easier for corroded metal particles 510 to accumulate in the recess 230. Alternatively, the substrate 200 may be configured such that all parts of the space 700 other than the detection unit 500 are recesses 230. Or, the substrate 200 may be configured such that the recess 230 is provided at a position adjacent to the end of the sealing portion 620 of the filter 600. By providing recesses 230 in this way, it is also possible to make it easier for particles 510 to accumulate in the recess 230. As a result, the reduction in the detection accuracy of the hydrogen sulfide detection device 10 due to particles 510 can be further suppressed.

[0038] 1.4.2 Second Variation In the second modified example, the filter 600 is configured to cover the entire substrate 200. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the second modified example. In Figure 5, (A) shows the overall configuration of the hydrogen sulfide detection device 10 according to the second modified example, and (B) shows a cross-sectional view with respect to the cutting line A-A' shown in (A). In the example shown in Figure 5, the entire substrate 200 is covered by the filter 600.

[0039] In the second modified example, the shape of the filter 600 is different from that of the first embodiment described above. However, even in the second modified example, the detection unit 500 of the substrate 200 is covered by the filter 600. Therefore, even in the second modified example, the detection function of the hydrogen sulfide detection device 10 can be maintained while preventing the scattering of corroded metal particles 510. Thus, the shape of the filter 600 is not particularly limited as long as it covers the detection unit 500 of the substrate 200.

[0040] 2. Second Embodiment The second embodiment will be described below. However, the following description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment, and explanations of content that overlaps with the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

[0041] 2.1 Configuration Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the hydrogen sulfide detection device 10 according to the second embodiment. (A) in Figure 6 shows the overall configuration of the hydrogen sulfide detection device 10 according to the second embodiment. (B) in Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view with respect to the cutting line B-B' shown in (A).

[0042] The hydrogen sulfide detection device 10 according to the second embodiment includes a monitoring circuit 100 and a substrate 200, similar to the first embodiment. The monitoring circuit 100 and the substrate 200 are connected by a cable 300. However, in the second embodiment, the pattern 220 of the substrate 200 and the configuration of the detection unit 500 differ from those of the first embodiment.

[0043] In the second embodiment, the detection unit 500 includes a first metal part 501 and a second metal part 502. The first metal part 501 and the second metal part 502 are each formed by exposing metal on the surface of the substrate 200. In particular, the first metal part 501 and the second metal part 502 are formed by vias or through holes. The inner wall surface of the circular hole of the via or through hole is plated with the same metal as the pattern 220.

[0044] The first metal part 501 is connected to the first node 401 and the second metal part 502 is connected to the second node 402 by wiring formed by cable 300 and pattern 220. The first metal part 501 is also connected to the second node 402 via a resistive element 221. The resistive element 221 is, for example, a chip component having a resistance value of about 10 kΩ. As shown in Figure 6, the first metal part 501 and the second metal part 502 are arranged adjacent to each other with a gap between them. In particular, the first metal part 501 and the second metal part 502 are electrically insulated by surface protection applied to the substrate 200. In other words, the first metal part 501 and the second metal part 502 are in a non-conductive state. The hydrogen sulfide detection device 10 according to the second embodiment can detect the generation of hydrogen sulfide as follows using the detection unit 500 which includes the first metal part 501 and the second metal part 502.

[0045] Under normal conditions, that is, when no hydrogen sulfide is generated from the battery cell, the first metal part 501 and the second metal part 502 are in a non-conductive state as described above. Therefore, the monitoring and processing unit 130 acquires the power supply voltage Vcc as a detected value. Under abnormal conditions, that is, when hydrogen sulfide is generated from the battery cell, the metals of the first metal part 501 and the second metal part 502 react with the generated hydrogen sulfide and corrode. As a result, the corroded metal (sulfide) spreads radially, and the first metal part 501 and the second metal part 502 become connected by the sulfide. Since sulfide is conductive, this creates a conductive state between the first metal part 501 and the second metal part 502. At this time, the monitoring and processing unit 130 acquires the voltage division due to the resistance value between the first node 401 and the second node 402 as a detected value. Here, the first metal part 501 and the second metal part 502 are adjacent to each other, and the resistance of the sulfide connecting the first metal part 501 and the second metal part 502 is negligible compared to the resistance of 120. Therefore, when the first metal part 501 and the second metal part 502 become conductive, the potential of the ground GND is input to the monitoring and processing unit 130 almost as is. In other words, the monitoring and processing unit 130 acquires the reference potential as the detected value.

[0046] Thus, in the second embodiment as well, when hydrogen sulfide is generated from the battery cell, the detection state of the detection unit 500 appears as a voltage between the first node 401 and the second node 402. That is, when hydrogen sulfide is generated from the battery cell, the detected value of the monitoring processing unit 130 changes from Vcc to a reference potential. Therefore, the monitoring processing unit 130 can determine whether or not hydrogen sulfide is being generated from the battery cell based on the change in the detected value (voltage between the first node 401 and the second node 402). The processing flow of the processing performed by the monitoring circuit 100 (more specifically, the monitoring processing unit 130) may be the same as in the first embodiment (see Figure 2). As described above, the hydrogen sulfide detection device 10 according to the second embodiment can detect the generation of hydrogen sulfide by corrosion of the metal of the detection unit 500.

[0047] Furthermore, in the hydrogen sulfide detection device 10 according to the second embodiment, the detection unit 500 of the substrate 200 is covered by a filter 600. Similar to the first embodiment, the filter 600 is formed to allow hydrogen sulfide gas to pass through while preventing particles 510 generated from corroded metal from passing through. The filter 600 also has a cover portion 610 and a sealing portion 620, and the cover portion 610 has a first surface 611 and a second surface 612.

[0048] 2.2 Effects As described above, the hydrogen sulfide detection device 10 according to the second embodiment can detect the generation of hydrogen sulfide from a battery cell by the detection unit 500 of the substrate 200. Furthermore, according to the second embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, the detection unit 500 of the substrate 200 is covered with a filter 600 formed to allow hydrogen sulfide gas to pass through but not particles 510 generated from corroded metal to pass through. This makes it possible to suppress the scattering of corroded metal particles 510 while maintaining the detection function of the hydrogen sulfide detection device 10. Furthermore, according to the second embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, the cover portion 610 of the filter 600 has a first surface 611 and a second surface 612. This makes it possible to accumulate most of the particles 510 generated from corroded metal at the end of the sealing portion 620. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the detection accuracy of the hydrogen sulfide detection device 10 due to particles 510 remaining in the space 700.

[0049] 2.3 Variations The modifications described in the first embodiment (first and second modifications) can also be appropriately applied to the hydrogen sulfide detection device 10 according to the second embodiment.

[0050] 3. Others In the first and second embodiments described above, the configuration of the detection unit 500 for detecting hydrogen sulfide differed. However, in both embodiments, the detection unit 500 is covered by a filter 600 formed to allow hydrogen sulfide gas to pass through but not particles 510 generated from corroded metal to pass through, thereby achieving a similar effect. Thus, the technical features of this embodiment can be appropriately applied to hydrogen sulfide detection devices 10 having detection units 500 with other configurations. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0051] 10. Hydrogen sulfide detection device 100 Supervisory circuit 200 circuit boards 220 patterns 401 Node 1 402 Node 2 500 detection unit 600 filters 610 Cover section 620 Sealing part

Claims

1. A hydrogen sulfide detection device applied to a battery pack containing a battery cell having a sulfide-based electrolyte, The substrate has a pattern formed of a metal that corrodes in reaction with hydrogen sulfide, The pattern includes a detection unit that detects hydrogen sulfide by corrosion of the metal exposed on the surface of the substrate. The detection unit is covered with a filter that allows hydrogen sulfide gas to pass through but prevents particles generated from the corroded metal from passing through. Hydrogen sulfide detection device.

2. A hydrogen sulfide detection device according to claim 1, The filter has a cover portion that covers the detection portion and a sealing portion that adheres to the surface of the substrate and seals the space covered by the cover portion. The cover portion has a surface that extends inclined from the end of the sealing portion toward the inside of the space, and a surface that faces the detection portion and is parallel to the surface of the substrate. Hydrogen sulfide detection device.

3. A hydrogen sulfide detection device according to claim 1, The substrate has a recess in the space covered by the filter. Hydrogen sulfide detection device.

4. A hydrogen sulfide detection device according to claim 3, The recess has an inclined surface. Hydrogen sulfide detection device.

5. A hydrogen sulfide detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, Equipped with additional monitoring circuits, The aforementioned pattern is electrically connected between the first node and the second node. The monitoring circuit determines whether or not hydrogen sulfide is being generated from the battery cell based on the change in voltage between the first node and the second node. Hydrogen sulfide detection device.

Images