U.S. patent application number 17/601187 was filed with the patent office on 2022-06-16 for secondary battery and battery module having the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to LG Energy Solution, Ltd.. The applicant listed for this patent is LG Energy Solution, Ltd.. Invention is credited to Jae Chan Lee.
Application Number | 20220190400 17/601187 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-06-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220190400 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lee; Jae Chan |
June 16, 2022 |
Secondary Battery and Battery Module Having the Same
Abstract
A secondary battery includes: an electrode assembly; a
sheet-type exterior configured to accommodate the electrode
assembly; and a plurality of temperature sensing parts provided
adjacent to the exterior to sense a temperature of a plurality of
areas, respectively, of the exterior, wherein at least one of the
plurality of temperature sensing parts includes: a positive
temperature coefficient (PTC) element; and a negative temperature
coefficient (NTC) element.
Inventors: |
Lee; Jae Chan; (Daejeon,
KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LG Energy Solution, Ltd. |
Seoul |
|
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
LG Energy Solution, Ltd.
Seoul
KR
|
Appl. No.: |
17/601187 |
Filed: |
December 10, 2019 |
PCT Filed: |
December 10, 2019 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR2019/017356 |
371 Date: |
October 4, 2021 |
International
Class: |
H01M 10/48 20060101
H01M010/48; H01M 50/581 20060101 H01M050/581 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 17, 2019 |
KR |
10-2019-0044991 |
Claims
1. A secondary battery comprising: an electrode assembly; a
sheet-type exterior configured to accommodate the electrode
assembly; and a plurality of temperature sensing parts provided
adjacent to the exterior to sense a temperature of a plurality of
areas, respectively, of the exterior, wherein at least one of the
plurality of temperature sensing parts comprises: a positive
temperature coefficient (PTC) element; and a negative temperature
coefficient (NTC) element.
2. The secondary battery of claim 1, further comprising an
electrode lead having a shape that protrudes outward, wherein one
of the at least one of the plurality of temperature sensing parts
provided with the NTC element is adjacent to the electrode
lead.
3. The secondary battery of claim 1, further comprising a positive
electrode lead and a negative electrode lead each having a shape
that protrudes outward, and wherein one of the at least one of the
plurality of temperature sensing parts provided with the NTC
element is adjacent to the negative electrode lead.
4. The secondary battery of claim 1, wherein the plurality of
temperature sensing parts are attached to a top surface or a bottom
surface that is a main plane of the exterior.
5. The secondary battery of claim 1, wherein the plurality of
temperature sensing parts are attached to a side surface of the
exterior.
6. The secondary battery of claim 1, wherein the exterior
comprises: a body part having an internal space in which the
electrode assembly is accommodated; and a sealing part configured
to seal the internal space of the body part from the outside,
wherein the plurality of temperature sensing parts are attached to
the sealing part, and the sealing part is bent to be in contact
with a side surface of the exterior.
7. The secondary battery of claim 1, further comprising an adhesive
part adhering to a portion of a surface of the exterior, wherein
the plurality of temperature sensing parts are attached to the
adhesive part.
8. The secondary battery of claim 7, wherein the exterior
comprises: a body part having an internal space in which the
exterior is accommodated; and a sealing part configured to seal the
internal space of the body part from the outside, wherein the
adhesive part adheres together to the sealing part and the body
part so that the sealing part is bent to be in contact with a side
surface of the exterior.
9. The secondary battery of claim 7, wherein the adhesive part is
attached to only an entire top surface or an entire bottom surface
that is a main plane of the exterior.
10. The secondary battery of claim 1, wherein a circuit configured
to connect the plurality of temperature sensing parts to each other
connects the plurality of temperature sensing parts to each other
in a zigzag shape.
11. A battery module comprising: the secondary battery of claim 1;
and a controller configured to receive temperature information of
the exterior on the plurality of areas to which the plurality of
temperature sensing parts of the secondary battery are attached,
wherein, when a temperature at one of the plurality of areas to
which the plurality of temperature sensing parts are attached
exceeds a predetermined value, the controller (i) interrupts
current of the secondary battery or (ii) transmits a warning signal
to the outside.
12. The battery module of claim 11, wherein the controller receives
temperature information from each of the at least one of the
plurality of temperature sensing parts provided with both the PTC
element and the NTC element, and when a temperature provided from
an NTC element exceeds a first reference temperature, the
controller transmits the warning signal to the outside.
13. The battery module of claim 12, wherein, when a temperature
provided from the NTC element exceeds a second reference
temperature, and a temperature provided from the PTC element
exceeds a third reference temperature, the controller interrupts
the current of the secondary battery.
14. The battery module of claim 13, wherein the second reference
temperature is greater than the first reference temperature.
15. The battery module of claim 13, wherein the second reference
temperature is the same as the third reference temperature.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application is a national phase entry under 35
U.S.C. .sctn. 371 of International Application No.
PCT/KR2019/017356, filed Dec. 10, 2019, published in Korean, which
claims the benefit of the priority of Korean Patent Application No.
10-2019-0044991, filed on Apr. 17, 2019, which are hereby
incorporated by reference in their entireties.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a secondary battery and a
battery module including the secondary battery, and more
particularly, to a secondary battery having a structure which is
capable of interrupting current when a temperature of the secondary
battery exceeds a predetermined value, and a battery module
including the secondary battery.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] Secondary batteries capable of being repeatedly chargeable
and dischargeable need to be secured so that ignition or explosion
does not occur when abnormal operation occurs.
[0004] For example, when a temperature within a secondary battery
exceeds a predetermined value due to short circuit or the like of
the secondary battery, it is necessary to interrupt current from
flowing through the secondary battery.
[0005] The secondary battery may be classified into a cylindrical
type secondary battery, a prismatic type battery secondary battery,
a pouch type secondary battery, and the like according to its
structure or manufacturing method.
[0006] Among them, the pouch type secondary battery has a structure
in which an electrode assembly having a structure in which
electrodes and separators are alternately disposed in a
sheet-shaped pouch exterior is accommodated.
[0007] In particular, the pouch type secondary battery has been
widely used due to its relatively simple process and low
manufacturing cost.
[0008] However, according to the related art, there is a problem in
securing safety because the pouch type secondary battery is not
provided with a constitute that is capable of interrupting current
when a temperature within the secondary battery abnormally
increases.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0009] Therefore, an object of the present invention for solving
the above problem is to provide a pouch type secondary battery in
which current is interrupted when a temperature within the
secondary battery abnormally increases, thereby improving
safety.
Technical Solution
[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention for
achieving the above object, a secondary battery includes: an
electrode assembly; a sheet-type exterior configured to accommodate
the electrode assembly; and a plurality of temperature sensing
parts provided adjacent to the exterior to sense a temperature of a
plurality of areas, respectively, of the exterior, wherein at least
one of the plurality of temperature sensing parts includes: a
positive temperature coefficient (PTC) element; and a negative
temperature coefficient (NTC) element.
[0011] The secondary battery may further include an electrode lead
having a shape that protrudes outward, wherein one of the at least
one of the plurality of temperature sensing parts provided with the
NTC element may be adjacent to the electrode lead.
[0012] The secondary battery may further include a positive
electrode lead and a negative electrode lead each having a shape
that protrudes outward, and wherein one of the at least one of the
plurality of temperature sensing parts provided with the NTC
element may be adjacent to the negative electrode lead.
[0013] The plurality of temperature sensing parts may be attached
to a top surface or a bottom surface that is a main plane of the
exterior.
[0014] The plurality of temperature sensing parts may be attached
to a side surface of the exterior.
[0015] The exterior may include: a body part having an internal
space in which the electrode assembly is accommodated; and a
sealing part configured to seal the internal space of the body part
from the outside, wherein the plurality of temperature sensing
parts may be attached to the sealing part, and the sealing part may
be bent to be in contact with a side surface of the exterior.
[0016] The secondary battery may further include an adhesive part
adhering to a portion of a surface of the exterior, wherein the
plurality of temperature sensing parts may be attached to the
adhesive part.
[0017] The exterior may include: a body part having an internal
space in which the exterior is accommodated; and a sealing part
configured to seal the internal space of the body part from the
outside, wherein the adhesive part may adhere together to the
sealing part and the body part so that the sealing part is bent to
be in contact with a side surface of the exterior.
[0018] The adhesive part may be attached to only an entire top
surface or an entire bottom surface that is a main plane of the
exterior.
[0019] A circuit configured to connect the plurality of temperature
sensing parts to each other may connect the plurality of
temperature sensing parts to each other in a zigzag shape.
[0020] According to another aspect of the present invention for
achieving the above object, a battery module includes: the
secondary battery; and a controller configured to receive
temperature information of the exterior on the plurality of areas
to which the plurality of temperature sensing parts of the
secondary battery are attached, wherein, when a temperature at one
of the plurality of areas to which the plurality of temperature
sensing parts are attached exceeds a predetermined value, the
controller (i) interrupts current of the secondary battery or (ii)
transmits a warning signal to the outside.
[0021] The controller may receive temperature information from each
of the at least one of the plurality of temperature sensing parts
provided with both the PTC element and the NTC element, and when a
temperature provided from an NTC element exceeds a first reference
temperature, the controller may transmit the warning signal to the
outside.
[0022] When a temperature provided from the NTC element exceeds a
second reference temperature, and a temperature provided from the
PTC element exceeds a third reference temperature, the controller
may interrupt the current of the secondary battery.
[0023] The second reference temperature may be greater than the
first reference temperature.
[0024] The second reference temperature may be the same as the
third reference temperature.
Advantageous Effects
[0025] According to the present invention, when the temperature
within the pouch type secondary battery abnormally increases, the
current may be interrupted to improve the safety.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a structure of a
secondary battery according to a first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0027] FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a structure of a
secondary battery according to a second embodiment of the present
invention.
[0028] FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating a structure of a
secondary battery according to a third embodiment of the present
invention.
[0029] FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating a structure of a
secondary battery according to a fourth embodiment of the present
invention.
[0030] FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating a structure of a
secondary battery according to a fifth embodiment of the present
invention.
[0031] FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating a structure of a
secondary battery according to a sixth embodiment of the present
invention.
[0032] FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the
structure of the secondary battery, taken along line A-A of FIG.
4.
[0033] FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the
structure of the secondary battery, taken along line B-B of FIG.
5.
[0034] FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the
structure of the secondary battery, taken along line C-C of FIG.
6.
[0035] FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating a structure of a battery
module according to the present invention.
MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0036] Hereinafter, structures of a secondary battery and a battery
module according to the present invention will be described with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0037] Secondary Battery
[0038] FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a structure of a
secondary battery according to a first embodiment of the present
invention, and FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a structure of a
secondary battery according to a second embodiment of the present
invention.
[0039] Also, FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating a structure of a
secondary battery according to a third embodiment of the present
invention.
[0040] A secondary battery 10 according to the present invention
may include an electrode assembly and a sheet type exterior 200
(hereinafter, referred to as an `exterior`) that accommodates the
electrode assembly.
[0041] The electrode assembly may have a structure in which
electrodes and separators are alternately arranged.
[0042] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the exterior 200 may
include a body part 210, in which an internal space in which the
electrode assembly is accommodated is defined, and a sealing part
220 that seals the internal space of the body part 210 from the
outside.
[0043] The sealing part 220 may have a structure in which two
sheets are bonded to each other.
[0044] In this specification, a surface having the largest area
among surfaces of the body part 210 of the exterior 200 is referred
to as a `main plane`, and a surface formed around the main plane is
referred to as a `side surface`.
[0045] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, an area, which is illustrated in
FIGS. 1 and 2, of the body part 210 of the exterior is the main
plane of the exterior 200, and an area, which is illustrated in
FIG. 3, of the body part 210 of the exterior is the side surface of
the exterior 200.
[0046] The main plane of the exterior 200 may be understood as a
top or bottom surface of the exterior 200.
[0047] Also, the secondary battery 10 according to the present
invention may include an electrode lead 100 having a shape
protruding to the outside.
[0048] The electrode lead 100 may include a positive electrode lead
100a and a negative electrode lead 100b.
[0049] As illustrated in FIG. 1, according to the first embodiment
of the present invention, the positive electrode lead 100a and the
negative electrode lead 100b may be provided at one side of the
exterior 200 to protrude in the same direction.
[0050] However, as illustrated in FIG. 2, according to the second
embodiment of the present invention, the positive electrode lead
100a and the negative electrode lead 100b may be respectively
provided at one side of the exterior 200 and the other side
opposite to the one side to protrude in opposite directions.
[0051] The secondary battery 10 according to the present invention
may include a plurality of temperature sensing parts 300 provided
adjacent to the exterior 200.
[0052] The temperature sensing part 300 according to the present
invention may be configured to sense a temperature in one region of
the exterior 200.
[0053] As described below, information about a temperature in a
plurality of areas of the exterior 200 sensed by the temperature
sensing parts 300, respectively, may be provided to a controller 20
(see FIG. 10).
[0054] In FIGS. 1 and 2, the temperature sensing parts 300 are
provided in the form of 3.times.3 matrix on the main plane of the
exterior. Here, a circuit that connects the temperature sensing
parts 300 to each other has a shape in which the temperature
sensing parts 300 are connected to each other in a zigzag
shape.
[0055] FIG. 3 illustrates a state in which three temperature
sensing parts 300 are provided side by side on the exterior
200.
[0056] The plurality of temperature sensing parts 300 may be
directly attached to one surface of the exterior 200.
[0057] Here, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the temperature
sensing parts 300 may be attached to the top or bottom, which is
the main plane of the exterior 200, and as illustrated in FIG. 3,
the temperature sensing parts 300 may be attached to the side
surface of the exterior 200.
[0058] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the secondary battery 10
according to the present invention may further include a terminal
part 400 provided on the surface of the exterior 200 and connected
to any one of the plurality of temperature sensing parts 300 by the
circuit.
[0059] FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrate a case in which the terminal part
400 is provided at one side of the exterior 200 on which the
electrode lead 100 is disposed.
[0060] According to the present invention, each of the plurality of
temperature sensing parts 300 provided in the secondary battery 10
may include a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) element.
[0061] Also, at least one of the plurality of temperature sensing
parts 300 may include a negative temperature coefficient (NTC)
element.
[0062] At least one of the plurality of temperature sensing parts
300 may include the PTC element and the NTC element.
[0063] The PTC element represents an element in which electrical
resistance increases rapidly when the temperature increases, and
the NTC element represents an element in which electrical
resistance increases when the temperature decreases.
[0064] According to the present invention, since at least one of
the plurality of temperature sensing parts includes both the PTC
element and the NTC element, more reliable information with respect
to the temperature in a specific region of the exterior may be
obtained.
[0065] That is, when only one type of temperature measurement
element is provided in the temperature sensing parts, the
temperature information in the specific region of the exterior is
limited to information obtained from only one type of temperature
measurement element.
[0066] Thus, even if the temperature information obtained from one
type of temperature measurement element is wrong, it is not known
that the information is wrong, thereby deteriorating the
reliability of the temperature information in the specific region
of the exterior.
[0067] However, according to the present invention, since at least
one temperature sensing part includes two types of temperature
measurement elements, the temperature information in the specific
region of the exterior may also be obtained through the two
channels.
[0068] If the temperature information obtained from one type of
temperature measurement element is wrong, the error of the
temperature information may be revealed through cross-checking
using the temperature information obtained from the different type
of temperature measurement elements.
[0069] Thus, according to the present invention, the reliability of
information on the temperature in the specific region of the
exterior may be improved.
[0070] It is considered that each of the plurality of temperature
sensing parts includes the PTC element, and at least one of the
plurality of temperature sensing parts includes the NTC element.
However, in general, in the case of the NTC element, since the NTC
element is more expensive than the PTC element, it may not be
desirable in terms of economics when the temperature sensing parts
are configured in the above-described structure.
[0071] In view of the safety of the temperature of the secondary
battery, it may be preferable that the temperature sensing part
provided with two kinds of temperature measurement elements among
the plurality of temperature sensing parts is provided at a
position at which the temperature is high in the secondary
battery.
[0072] This is because there is also high possibility of abnormal
temperature increase at the position at which an amount of heat is
large.
[0073] In the secondary battery, a region in which the electrode
assembly and the electrode lead are connected to each other
generally has a relatively high temperature.
[0074] In order to connect the electrode assembly to the electrode
lead, a welding process is performed because large heat generation
occurs on the welded area, and current flowing through the
electrode assembly having a relatively large width is concentrated
in the electrode lead having a relatively narrow width.
[0075] Thus, the NTC element may be provided in the temperature
sensing part adjacent to the electrode lead among the plurality of
temperature sensing parts 300.
[0076] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the NTC element may be provided
in at least one of the upper temperature sensing part 300 that is
closest to the electrode lead 100 among the plurality of
temperature sensing parts 300.
[0077] In general, since thermal conductivity of a material (e.g.,
copper) used for the negative electrode lead is greater than that
of a material (e.g., aluminum) used for the positive electrode
lead, it is common that large heat generation occurs in the
negative electrode lead.
[0078] Also, when the secondary battery is discharged, since
charges flow from the negative electrode lead to the positive
electrode lead, it is common that a relatively high temperature is
generated on the area on which the negative electrode lead and the
electrode assembly are electrically connected to each other.
[0079] Thus, the NTC element may be provided in the temperature
sensing part adjacent to the negative electrode lead 100b among the
plurality of temperature sensing parts 300.
[0080] Referring to FIG. 2, the NTC element may be provided in the
temperature sensing part that is provided at a central portion in
the upper temperature sensing parts 300, which is closest to the
negative electrode lead 100b, among the plurality of temperature
sensing parts 300.
[0081] FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating a structure of a
secondary battery according to a fourth embodiment of the present
invention, and FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating a structure of a
secondary battery according to a fifth embodiment of the present
invention.
[0082] Also, FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating a structure of a
secondary battery according to a sixth embodiment of the present
invention.
[0083] As illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 6, the secondary battery
according to the fourth to sixth embodiments of the present
invention may further include an adhesive part 500 adhering to a
portion of the surface of the exterior 200, and the plurality of
temperature sensing parts 300 may be attached to attached to the
adhesive part 500.
[0084] According to the fourth and fifth embodiments of the present
invention, since the adhesive part 500, to which the plurality of
temperature sensing parts 300 attached, adheres to the surface of
the exterior, the plurality of temperature sensing parts 300 may be
in close contact with the surface of the exterior 200 by the
adhesive part 500.
[0085] Here, the adhesive part 500 may be provided in the secondary
battery 10 in various manners.
[0086] As illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5, 7, and 8, the adhesive part
500 may adhere together to the sealing part 220 and the body part
210 so that the sealing part 220 is bent to be in close contact
with the side surface of the exterior 200.
[0087] Here, as illustrated in FIG. 4, according to the fourth
embodiment of the present invention, the adhesive part 500 may
extend in a width direction of the main plane of the exterior 200
to adhere together to a surface of the body part 210 and each of
surfaces of the two sealing parts 220, which are respectively
disposed on both sides of the body part 210.
[0088] Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 5, according to the
fifth embodiment of the present invention, the adhesive part 500
may adhere together to the main plane and the body part 210 and a
surface of one sealing part 220 disposed at one side of the
exterior 200.
[0089] In FIG. 4, three adhesive parts 500 are provided. Here,
three temperature sensing parts 300 are respectively provided on
areas of the respective adhesive parts 500, which adhere to the
main plane of the exterior 200. In FIG. 5, six adhesive parts 500
are provided. Here, one temperature sensing part 300 is provided on
each of areas of the respective adhesive parts 500, which adhere to
the main plane of the exterior 200.
[0090] However, in contrast, the temperature sensing part 300 may
be provided on an area of the adhesive part 500, which adheres to
the side surface of the exterior 200.
[0091] That is, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 9, according to the
sixth embodiment of the present invention, the adhesive part 500
may adhere together to the sealing part 220 and the body part 210
so that the sealing part 220 is bent to be in close contact with
the side surface of the exterior 200. Here, one temperature sensing
part 300 may be provided on each of areas of the respective
adhesive parts 500, which adhere to the surface of the sealing part
220.
[0092] Thus, according to the sixth embodiment of the present
invention, the sealing part 200 may be bent by the adhesive part
500 to be in close contact with the side surface of the exterior
200, and since the plurality of temperature sensing parts 300
attached to each adhesive part 500 are attached to the sealing part
220, the temperature sensing parts 300 may be provided adjacent to
the side surface of the exterior 200.
[0093] Alternatively, in contrast, the adhesive part to which the
plurality of temperature sensing parts are attached may be attached
only to the entire top or bottom surface, which is the main plane
of the exterior.
[0094] In this case, the structure of the secondary battery
provided with the plurality of temperature sensing parts may be
substantially the same as that of each of FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0095] Battery Module
[0096] FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating a structure of a battery
module according to the present invention.
[0097] As illustrated in FIG. 10, a battery module 1 according to
the present invention may include a plurality of secondary
batteries 10.
[0098] Description with respect to the structure of the secondary
battery 10 will be replaced with the above description.
[0099] Also, the battery module 1 according to the present
invention includes a controller 20 that receives information on a
temperature of the exterior from the plurality of areas to which
the temperature sensing parts 300, respectively, (see FIGS. 1 to 9)
of the secondary battery 10 are attached.
[0100] According to the present invention, the temperature sensing
parts mounted on the plurality of secondary batteries 10 sense the
temperature of the exterior on the area to which the temperature
sensing parts are attached to transmit the sensed temperature
information to the controller 20.
[0101] Thereafter, when a temperature on a portion of the areas to
which the temperature sensing parts attached to the plurality of
secondary batteries 10 are attached exceeds a predetermined value,
the controller 20 may (i) interrupt current of the secondary
batteries to which the temperature sensing parts, which transmit
information on the temperature that exceeds the predetermined
value, are attached or may (ii) transmit a warning signal to the
outside.
[0102] A control method of the controller in the battery module
according to the present invention will be described in more detail
as follows.
[0103] The controller 20 of the battery module 1 receives
information on a temperature from each of the PTC element and the
NTC element, which are provided in the temperature sensing part of
the secondary battery 10.
[0104] According to the present invention, the controller may
determine whether the temperature provided from the NTC element (i)
is equal to or less than a first reference temperature, (ii) is
equal to or less than a second reference temperature that exceeds
the first reference temperature and is greater than the first
reference temperature, or (iii) exceeds the second reference
temperature.
[0105] Also, according to the present invention, the controller
determines whether the temperature provided from the PTC element
(i) is equal to or less than a third reference temperature or (ii)
exceeds the third reference temperature.
[0106] Here, when it is determined that the temperature provided
from the NTC element exceeds the first reference temperature, the
controller transmits a first warning signal to the outside.
[0107] Thereafter, when it is determined that the temperature
provided from the NTC element exceeds the second reference
temperature, the controller operates as follows according to the
temperature provided from the PTC element of the temperature
sensing part provided with the NTC element.
[0108] When the temperature provided from the NTC element exceeds
the second reference temperature, and also, when the temperature
provided from the PTC element exceeds the third reference
temperature, the controller interrupts the current of the secondary
battery provided with the temperature sensing part including the
NTC element and the PTC element.
[0109] On the other hand, when the temperature provided from the
NTC element exceeds the second reference temperature, and also,
when the temperature provided from the PTC element is equal to or
less than the third reference temperature, the controller transmits
a second warning signal to the outside.
[0110] The second reference temperature and the third reference
temperature may be the same as each other.
[0111] When the second reference temperature and the third
reference temperature are the same as each other, since a
temperature that serves as a reference for interrupting the current
of the secondary battery is provided as a single temperature,
stable control and simplified control of the controller may be
enabled.
[0112] Here, the fact that the second reference temperature and the
third reference temperature are `the same` as each other means that
the second reference temperature is not only numerically exactly
the same as the third reference temperature, but also a difference
between the second reference temperature and the third reference
temperature is insignificant. Thus, it should be interpreted to
include a case in which a person skilled in the art may determine
that the two temperatures are substantially the same.
[0113] Alternatively, in contrast, the second reference temperature
may be greater than the third reference temperature.
[0114] In the battery module according to the present invention, an
operation of the above-described controller relates to a case in
which information on the temperatures is provided from the
temperature sensing part including the PTC element and the NTC
element.
[0115] Thus, when the temperature information is provided from the
temperature sensing part provided with only the PTC element, the
controller may operate as follows.
[0116] When the temperature provided from the PTC element exceeds
the third reference temperature, the controller may interrupt
current of the secondary battery provided with the temperature
sensing part including the PTC element.
[0117] The controller may transmit a warning signal to the
outside.
[0118] When the current of the secondary battery is interrupted by
the above algorithm in the battery module according to the present
invention, the interruption may be performed permanently or
temporarily.
[0119] The permanent interruption of the current of the secondary
battery may mean that the current is still interrupted even when
the temperature of the secondary battery returns to a normal
temperature.
[0120] Also, when the current of the secondary battery is performed
temporarily, it may mean that the current of the secondary battery
flows again when the temperature of the secondary battery returns
to the normal temperature.
[0121] According to the present invention, since each of the
plurality of secondary batteries constituting the battery module is
provided with at least one temperature sensing part provided with
the PTC element and NTC element, the reliable of the control of the
secondary battery may be improved based on the information on the
temperature provided from the PTC element and the NTC element.
[0122] While the embodiments of the present invention have been
described with reference to the specific embodiments, it will be
apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.
* * * * *