A system measuring pressure in a battery cell

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system (1) which enables the pressure generated due to the expansion of the cell during the use of the battery (2) to be measured by homogeneously integrating nanotubes into the foam placed on the cell in lithium-based batteries (2).

Description

[0001] A SYSTEM MEASURING PRESSURE IN A BATTERY CEEE

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a system which enables the pressure generated due to the expansion of the cell during the use of the battery to be measured by homogeneously integrating nanotubes into the foam placed on the cell in lithium- based batteries.

[0004] Background of the Invention

[0005] Any electrically powered vehicle and / or device in the form of an electric vehicle, portable device, storage system and / or vessel operates by storing electrical energy on a battery thereof and / or using the stored energy. In today's technology, the use of the said lithium batteries is widespread, and expansion occurs on the cell throughout the use duration (charging and discharging) of the battery cells thereof. The increased pressure due to expansion occurring on the cell causes thermal runaway and / or thermal propagation. The said thermal runaway and / or propagation on the cell causes the battery to become unusable, as well as causes serious loss of property and life due to the occurrence of fire and / or explosion on the battery. For this reason, the expansion of the cell is prevented, and the service life of the cell is increased with the help of a foam placed between the cells in order to prevent thermal propagation and / or runaway on the cell. In today's applications, various sensors that measure cell temperatures and / or monitor cell voltages are used. By using the data obtained through the used sensors, whether thermal propagation and / or runaway has occurred on the cell or not is detected. However, in the said applications, early detection of thermal runaway and / or propagation through instantaneous pressure change by continuously monitoring the increased pressure due to expansion during the use of the cell cannot be realized. In today’s applications, there is a need for a system which enables the pressure generated by the instantaneous expansion during the use of the cell to be monitored and a thermal runaway and / or propagation that may occur and / or has occurred to be determined through the instantaneous changing pressure data.

[0006] The Chinese patent document no. CN218513618, an application included in the state of the art, discloses a battery box design. The invention subject to the said Chinese patent document relates to a battery pack box cover which comprises a composite plastic box cover body, a heat insulation layer and a foaming layer, the composite plastic box cover body is arranged on the outermost layer, and the heat insulation layer is arranged between the composite plastic box cover body and the foaming layer. The composite plastic box cover body and the foaming layer; a mounting hole for mounting an anti-explosion valve is formed in the composite plastic box cover body and penetrates through the composite plastic box cover body, the heat insulation layer and the foaming layer. Compared with a metal plate box cover, the composite plastic box cover body has the advantages that the overall weight of the battery pack is lighter, and the energy density is higher; the thermal insulation layer is arranged on the inner side of the composite plastic box cover body, so that when the battery pack is in thermal runaway, flame impact can be isolated, and the composite plastic box cover body is protected; the foaming layer is arranged on the inner side of the heat insulation layer, when the battery pack is subjected to thermal runaway, the internal temperature of the whole pack rises, the foaming layer expands to absorb heat and compress the space in the pack, air is prevented from entering the pack, meanwhile, the anti-explosion valve reaches the opening pressure in advance, pressure relief is started, and the battery pack is further protected.

[0007] Summary of the Invention An object of the present invention is to realize a system which enables the pressure generated due to the expansion of the cell during the use of the battery to be measured by homogeneously integrating nanotubes into the foam placed on the cell in lithium-based batteries.

[0008] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0009] “A System Measuring Pressure in a Battery Cell” realized to fulfd the objectives of the present invention is shown in the figures attached, in which:

[0010] Figure 1 is a general view of an inventive system measuring pressure in a battery cell.

[0011] Figure 2 is a view of the parts included in an inventive system measuring pressure in a battery cell.

[0012] The components illustrated in the figure are individually numbered, where the numbers refer to the following:

[0013] 1. System

[0014] 2. Battery

[0015] 3. Foam

[0016] 3.1. Cell

[0017] 4. Plate

[0018] 5. Insulating layer

[0019] 6. Measurement element

[0020] 7. Control unit

[0021] An inventive system (1) which enables the pressure measurement to be carried out comprises at least one battery (2) which includes more than one cell (2.1) that enables the electrical energy to be stored and / or the stored energy to be used thereon; at least one foam (3) which dampens the expansion that occurs during the use of the cell (2.1) by being positioned in such a way as to be on the cells (2.1) located on the battery (2) and allows the measurement of the resistance generated on the expanding cell (2.1) by means of carbon nanotubes homogeneously distributed therein during its production; at least one plate (4) which enables an electrical insulation and / or a thermal barrier to be realized between the foam (3) and the cell (2.1) by being located on each surface of the foam (3); at least one layer (5) which surrounds the foam (3) and the plate (4) in such a way that they are held together; and at least one measurement element (6) which enables the resistance generated on the foam (3) due to the expansion of the cells (2.1) during their use to be measured; at least one control unit (7) which is in communication with the measurement element (6) and determines a pressure corresponding to the resistance measured in accordance with predetermined parametric values by receiving the data of the resistance formed on the foam (3) from the measurement element (6); detects the thermal runaway and / or propagation that may occur on the cell (2.1) through the determined pressure data and makes predictions about the health status of the cell (2.1).

[0022] The battery (2) included in the inventive system (1) is an energy storage unit that enables the storage of electrical energy and / or the use of stored electrical energy in order to enable the operation of any electrically powered vehicle and / or device in the form of an electric vehicle, electronic device, storage system and / or vessel. The battery (2) consists of at least one cell (2.1) that is used to enable the electrical energy to be stored and at least one body (not shown in the figures) that enables the cell (2.1) to be protected from external environment. Each cell (2.1) included in the battery (2) is connected to each other in series and / or in parallel in order to enable the electrical energy to be stored. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the battery (2) is a lithium battery having a structure in the form of a pouch-type, cylindrical prismatic formed according to the intended use.

[0023] The foam (3) included in the inventive system (1) is placed on and / or between the cells (2.1) included in the battery (2) and dampens the expansion of the cells (2.1) due to use. The foam (3) is produced by homogeneously mixing polymer granules and carbon nanotubes by using mechanical or ultrasonic mixing applications and compressing the homogeneous mixture with heat. The foam (3) has electrically conductive properties due to the carbon nanotubes homogeneously distributed during its production.

[0024] The plate (4) included in the inventive system (1) is located on each surface of the foam (3) in order to enable it to be used as a thermal barrier and / or an electrical insulation between the foam (3) and the cell (2.1) to be realized. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the plate (4) is made of a mica material that enables an electrical insulation between the foam (3) and the cell (2.1) to be realized and / or used as a thermal barrier.

[0025] The layer (5) included in the inventive system (1) enables the foam (3) and the plates (4) located on both surfaces of the foam (3) to be held together and coats the foam (3) and the plate (4) by surrounding them. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the layer (5) is made of a polymer material in the form of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

[0026] The measurement element (6) included in the inventive system (1) establishes a physical connection with the foam (3) that is rendered conductive by means of carbon nanotubes, and enables the resistance generated on the foam (3) by the expansion of the cell (2.1) due to use to be measured. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the measurement element (6) is an electrode that enables the resistance on the foam (3) to be measured. The measurement element (6) is in communication with the control unit (7) and is configured to transmit the data of the resistance generated on the foam (3) to the control unit (7) through the established communication.

[0027] The control unit (7) included in the inventive system (1) is in communication with the measurement element (6) and receives the data of the resistance generated on the foam (3) from the measurement element (6). The control unit (7) compares the received resistance data with the data set comprising the pressure and cell (2.1) health information corresponding to certain predetermined resistance values. The control unit (7) is configured to detect the pressure data corresponding to the resistance generated on the foam (3) as a result of the comparison, as well as the health status information. The control unit (7) performs a health status prediction of the cell (2.1) by using the pressure and health status information of the cell (2.1) determined as a result of the comparison. The control unit (7) enables early detection of the presence of thermal runaway and / or thermal propagation when it detects that the pressure value has changed above a predetermined value as a result of the comparison. The control unit (7) is configured to send the detected thermal runaway and / or thermal propagation information and / or the predicted health data of the cells (2.1) to any electronic device owned by the user, for example, in the form of an on-board computer, a smartphone or a computer.

[0028] Industrial Application of the Invention

[0029] In the inventive system (1), the battery (2) enables the electrical energy in the form of an electric vehicle, energy storage system and / or vessel to be stored and / or used. There are at least two cells (2.1) connected to each other in parallel and / or in series included in the battery (2). There is a foam (3) which enables the expansion of the cell (2.1) to be absorbed and the temperature of the cell (2.1) during its use to be determined by being placed on the cell (2.1) included in the battery (2). The foam (3) is produced by homogeneously mixing polymer granules and carbon nanotubes with each other by using mechanical or ultrasonic mixing methods and compressing the homogeneous mixture with heat. The foam (3) has a conductive structure by means of the homogeneous carbon nanotubes thereof and allows the resistance it generates on the cell (2.1) to be measured by means of its conductive structure. There are plates (4) on both outer surfaces of the foam (3), which enable electrical insulation to be realized and a thermal barrier to be formed between the foam (3) and the cell (2.1). The layer (5) wraps the foam (3) and the plates (4) located on the surfaces of the foam (3) in such a way that they are held together. The measurement element (6) is physically connected to the foam (3) and enables the resistance generated by the cell (2.1) on the foam (3) to be measured. The measurement element (6) transmits the measured data of the resistance on the foam (3) to the control unit (7). The control unit (7) determines the pressure value and health status of the cell (2.1) by comparing the resistance data it receives with the data set comprising pressure and health status data corresponding to a certain predetermined resistance. When the control unit (7) determines that there is a predetermined resistance change on the received data, it enables the generated thermal propagation and / or runaway information to be transmitted to an electronic device owned by the user by deciding that thermal propagation and / or runaway has occurred.

[0030] Within these basic concepts; it is possible to develop various embodiments of the inventive “A System (1) Measuring Pressure in a Battery Cell”; the invention cannot be limited to examples disclosed herein and it is essentially according to claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A system (1) which enables the pressure measurement to be carried out; comprising at least one battery (2) which includes more than one cell (2.1) that enables the electrical energy to be stored and / or the stored energy to be used thereon; and characterized by at least one foam (3) which dampens the expansion that occurs during the use of the cell (2.1) by being positioned in such a way as to be on the cells (2.1) located on the battery (2) and allows the measurement of the resistance generated on the expanding cell (2.1) by means of carbon nanotubes homogeneously distributed therein during its production; at least one plate (4) which enables an electrical insulation and / or a thermal barrier to be realized between the foam (3) and the cell (2.1) by being located on each surface of the foam (3); at least one layer (5) which surrounds the foam (3) and the plate (4) in such a way that they are held together; and at least one measurement element (6) which enables the resistance generated on the foam (3) due to the expansion of the cells (2.1) during their use to be measured; at least one control unit (7) which is in communication with the measurement element (6) and determines a pressure corresponding to the resistance measured in accordance with predetermined parametric values by receiving the data of the resistance formed on the foam (3) from the measurement element (6); detects the thermal runaway and / or propagation that may occur on the cell (2.1) through the determined pressure data and makes predictions about the health status of the cell (2.1).

2. A system (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by the battery (2) which is an energy storage unit that enables the storage of electrical energy and / or the use of stored electrical energy in order to enable the operation of any electricallypowered vehicle and / or device in the form of an electric vehicle, electronic device, storage system and / or vessel.

3. A system (1) according to Claim 1 or 2; characterized by the battery (2) which consists of at least one cell (2.1) that is used to enable the electrical energy to be stored and at least one body that enables the cell (2.1) to be protected from external environment.

4. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the battery (2) in which each cell (2.1) therein is connected to each other in series and / or in parallel in order to enable the electrical energy to be stored.

5. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the battery (2) which is a lithium battery having a structure in the form of a pouch-type, cylindrical prismatic formed according to the intended use.

6. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the foam (3) which is placed on and / or between the cells (2.1) included in the battery (2) and dampens the expansion of the cells (2.1) due to use.

7. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the foam (3) which is produced by homogeneously mixing polymer granules and carbon nanotubes by using mechanical or ultrasonic mixing applications and compressing the homogeneous mixture with heat.

8. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the foam (3) which has electrically conductive properties due to the carbon nanotubes homogeneously distributed during its production.

9. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the plate (4) which is located on each surface of the foam (3) in order to enableit to be used as a thermal barrier and / or an electrical insulation between the foam (3) and the cell (2.1) to be realized.

10. A system (1) according to Claim 9; characterized by the plate (4) which is made of a mica material that enables an electrical insulation between the foam (3) and the cell (2.1) to be realized and / or used as a thermal barrier.

11. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the layer (5) which enables the foam (3) and the plates (4) located on both surfaces of the foam (3) to be held together and coats the foam (3) and the plate (4) by surrounding them.

12. A system (1) according to Claim 11; characterized by the layer (5) which is made of a polymer material in the form of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

13. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the measurement element (6) which establishes a physical connection with the foam (3) that is rendered conductive by means of carbon nanotubes, and enables the resistance generated on the foam (3) by the expansion of the cell (2.1) due to use to be measured.

14. A system (1) according to Claim 13; characterized by the measurement element (6) which is an electrode that enables the resistance on the foam (3) to be measured.

15. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the measurement element (6) which is in communication with the control unit (7) and is configured to transmit the data of the resistance generated on the foam (3) to the control unit (7) through the established communication.

16. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the control unit (7) which is in communication with the measurement element (6) and receives the data of the resistance generated on the foam (3) from the measurement element (6).

17. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the control unit (7) which compares the received resistance data with the data set comprising the pressure and cell (2.1) health information corresponding to certain predetermined resistance values.

18. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the control unit (7) which is configured to detect the pressure data corresponding to the resistance generated on the foam (3) as a result of the comparison, as well as the health status information.

19. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the control unit (7) which performs a health status prediction of the cell (2.1) by using the pressure and health status information of the cell (2.1) determined as a result of the comparison.

20. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the control unit (7) which enables early detection of the presence of thermal runaway and / or thermal propagation when it detects that the pressure value has changed above a predetermined value as a result of the comparison.

21. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the control unit (7) which is configured to send the detected thermal runaway and / or thermal propagation information and / or the predicted health data of the cells (2.1) to any electronic device owned by the user, for example, in the form of an onboard computer, a smartphone or a computer.

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