Apparatus of detecting thermal runaway for electric vehicle

Abstract

A thermal runaway detection device for an electric vehicle battery is disclosed. A thermal runaway detection device for an electric vehicle battery according to an embodiment of the present invention may include: an outer case; a plurality of battery cells provided inside the outer case; a sensing module provided in one of the plurality of battery cells and detecting the pressure of the battery cell; and a printed circuit board that transmits the voltage, temperature, and pressure of the battery cell detected by the sensing module to a battery management system (60).

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a thermal runaway detection device for an electric vehicle battery, and more specifically, to a thermal runaway detection device for an electric vehicle battery capable of detecting thermal runaway of a battery equipped in an electric vehicle in advance and notifying passengers. Background Technology

[0002] An electric vehicle is a vehicle that uses a battery engine powered by electrical energy output from a battery.

[0003] These electric vehicles have the advantage of producing no exhaust gas and very little noise because they use a battery formed as a single pack of multiple rechargeable and dischargeable cells as their main power source.

[0004] And a hybrid car is a vehicle that falls between an internal combustion engine car and an electric car, and is a vehicle that uses two or more power sources, for example, an engine and a battery engine.

[0005] As such, since the performance of the battery directly affects the performance of electric vehicles, a battery management system is required to measure the voltage of each battery cell, the voltage and current of the entire battery, efficiently manage the charging and discharging of each battery cell, and determine whether each battery cell is degraded to ensure maximum performance of the battery cells.

[0006] Recently, the use of lithium-ion batteries in such electric vehicles has been increasing. As a type of rechargeable lithium-ion battery, it has a multilayer structure comprising a positive electrode activated by various mixed oxides or olivine, a negative electrode activated by specific carbon, and a separator immersed in an organic electrolyte.

[0007] Under normal operating conditions, electrical energy is converted into chemical energy and stored during charging, and the stored chemical energy is converted into electrical energy during discharging. To explain in more detail, during charging, lithium in the positive electrode is ionized and moves layer by layer toward the negative electrode. During discharging, the ions move toward the positive electrode and return to their original compounds.

[0008] In these lithium-ion batteries, a condition known as self-heating can occur under extreme conditions of overvoltage, overcurrent, or overtemperature. Self-heating can cause the lithium-ion battery to enter a state of thermal runaway. Self-heating refers to a state in which the internal temperature of the battery cell rises due to the electrochemical structure within the cell.

[0009] If thermal runaway occurs inside a battery module, it can cause very dramatic and significant damage. When thermal runaway occurs, a very small amount of oxygen is generated, and the internal temperature can rise above 800 degrees Celsius.

[0010] If such a situation occurs, a fire may break out inside the vehicle, excessive gas may be generated, or the casing housing the lithium-ion battery cells may be destroyed. In particular, if a fire occurs, it can cause very serious harm to the driver inside the vehicle.

[0011] The matters described in this background technology section are written to enhance understanding of the background of the invention and may include matters that are not prior art already known to those skilled in the art to which this technology belongs. The problem to be solved

[0012] The present invention aims to solve the problems described above by providing a thermal runaway detection device for an electric vehicle battery that detects thermal runaway in the electric vehicle battery and warns the vehicle's occupants of the danger. means of solving the problem

[0013] A thermal runaway detection device for an electric vehicle battery according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above-mentioned purpose may include: an outer case; a plurality of battery cells provided inside the outer case; a sensing module provided in one of the plurality of battery cells and detecting the pressure of the battery cell; and a printed circuit board that transmits the voltage, temperature, and pressure of the battery cell detected by the sensing module to a battery management system (60).

[0014] The sensing module above can be installed at the center of the outermost battery cell among the plurality of battery cells.

[0015] The continuous sensing module may include a sensing unit that detects the pressure of the battery cell; a body unit that converts the pressure of the battery cell detected by the sensing unit into an electrical signal; and a sensing line that is electrically connected to the printed circuit board and transmits the pressure of the battery cell detected by the sensing unit to the printed circuit board.

[0016] The body part of the above sensing module, excluding the sensing part, can be installed in the battery cell.

[0017] The above sensing module can be directly attached to the battery cell.

[0018] The body portion of the above sensing module can be attached to the battery cell through an adhesive or adhesive tape.

[0019] With the body portion of the above sensing module attached to the battery cell, the sensing module is pressed by the outer case so that the battery cell and the outer case can be combined.

[0020] A thermal runaway detection device for an electric vehicle battery according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a controller that determines whether the battery cell is undergoing thermal runaway from the pressure of the battery cell transmitted through the printed circuit board; and a warning unit that generates an alarm to a passenger when thermal runaway occurs in the battery cell. Effects of the invention

[0022] According to the thermal runaway detection device for an electric vehicle battery according to an embodiment of the present invention as described above, the pressure of a battery cell is detected through a sensing module, and the thermal runaway of the battery cell is predicted thereby, thereby providing information to the occupants of the vehicle regarding whether a danger has occurred. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0023] These drawings are for reference to explain exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and therefore, the technical concept of the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to the attached drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a thermal runaway detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the configuration of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a sensing module according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 5 and FIGS. 6 are graphs illustrating a sensing signal according to an embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0024] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the attached drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the invention. However, the present invention may be embodied in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0025] To clearly explain the present invention, parts unrelated to the explanation have been omitted, and the same reference numerals are used for identical or similar components throughout the specification.

[0026] In addition, the size and thickness of each component shown in the drawings are depicted arbitrarily for the convenience of explanation, so the present invention is not necessarily limited to what is shown in the drawings, and the thickness has been enlarged to clearly represent various parts and regions.

[0028] Hereinafter, a thermal runaway detection device for an electric vehicle battery according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0029] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a thermal runaway detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the configuration of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a thermal runaway detection device for an electric vehicle battery according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a battery module (1), a controller (70), and a warning unit (80).

[0031] Referring to FIG. 2, the battery module (1) may include a plurality of battery cells (10) and a printed circuit board (20) (PCB) inside an outer case (30).

[0032] The exterior case (30) may include a left cover (31), a right cover (32), an upper cover (35), a lower cover, a front cover (33), and a rear cover (34). The left cover (31), the right cover (32), the upper cover (35), the lower cover, the front cover (33), and the rear cover (34) are combined to form the exterior case (30), and the exterior case (30) is configured to surround the outer periphery of a plurality of battery cells (10), and a printed circuit board (20) is provided between the exterior case (30) and the plurality of battery cells (10).

[0033] A plurality of battery cells (10) are stacked in the left-right direction, and the plurality of battery cells (10) are connected in parallel and / or series. A printed circuit board (20) is provided at each end of the plurality of battery cells (10) stacked in the left-right direction, and each printed circuit board (20) detects the voltage and temperature of each battery cell (10) and transmits them to a battery management system (60) (BMS: battery management system).

[0034] The battery management system (60) receives information about the battery detected by various types of sensors (e.g., temperature sensor, voltage sensor, etc.) through a printed circuit board (20), determines the status of multiple battery modules (1), and manages each battery module (1) to maintain an optimal state.

[0035] In particular, the battery management system (60) performs functions such as measuring the remaining capacity of the battery, maintaining the state of charge (SOC) of the battery at an appropriate level, and measuring and managing the temperature of the battery.

[0037] A thermal runaway detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a sensing module (50) provided in a battery cell.

[0038] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a sensing module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 4, a sensing module (50) according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided in a battery module to measure the pressure of a battery cell (10).

[0040] In an embodiment of the present invention, a sensing module (50) for measuring the pressure of a battery cell (10) may be implemented through a pressure sensor. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0041] The sensing module (50) of the present invention may be installed in the center of the outermost battery cell (10) among a plurality of battery cells (10) stacked in a set direction (e.g., left-right direction). In this way, the sensing module (50) is installed in the center of the outermost battery cell (10) among the plurality of battery cells (10), and when the plurality of battery cells (10) are embedded in an outer case (30), the sensing module (50) is pressed by the outer case (30), thereby combining the plurality of battery cells (10) and the outer case (30).

[0042] The sensing module (50) may include a body part (51) and a sensing part (52). The sensing part (52) detects the pressure of a measurement target (e.g., a battery cell (10)), and the body part (51) converts the pressure value of the battery cell (10) detected by the sensing part (52) into an electrical signal and outputs it.

[0043] The body part (51) is electrically connected to the printed circuit board (20) through the sensing line (53), and the sensing signal detected by the sensing part (52) (e.g., pressure of the battery cell (10)) is transmitted to the printed circuit board (20) through the sensing line (53).

[0044] When the sensing module (50) is installed in the battery cell (10), the area excluding the sensing part (52) (e.g., the body part (51)) is attached to the battery cell (10) via adhesive or adhesive tape. That is, the area excluding the sensing part (52) of the sensing module (50) (e.g., the body part (51)) is directly attached to the battery cell (10) via adhesive or adhesive tape. In this way, by directly attaching the area excluding the sensing part (52) of the sensing module (50) to the battery cell (10), noise input to the sensing part (52) due to the adhesive or adhesive tape can be prevented when the battery cell (10) is deformed.

[0045] And when the battery cell (10) is housed in the outer case (30), the sensing module (50) is fixed while being pressed by the outer case (30), so the sensing module (50) can be stably attached to the battery cell (10) and the pressure of the battery cell (10) can be detected quickly.

[0046] In addition, since a sensing module (50) is installed in the center of the battery cell (10), the pressure of the battery cell (10) can be detected quickly.

[0048] Meanwhile, the controller (70) can determine whether the battery cell (10) is thermally runaway from the pressure of the battery cell (10) transmitted from the printed circuit board (20) through the battery management system (60).

[0049] To this end, the controller (70) may be equipped with one or more processors that operate according to a set program, and said set program is configured to perform each step of the method for detecting thermal runaway of a battery cell (10) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] When the battery cell (10) operates normally, the sensing signal (e.g., resistance value) detected by the sensing module (50) changes within a certain range (see FIG. 5).

[0051] However, when thermal runaway occurs in the battery cell (10), swelling occurs in the battery cell (10), causing the pressure of the battery cell (10) to change, and accordingly, the sensing signal (pressure converted into a resistance value) detected by the sensing module (50) goes out of a certain range and exceeds a threshold value (see FIG. 6). Through this, the controller (70) can determine that thermal runaway is occurring in the battery cell (10).

[0052] If thermal runaway occurs in the battery cell (10), the controller (70) can issue an alarm to the occupants of the vehicle through the warning unit (80). The warning unit (80) can be implemented through the center fascia or speaker provided in the vehicle.

[0053] Thermal runaway may occur in the battery cell (10), causing the battery to swell, and in extreme cases, gas may be generated from the battery and a fire may occur. A very dangerous situation may arise for passengers in the vehicle due to a series of fires in the vehicle caused by the battery fire.

[0054] Accordingly, by detecting the pressure of the battery cell (10) through the sensing module (50) and predicting that thermal runaway will occur in the battery cell (10), the controller (70) can notify the occupants of the vehicle through the warning unit (80), thereby protecting the occupants from thermal runaway of the battery cell (10) and the resulting fire in the vehicle.

[0055] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto and can be implemented with various modifications within the scope of the claims, the detailed description of the invention, and the attached drawings, and it is obvious that such modifications also fall within the scope of the present invention. Explanation of the symbols

[0057] 1: Battery module 10: Battery cell 20: Printed circuit board 30: External case 31: Left cover 32: Right cover 33: Front cover 34: Rear cover 35: Upper cover 50: Sensing module 51: Body 52: Sensing unit 53: Sensing line 60: Battery Management System 70: Controller 80: Warning section

Claims

Claim 1 A thermal runaway detection device for an electric vehicle battery comprising: an outer case; a plurality of battery cells provided inside the outer case; a sensing module provided in the outermost battery cell among the plurality of battery cells and detecting the pressure of the battery cell; and a printed circuit board that transmits the voltage, temperature, and pressure of the battery cell detected by the sensing module to a battery management system; wherein the sensing module comprises: a sensing part that detects the pressure of the battery cell; a body part that converts the pressure of the battery cell detected by the sensing part into an electrical signal; and a sensing line that is electrically connected to the printed circuit board and transmits the electrical signal converted by the body part to the printed circuit board; and wherein the body part of the sensing module is installed in the battery cell. Claim 2 In claim 1, the sensing module is a thermal runaway detection device for an electric vehicle battery installed at the center of the outermost battery cell among the plurality of battery cells. Claim 3 delete Claim 4 delete Claim 5 In claim 1, the body portion of the sensing module is a thermal runaway detection device for an electric vehicle battery that is directly attached to the battery cell. Claim 6 A thermal runaway detection device for an electric vehicle battery, wherein the body portion of the sensing module is attached to the battery cell via an adhesive or adhesive tape in claim 1. Claim 7 A thermal runaway detection device for an electric vehicle battery according to claim 6, wherein the body portion of the sensing module is attached to the battery cell and the sensing module is pressed by the outer case so that the battery cell and the outer case are combined. Claim 8 A thermal runaway detection device for an electric vehicle battery according to claim 1, further comprising: a controller that determines whether the battery cell is undergoing thermal runaway from the pressure of the battery cell transmitted through the printed circuit board; and a warning unit that generates an alarm to a passenger if thermal runaway occurs in the battery cell.

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