Apparatus and method for detecting swelling of battery mounted on electric vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for detecting swelling of a battery mounted on an electric vehicle. To this end, the apparatus for detecting swelling of a battery mounted on an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention may comprise: a display unit; a light emitting unit disposed on each of an upper portion and a lower portion of one side of a battery case; a light receiving unit disposed on each of an upper portion and a lower portion of the other side of the battery case; and a processor electrically connected to the display unit, the light emitting unit, and the light receiving unit, wherein the processor is configured to acquire intensity of an output laser beam emitted through the light emitting unit, identify intensity of an input laser beam received through the light receiving unit on the basis of the output laser beam, calculate a ratio of the identified intensity of the input laser beam to the acquired intensity of the output laser beam, compare the calculated ratio with a threshold range to determine whether the battery is normal or whether swelling of the battery has occurred, and output a warning through the display unit when it is determined that swelling has occurred in the battery.

Description

Device and method for detecting swelling of a battery installed in an electric vehicle

[0001] The present invention relates to a device and method for detecting swelling of a battery mounted in an electric vehicle.

[0002] Generally, an electric vehicle (hereinafter referred to as an electric vehicle) refers to a vehicle that operates using electricity as a power source. Such electric vehicles do not use petroleum fuel and engines, but can operate using electric batteries and electric motors, and can charge the batteries inside the electric vehicle via wired or wireless connections through chargers installed at specific locations.

[0003] In addition, multiple battery packs may be mounted on the underside of the electric vehicle to transmit power to the electric vehicle. Each battery pack includes multiple battery modules, and each battery module may include multiple battery cells.

[0004] Prior art (Korean Registered Patent Publication No. 10-1617292 B1, April 26, 2016) relates to an electric vehicle and a charging control method for its auxiliary battery, and discloses checking the charging status of the auxiliary battery while the electric vehicle is turned off, and charging the auxiliary battery by using the energy of the high-voltage battery to supply the energy of the high-voltage battery to the auxiliary battery.

[0005] However, conventional prior art only discloses charging by checking the charge status of an auxiliary battery, and does not disclose content for ensuring the safety of the battery installed in an electric vehicle.

[0006] In addition, conventional batteries installed in electric vehicles are not only vulnerable to safety issues such as overcharging, impact, and short circuits, but accidents such as ignition and explosion may also occur due to problems with the battery itself.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need to ensure the lives and safety of passengers by managing batteries installed in electric vehicles.

[0008] Accordingly, the present invention provides a device and method for detecting swelling of a battery mounted in an electric vehicle.

[0009] In addition, the present invention provides an apparatus and method for determining whether a battery is swelling by detecting a change in the intensity of a laser reaching a light receiving part according to the degree to which a laser output from a light emitting part is reflected, transmitted, or absorbed by a detection object.

[0010] In addition, the present invention provides an apparatus and method that minimizes volume and can stably and quickly determine whether a battery is swelling even in a confined space.

[0011] The objects of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned objects and advantages of the present invention may be understood from the following description and will be more clearly understood by the embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, it will be readily apparent that the objects and advantages of the present invention can be realized by the means and combinations thereof set forth in the claims.

[0012] To achieve this purpose, a device for detecting swelling of a battery mounted in an electric vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a display unit; a light-emitting unit disposed respectively at the upper and lower sides of one side of a battery case; a light-receiving unit disposed respectively at the upper and lower sides of the other side of the battery case; and a processor electrically connected to the display unit, the light-emitting unit, and the light-receiving unit. The processor acquires the intensity of an output laser output through the light-emitting unit, identifies the intensity of an input laser input through the light-receiving unit based on the output laser, calculates the ratio of the intensity of the identified input laser to the intensity of the acquired output laser, compares the calculated ratio with a threshold range to determine whether the battery is normal or whether swelling has occurred in the battery, and if it is determined that swelling has occurred in the battery, the processor may be configured to output a warning through the display unit.

[0013] In addition, a method for detecting swelling of a battery mounted in an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention may include: a process of acquiring the intensity of an output laser output through a light-emitting unit; a process of identifying the intensity of an input laser input through a light-receiving unit based on the output laser; a process of calculating the ratio of the intensity of the identified input laser to the intensity of the acquired output laser; a process of determining whether the battery is normal or whether swelling has occurred in the battery by comparing the calculated ratio with a threshold range; and a process of outputting a warning through a display unit if it is determined that swelling has occurred in the battery.

[0014] The present invention calculates the ratio of the intensity of an output laser emitted from a light-emitting unit to the intensity of an input laser input to a light-receiving unit, and by comparing the calculated ratio with a threshold range, it is possible to determine whether the battery is normal or whether swelling has occurred.

[0015] In addition, the present invention can ensure the life and safety of the occupant by outputting a warning through a display unit when it is determined that swelling has occurred in the battery.

[0016] In addition, the present invention allows for easy verification of swelling of the battery portion by forming holes on the upper and lower surfaces, respectively, of a battery case comprising a plurality of battery packs.

[0017] In addition, the present invention can make the driver aware that battery management is necessary by determining that the swelling of the battery is at level 1 of caution when the ratio of the intensity of the input laser to the intensity of the output laser falls within a first range of 90% or more to less than 100%.

[0018] In addition, the present invention can make the driver aware that battery management is urgent by determining that the swelling of the battery is at level 2 of caution when the ratio of the intensity of the input laser to the intensity of the output laser falls within a second range of 80% or more to less than 90%.

[0019] In addition, the present invention can prevent fire caused by overcharging by determining that a battery failure has occurred and cutting off the current supplied to the battery when the ratio of the intensity of the input laser to the intensity of the output laser is less than 80%.

[0020] In addition, the present invention displays the battery status according to the ratio of the input laser intensity to the output laser intensity on the display unit, thereby allowing the driver to check the battery status in real time.

[0021] In addition to the effects described above, the specific effects of the present invention are described together with the specific details for implementing the invention below.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a device for detecting swelling of a battery mounted in an electric vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 2(a) is an example diagram showing a state in which no swelling occurs in a battery mounted on an electric vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 2(b) is an example diagram showing a state in which swelling occurs in a battery mounted on an electric vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 3 is an exemplary diagram showing a state in which light output through a light-emitting unit according to one embodiment of the present invention is reflected and transmitted by a swollen part (210, 220) of a battery and input through a light-receiving unit.

[0026] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the process of detecting swelling of a battery mounted on an electric vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 5 is a table showing a threshold range for determining the degree of swelling of a battery mounted in an electric vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] The aforementioned objectives, features, and advantages are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings, thereby enabling those skilled in the art to easily implement the technical concept of the present invention. In describing the present invention, detailed descriptions of known technologies related to the present invention are omitted if it is determined that such descriptions would unnecessarily obscure the essence of the invention. Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar components.

[0029] Although terms such as "first," "second," etc., are used to describe various components, it goes without saying that these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used merely to distinguish one component from another, and unless specifically stated otherwise, the first component may also be the second component.

[0030] In the following, the statement that any configuration is placed on the "upper (or lower)" of a component or on the "upper (or lower)" of a component may mean not only that any configuration is placed in contact with the upper (or lower) surface of said component, but also that another configuration may be interposed between said component and any configuration placed on (or below) said component.

[0031] In addition, where it is stated that one component is "connected," "combined," or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that while the components may be directly connected or connected to each other, another component may be "interposed" between each component, or each component may be "connected," "combined," or "connected" through another component.

[0032] Throughout the specification, unless specifically stated otherwise, each component may be singular or plural.

[0033] Singular expressions used in this specification include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, terms such as "composed of" or "comprising" should not be interpreted as necessarily including all of the various components or steps described in the specification, and should be interpreted as meaning that some of the components or steps may be omitted or additional components or steps may be included.

[0034] Throughout the specification, "A and / or B" means A, B, or A and B unless specifically stated otherwise, and "C to D" means C or more and D or less, unless specifically stated otherwise.

[0035] Hereinafter, an apparatus and method for detecting swelling of a battery mounted in an electric vehicle according to some embodiments of the present invention will be described.

[0036] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a device for detecting swelling of a battery mounted in an electric vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 1, a device (100) for detecting swelling of a battery mounted in an electric vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a display unit (110), a speaker (120), a memory (130), a light-emitting unit (140) including at least one light-emitting element, a light-receiving unit (150) including at least one light-receiving element, and a processor (160).

[0038] The configuration of the device (100) shown in FIG. 1 is according to one embodiment, and the components of the device (100) are not limited to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and some components may be added, changed, or deleted as needed.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the display unit (110) can display a warning message based on the degree of swelling of the battery. For example, the display unit (110) can display different warning messages based on whether the battery is normal and the degree of swelling of the battery under the control of the processor (160).

[0040] According to one embodiment, the speaker (120) can output voice messages, warning sounds, etc. The speaker (120) can output different warning sounds depending on the degree of swelling of the battery.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the memory (130) may include volatile and / or non-volatile memory. The memory (130) stores information on a plurality of threshold ranges for determining the degree of swelling of the battery.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the memory (130) may include at least one type of storage medium among a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (e.g., SD or XD memory, etc.), RAM, and ROM (EEPROM, etc.).

[0043] According to one embodiment, the light-emitting unit (140) may include at least one light-emitting element that outputs light (e.g., laser, infrared, etc.). The light-emitting unit (140) may output light to determine whether the battery is swelling under the control of the processor (226).

[0044] According to one embodiment, the light receiving unit (150) may include at least one light receiving element that receives light (e.g., laser, infrared, etc.). The light receiving unit (150) may receive light to determine whether the battery is swelling under the control of the processor (226).

[0045] According to one embodiment, the processor (160) can control the overall operation of the device (100). The processor (160) can determine whether the battery is normal or whether swelling of the battery has occurred and the extent thereof based on information regarding a threshold range from the memory (130). The processor (160) may be implemented in the form of a CPU, a microprocessor, a minicomputer, etc.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the processor (160) may be implemented as at least one physical element among ASICs (application specific integrated circuits), DSPs (digital signal processors), DSPDs (digital signal processing devices), PLDs (programmable logic devices), FPGAs (field programmable gate arrays), processors, microcontrollers, microprocessors, microcontroller units (MCU), and microprocessors (MPU).

[0047] FIG. 2(a) is an exemplary diagram showing a state in which no swelling occurs in a battery mounted on an electric vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2(b) is an exemplary diagram showing a state in which swelling occurs in a battery mounted on an electric vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] Referring to FIG. 2 (a) and (b), a light-emitting unit (140) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a first light-emitting element (140a) disposed on one side of the upper part of the battery case (220) and a second light-emitting element (140b) disposed on one side of the lower part of the battery case (220).

[0049] In addition, a light receiving unit (150) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a first light receiving element (150a) disposed on the other side of the upper part of the battery case (220) and a second light receiving element (150b) disposed on the other side of the lower part of the battery case (220). For example, the battery case (220) may be formed as a fixed bracket on which a plurality of battery cells can be mounted.

[0050] According to one embodiment, light (e.g., laser, infrared) output through each of the first light-emitting element (140a) and the second light-emitting element (140b) is arranged to face each other so as to be received by the first light-receiving element (150a) and the second light-receiving element (150b), respectively.

[0051] According to one embodiment, holes (221, 222) are formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the battery case (220) respectively so that the battery can swell. When swelling occurs in the battery, the swollen portion (210, 220) swells through these holes.

[0052] When the swollen portion (210, 220) is formed through the holes (221, 222), light (e.g., laser, infrared) output through the emitting portion (140a, 140b) may not be input to the receiving portion (150a, 150b) by the swollen portion (210, 220), or may be input to the receiving portion (150a, 150b) at a lower intensity than the output intensity.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the processor (160) obtains the intensity of an output laser output through the emitting unit (140a, 140b) and, based on the output laser, can identify the intensity of an input laser input through the receiving unit (150a, 150b). Then, the processor (160) calculates the ratio of the intensity of the identified input laser to the intensity of the obtained output laser and compares the calculated ratio with a threshold range to determine whether the battery (201, 204) is normal or whether swelling of the battery has occurred.

[0054] According to one embodiment, a plurality of batteries (201, 202, 203, 204) (e.g., battery packs) are stacked inside a battery case (220).

[0055] FIG. 3 is an exemplary diagram showing a state in which light output through a light-emitting unit according to one embodiment of the present invention is reflected and transmitted by a swollen part (210, 220) of a battery and input through a light-receiving unit.

[0056] Referring to FIG. 3, the light-emitting element (310) of the light-emitting unit (140) outputs light (e.g., laser) (301) to the light-receiving element (320) of the light-receiving unit (150). For example, if there is no object (e.g., a swollen part (210)) between the light-emitting unit (140) and the light-receiving unit (150), the light output from the light-emitting element (310) of the light-emitting unit (140) is input to the light-receiving element (320) of the light-receiving unit (150) with the same intensity as the output intensity.

[0057] If an object (e.g., a swollen part (210)) exists between the light-emitting part (140) and the light-receiving part (150), a portion of the light (301) output from the light-emitting element (310) of the light-emitting part (140) is reflected (302) by the object (e.g., a swollen part (210)), and a portion (303) of the output light (301) is input to the light-receiving element (320) of the light-receiving part (150).

[0058] The processor (160) can determine whether the battery (201, 204) is normal or the degree of swelling of the battery by identifying the intensity of the input laser input through the light receiving unit (150) relative to the intensity of the output laser output through the light emitting unit (140), and calculating the ratio, and depending on which threshold range the calculated ratio falls into.

[0059] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the process of detecting swelling of a battery mounted in an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a table illustrating a threshold range for determining the degree of swelling of a battery mounted in an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 4 and FIGS. 5, the process of detecting swelling of a battery mounted in an electric vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail as follows.

[0061] According to one embodiment, the device (100) (e.g., processor (160)) can output a laser through the emitting unit (140) (S410). The device (100) (e.g., processor (160)) can output a laser having a constant intensity toward the receiving unit (150) through the emitting unit (140). For example, the intensity and period of the output laser can be variably adjusted.

[0062] For example, if the current swelling state of the battery falls within a first range, the device (100) (e.g., processor (160)) can output a laser at a slower output cycle than when the current swelling state of the battery falls within a second range. Additionally, if the current swelling state of the battery falls within a second range, the device (100) (e.g., processor (160)) can output a laser at a faster output cycle than when the current swelling state of the battery falls within a first range.

[0063] According to one embodiment, the device (100) (e.g., processor (160)) can compare the intensity of the laser input through the light receiving unit (150) with the intensity of the output laser (S412). The device (100) (e.g., processor (160)) can obtain the intensity of the output laser output through the light emitting unit (140) and the intensity of the input laser input through the light receiving unit (150).

[0064] And, the device (100) (e.g., processor (160)) can compare the magnitude between the intensity of the output laser and the intensity of the input laser input through the light receiving unit (150). Additionally, the device (100) (e.g., processor (160)) can calculate the ratio of the intensity of the input laser input through the light receiving unit (150) to the intensity of the output laser.

[0065] According to one embodiment, the device (100) (e.g., processor (160)) can determine that swelling has not occurred in the battery if the intensity of the input laser is the same as the intensity of the output laser (S414, S416). The device (100) (e.g., processor (160)) can determine that there is no object (e.g., swollen part (210)) between the light-emitting part (140) and the light-receiving part (150) if the intensity of the input laser is the same as the intensity of the output laser.

[0066] According to one embodiment, the device (100) (e.g., processor (160)) may determine that the swelling of the battery is at warning level 1 if the ratio of the intensity of the input laser is within a first range (S418, S420). The device (100) (e.g., processor (160)) may determine that the swelling of the battery is slightly occurring and is at warning level 1 if the ratio of the intensity of the input laser to the intensity of the output laser is within a first range (i.e., the intensity of the input laser is 90% or more of the intensity of the output laser).

[0067] According to one embodiment, the device (100) (e.g., processor (160)) may determine that the swelling of the battery is at warning stage 2 if the ratio of the intensity of the input laser is within a second range (S418, S420). The device (100) (e.g., processor (160)) may determine that the swelling of the battery is at warning stage 2 if the ratio of the intensity of the input laser to the intensity of the output laser is within a second range (i.e., the intensity of the input laser is 80% or more and less than 90% of the intensity of the output laser).

[0068] According to one embodiment, the device (100) (e.g., processor (160)) may determine that the battery is faulty if the ratio of the intensity of the input laser is not within a second range, output a battery fault alarm, and cut off the current supplied to the battery (S422, S426). The device (100) (e.g., processor (160)) may determine that the battery is faulty if the ratio of the intensity of the input laser to the intensity of the output laser is not within a second range (i.e., the intensity of the input laser is less than 80% of the intensity of the output laser), output a battery fault alarm, and cut off the current supplied to the battery if the swelling of the battery has progressed significantly.

[0069] As described above, the present invention calculates the ratio of the intensity of an output laser output through a light-emitting unit to the intensity of an input laser input through a light-receiving unit, and by comparing the calculated ratio with a threshold range, it is possible to determine whether the battery is normal or whether swelling of the battery has occurred.

[0070] In addition, the present invention can prevent accidents caused by ignition, explosion, etc. due to problems with the battery itself by outputting a warning through a display unit when it is determined that swelling has occurred in the battery.

[0071] Each step in each of the flowcharts described above may be operated independently of the illustrated order or may be performed simultaneously. Additionally, at least one component of the present invention and at least one operation performed by said at least one component may be implemented in hardware and / or software.

[0072] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the illustrated drawings, the present invention is not limited by the embodiments and drawings disclosed in this specification, and it is obvious that various modifications can be made by a person skilled in the art within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention. Furthermore, even if the effects of the configuration of the present invention were not explicitly described while explaining the embodiments of the present invention above, it is natural to acknowledge that the effects predictable by said configuration should also be recognized.

Claims

1. A device for detecting swelling of a battery installed in an electric vehicle, Display unit; Light-emitting parts respectively positioned on the upper and lower sides of one side of the battery case; Light receiving parts respectively positioned on the upper and lower sides of the other side of the battery case; It includes a processor electrically connected to the display unit, the light-emitting unit, and the light-receiving unit, and The above processor is, The intensity of the output laser output through the above-mentioned light-emitting unit is obtained, and Based on the output laser output above, the intensity of the input laser input through the light receiving unit is identified, and Calculate the ratio of the intensity of the identified input laser to the intensity of the acquired output laser, and By comparing the above-calculated ratio with the threshold range, it is determined whether the battery is normal or whether swelling has occurred in the battery, and A device for detecting swelling of a battery installed in an electric vehicle, configured to output a warning through the display unit when it is determined that swelling has occurred in the battery.

2. In Paragraph 1, A device for detecting swelling of a battery mounted in an electric vehicle, wherein a hole is formed in each of the upper and lower surfaces of the battery case containing a plurality of battery packs to allow the swelling portion of the battery to swell.

3. In Paragraph 1, The above processor is, A device for detecting swelling of a battery mounted in an electric vehicle, configured to determine that swelling has not occurred in the battery if the intensity of the output laser obtained above and the intensity of the identified input laser are the same.

4. In Paragraph 1, The above processor is, If the ratio of the intensity of the identified input laser to the intensity of the acquired output laser falls within a first range of 90% or more to less than 100%, the swelling of the battery is determined to be at Warning Level 1, and If the ratio of the intensity of the identified input laser to the intensity of the acquired output laser falls within a second range of 80% or more to less than 90%, the swelling of the battery is determined to be at Warning Level 2, and A device for detecting swelling of a battery mounted in an electric vehicle, configured to cut off the current supplied to the battery by determining that a failure has occurred in the battery if the ratio of the intensity of the identified input laser to the intensity of the acquired output laser is less than 80%.

5. In Paragraph 4, The above processor is, A device for detecting swelling of a battery installed in an electric vehicle, configured to display a warning light in a different color on the display unit indicating that an inspection of the battery is required if the swelling of the battery is at the first or second stage of the warning.

6. In Paragraph 4, The above processor is, A device for detecting swelling of a battery mounted in an electric vehicle, configured to display a warning light on the display unit indicating that a failure has occurred in the battery if the ratio of the intensity of the identified input laser to the intensity of the acquired output laser is less than 80%.

7. A method for detecting swelling of a battery installed in an electric vehicle, A process of acquiring the intensity of an output laser emitted through a light-emitting unit; A process of identifying the intensity of an input laser input through a light receiving unit based on the output laser output above; A process of calculating the ratio of the intensity of the identified input laser to the intensity of the acquired output laser; A process of determining whether the battery is normal or whether swelling has occurred in the battery by comparing the above-calculated ratio and threshold range; and A method for detecting swelling of a battery installed in an electric vehicle, comprising the process of outputting a warning through a display unit when it is determined that swelling has occurred in the battery.

8. In Paragraph 7, The process of determining whether swelling of the above battery occurs is, A method for detecting swelling of a battery mounted in an electric vehicle, comprising the process of determining that swelling has not occurred in the battery if the intensity of the output laser obtained above and the intensity of the identified input laser are the same.

9. In Paragraph 7, The process of determining whether swelling of the above battery occurs is, A process of determining that the swelling of the battery is at Warning Level 1 if the ratio of the intensity of the identified input laser to the intensity of the acquired output laser falls within a first range of 90% or more to less than 100%; A process of determining that the swelling of the battery is at Warning Stage 2 if the ratio of the intensity of the identified input laser to the intensity of the acquired output laser falls within a second range of 80% or more to less than 90%; and A method for detecting swelling of a battery mounted in an electric vehicle, comprising the step of determining that a failure has occurred in the battery and cutting off the current supplied to the battery when the ratio of the intensity of the identified input laser to the intensity of the acquired output laser is less than 80%.

10. In Paragraph 9, The process of cutting off the current supplied to the above battery is, A method for detecting swelling of a battery mounted in an electric vehicle, comprising the step of displaying a warning light on a display unit indicating that a failure has occurred in the battery if the ratio of the intensity of the identified input laser to the intensity of the acquired output laser is less than 80%.

Images