Battery pack and electronic device comprising same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery pack and an electronic device comprising same, and, to a battery pack and an electronic device comprising same, which are capable of: detecting, when moisture is condensed in the battery pack, moisture condensation before an accident occurs; performing such a moisture detection function at low cost for a long period of time; inducing the condensed moisture to a location where an electrical short circuit accident is less likely to occur; removing the condensed moisture; and protecting parts vulnerable to insulation, thereby improving electrical stability. The battery pack according to the present invention comprises: a battery unit; a case unit for accommodating the battery unit therein; a moisture condensation unit, which is a portion where moisture is condensed in the case unit; and a sensor unit for sensing the moisture condensed in the moisture condensation unit, wherein the sensor unit includes: a moisture absorption member which is provided in the moisture condensation unit and which changes state if the moisture is absorbed; and a sensor unit for sensing the presence or degree of the moisture through the moisture absorption member of which the state is changed by absorbing the moisture.

Description

Battery pack and electronic device including the same

[0001] Cross-citation with related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2025-0006285 filed on January 15, 2025, and all contents disclosed in the document of said Korean Patent Application are incorporated herein as part of this specification.

[0003] Technology field

[0004] The present invention relates to a battery pack and an electronic device including the same, wherein, when moisture condenses within the battery pack, the condensation of moisture can be detected before an accident occurs, such moisture detection function can be performed at a low cost over a long period, the condensed moisture can be guided to an area where there is a low probability of an electrical short circuit, the condensed moisture can be removed, and components with weak insulation can be protected, thereby improving electrical stability.

[0005] Recently, with rising energy prices due to the depletion of fossil fuels and growing concern over environmental pollution, the demand for eco-friendly alternative energy sources has become an indispensable factor for future life. Accordingly, research on various power generation technologies, such as solar, wind, and tidal power, is ongoing, and there is also significant interest in power storage devices, such as batteries, to utilize this generated electrical energy more efficiently.

[0006] Furthermore, as technological development and demand for battery-powered electronic mobile devices and electric vehicles increase, the demand for batteries as an energy source is rapidly rising, and accordingly, much research is being conducted on batteries capable of meeting various requirements.

[0007] Rechargeable batteries are attracting significant attention as an energy source in various product categories, including mobile devices and electric vehicles. As an excellent energy resource capable of replacing existing products that use fossil fuels, these batteries are gaining prominence as an eco-friendly energy source because they do not generate byproducts associated with energy consumption.

[0008] Recently, with the increasing need for high-capacity secondary battery structures, including the utilization of secondary batteries as energy storage sources, there is a growing demand for battery packs with a multi-module structure that aggregates battery modules in which multiple secondary batteries are connected in series or parallel.

[0009] When battery packs are exposed to various environments, there is a possibility that moisture may condense inside the battery pack case if they are exposed to humid conditions or environments where temperatures fluctuate easily. This is particularly true when used in coastal areas. While it may be acceptable if the pack is perfectly sealed, it is difficult to prevent moisture from condensing.

[0010] If moisture condenses inside the battery pack, the condensed moisture can cause electrical short circuits, and moisture-vulnerable components (e.g., BMS (Battery Management System), BPU (Battery Protection Unit) containing electrical components, etc.) may be damaged and rendered unusable or cause unexpected accidents. This can also severely impair electrical stability.

[0011] Accordingly, there is a need for a means to check whether moisture is condensing inside the battery pack.

[0012] The present invention has been devised to solve the above-mentioned problems. The objective of the present invention is to provide a battery pack and an electronic device including the same, which can detect moisture condensation before an accident occurs when moisture condenses within the battery pack, perform this moisture detection function at a low cost over a long period, guide the condensed moisture to an area where there is a low probability of an electrical short circuit, remove the condensed moisture, and protect components with weak insulation, thereby improving electrical stability.

[0013] A battery pack according to the present invention comprises: a battery portion; a case portion housing the battery portion; a moisture condensation portion within the case portion where moisture condenses; and a sensor portion for detecting moisture condensed in the moisture condensation portion. The sensor portion comprises: a moisture absorption member installed in the moisture condensation portion and whose state changes when moisture is absorbed; and a sensor unit for sensing the presence or degree of moisture through the moisture absorption member whose state has changed by absorbing moisture.

[0014] The moisture condensation portion includes a base surface located on the upper side of the case portion; and a raised portion that rises in the direction of gravity from the base surface, and the raised portion includes a highest point portion which is the point with the highest height measured from the base surface; and an inclined surface that slopes from the highest point portion toward the base surface, and the moisture absorption member may be installed on the inclined surface or the highest point portion.

[0015] The moisture-absorbing member may include moisture-sensing paper that changes color when moisture is absorbed, and the sensor unit may include a vision sensor or a vision camera that senses the color change of the moisture-sensing paper.

[0016] Moisture-sensing paper can be litmus paper.

[0017] The inclined surface can be prepared as a flat plane.

[0018] The ridge may have a cross-section in the shape of an inverted triangle.

[0019] The moisture-absorbing member can be positioned closer to the highest point between the base surface and the highest point.

[0020] The moisture-absorbing member can be installed in contact with the highest point.

[0021] The raised portions may be provided in multiple numbers at predetermined intervals.

[0022] The sensor unit may be installed on the lower side of the case portion, positioned to face the base surface at the lower side of the case portion.

[0023] When drawing a virtual line in the direction of gravity from the moisture-absorbing member, the sensor unit can be positioned on the virtual line.

[0024] If the value sensed by the sensor unit is greater than a predetermined value, a response mechanism to address problems caused by moisture may be further included.

[0025] The response mechanism may be at least one of a current controller that lowers the current flowing through the battery section inside the case, an alarm mechanism that sounds a moisture warning alarm, an air circulation fan that can prevent moisture condensation inside the case, and a temperature controller that can change the temperature inside the case.

[0026] The electronic device according to the present invention may be an electronic device comprising the battery pack described above.

[0027] The battery pack according to the present invention and the electronic device including the same can detect the condensation of moisture before an accident occurs when moisture condenses within the battery pack, can perform this moisture detection function at a low cost for a long period, can guide the condensed moisture to a place where there is a low probability of an electrical short circuit accident, can remove the condensed moisture, and can protect components with weak insulation, thereby improving electrical stability.

[0028] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Hereinafter, preferred 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 present invention. However, the present invention may be embodied in various different forms and is not limited or restricted by the following embodiments.

[0030] In order to clearly explain the present invention, detailed descriptions of related prior art that are irrelevant to the explanation or that may unnecessarily obscure the essence of the invention have been omitted. Furthermore, when assigning reference numerals to the components of each drawing in this specification, identical or similar reference numerals are assigned to identical or similar components throughout the entire specification.

[0031] Furthermore, terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted in a meaning and concept consistent with the technical spirit of the invention, based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the terms to best describe his invention.

[0032]

[0033] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Hereinafter, a battery pack (10) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1. For reference, the battery pack (10) of the present invention is not limited to its name and can be applied to an energy supply device including a plurality of batteries. Accordingly, it may refer to an energy supply device of various forms, such as a module or a pack.

[0035] A battery pack (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a battery part (100), a case part (200), a moisture condensation part (300), and a sensor part (400).

[0036] The battery section (100) may be a part that includes a battery. The battery may be a secondary battery. The battery section (100) may mean only one battery or multiple batteries. It may also be in the form of a battery module formed by including multiple batteries.

[0037] The case portion (200) includes an upper portion located above the battery portion (100). The case portion (200) may have a shape such as a rectangular prism, for example. In this case, the case portion (200) may include a lower portion located below the battery and a side wall portion extending upward from the perimeter of the lower portion. The upper portion may cover an upper opening of the side wall portion.

[0038] The moisture condensation part (300) may be a part where moisture (Q) condenses inside the case part (200). When the moisture (Q) increases beyond a predetermined amount, it may come into contact with an object inside the case and condense on the surface of the object. The object that causes the moisture (Q) to condense in this way may be the moisture condensation part (300).

[0039] The sensor unit (400) may be configured to detect when moisture (Q) condenses in the moisture condensation unit (300). That is, the sensor unit (400) can detect moisture (Q) condensed in the moisture condensation unit (300).

[0040] Specifically, the sensor unit (400) includes a moisture-absorbing member (410) and a sensor unit (420). The moisture-absorbing member (410) may be configured to change state by absorbing moisture (Q). The moisture-absorbing member (410) may be installed in the moisture condensation unit (300). Since it is installed in the moisture condensation unit (300), it may be affected by the moisture (Q) condensing in the moisture condensation unit (300). That is, it may come into contact with the moisture (Q) condensing in the moisture condensation unit (300) and may absorb such moisture (Q). When it comes into contact with or absorbs moisture (Q), the moisture-absorbing member (410) may change state, such as by changing color, increasing weight, or increasing volume.

[0041] The sensor unit (420) may be configured to sense the presence or degree of moisture (Q) through the moisture-absorbing member (410), which has changed state by absorbing moisture (Q). For example, if the moisture-absorbing member (410) changes weight by absorbing moisture (Q), the sensor unit (420) can detect the presence or degree of moisture (Q) by detecting the change in weight. Additionally, if the moisture-absorbing member (410) changes color by absorbing moisture (Q), the sensor unit can detect the presence or degree of moisture (Q) by detecting the change in color.

[0042] A battery pack (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention can detect the condensation of moisture (Q) before an accident occurs by means of its configuration and principle. By detecting and addressing moisture (Q) in this way, components with weak insulation can be protected, thereby improving electrical stability.

[0043] More specifically, in a battery pack (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention, the moisture condensation portion (300) may include a base surface (310) and a raised portion (320). The base surface (310) may have a flat shape. The base surface (310) may be located on the upper side of the case portion (200). The raised portion (320) may be configured to rise from the base surface (310) in the direction in which gravity is directed. Referring to FIG. 1, the direction in which gravity is directed may be downward when looking at the drawing. Therefore, the raised portion (320) may have a shape that protrudes downward from the base surface (310).

[0044] The raised portion (320) includes a highest point portion (321) and an inclined surface (322). The highest point portion (321) may refer to the point with the highest height measured from the base surface (310). In the drawing, this may refer to the point with the greatest downward protrusion distance from the base surface (310). That is, it may refer to the point at the very bottom in the drawing.

[0045] And the inclined surface (322) may be a surface that slopes from the highest point (321) toward the base surface (310). That is, it may be a surface that slopes and extends from the highest point (321) toward the base surface (310). The inclined surface (322) may be formed as a flat plane. In the cross-section of FIG. 1, the inclined surface (322) may be a surface that slopes downward on both sides centered on the highest point (321). In this case, the raised portion (320) may have an inverted triangle shape in cross-section. Based on the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 1, the base surface (310) may correspond to the base of the inverted triangle. And the inclined surface (322) may correspond to the hypotenuse of the inverted triangle.

[0046] In addition, in a battery pack (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention, a moisture-absorbing member (410) is installed on an inclined surface (322) or a highest point (321). The moisture-absorbing member (410) may be a member that absorbs moisture when it comes into contact with moisture (Q). Here, the moisture-absorbing member (410) may include, for example, moisture-sensing paper that changes color when moisture is absorbed. Such moisture-sensing paper may be litmus paper. That is, when moisture comes into contact with litmus paper, the litmus paper absorbs moisture, and the color of the paper may change as it absorbs moisture. For example, litmus paper may turn blue or red when wet with water. Even if it does not turn into a vivid blue or red color, it may change to a color different from its original dry state simply by being wet with water.

[0047] Additionally, the sensor unit (420) can sense the moisture-absorbing member (410), which changes color by absorbing moisture (Q), to detect the presence or absence of moisture (Q) or the degree of moisture (Q). Specifically, the sensor unit (420) may include a vision sensor or a vision camera that senses the color change of the moisture (Q) detection paper. The vision sensor or vision camera can sense the color change as a visual element. The presence or absence of moisture (Q) can be detected through the state of the color change itself, and the amount or degree of moisture (Q) can be detected through the degree of the color change.

[0048] Additionally, the sensor unit (420) may be installed on the lower side of the case portion (200). That is, it may be installed on the lower part (220) of the case portion, which is positioned to face the base surface (310) on the lower side of the case portion (200). The sensor unit (420) may be located below the battery portion (100). The sensor unit (420) may be installed on the lower part (220) of the case portion and positioned to face upward. Specifically, it may be installed to face the moisture-absorbing member (410) located on the upper side. For example, when drawing a virtual line in the direction of gravity from the moisture-absorbing member (410), the sensor unit (420) may be positioned on the virtual line. This allows it to look at and detect the moisture-absorbing member (410) over the shortest distance. When the color of the moisture-absorbing member (410) changes, the sensor unit (420) can detect such a change in state right below it.

[0049]

[0050] The operation method may be as follows. When exposed to a humid environment or an environment where the temperature changes easily, moisture (Q) may condense in the moisture condensation part (300) inside the battery pack (10) case. Among the moisture (Q) that condenses in this way, the moisture (Q) that condenses inside the upper part of the case (200) may form on the inclined surface (322). When moisture (Q) forms on the inclined surface (322) in this way, the moisture (Q) may move downward along the inclined surface (322) by gravity. That is, the moisture (Q) moves in the direction of the F arrow shown in FIG. 1. The moisture (Q) moving down along the inclined surface (322) in the F direction encounters the moisture absorption member (410), and the moisture absorption member (410) absorbs the moisture (Q). Accordingly, the color of the moisture absorption member (410) changes. After that, the sensor unit (420) can detect a color change of the moisture-absorbing material (410) and check the presence and amount of moisture (Q).

[0051] In this way, the battery pack (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention can detect the condensation of moisture (Q) before an accident occurs. When moisture (Q) is detected in this way, preliminary measures can be taken, and electrical stability can be improved accordingly.

[0052] A battery pack (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention can obtain additional advantages compared to having a single moisture sensor by having a moisture-absorbing member (410) that absorbs moisture (Q) separately from a sensor unit (420) that senses moisture (Q). That is, the part that comes into contact with moisture (Q) is the moisture-absorbing member (410) that is separated from the sensor unit (420). Therefore, the moisture-absorbing member (410) that undergoes deformation upon contact with moisture (Q) can be easily replaced. Since the moisture-absorbing member (410) is, for example, litmus paper, the cost of replacement is relatively very low. Contact with moisture (Q) implies a high probability of failure; if the structure is such that the sensor detecting moisture (Q) comes into direct contact with and senses moisture (Q), there is a risk that the moisture (Q) detection sensor will fail due to moisture (Q). If the moisture (Q) detection sensor fails due to contact with moisture (Q), replacing the moisture (Q) detection sensor may incur a relatively high cost. However, the present invention allows the detection operation to be performed without any contact with moisture to the sensor unit that detects the presence of moisture. Therefore, the probability of failure of the sensor unit is significantly reduced. Accordingly, the battery pack (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention can perform the moisture (Q) detection function for a long period at a low cost.

[0053] In addition, in a battery pack (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention, the moisture absorbing member (410) may be positioned closer to the highest point (321) among the base surface (310) and the highest point (321). Also, the moisture absorbing member (410) may be installed in contact with the highest point (321). The closer the moisture absorbing member (410) is installed to the highest point (321), the larger the area of ​​the inclined surface (322) covered by the moisture absorbing member (410) may become. This is because moisture (Q) located further down from the position where the moisture absorbing member (410) is installed on the inclined surface (322) may not be detected. Therefore, when the moisture-absorbing member (410) is installed in contact with the lowest point, which is the highest point (321) (or when the moisture-absorbing member (410) is installed at the highest point (321)), the target area where the moisture-absorbing member (410) can perform moisture (Q) detection can be maximized.

[0054] In addition, in a battery pack (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention, the structure of the raised portion (212) may guide condensed moisture (Q) to a location where there is a low probability of an electrical short circuit. Specifically, the condensed moisture (Q) flows along the inclined surface (322) to the highest point (321) located at the bottom, and when a certain amount of moisture (Q) accumulates at the highest point (321), the moisture (Q) falls in the direction of gravity, that is, downward. At this time, if there are no circuit components sensitive to moisture (Q) at the point where the moisture (Q) falls, problems caused by moisture (Q) can be prevented to some extent. To this end, when an imaginary straight line is drawn along the direction of gravity from the highest point (321), the sensitive circuit components may be positioned so as to be offset from the imaginary straight line. When the moisture (Q) becomes a water droplet and falls downward from the highest point (321), the movement route of the water droplet becomes a route that follows the imaginary straight line. Therefore, electrical stability can be improved by arranging circuit components so as to deviate from this imaginary straight line.

[0055] Meanwhile, the raised portions (320) may be provided in multiple numbers at predetermined intervals. If the width of the case portion (200) is very large, the maximum height of the raised portions (320) can be lowered by making the raised portions (320) multiple, thereby allowing for efficient space utilization.

[0056] A battery pack (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a response mechanism for responding to problems caused by moisture (Q) when the value detected (sensed) by the sensor unit (420) is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.

[0057] The response mechanism may be any one of a current controller, an alarm mechanism, an air circulation fan, or a temperature controller. Additionally, two or more of these mechanisms may be used in combination. The current controller may be a mechanism that reduces the current flowing through the battery unit (100) inside the case unit (200). The target for reducing the current may be a BMS or a BPU. The alarm mechanism may be a mechanism that sounds a moisture warning alarm. It may be a mechanism that notifies the user by sound or through a lamp. The air circulation fan may be, for example, a winged fan rotating inside the case unit (200). This may be a fan that serves to prevent moisture (Q) condensation. The temperature controller may be a mechanism capable of changing the internal temperature of the case unit (200). Such a temperature controller may be, for example, a cooler or a heater.

[0058] When using such a countermeasure mechanism, condensed moisture (Q) inside the case part (200) can be removed, and when the moisture (Q) is removed, the component with weak insulation can be protected, and accordingly, electrical stability can be improved more reliably.

[0059] Meanwhile, an electronic device according to another embodiment of the present invention may be an electronic device (not shown) including a battery pack (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention described above. Such an electronic device may be at least one of various electronic devices such as a smartphone, tablet PC, headphones, electric scooter, drone, smart watch, electric bicycle, electric vehicle, digital camera, etc.

[0060]

[0061] Although the present invention has been described above by limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various implementations are possible within the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention and the equivalent scope of the claims described below by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs.

[0062] [Explanation of the symbol]

[0063] 10: Battery pack

[0064] 100: Battery section

[0065] 200: Case section

[0066] 220: Lower part of the case section

[0067] 300: Moisture condensation point

[0068] 310: Base surface

[0069] 320: Convergence

[0070] 321: Highest point

[0071] 322: Slope

[0072] 400: Sensor section

[0073] 410: Moisture absorption member

[0074] 420: Sensor unit

[0075] Q: Moisture

Claims

1. Battery section; A case portion that accommodates the above-mentioned battery portion internally; A moisture condensation portion, which is a part where moisture condenses within the above-mentioned case portion; and It includes a sensor unit for detecting moisture condensed in the above moisture condensation part, and The sensor unit above is, A moisture-absorbing member installed in the above moisture condensation part and whose state changes when moisture is absorbed; and A battery pack characterized by including a sensor unit that senses the presence or degree of moisture through the moisture-absorbing member, the state of which has changed by absorbing the moisture.

2. In Claim 1, The above moisture condensation part is, A base surface located on the upper side of the above case portion; and It includes a raised portion that rises in the direction of gravity from the base surface, and The above-mentioned ridge is, A highest point, which is the point with the highest height measured from the base surface; and It includes an inclined surface that slopes from the highest point toward the base surface, A battery pack characterized in that the above moisture-absorbing member is installed on the above inclined surface or at the above highest point.

3. In Claim 1, The above moisture-absorbing member includes moisture-sensing paper that changes color when moisture is absorbed, and A battery pack characterized in that the sensor unit includes a vision sensor or a vision camera that senses a color change of the moisture-sensing paper.

4. In Claim 3, A battery pack characterized in that the moisture-sensing paper is litmus paper.

5. In Claim 2, A battery pack characterized in that the above-mentioned inclined surface is provided as a flat surface.

6. In Claim 2, A battery pack characterized by the above-mentioned protrusion having a cross-section in the shape of an inverted triangle.

7. In Claim 2, The above moisture-absorbing member is, A battery pack characterized by being located closer to the highest point between the base surface and the highest point.

8. In Claim 2, The above moisture-absorbing member is, A battery pack characterized by being installed in contact with the highest point above.

9. In Claim 2, A battery pack characterized by the above-mentioned protrusions being provided in multiple numbers at predetermined intervals.

10. In Claim 2, The above sensor unit is, A battery pack characterized by being installed on the lower side of the case portion, which is positioned to face the base surface at the lower side of the case portion.

11. In Claim 10, When drawing an imaginary line in the direction of gravity from the above moisture-absorbing member, A battery pack characterized in that the sensor unit is located on the virtual line.

12. In Claim 1, If the value sensed by the sensor unit is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, it further includes a response mechanism for responding to problems caused by moisture, and The above response measures organization is, A battery pack characterized by having at least one of a current controller that lowers the current flowing through the battery section inside the case section, an alarm mechanism that sounds a moisture warning alarm, an air circulation fan that can prevent moisture condensation inside the case section, and a temperature controller that can change the temperature inside the case section.

13. An electronic device comprising a battery pack according to claim 1.

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