CN115441070A

CN115441070A - Battery module and method for suppressing battery swelling

Info

Publication number: CN115441070A
Application number: CN202110624604.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 周硕嵘; 王川荣; 陈志强
Original assignee: Acer Inc
Current assignee: Acer Inc
Priority date: 2021-06-04
Filing date: 2021-06-04
Publication date: 2022-12-06

Abstract

A battery module for inhibiting battery swelling, which interacts with a charging device, comprising: the device comprises a battery core, a conductive label, a switcher and a controller. The battery cell includes a non-conductive housing, wherein the battery cell is chargeable by a supply potential of the charging device. The conductive label may be disposed on the non-conductive housing of the battery cell. The switch may be coupled between the battery cell and the conductive tag. The controller can detect a variable quantity of a resistance value of the conductive label and generate a control potential accordingly. If the resistance value of the conductive label is increased, the supply potential is adjusted according to the control potential. If the variation of the resistance value of the conductive label is larger than or equal to a predetermined ratio, the controller turns on the switch, so that the battery cell can be completely discharged through the conductive label. The invention also relates to a method for inhibiting battery swelling.

Description

Battery module and method for suppressing battery swelling

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a battery module, and more particularly, to a battery module capable of suppressing battery swelling.

Background

The notebook computer or tablet computer usually needs a battery element, however, the problem of battery expansion without warning is easily caused after long-time use, and the computer device is damaged. In view of the above, a new solution is needed to overcome the difficulties faced by the prior art.

Disclosure of Invention

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a battery module for restraining battery swelling, interacting with a charging device, and comprising: a battery cell comprising a non-conductive housing, wherein the battery cell is charged by a supply potential of the charging device; a conductive label disposed on the non-conductive housing of the battery cell; a switch coupled between the battery cell and the conductive tag; the controller detects a variable quantity of a resistance value of the conductive label and generates a control potential according to the variable quantity; wherein if the resistance value of the conductive tag becomes larger, the supply potential is adjusted according to the control potential; if the variation of the resistance value of the conductive tag is greater than or equal to a predetermined ratio, the controller turns on the switch, so that the battery cell is completely discharged through the conductive tag.

In some embodiments, if the variation of the resistance value of the conductive tag is smaller than the predetermined ratio, the switch is maintained in an off state.

In some embodiments, the conductive tag includes: a polyester plastic layer; an insulating adhesive layer; and a conductive layer between the polyester layer and the insulating adhesive layer, wherein the insulating adhesive layer is adhered to the non-conductive casing of the battery core.

In some embodiments, the battery module further comprises: a resistor coupled in series with the conductive layer of the conductive tag to form a voltage divider circuit.

In some embodiments, the controller estimates the variation of the resistance value of the conductive tag by detecting a voltage and a current of the voltage divider circuit.

In some embodiments, the Controller is a battery monitor Chip (Gas Gauge Chip) or an Embedded Controller (EC).

In some embodiments, the supply potential is lowered by about 0.05V whenever the resistance of the conductive tag is raised by 10%.

In some embodiments, if the variation of the resistance value of the conductive tag is greater than or equal to the predetermined ratio, the supply potential is reduced to 0V.

In some embodiments, the predetermined ratio is approximately equal to +55%.

In another preferred embodiment, a method of inhibiting swelling of a battery includes the steps of: providing a battery cell, wherein the battery cell comprises a non-conductive housing and the battery cell is charged by a supply potential; disposing a conductive label on the non-conductive housing of the battery cell; coupling a switch between the battery cell and the conductive tag; detecting a variable quantity of a resistance value of the conductive label; if the resistance value of the conductive label is increased, adjusting the supply potential; and if the variable quantity of the resistance value of the conductive label is larger than or equal to a given proportion, the switcher is conducted, so that the battery cell is completely discharged through the conductive label.

Drawings

Fig. 1A is a schematic diagram illustrating a battery module and a charging device according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 1B is a schematic diagram illustrating a battery module and a charging device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 1C is a schematic diagram illustrating a battery module and a charging device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a partial sectional view illustrating a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3A is a top view of a conductive tag according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 3B is a top view of a conductive tag according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 3C is a top view of a conductive tag according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the tensile force applied to the conductive tag and the variation of the resistance value according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5A is an equivalent circuit diagram of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention

Fig. 5B is an equivalent circuit diagram illustrating a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of suppressing swelling of a battery according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Wherein the reference numerals are as follows:

100, 101, 500, 700: battery module

110: battery core

115: non-conductive shell

120: conductive label

124: polyester plastic layer

125: insulating glue layer

126: conductive layer

130: electric resistor

140: switching device

150: controller

160: voltage divider circuit

190: charging device

770: discharge switch

780: charging switch

I1 And I2: electric current

ND: internal node

NP: receiving node

PA: loop path

R0: initial resistance value

R1: first resistance value

R2: second resistance value

RD: fixed resistor

RV: variable resistor

S610, S620, S630, S640, S650, S660, S670, S680: step (ii) of

T1: first tension

T2: second tension

V1, V2: voltage of

VC: controlling electric potential

VP: supply potential

Δ R: variation of resistance value

Detailed Description

In order to make the objects, features and advantages of the present invention comprehensible, specific embodiments accompanied with figures are described in detail below.

Certain terms are used throughout the description and following claims to refer to particular components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, manufacturers may refer to a component by different names. The present specification and claims do not intend to distinguish between components that differ in name but not function. In the following description and in the claims, the terms "include" and "comprise" are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean "include, but not limited to. The term "substantially" refers to a range of acceptable error within which one skilled in the art can solve the technical problem to achieve the basic technical result. In addition, the term "coupled" is used herein to encompass any direct or indirect electrical connection. Thus, if a first device couples to a second device, that connection may be through a direct electrical connection, or through an indirect electrical connection via other devices and connections.

The following disclosure provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of the disclosure. The following disclosure describes specific examples of components and arrangements thereof to simplify the description. Of course, these specific examples are not intended to be limiting. For example, if the disclosure recites a first feature formed on or above a second feature, that embodiment may include embodiments in which the first and second features are in direct contact, embodiments may also include embodiments in which additional features are formed between the first and second features, such that the first and second features may not be in direct contact. In addition, the same reference signs and/or labels may be reused in different examples disclosed below. These iterations are for simplicity and clarity and are not intended to limit the particular relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed.

Furthermore, it is used in spatial correlation. For example, "below" …, "below," "lower," "above," "upper," and similar terms, are used for convenience in describing the relationship of one element or feature to another element(s) or feature(s) in the figures. These spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. The device may be oriented in different orientations (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

Fig. 1A is a schematic diagram illustrating a battery module (Electronic Device) 100 and a charging Device (Charge System) 190 according to an embodiment of the invention. The battery module 100 may be a Mobile Device (Mobile Device), such as: a Smart Phone (Smart Phone), a Tablet Computer (Tablet Computer), or a Notebook Computer (Notebook Computer). As shown in fig. 1A, the battery module 100 includes at least: a Battery Cell (Battery Cell) 110, a Conductive Label (Conductive Label) 120, a Resistor (Resistor) 130, a Switch Element 140, and a Controller (Controller) 150. The charging device 190 is not part of the battery module 100, but its operation may be controlled by the battery module 100. It should be understood that although not shown in fig. 1A, the battery module 100 may further include other elements, such as: a Display Device (Display Device), a Speaker (Speaker), a Touch Control Module (Touch Control Module), and a Housing (Housing).

The battery cell 110 includes a non-conductive Housing 115, the shape and size of which are not particularly limited in the present invention. The conductive tag 120 is disposed on the non-conductive housing 115. The charging device 190 may provide power to the battery cell 110. For example, the battery cell 110 can be charged by a Supply Voltage (VP) of the charging device 190.

Fig. 2 is a partial sectional view illustrating the battery module 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment of fig. 2, the conductive label 120 includes a Polyester (PET) layer 124, an insulating Glue (Insulation Glue) layer 125, and a conductive layer 126, wherein the conductive layer 126 is interposed between the polyester layer 124 and the insulating Glue layer 125, and the insulating Glue layer 125 is adhered to the non-conductive housing 115. For example, safety specification data regarding the battery cell 110 may be printed on the polyester plastic layer 124. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, if the safety specification data related to the battery cell 110 is printed on the non-conductor casing 115, the polyester layer 124, the insulating glue layer 125, and the conductive layer 126 can be implemented by transparent materials.

Please refer to fig. 1A and fig. 2. The resistor 130 may be coupled in series with the conductive layer 126 of the conductive tag 120 to form a Voltage Divider Circuit (Voltage Divider Circuit) 160. For example, the resistor 130 and the conductive layer 126 of the conductive tag 120 can both be coupled to an internal node ND, which can be between the resistor 130 and the conductive layer 126 of the conductive tag 120.

The switch 140 is coupled between the battery cell 110 and the conductive layer 126 of the conductive tag 120. For example, one end of the switch 140 may be coupled to a receiving node NP of the battery cell 110, and the other end of the switch 140 may be coupled to the conductive layer 126 of the conductive tag 120 and the internal node ND, wherein the receiving node NP may receive the supply potential VP from the charging device 190. The switch 140 can be selectively turned on (Closed) or turned off (open), and the switching status thereof can be controlled by the controller 150.

The Controller 150 may be a battery monitor Chip (Gas Gauge Chip) or an Embedded Controller (EC), but is not limited thereto. The controller 150 can detect a variation Δ R of a resistance value of the conductive tag 120 through the resistor 130, and accordingly generate a control potential VC corresponding to the variation Δ R. In some embodiments, the controller 150 estimates the variation Δ R of the resistance value of the conductive tag 120 by analyzing a Voltage (Voltage Difference) V1 and a Current (Current) I1 of the Voltage divider circuit 160. For example, according to Ohm's Law, the controller 150 may calculate the total resistance value of both the resistor 130 and the conductive tag 120 according to the voltage V1 and the current I1. Then, since the resistance value of the resistor 130 is known, the resistance value of the conductive tag 120 and the variation Δ R thereof can be accurately estimated by the controller 150.

Fig. 1B is a schematic diagram illustrating a battery module 101 and a charging device 190 according to another embodiment of the invention. FIG. 1B is similar to FIG. 1A. In the embodiment of fig. 1B, the resistor 130 can be omitted, and the controller 150 can estimate the variation Δ R of the resistance value of the conductive tag 120 by directly detecting and analyzing a voltage V2 and a current I2 of the conductive tag 120, and accordingly generate the control potential VC. The remaining features of the battery module 101 of fig. 1B are similar to those of the battery module 100 of fig. 1A, so that similar operation effects can be achieved in both embodiments.

Fig. 1C is a schematic diagram illustrating a battery module 700 and a charging device 190 according to another embodiment of the invention. FIGS. 1C and 1B are similar. In the embodiment of fig. 1C, the battery module 700 further includes a discharging switch 770 and a charging switch 780, wherein the receiving node NP of the battery cell 110 can receive the supply potential VP from the charging device 190 via the discharging switch 770 and the charging switch 780. The switching operations of the discharging switch 770 and the charging switch 780 may be controlled by the controller 150. For example, when the battery cell 110 has been completely discharged, the controller 150 may turn off the discharge switch 770, and when the battery cell 110 has been completely charged, the controller 150 may turn off the charge switch 780. The remaining features of the battery module 700 of fig. 1C are similar to those of the battery module 101 of fig. 1B, so that similar operation effects can be achieved in both embodiments.

Fig. 3A is a top view of a conductive tag 120 according to an embodiment of the invention. In the embodiment of fig. 3A, the battery core 110 has not swelled, so the conductive tag 120 can maintain its original shape, and the conductive layer 126 of the conductive tag 120 has an initial resistance value R0.

Fig. 3B is a top view of the conductive tag 120 according to an embodiment of the invention. In the embodiment of fig. 3B, the battery cell 110 has been slightly expanded, so that the two ends of the conductive label 120 thereon will bear a smaller first Tension (Tension Force) T1. At this time, the whole conductive tag 120 is extended, wherein the conductive layer 126 of the conductive tag 120 has a first resistance value R1.

Fig. 3C is a top view of the conductive tag 120 according to an embodiment of the invention. In the embodiment of fig. 3C, the battery core 110 has been severely expanded, so that the two ends of the conductive label 120 thereon will be subjected to a second larger tension T2. At this time, the whole conductive tag 120 is further extended, wherein the conductive layer 126 of the conductive tag 120 has a second resistance value R2.

Fig. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the tensile force applied to the conductive tag 120 and the variation Δ R of the resistance value according to an embodiment of the invention. As can be seen from the measurement results of fig. 4, if the tension applied to the conductive tag 120 is increased, the conductive tag 120 is extended and lengthened. According to the Law of Resistance (Law of Resistance), the Resistance value of the conductive tag 120 and the length of the conductive tag 120 are in a proportional relationship (which may be a linear or non-linear relationship depending on the situation) under the premise that the material of the conductive layer 126 is not changed. In other words, the expanded battery cell 110 corresponds to the elongated conductive tag 120, and the elongated conductive tag 120 corresponds to its own increased resistance value (i.e., the variation Δ R is a positive value). Referring to the embodiments of fig. 3A, fig. 3B, and fig. 3C again, the first resistance R1 is greater than the initial resistance R0, and the second resistance R2 is greater than the first resistance R1. In some embodiments, the variation Δ R can be defined as a difference between the current resistance value and the initial resistance value R0 of the conductive tag 120 (e.g., the current resistance value minus the initial resistance value R0), but is not limited thereto.

As described above, the controller 150 can detect the variation Δ R of the resistance value of the conductive tag 120 and generate the control potential VC. If the resistance value of the conductive tag 120 is larger, it indicates that the battery cell 110 may swell, and therefore the supply potential VP of the charging device 190 is adjusted (e.g., leveled or lowered) according to the control potential VC, so as to prolong the service life of the battery cell 110. In some embodiments, the relationship between the supply potential VP and the variation Δ R can be as set forth in table one below.

Phases	Variation Δ R	Supply potential VP
			Initial stage	0％≤ΔR＜+10％	4.4V
First stage	+10％≤ΔR＜+20％	4.35V
			Second stage	+20％≤ΔR＜+30％	4.3V
The third stage	+30％≤ΔR＜+40％	4.25V
			Fourth stage	+40％≤ΔR＜+50％	4.2V
The fifth stage	+50％≤ΔR＜+55％	4.15V

Table one: relation between supply potential VP and variation Δ R

According to the first table, the supply potential VP can be initially set to 4.4V, and each time the resistance of the conductive tag 120 increases by 10%, the supply potential VP can decrease by about 0.05V. It should be understood that although only six different stages are shown, in other embodiments, the controller 150 may be divided into fewer or more stages according to different needs.

In addition, in order to protect the battery cell 110 from damage, the controller 150 may further compare the variation Δ R of the resistance value of the conductive tag 120 with a predetermined ratio. This given ratio can be considered a safe upper limit for the overall design. In some embodiments, the aforementioned predetermined ratio is approximately equal to +55%. Once the variation Δ R reaches the predetermined ratio, a safety protection mechanism of the battery cell 110 is triggered, which will be discussed in detail in the following embodiments of fig. 5A and 5B.

Fig. 5A is an equivalent circuit diagram of a battery module 500 according to an embodiment of the invention, in which the Resistor 130 can be modeled as a Fixed Resistor (Fixed Resistor) RD, and the conductive tag 120 can be modeled as a Variable Resistor (Variable Resistor) RV (since the resistance value changes due to the expansion of the battery cell 110). In the embodiment of fig. 5A, the variation Δ R of the resistance value of the conductive tag 120 is smaller than the predetermined ratio, and the switch 140 is kept in the off state because the safety protection mechanism is not triggered.

Fig. 5B is an equivalent circuit diagram illustrating a battery module 500 according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment of fig. 5B, the variation Δ R of the resistance value of the conductive tag 120 is greater than or equal to the predetermined ratio, and the safety protection mechanism is triggered, so that the switch 140 is turned on by the controller 150, so that the battery cell 110 can be completely discharged through the conductive tag 120 (as shown by a loop path PA). On the other hand, the controller 150 can also control the charging device 190 to reduce the supply potential VP to 0V. That is, if the battery cell 110 is greatly expanded and the variation Δ R of the resistance value of the conductive tag 120 is too high, the safety protection mechanism and the complete discharge design can prevent the battery cell 110 from being burned by accidental fire.

In other embodiments, the battery module 100 may include two or more conductive tags 120, which are disposed on the non-conductive housing 115 of the battery cell 110 and are coupled to the resistor 130. The controller 150 can detect and calculate an average value of the variation of the resistance values of all the conductive labels 120, and the average value can be used to replace the aforementioned variation Δ R. Such a determination procedure using the average value of the variation can reduce the probability of the controller 150 generating a false determination.

Fig. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of suppressing swelling of a battery according to an embodiment of the present invention. In step S610, a battery cell is provided, wherein the battery cell includes a non-conductive housing and the battery cell is charged by a supply potential. In step S620, a conductive label is disposed on the non-conductive housing of the battery cell. In step S630, a switch is coupled between the battery cell and the conductive tag. In step S640, a variation of a resistance value of the conductive tag is detected. In step S650, it is determined whether the variation of the resistance value of the conductive tag is greater than or equal to a predetermined ratio. If yes, in step S660, the switch is turned on, so that the battery cell is completely discharged through the conductive tag. If not, in step S670, it is determined whether the resistance value of the conductive tag is increased (or the variation is greater than 0). If not, the process returns to step S640. If so, in step S680, the supply potential is adjusted (e.g., lowered or maintained) accordingly. It should be understood that the above steps need not be performed in a sequential order, and each feature of the embodiment of fig. 1A-5B can be applied to the method of fig. 6.

The present invention provides a novel battery module and method, which can effectively suppress the non-ideal swelling phenomenon of a battery cell. In general, the present invention has at least advantages of improving safety, reducing manufacturing cost, and prolonging battery life, and thus is well suited for use in a variety of mobile communication devices.

It is noted that none of the above-mentioned device parameters is a limitation of the present invention. The designer can adjust these settings according to different needs. The battery module and method of the present invention are not limited to the states illustrated in fig. 1A-6. The present disclosure may include only any one or more features of any one or more of the embodiments of fig. 1A-6. In other words, not all of the illustrated features need be implemented in the battery module and method of the present invention at the same time.

The methods of the present invention, or certain aspects or portions thereof, may take the form of program code. The program code may be embodied in tangible media, such as floppy diskettes, cd-roms, hard drives, or any other machine-readable storage medium, wherein, when the program code is loaded into and executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machine thereby becomes an apparatus for practicing the invention. The program code may also be transmitted over some transmission medium, such as over electrical wiring or cabling, through fiber optics, or via any other form of transmission, wherein, when the program code is received and loaded into and executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machine becomes an apparatus for practicing the invention. When implemented on a general-purpose processing unit, the program code combines with the processing unit to provide a unique apparatus that operates analogously to application specific logic circuits.

Ordinal numbers such as "first," "second," "third," etc., in the specification and claims are not to be used in a sequential order, but merely to distinguish between two different elements having the same name.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments, it should be understood that various changes and modifications can be made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A battery module for inhibiting battery swelling, interacting with a charging device, comprising:

a battery cell comprising a non-conductive housing, wherein the battery cell is charged by a supply potential of the charging device;

a conductive label disposed on the non-conductive housing of the battery cell;

a switch coupled between the battery cell and the conductive tag; and

the controller detects a variable quantity of a resistance value of the conductive label and generates a control potential according to the variable quantity;

wherein if the resistance value of the conductive tag becomes larger, the supply potential is adjusted according to the control potential;

if the variation of the resistance value of the conductive tag is greater than or equal to a predetermined ratio, the controller turns on the switch, so that the battery cell is completely discharged through the conductive tag.

2. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the switch is maintained in an off state if the variation of the resistance value of the conductive label is smaller than the predetermined ratio.

3. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the conductive label comprises:

a polyester plastic layer;

an insulating glue layer; and

and the conducting layer is arranged between the polyester plastic layer and the insulating adhesive layer, wherein the insulating adhesive layer is adhered to the non-conductive shell of the battery core.

4. The battery module of claim 3, further comprising:

a resistor coupled in series with the conductive layer of the conductive tag to form a voltage divider circuit.

5. The battery module of claim 4, wherein the controller estimates the variation of the resistance value of the conductive tag by detecting a voltage and a current of the voltage divider circuit.

6. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the controller is a battery monitor chip or an embedded controller.

7. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the supply potential drops by about 0.05V whenever the resistance of the conductive tag rises by 10%.

8. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the supply potential is reduced to 0V if the variation of the resistance value of the conductive label is greater than or equal to the predetermined ratio.

9. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the predetermined ratio is approximately equal to +55%.

10. A method of inhibiting swelling of a battery, comprising the steps of:

providing a battery cell, wherein the battery cell comprises a non-conductive housing, and the battery cell is charged by a supply potential;

disposing a conductive label on the non-conductive housing of the battery cell;

coupling a switch between the battery cell and the conductive tag;

detecting a variable quantity of a resistance value of the conductive label;

if the resistance value of the conductive label is increased, adjusting the supply potential; and

if the variation of the resistance value of the conductive label is larger than or equal to a predetermined ratio, the switch is turned on, so that the battery cell is completely discharged through the conductive label.