One]The present invention relates to a battery pack, a vehicle including such a battery pack, and a method for controlling such a battery pack.
[2]
This application is a priority claim application for Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0145242 filed on November 13, 2019, and all contents disclosed in the specification and drawings of the application are incorporated herein by reference.
background
[3]
Secondary batteries that are easy to apply according to product groups and have electrical characteristics such as high energy density are not only portable devices, but also electric vehicles (EVs) or hybrid vehicles (HEVs) driven by an electric drive source. It is universally applied. These secondary batteries are attracting attention as a new energy source for improving eco-friendliness and energy efficiency in that not only the primary advantage of being able to dramatically reduce the use of fossil fuels but also the fact that no by-products are generated from the use of energy.
[4]
The types of secondary batteries currently widely used include a lithium ion battery, a lithium polymer battery, a nickel cadmium battery, a nickel hydride battery, a nickel zinc battery, and the like. The unit secondary battery cell, that is, the operating voltage of the unit battery cell is about 2.5V ~ 4.5V. Accordingly, when a higher output voltage is required, a plurality of battery cells are connected in series to form a battery pack. In addition, a plurality of battery cells may be connected in parallel to form a battery pack according to the charge/discharge capacity required for the battery pack. Accordingly, the number of battery cells included in the battery pack may be variously set according to a required output voltage or charge/discharge capacity.
[5]
On the other hand, when configuring a battery pack by connecting a plurality of battery cells in series/parallel, a battery module including at least one battery cell is first configured, and other components are added using the at least one battery module. A method of configuring the battery pack is common.
[6]
The conventional battery pack includes battery modules including a plurality of battery cells. It may lead to thermal runaway toward the surrounding battery modules, which may lead to an explosion of the battery pack, which may cause a great risk to the safety of users.
[7]
Therefore, when an abnormal situation occurs due to overheating of a specific temperature or more in a specific battery cell of the battery module, it is necessary to quickly suppress the situation, in particular, before the explosion or fire of the battery pack occurs due to thermal runaway to the surrounding battery modules. It is necessary to secure safety by preventing thermal runaway.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
technical challenge
[8]
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack capable of improving safety by preventing thermal runaway, a vehicle including the battery pack, and a control method of the battery pack.
means of solving the problem
[9]
In order to solve the above object, the present invention provides a battery pack provided in a vehicle, comprising: at least one battery module including at least one battery cell; a relay unit connecting the at least one battery module and the motor unit of the vehicle; and a control unit connected to the relay unit and the motor unit and configured to control the relay unit and the motor unit, wherein the control unit is configured to control the at least one battery cell of the at least one battery module at a predetermined temperature. When it increases above, the relay unit is operated to provide a battery pack, characterized in that the motor unit is idle.
[10]
The control unit may close the switch of the relay unit when the at least one battery cell of the at least one battery module increases above a predetermined temperature.
[11]
The control unit may switch the gear of the vehicle to a neutral mode when the at least one battery cell of the at least one battery module increases above a predetermined temperature.
[12]
The battery pack may include an alarm unit that transmits predetermined danger information to the driver of the vehicle.
[13]
The control unit may control the warning unit to send a danger signal to the driver of the vehicle when the at least one battery cell of the at least one battery module increases above a predetermined temperature.
[14]
The control unit may idle the motor unit by switching the gear of the vehicle to a neutral mode together with the operation of the alarm unit.
[15]
The control unit may idle the motor unit by switching the gear of the vehicle to a neutral mode after a predetermined period of time after the operation of the alarm unit.
[16]
The battery pack may include at least one external resistance unit connecting the relay unit and the motor unit.
[17]
In addition, the present invention provides a method for controlling a battery pack provided in a vehicle, comprising: switching a gear of the vehicle to a neutral mode when at least one battery cell of at least one battery module increases above a predetermined temperature; operating a relay unit connected to the at least one module above the predetermined temperature; and idling the motor unit of the vehicle connected to the relay unit according to the operation of the relay unit.
[18]
In addition, the present invention provides a vehicle comprising, as a vehicle, at least one battery pack according to the above-described embodiment.
Effects of the Invention
[19]
According to various embodiments as described above, it is possible to provide a battery pack capable of improving safety by preventing thermal runaway, a vehicle including the battery pack, and a control method of the battery pack.
Brief description of the drawing
[20]
The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention, and serve to further understand the technical spirit of the present invention together with the detailed description of the present invention to be described later, so that the present invention is described in such drawings should not be construed as being limited only to
[21]
1 is a view for explaining an automobile according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[22]
FIG. 2 is a view for explaining a battery pack of the vehicle of FIG. 1 .
[23]
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an operation when an abnormal situation occurs in the battery pack of FIG. 2 .
[24]
4 is a flowchart illustrating a control method when an abnormal situation occurs in the battery pack of FIG. 2 when the vehicle of FIG. 1 is stopped.
[25]
5 is a flowchart illustrating a control method when an abnormal situation occurs in the battery pack of FIG. 2 when the vehicle of FIG. 1 is driven.
[26]
6 is a view for explaining a battery pack according to another embodiment of the vehicle of FIG. 1 .
[27]
7 is a diagram for explaining an operation when an abnormal situation occurs in the battery pack of FIG. 6 .
Modes for carrying out the invention
[28]
The present invention will become more apparent by describing preferred embodiments of the present invention in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the embodiments described herein are illustratively shown to aid understanding of the invention, and the present invention may be implemented with various modifications different from the embodiments described herein. In addition, in order to help the understanding of the invention, the accompanying drawings are not drawn to scale, but dimensions of some components may be exaggerated.
[29]
1 is a diagram for explaining a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a battery pack of the vehicle of FIG. 1 .
[30]
1 and 2 , a vehicle 1 may be an electric vehicle including a secondary battery as an energy source, or a hybrid vehicle. Hereinafter, in the present embodiment, the vehicle 1 will be described by limiting it to an electric vehicle.
[31]
The vehicle 1 may include a body 10 , a motor unit 20 , a gear 30 , an alarm unit 40 , and a battery pack 50 .
[32]
The body 10 forms the exterior of the vehicle 1, has a driving space and a riding space for users such as a driver, and accommodates components such as various parts constituting the vehicle 1 or can be installed
[33]
The motor unit 20 is for driving the vehicle 1 , and may be provided in the body 10 . The motor unit 20 may be connected to a gear 30 and a battery pack 50 to be described later, and may be provided as an electric motor.
[34]
The gear 30 is connected to the motor unit 20 and may be shifted according to a user manipulation such as a driver. For example, the gear 30 may be shifted to a driving mode, a neutral mode, a reverse mode, or a parking mode according to the user's manipulation during driving or stopping of the vehicle.
[35]
The alarm unit 40 is connected to the alarm unit 400 of the battery pack 50 to be described later, and when a dangerous situation occurs in the body 10, a user such as the driver can recognize it. may be provided at the location.
[36]
The alarm unit 40 is a display unit that provides the occurrence information of the dangerous situation as visual information to the user, a sound unit that provides auditory information to the user, or an audiovisual system that provides both visual information and auditory information It may be provided in the form of parts or the like. The present invention is not limited thereto, and it goes without saying that the alarm unit 40 may be provided in other forms as long as it can inform the user of occurrence information such as the dangerous situation.
[37]
The battery pack 50 may be provided in the body 10 as an energy source of the vehicle 1 . The battery pack 50 may provide energy for driving the motor unit 20 .
[38]
The battery pack 50 may include a battery module 100 , a pack case 200 , a relay unit 300 , an alarm unit 400 , and a control unit 500 .
[39]
The battery module 100 may be provided in at least one, or a plurality of more. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, the battery module 100 will be described by limiting it to being provided in plurality. The plurality of battery modules 100 are electrically connected to each other and may be provided in a pack case 200 to be described later.
[40]
Each of the plurality of battery modules 100 may include a battery cell 150 .
[41]
The battery cell 150 is a secondary battery, and may be provided as a pouch-type secondary battery, a prismatic secondary battery, or a cylindrical secondary battery. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, the battery cell 150 will be described by limiting it to a pouch-type secondary battery.
[42]
At least one or more of the battery cells 150 may be provided. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, a plurality of the battery cells 150 are provided and described by limiting them to those stacked together so that they can be electrically connected to each other.
[43]
The pack case 200 may be mounted on the body 10 and accommodate the plurality of battery modules 100 , a relay unit 300 to be described later, an alarm unit 400 , and a control unit 500 . .
[44]
The relay unit 300 may be provided in the pack case 200 and may be electrically connected to a control unit 500 to be described later. The relay unit 300 may connect the at least one, in this embodiment, the plurality of battery modules 100 and the motor unit 20 of the vehicle 1 .
[45]
The warning unit 400 is to deliver predetermined risk information to a user such as a driver of the vehicle 1 , is provided in the pack case 200 , and is electrically connected to a control unit 500 to be described later. can
[46]
The alarm unit 400 may be connected to the alarm unit 40 of the vehicle 1 , and when a dangerous situation occurs, the alarm unit 40 provides the danger information and the like to the alarm unit 40 side. can guide the movement of
[47]
The control unit 500 is provided in the pack case 200, and may be electrically connected to the motor unit 20, the gear 30, and the alarm unit 40 of the vehicle 1, Operations of the motor unit 20 , the gear 30 , and the alarm unit 40 may be controlled.
[48]
The control unit 500 may be electrically connected to the battery module 100 , the relay unit 300 and the alarm unit 400 , and the battery module 100 , the relay unit 300 and An operation of the alarm unit 400 may be controlled.
[49]
Hereinafter, a detailed control operation of the control unit 500 according to this embodiment will be described in more detail.
[50]
The control unit 500 operates the relay unit 300 to operate the motor unit 20 when the at least one battery cell 150 of the at least one battery module 100 increases above a predetermined temperature. ) can be idle.
[51]
Specifically, the control unit 500 closes the switch of the relay unit 300 when the at least one battery cell 150 of the at least one battery module 100 increases above a predetermined temperature. The motor unit 20 can be idle.
[52]
The control unit 500 sets the gear 30 of the vehicle 1 to a neutral mode when the at least one battery cell 150 of the at least one battery module 100 increases above a predetermined temperature. can be converted
[53]
The control unit 500 controls the alarm unit 400 to control the vehicle 1 when the at least one battery cell 150 of the at least one battery module 100 increases above a predetermined temperature. can send a danger signal to the driver of
[54]
Specifically, the control unit 500 controls the alarm unit 400 to transmit the danger information of the alarm unit 400 to the alarm unit 40 side of the vehicle 1, and the alarm unit ( 40) to inform the driver of the danger signal. Here, the alarm unit 40 may transmit such a danger signal to the driver through light emission through a display or a horn through a speaker.
[55]
The control unit 500 may switch the gear 30 of the vehicle 1 to a neutral mode together with the operation of the alarm unit 400 to cause the motor unit 20 to idle. In addition, the control unit 500 may cause the motor unit 20 to idle by switching the gear 30 of the vehicle 1 to a neutral mode after a predetermined time period after the operation of the alarm unit 400 . there is.
[56]
Hereinafter, a detailed operation of the abnormal situation occurrence of the battery pack 50 according to this embodiment will be described in more detail.
[57]
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an operation when an abnormal situation occurs in the battery pack of FIG. 2 .
[58]
Referring to FIG. 3 , in the battery pack 50 of the vehicle 1 , an abnormal situation may occur in the battery cells 155 of the battery module 100 . Specifically, the temperature may rise according to overheating or overcurrent in at least one of the battery cells 155 of the battery modules 100 .
[59]
When the temperature of the battery cell 155 continues to increase above a predetermined temperature, an explosion or ignition of the battery cell 155 may occur, and also lead to thermal runaway of the surrounding battery module 100 toward the battery cells, It may lead to explosion of the battery pack, etc., and may cause a great risk to the safety of users such as drivers and passengers of the vehicle 1 .
[60]
In the case of the battery pack 50 of the present embodiment, to prevent this, when the at least one battery cell 155 rises above a preset temperature through the control of the control unit 500, the Through the control of the battery pack 50 and the idling of the motor unit 20 , it is possible to prevent thermal runaway from occurring.
[61]
Specifically, in the battery pack 50 according to the present embodiment, through the idling of the motor unit 20 through the above-described configuration and control of the control unit 500, at least one battery cell 155 is When the temperature rises above a predetermined temperature, the energy level of the battery cells 155 of the battery module 100 is lowered to prevent such thermal runaway. This is because, in the case of the state of charge (SOC) of the battery module 100 , below a specific SOC, thermal runaway does not occur or even if it occurs, only a small amount of heat is emitted. In this embodiment, the specific SOC or less may be about 30 percent or less.
[62]
Hereinafter, the thermal runaway prevention mechanism according to this embodiment will be described in more detail.
[63]
When the temperature of at least one battery cell 155 of the battery module 100 rises above a preset temperature, the control unit 500 first, the alarm unit 400 to notify a user such as a driver. ) to recognize such a dangerous situation through the alarm unit 30 of the vehicle 1 .
[64]
Thereafter, the control unit 500 may change the state of the gear 30 of the vehicle 1 to a neutral mode. When the alarm through the alarm unit 400 and the neutral mode conversion of the gear 30 are completed, the control unit 500 closes the switch of the relay unit 300 to operate the relay unit 300 , the motor unit 20 may be idle.
[65]
Accordingly, the energy of the battery module 100 may be converted into kinetic energy through idling of the motor unit 20 and rapidly released. Here, the idling of the motor unit 20 may be continued up to a predetermined specific SOC or less.
[66]
The battery pack 50 according to the present embodiment has an abnormality caused by overheating of a specific battery cell 155 through idling of the motor unit 20 of the vehicle 1 through the control of the control unit 500 . When a situation occurs, thermal runaway due to the battery cell 155 may be effectively prevented, thereby significantly reducing the risk of an explosion or a chain ignition of the battery module 100 .
[67]
Accordingly, the battery pack 50 according to the present embodiment effectively prevents a large-scale accident such as an explosion of the battery pack 10 and furthermore the vehicle 1 when an abnormal situation occurs in the specific battery cell 155 . can be prevented
[68]
4 is a flowchart illustrating a control method when an abnormal situation occurs in the battery pack of FIG. 2 when the vehicle of FIG. 1 is stopped.
[69]
Referring to FIG. 4 , when the vehicle is stopped, the control unit of the battery pack may determine whether a temperature of at least one battery cell among the battery modules is higher than a preset temperature ( S10 ).
[70]
When the temperature of at least one battery cell is higher than a preset temperature, the control unit may operate the warning unit ( S12 ) to notify a user such as a driver of such a dangerous situation through the alarm unit.
[71]
The control unit may determine whether the gear state of the vehicle is neutral (S14), and, if the gear state is not neutral, may convert the gear state to a neutral mode (S15).
[72]
Thereafter, the control unit may close the switch of the relay unit to operate (S16). Thereafter, the control unit converts the energy of the battery module into kinetic energy through idling of the motor unit and releases it (S18), thereby lowering the SOC of the entire battery module so that thermal runaway of the battery cell or battery module does not occur. .
[73]
5 is a flowchart illustrating a control method when an abnormal situation occurs in the battery pack of FIG. 2 when the vehicle of FIG. 1 is driven.
[74]
Referring to FIG. 5 , when the vehicle is driven, the control unit of the battery pack may determine whether a temperature of at least one battery cell among the battery modules is higher than a preset temperature ( S20 ).
[75]
When the temperature of at least one battery cell is higher than a preset temperature, the control unit may operate the warning unit ( S22 ) to notify a user, such as a driver, of such a dangerous situation through the alarm unit.
[76]
The control unit may determine whether the vehicle is stopped (S23). If the vehicle is in a stopped state, the control unit may determine whether the gear state of the vehicle is neutral (S24), and if the gear state is not neutral, convert the gear state to a neutral mode (S25). Meanwhile, the control unit may change the gear state to a neutral mode when the vehicle is in a driving state instead of a stopped state according to the determination of whether the vehicle is stopped ( S23 ).
[77]
Thereafter, the control unit may close the switch of the relay unit to operate (S26). Thereafter, the control unit converts the energy of the battery module into kinetic energy through idling of the motor unit and releases it (S28), thereby lowering the SOC of the entire battery module so that thermal runaway of the battery cell or battery module does not occur. .
[78]
6 is a diagram for explaining a battery pack according to another embodiment of the vehicle of FIG. 1 , and FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an operation when an abnormal situation occurs in the battery pack of FIG. 6 .
[79]
Since the battery pack 55 of the vehicle 1 according to the present embodiment is similar to the battery pack 50 of the previous embodiment, redundant description of components substantially the same as or similar to those of the previous embodiment will be omitted. , Hereinafter, the differences from the previous embodiment will be mainly looked at.
[80]
6 and 7 , the battery pack 55 includes a battery module 100 , a pack case 200 , a relay unit 300 , an alarm unit 400 , a control unit 500 , and an external resistance unit. (600).
[81]
The battery module 100, the pack case 200, the relay unit 300, the alarm unit 400, and the control unit 500 are substantially the same as or similar to the previous embodiment, so duplicate descriptions are provided. omit
[82]
The external resistance unit 600 is provided inside the pack case 200 or outside the pack case 200 , and can connect the relay unit 300 and the motor unit 20 of the vehicle 1 . there is.
[83]
The external resistance unit 600 may release the energy of the battery module 100 as thermal energy when the relay unit 300 is closed. That is, in this embodiment, when the temperature rises above a preset temperature, such as overheating of at least one specific battery cell 155 of the battery module 100, energy is released according to the idling of the motor unit 20 and the external resistance Energy of the battery module 100 may also be emitted through the unit 600 .
[84]
Therefore, the battery pack 55 according to the present embodiment prevents the occurrence of a dangerous situation such as thermal runaway more effectively when an abnormal situation occurs due to abnormal overheating of a specific battery cell 155 of the battery module 100 . can do.
[85]
According to various embodiments as described above, the battery packs 50 and 55 capable of improving safety by preventing thermal runaway, the vehicle 1 including the battery packs 50 and 55, and the battery pack 50 , 55) can be provided.
[86]
In the above, preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, but the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and it is common in the technical field to which the present invention pertains without departing from the gist of the present invention as claimed in the claims. Various modifications may be made by those having the knowledge of, of course, and these modifications should not be individually understood from the technical spirit or perspective of the present invention.

WE CLAIMS

A battery pack provided in a vehicle, comprising: at least one battery module including at least one battery cell; a relay unit connecting the at least one battery module and the motor unit of the vehicle; and a control unit connected to the relay unit and the motor unit and configured to control the relay unit and the motor unit, wherein the control unit is configured to control the at least one battery cell of the at least one battery module at a predetermined temperature. When the increase is greater than the above, the battery pack, characterized in that by operating the relay unit to idle the motor unit.
[Claim 2]
The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the control unit closes the switch of the relay unit when the at least one battery cell of the at least one battery module increases to a predetermined temperature or higher.
[Claim 3]
The battery pack according to claim 2, wherein the control unit switches the gear of the vehicle to a neutral mode when the at least one battery cell of the at least one battery module increases above a predetermined temperature.
[Claim 4]
The battery pack according to claim 2, further comprising: an alarm unit that transmits predetermined danger information to the driver of the vehicle.
[Claim 5]
5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the control unit controls the warning unit to send a danger signal to the driver of the vehicle when the at least one battery cell of the at least one battery module increases above a predetermined temperature. battery pack with
[Claim 6]
The battery pack according to claim 5, wherein the control unit makes the motor unit idle by switching the gear of the vehicle to a neutral mode together with the operation of the alarm unit.
[Claim 7]
The battery pack according to claim 5, wherein the control unit makes the motor unit idle by switching the gear of the vehicle to a neutral mode after a predetermined time period after the operation of the alarm unit.
[Claim 8]
The battery pack according to claim 1, further comprising: at least one external resistance unit connecting the relay unit and the motor unit.
[Claim 9]
A method of controlling a battery pack provided in a vehicle, the method comprising: switching a gear of the vehicle to a neutral mode when at least one battery cell of at least one battery module increases above a predetermined temperature; operating a relay unit connected to the at least one module above the predetermined temperature; and idling the motor unit of the vehicle connected to the relay unit according to the operation of the relay unit.
[Claim 10]
A vehicle comprising a; at least one battery pack according to claim 1 .