【Technical Field】
This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application
No. 10-2020-0100702, filed on August 11, 2020, and the entire contents of the Korean patent
application are incorporated herein by reference.
The present invention relates to a system and method for simulating a battery module,
10 and more particularly, to a battery module simulation system and method capable of
implementing load and temperature conditions of a battery module in a pressure measurement
test of a battery cell.
【Background Art】
15 In recent years, as the price of energy sources increases due to the depletion of fossil
fuels and the interest of environmental pollution is amplified, the demand for environmentally
friendly alternative energy sources has become an indispensable factor for future life. As
such, various researches on power generation technologies such as nuclear power, solar
power, wind power, and tidal power have been continued, and electric power storage devices
20 for more efficient use of such generated energy have also been attracting much attention.
3
In particular, with the development of technology and demand for mobile devices, the
demand for batteries as energy sources is rapidly increasing, and accordingly, a lot of
researches on batteries capable of meeting various demands have been conducted.
Typically, in terms of the shape of the battery, there is a high demand for a prismatic
5 secondary battery and a pouch-type secondary battery that can be applied to products such as
mobile phones with a small thickness. In terms of materials, there is a high demand for
lithium secondary batteries such as lithium ion batteries and lithium ion polymer batteries
having advantages such as high energy density, discharge voltage, and output stability.
Such a secondary battery is formed in a structure such that an electrode assembly
10 including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator disposed therebetween is
built in a battery case, and positive and negative electrode tabs are welded to two electrode
leads and are sealed to be exposed to the outside of the battery case. The electrode tab is
electrically connected to the external device through contact with the external device, and the
secondary battery supplies power to the external device through the electrode tab or receives
15 power from the external device.
As the battery is operated in an abnormal state by overcharge, overdischarge,
overheating, and external impact, etc., gas may be generated inside the secondary battery. For
example, overheated battery may generate gas and promote the decomposition reaction of
battery elements, thereby causing continuous heating, gas generation, and a swelling
20 phenomenon. This phenomenon also appears in the slow deterioration process of secondary
batteries due to long-term use. As such, in order to manufacture a battery cell having uniform
charge/discharge characteristics, it is necessary to measure the pressure change according to
4
the volume change of the battery cell.
Conventionally, a dedicated device was used to measure the pressure change of the
battery cell. However, since the conventional equipment for measuring the pressure of battery
cells has a large weight and volume, there is a spatial limitation in the battery evaluation.
5 Further, it was difficult for the pressure measurement jig to implement load and temperature
conditions of an actual battery module.
【Disclosure】
【Technical Problem】
10 In order to solve the problems of the prior technology, an object of the present
invention is to provide a battery module simulation system and method for implementing load
and temperature conditions of a battery module in a pressure measurement test of a battery
cell.
15 【Technical Solution】
The present invention provides a system for simulating a battery module. In one
embodiment, a system for simulating a battery module according to the present invention
includes: a case which accommodates a battery cell therein; a charge/discharge unit which is
electrically connected to the battery cell; a tube which is stacked on one surface of the battery
20 cell and has a structure into which a fluid flows; a fluid supply unit which is fluidly connected
to the tube, and supplies a fluid to the tube to thereby apply pressure to the battery cell; a
5
temperature controller which controls a temperature of the fluid which has flowed into the
tube; and a sensor unit which is disposed between the tube and one surface of the case and
measures a pressure inside the case.
In another embodiment, in the system, n tubes are disposed as a single layer on one
5 surface of the battery cell. Herein, the n is an integer equal to or greater than 2. At this time,
each of the n tubes may include a valve which controls an inflow of the fluid, and each of the
n tubes may include a temperature controller which controls a temperature of the fluid.
In further another embodiment, the system for simulating a battery module according
to the present invention further includes: an output unit which is connected to the sensor unit
10 and outputs a pressure value of an inside of the case; and a storage unit which stores the
pressure value.
In one embodiment, the case of the system for simulating a battery module according
to the present invention further includes first and second compression pads interposed on two
surfaces of the battery cell, respectively.
15 Further, the tube may be made of a soft or elastic material, and the fluid flowing into
the tube may be in a liquid or gel state. Further, the sensor unit may include a pressure sensor
of a planar structure.
Further, the present invention provides a method of simulating a battery module using
20 the above described system for simulating a battery module. In one embodiment, the method
of simulating a battery module according to the present invention includes: setting an inflow
and a temperature of a fluid flowing into a tube of a system for simulating a battery module,
6
to thereby apply a pressure and a temperature to a battery cell; and inducing a swelling of the
battery cell according to charge and discharge and measuring a pressure inside a case.
Further, the method further includes setting an inflow and a temperature of a fluid
flowing into n tubes as the n tubes are disposed as a single layer on one surface of the battery
5 cell of the system. Herein, the n is an integer equal to or greater than 2.
【Advantageous Effects】
According to the battery module simulation system and method of the present
invention, it is possible to easily change the pressure and temperature applied to the battery
10 cell at the pressure measurement test of the battery cell, and accordingly, it is possible to
easily implement pressure and temperature conditions in a battery module.
【Brief Description of the Drawings】
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a system for simulating a battery module
15 according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a system for simulating a battery module
according to another embodiment of the present invention.
【Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments】
20 As the inventive concept allows for various changes and numerous embodiments,
particular embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the text.
7
However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to the specific form disclosed, and
it should be understood to include all changes, equivalents, and substitutes included in the
spirit and scope of the present invention.
In this application, it should be understood that terms such as "include" or "have" are
5 intended to indicate that there is a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or a
combination thereof described on the specification, and they do not exclude in advance the
possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features or numbers, steps,
operations, components, parts or combinations thereof. Also, when a portion such as a layer, a
film, an area, a plate, etc. is referred to as being "on" another portion, this includes not only
10 the case where the portion is "directly on" the another portion but also the case where further
another portion is interposed therebetween. On the other hand, when a portion such as a layer,
a film, an area, a plate, etc. is referred to as being "under" another portion, this includes not
only the case where the portion is "directly under" the another portion but also the case where
further another portion is interposed therebetween. In addition, to be disposed "on" in the
15 present application may include the case disposed at the bottom as well as the top.
The present invention relates to a system and method for simulating a battery module.
First, a system for simulating a battery module according to the present invention includes: a
case which accommodates a battery cell therein; a charge/discharge unit which is electrically
20 connected to the battery cell; a tube which is stacked on one surface of the battery cell and has
a structure into which a fluid flows; a fluid supply unit which is fluidly connected to the tube,
and supplies a fluid to the tube to thereby apply pressure to the battery cell; a temperature
8
controller which controls a temperature of the fluid which has flowed into the tube; and a
sensor unit which is disposed between the tube and one surface of the case and measures a
pressure inside the case.
The pressure measurement jig for measuring the pressure change of the conventional
5 battery cell has a large weight and volume, and accordingly, there is a spatial limitation in the
battery evaluation. Further, it was difficult for the pressure measurement jig to implement
load and temperature conditions of an actual battery module.
As such, the inventors of the present invention have invented a battery module
simulation system and method for implementing load and temperature conditions of a battery
10 module in a battery cell measuring apparatus. More specifically, the battery module
simulation system and method according to the present invention includes a laminated
structure of a tube which has a structure where a battery cell is accommodated in a case, and a
fluid flows in on one surface of the battery cell. At this time, since the tube can adjust the
amount and temperature of a fluid flowing into the tube, the battery module simulation system
15 and method according to the present invention can implement the load and temperature of the
actual battery module.
In one embodiment, the system for simulating a battery module according to the
present invention includes a case for accommodating battery cells therein. The case means a
housing for accommodating battery cell, and it includes an accommodation space for
20 accommodating battery cells in the case. On the other hand, the battery cell may be
accommodated to allow the bottom surface of the case and the bottom surface of the battery
cell to be horizontal. In another example, one surface of the case may be opened, and a cover
9
may be welded on one surface of the case. Herein, one surface of the case means one wall in
the case and means a case wall located in the lamination direction of the battery.
In one embodiment, the battery cell may be a pouch-type unit cell. On the other hand,
if the battery cell is a secondary battery capable of charging and discharging, it is not
5 particularly limited. In a specific example, the battery cell is a pouch type unit cell, and an
electrode assembly having a positive electrode/ separator/ negative electrode structure is
embedded in an exterior material of the laminate sheet in a state that is connected to electrode
leads formed outside the exterior material. The electrode leads may be drawn to the outside of
the sheet and may be extended in the same or opposite direction to each other.
10 In one embodiment, the system for simulating a battery module according to the
present invention includes a compression pad. In a specific example, the case has first and
second compression pads therein, and the first and second compression pads are interposed on
two surfaces of the battery cell, respectively. The compressed pads are used to similarly
simulate the rigidity conditions of the battery cell periphery in the battery module. In a
15 specific example, the compression pad may be made of a polyurethane series material, and
when thickness is modified by the swelling phenomenon of the battery cell, the change in the
battery cell by the external impact may be absorbed.
In one embodiment, the system for simulating a battery module according to the
present invention includes a tube. In the present invention, "tube" means a structure that is
20 stacked on one surface of a battery cell housed in the case. The tube may have a flat form that
may be laminated on the battery cell, and it is preferable to cover the front surface of the
battery cell. In particular, the fluid may be flowed into the tube, and the pressure or load
10
applied to the battery cell may be controlled by controlling the inflow of the fluid. Further, the
temperature of the fluid, which has flowed into the tube, may also be controlled, thereby
controlling the temperature, etc. of the battery cell accommodated in the case. For example, it
is possible to simulate the temperature and pressure at the swelling test in a battery cell by
5 allowing a fluid to flow into the tube and controlling the temperature of the fluid. Specific
explanations are described later.
The tube may be made of a soft or elastic material. For example, the tube may be
made of a rubber material. Further, the tube may have a flat form so that it may be easily
laminated on one surface of the battery cell.
10 Furthermore, the fluid flowing into the tube may be a in a liquid or gel state. For
example, the fluid may be water or a heat transfer fluid. In a specific example, it is possible to
control pressure or load applied to a battery cell and at the same time, it is also possible to
easily control the temperature applied to the battery cell by filling the heat transfer fluid or
water in the tube.
15 In another example, the system for simulating a battery module according to the
present invention includes n tubes (n is an integer equal to or greater than 2). In a specific
example, in the system for simulating a battery module of the present invention, n tubes are
disposed as a single layer on one surface of the battery cell. Herein, the n is an integer equal to
or greater than 2. At this time, it is preferable that n tubes are disposed to be distributed in the
20 entire area of the battery cell. For example, the number n of the tubes is in the range of 2 to
40, 2 to 30 or 2 to 20.
In another embodiment, the n tubes are fluidly connected to the fluid supply unit,
11
respectively, and include a valve for controlling the inflow of a fluid flowing into each of the
tubes, respectively. Namely, it is possible to differently set pressures applied to respective
regions of the battery cell by individually configuring the tube and individually setting the
inflow of the fluid flowing into each tube.
5 Furthermore, the n tubes may include a temperature controller for controlling the
temperature of the fluid, respectively. As such, it is possible to differently set temperatures
applied to respective regions of the battery cell by individually configuring the tube and
individually setting the temperature of the fluid flowing into each tube. Namely, the present
invention can simulate a battery module by granting conditions in a module state while
10 changing the temperature and pressure conditions by regions of a battery cell.
In one embodiment, the system for simulating a battery module according to the
present invention includes a fluid supply unit which is fluidly connected to a tube, supplies a
fluid to the tube, and applies pressure to the battery cell. The fluid supply unit is a device for
supplying a fluid into a tube or discharging a fluid from the tube, and may be a general fluid
15 pump. Further, the fluid supply unit further includes a valve for controlling an inflow of a
fluid flowing into the tube. The valve may be a general fluid control valve. The inflow of the
fluid may be set by the fluid control valve.
In one embodiment, the system for simulating a battery module according to the
present invention includes a temperature controller for controlling the temperature of a fluid
20 flowing into a tube. The temperature controller may be a heater and may easily control the
temperature of the fluid accommodated in the tube to a desired temperature through a
temperature sensor attached on the tube. Namely, the pressure and the temperature applied to
12
the battery cell can be controlled by controlling the inflow and the temperature of the fluid
accommodated in the tube. In another embodiment, the n tubes may include a temperature
controller for controlling the temperature of the fluid, respectively.
Further, the temperature controller may control the temperature of the fluid
5 accommodated in the tube, or the temperature controller may be connected to the fluid supply
unit to thereby control the temperature of the fluid supplied to the tube and then allow the
fluid to flow into the tube.
In one embodiment, the system for simulating a battery module according to the
present invention includes a sensor unit. Specifically, the sensor unit may be disposed
10 between the tube and one surface of the case to thereby measure the internal pressure of the
case. Specifically, the sensor unit includes a pressure sensor having a planar structure. The
pressure sensor having the planar structure may be interposed on the front surface of the
battery tube. As such, even if the pressure increases only on a partial region of the entire area
of the tube or the battery cell, the pressure in the case can be easily sensed.
15 For example, the pressure sensor may be a pressure distribution measurement sensor.
The pressure distribution measurement sensor is a film-type pressure sensor and can
simultaneously measure the pressure applied to thousands of sensor surfaces to thereby
identify the shape of the pressure distribution. Then, analog signals of such a pressure
distribution shape can be converted into digital signals, and the digital signals can be
20 transmitted to a PC.
In a specific example, the system for simulating a battery module of the present
invention sets the pressure and the temperature applied to the battery cell by injecting a fluid
13
into the tube and controlling the temperature of the fluid in the tube. Further, the changed
pressure in the case can be measured according to the inflow and the temperature of the fluid
flowing into the tube.
More specifically, the system for simulating a battery module of the present invention
5 applies a predetermined pressure and temperature to battery cells accommodated in a case by
controlling the inflow and the temperature of the fluid inside the tube with the fluid supply
unit and the temperature controller. The swelling of the battery cell is induced by the
charge/discharge unit which is electrically connected to the battery cell in a state that pressure
and temperature have been applied to the battery cell. Further, the sensor unit can sense the
10 pressure changed by the swelling of the battery cell.
On the other hand, the charge/discharge unit may supply power for charge to battery
cells and receive discharge power from the battery cells. Herein, supplying power to the
battery cells is not limited to supplying power which is sufficient for fully charging the battery
cells. The same may be applied to the meaning of receiving discharge power from the battery
15 cells, and thus repeated description thereof is omitted here.
Further, the system for simulating a battery module according to the present invention
further includes an output unit which is connected to the sensor unit and outputs a pressure
value of an inside of the case, and a storage unit which stores the pressure value. Specifically,
the output unit may numerically calculate and display a change in the pressure applied from
20 the battery cell based on a signal inputted from the sensor unit. In addition, the storage unit
may receive and store the pressure value or the output value of the battery cell, and may store
information on the swelling result of the battery cell to make the information as a database.
14
For example, information on pressure values for the temperature condition and the inflow of
the fluid flowing into the tube or operation conditions of the charge/discharge unit may be
made and stored as a table or a graph.
5 Further, the present invention provides a method of simulating a battery module using
the above described system for simulating a battery module.
In one embodiment, the method of simulating a battery module according to the
present invention includes: setting an inflow and a temperature of a fluid flowing into a tube
of a system for simulating a battery module, to thereby apply a predetermined pressure and
10 temperature to a battery cell; and inducing a swelling of the battery cell according to charge
and discharge and measuring a pressure inside a case.
The step of applying the pressure and the temperature to the battery cell includes a
process of setting the inflow and the temperature of the fluid flowing into the tube by using
the fluid supply unit and the temperature controller. In particular, the process of allowing a
15 fluid to flow into the tube and controlling the temperature is to simulate the temperature and
pressure of a battery cell at the time of a swelling test in a battery module. At this time, the
pressure applied to the battery cell may be changed according to the inflow of the fluid, and
the average temperature may be set to be in the range of 20 to 50℃.
In another embodiment, the method further includes setting an inflow and a
20 temperature of a fluid flowing into n tubes as the n tubes are disposed as a single layer on one
surface of the battery cell of the system. Herein, the n is an integer equal to or greater than 2.
In a specific embodiment, n tubes are fluidly connected to the fluid supply unit,
15
respectively, and include a valve for controlling the inflow of a fluid flowing into each of the
tubes, respectively. Namely, it is possible to differently set pressures applied to respective
regions of the battery cell by individually configuring the tube and individually setting the
inflow of the fluid flowing into each tube.
5 Furthermore, the n tubes may include a temperature controller for controlling the
temperature of the fluid, respectively. As such, it is possible to differently set temperatures
applied to respective regions of the battery cell by individually configuring the tube and
individually setting the temperature of the fluid flowing into each tube. Namely, the present
invention can simulate a battery module by granting conditions in a module state while
10 changing the temperature and pressure conditions by regions of a battery cell.
Further, the battery module simulation method according to the present invention
includes the step of measuring the pressure inside a case. The sensor unit may be disposed
between the tube and one surface of the case to thereby measure the internal pressure of the
case.
15 In a specific example, the system for simulating a battery module of the present
invention sets the pressure and the temperature applied to the battery cell by injecting a fluid
into the tube and controlling the temperature of the fluid in the tube. Further, the changed
pressure in the case can be measured according to the inflow and the temperature of the fluid
flowing into the tube.
20 More specifically, the system for simulating a battery module of the present invention
applies a predetermined pressure and temperature to battery cells accommodated in a case by
controlling the inflow and the temperature of the fluid inside the tube with the fluid supply
16
unit and the temperature controller. The swelling of the battery cell is induced by the
charge/discharge unit which is electrically connected to the battery cell in a state that pressure
and temperature have been applied to the battery cell. Further, the sensor unit can sense the
pressure changed by the swelling of the battery cell.
5
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail through drawings
and examples. As the inventive concept allows for various changes and numerous
embodiments, particular embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in
detail in the text. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to the specific
10 form disclosed, and it should be understood to include all changes, equivalents, and
substitutes included in the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[First embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a system for simulating a battery module
15 according to one embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 1, a system 100 for simulating a battery module according to the
present invention includes: a case 120 which accommodates a battery cell 110 therein; a
charge/discharge unit 140 which is electrically connected to the battery cell 110; a tube 130
which is stacked on one surface of the battery cell 110 and has a structure into which a fluid
20 flows; a fluid supply unit 150 which is fluidly connected to the tube 130, and supplies a fluid
to the tube 130 to thereby apply pressure to the battery cell 110; a temperature controller 160
which controls a temperature of the fluid which has flowed into the tube 130; and a sensor
17
unit 170 which is disposed between the tube 130 and one surface of the case 120 and
measures a pressure inside the case 120.
Further, the system 100 for simulating a battery module according to one embodiment
of the present invention has a structure where first and second compression pads 180 and 180'
5 are interposed on two surfaces of a battery cell 110.
Further, the tube 130 is made of a soft or elastic material, has a flat form so that it can
be easily laminated on one surface of a battery cell 110, and has a structure of covering the
front surface of the battery cell 110. A fluid or water may flow into the tube 130. Specifically,
the pressure applied to the battery cell 110 accommodated in the case 120 may be controlled
10 by allowing water to flow into the tube 130. Further, the tube 130 is laminated on one surface
of the first compression pad 180 laminated on the battery cell 110.
The system 100 for simulating a battery module of the present invention is fluidly
connected to the tube and includes a fluid supply unit 150 which supplies a fluid to the tube
130. The fluid supply unit 150 may be a general fluid pump. Further, though not illustrated in
15 FIG. 1, the inflow of the fluid flowing into the tube can be controlled by including a fluid
control valve (not shown) between the tube 130 and the fluid supply unit 150.
The system 100 for simulating a battery module of the present invention includes a
temperature controller 160 for controlling the temperature of a fluid which has flowed into the
tube 130. The temperature controller 160 may be a heater and may easily control the
20 temperature of the fluid accommodated in the tube to a desired temperature through a
temperature sensor attached on the tube 130. Namely, the pressure and the temperature
applied to the battery cell can be controlled by controlling the inflow and the temperature of
18
the fluid accommodated in the tube 130.
On the other hand, though not illustrated in the drawings, the temperature controller
160 may be connected to a fluid supply unit 150 and allow a fluid to flow into the tube 130
after controlling the temperature of the fluid supplied to the tube 130.
5 The system 100 for simulating a battery module of the present invention includes a
sensor unit 170. Specifically, the sensor unit 170 is disposed between the tube 130 and one
surface of the case 120 and measures the internal pressure of the case 120. Specifically, the
sensor unit 170 includes a pressure sensor having a planar structure. The pressure sensor
having the planar structure is interposed on the front surface of the battery tube 130. As such,
10 even if the pressure increases only on a partial region of the entire area of the tube 130 or the
battery cell 110, the pressure in the case 120 can be easily sensed.
Specifically, the system 100 for simulating a battery module of the present invention
sets the pressure and the temperature applied to the battery cell 110 by injecting a fluid into
the tube 130 and controlling the temperature of the fluid in the tube 130. Further, the changed
15 pressure in the case 120 can be measured according to the inflow and the temperature of the
fluid flowing into the tube 130.
More specifically, the system for simulating a battery module of the present invention
applies a predetermined pressure and temperature to the battery cell 110 accommodated in the
case 120 by controlling the inflow and the temperature of the fluid in the tube 130 with the
20 fluid supply unit 150 and the temperature controller 160. The swelling of the battery cell 110
is induced by the charge/discharge unit 140 which is electrically connected to the battery cell
110 in a state that the pressure and temperature have been applied to the battery cell 110.
19
Further, the sensor unit 170 can sense the pressure changed by the swelling of the battery cell
110.
Further, the measured pressure value may be outputted in the output unit 190, and the
pressure value may be stored in the storage unit 195.
5
[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a system for simulating a battery module
according to another embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 2, a system 200 for simulating a battery module according to the
10 present invention includes: a case 220 which accommodates a battery cell 210 therein; a
charge/discharge unit 240 which is electrically connected to the battery cell 210; a tube 230
which is stacked on one surface of the battery cell 210 and has a structure into which a fluid
flows; a fluid supply unit 250 which is fluidly connected to the tube 230, and supplies a fluid
to the tube 230 to thereby apply pressure to the battery cell 210; a temperature controller 260
15 which controls a temperature of the fluid which has flowed into the tube 230; and a sensor
unit 270 which is disposed between the tube 230 and one surface of the case 220 and
measures a pressure inside the case 220.
Further, the system 200 for simulating a battery module according to one embodiment
of the present invention has a structure where first and second compression pads 280 and 280'
20 are interposed on two surfaces of a battery cell 210.
At this time, the system 200 for simulating a battery module includes n tubes (n is an
integer equal to or greater than 2). FIG. 2 shows that 5 tubes 231, 232, 233, 234 and 235 are
20
included, but the present invention is not limited to this example.
Specifically, the tubes 231, 232, 233, 234 and 235 are arranged as a single layer on
one surface of the battery cell 210, and the tubes 231, 232, 233, 234 and 235 are arranged to
be distributed on the entire area of the battery cell 210. More specifically, first and second
5 compression pads 280 and 280' are interposed on two surfaces of the battery cell 210, and the
tubes 231, 232, 233, 234 and 235 are arranged on one surface of the first compression pad
280.
Meanwhile, the tubes 231, 232, 233, 234 and 235 are fluidly connected to the fluid
supply unit 250, and a value (not shown), which controls an inflow of a fluid flowing into the
10 tubes 231, 232, 233, 234 and 235, is provided between the tubes 231, 232, 233, 234 and 235
and the fluid supply unit 250. Namely, the system 200 for simulating a battery module
according to the present invention may differently set pressure applied to each region of the
battery cell 210 by individually configuring the tube 230 and individually setting the inflow of
a fluid flowing into each tube 230.
15 Further, the tubes 231, 232, 233, 234 and 235 may include a temperature controller
260 for controlling the temperature of the fluid, respectively. FIG. 2 shows that one
temperature controller 260 is included, but the present invention is not limited to this
example. Namely, the system for simulating a battery module according to the present
invention may differently set the temperature applied to each region of the battery cell by
20 individually configuring tubes 231, 232, 233, 234 and 235 and individually setting the
temperature of the fluid flowing into each of the tubes 231, 232, 233, 234 and 235.
More specifically, the system for simulating a battery module of the present invention
21
applies a predetermined pressure and temperature to the battery cell 210 accommodated in the
case by controlling the inflow and the temperature of the fluid in the tube 230 with the fluid
supply unit 250 and the temperature controller 260. The swelling of the battery cell 210 is
induced by the charge/discharge unit 240 which is electrically connected to the battery cell
5 210 in a state that the pressure and temperature have been applied to the battery cell 210.
Further, the sensor unit 270 can sense the pressure changed by the swelling of the battery cell
210. Particularly, the present invention can simulate a battery module by granting conditions
in a module state while changing the temperature and pressure conditions by regions of a
battery cell 210.
10 Since each component has been described above, the detailed description of each
component will be omitted here.
Although preferred examples of the present invention have been described with
reference to drawings, it can be understood that those skilled in the art can make various
15 modifications and changes to the present invention without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below.
Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention should not be limited to the
contents described in the detailed description of the specification but should be defined by the
claims.
20
[Description of reference numerals]
100, 200: system for simulating a battery module
22
110, 210: battery cell
120, 220: case
130, 230: tube
140, 240: charge/discharge unit
5 150, 250: fluid supply unit
160, 260: temperature controller
170, 270: sensor unit
180, 280: compression pad
190, 290: output unit
10 195, 295: storage unit
23
【Claims】
【Claim 1】
A system for simulating a battery module, the system comprising:
a case which accommodates a battery cell therein;
5 a charge/discharge unit which is electrically connected to the battery cell;
a tube which is stacked on one surface of the battery cell and has a structure into which
a fluid flows;
a fluid supply unit which is fluidly connected to the tube, and supplies a fluid to the
tube to thereby apply pressure to the battery cell;
10 a temperature controller which controls a temperature of the fluid which has flowed
into the tube; and
a sensor unit which is disposed between the tube and one surface of the case and
measures a pressure inside the case.
15 【Claim 2】
The system of claim 1, wherein n tubes are disposed as a single layer on one surface
of the battery cell, and
wherein the n is an integer equal to or greater than 2.
20 【Claim 3】
24
The system of claim 2, wherein each of the n tubes includes a valve which controls an
inflow of the fluid.
【Claim 4】
5 The system of claim 2, wherein each of the n tubes includes a temperature controller
which controls a temperature of the fluid.
【Claim 5】
The system of claim 1, further comprising:
10 an output unit which is connected to the sensor unit and outputs a pressure value of an
inside of the case; and
a storage unit which stores the pressure value.
【Claim 6】
15 The system of claim 1, wherein the case further includes first and second
compression pads interposed on two surfaces of the battery cell, respectively.
【Claim 7】
The system of claim 1, wherein the tube is made of a soft or elastic material.
20
25
【Claim 8】
The system of claim 1, wherein the fluid flowing into the tube is in a liquid or gel
state.
5 【Claim 9】
The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor unit includes a pressure sensor of a planar
structure.
【Claim 10】
10 A method of simulating a battery module, the method comprising:
setting an inflow and a temperature of a fluid flowing into a tube of the system for
simulating a battery module according to claim 1, to thereby apply a pressure and a
temperature to a battery cell; and
inducing a swelling of the battery cell according to charge and discharge and
15 measuring a pressure inside a case.
【Claim 11】
The method of claim 10, further comprising setting an inflow and a temperature of a
fluid flowing into n tubes as the n tubes are disposed as a single layer on one surface of the
20 battery cell of the system,
26
wherein the n is an integer equal to or greater than 2