Battery cell comprising a temperature sensor

Abstract

Disclosed is a battery cell including an electrode, a housing, a cell interior inside the housing, a temperature sensor, and a heat-conducting part which differs from the electrode, is entirely or partially disposed inside the housing of the battery cell, and is thermally connected to the temperature sensor.

Claims

1. A battery cell comprising: an electrode; a housing; a cell interior which is located inside the housing; a temperature sensor mounted entirely outside of the housing on an exterior wall of the housing; and a thermally conductive part that is arranged separately from the electrode, is entirely arranged in the housing of the battery cell, is arranged on an inner wall of the housing directly across from the temperature sensor, and is thermally connected to the temperature sensor; wherein the thermally conductive part is in direct thermal contact with the cell interior; and wherein the thermally conductive part is formed from an electrically insulating material.

2. The battery cell as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thermally conductive part is in direct thermal contact with the temperature sensor.

3. The battery cell as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thermally conductive part is arranged in the cell interior.

4. The battery cell as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thermally conductive part comprises a thermally conductive material.

5. A high-voltage battery comprising: at least one battery cell including: an electrode; a housing; a cell interior which is located inside the housing; a temperature sensor mounted entirely outside of the housing on an exterior wall of the housing; and a thermally conductive part that is arranged separately from the electrode, is entirely arranged in the housing of the battery cell, is arranged on an inner wall of the housing directly across from the temperature sensor, and is thermally connected to the temperature sensor; wherein the thermally conductive part is in direct thermal contact with the cell interior; and wherein the thermally conductive part is formed from an electrically insulating material.

6. An electric vehicle or hybrid vehicle comprising: at least one high-voltage battery including: at least one battery cell including: an electrode; a housing; a cell interior which is located inside the housing; a temperature sensor mounted entirely outside of the housing on an exterior wall of the housing; and a thermally conductive part that is arranged separately from the electrode, is entirely arranged in the housing of the battery cell, is arranged on an inner wall of the housing directly across from the temperature sensor, and is thermally connected to the temperature sensor; wherein the thermally conductive part is in direct thermal contact with the cell interior; and wherein the thermally conductive part is formed from an electrically insulating material.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows a known battery cell from the prior art, having a temperature sensor.

(2) FIG. 2 shows a battery cell having a temperature sensor according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

(3) The exemplary embodiment described hereinafter with reference to FIG. 2 constitutes a preferred form of embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(4) The battery cell 10 comprises two electrical terminals, of which only the electrical terminal 11 is visible here, a housing 17 and a cell interior 16 located inside the housing 17. Chemical reactions occur in the cell interior. Chemical energy is converted into electrical energy as a result. The battery cell 10 comprises an electrode 19. The electrode 19 extends from the cell interior 16 to the electrical terminal 11, and thus electrically connects the cell interior 16 to the electrical terminal 12. In the housing 17, a filler gas is provided between the housing 17 and the cell interior 16. As mentioned above, the filler gas in the housing 17, and the housing 17, can impair thermal conduction between the cell interior 16 and the temperature sensor 4.

(5) The battery cell 10 further comprises a thermally conductive part 13. The thermally conductive part 13 is at least partially arranged in the housing 17 of the battery cell 10. Preferably, the thermally conductive part 13 can be arranged entirely within the housing 17. The thermally conductive part 13, which can be constituted of a thermally conductive material, is moreover thermally connected to the temperature sensor. Preferably, the thermally conductive part 13 lies in direct thermal contact or in direct contact with the cell interior 16. The thermally conductive part 13 can be arranged on an inner wall of the housing 17 and/or on the cell interior 16. The thermally conductive part 13 extends from the housing 17 to the cell interior 16. The thermally conductive part 13 is preferably constituted of a good thermally conductive material, e.g., of an electrically insulating, thermally conductive pad. Accordingly, the thermally conductive part 13 can assume an equal temperature to the cell interior 16 of the battery cell 10.

(6) As currents flow in the electrode 19 of the battery cell 10, the currents can strongly influence the temperature of the electrode 19. This can result in an inaccurate temperature measurement of the cell interior. Consequently, the electrode 19 of the battery cell 10 is not suitable for use as a thermally conductive part. The thermally conductive part is therefore separate from the electrode. Moreover, the temperature sensor should not lie in direct contact with the electrode 19, in order to prevent any unwanted influence associated with the current flowing in the electrode 19.

(7) It is advantageous if this electrically insulating, but good thermally conductive material features a degree of flexibility or elasticity, as the fitting of the thermally conductive part 13 in the housing 17 of the battery cell 10 can be simplified accordingly, and manufacturing tolerances can be compensated. Moreover, there is no resulting expansion of the volume of the battery cell according to the invention.

(8) A good thermally conductive material can be, for example, a metal (aluminum, copper, steel, etc.), or a thermally conductive pad or thermally conductive paste comprised, for example, of silicone-rubber films. The thermal conductivity (symbol: ?) of the abovementioned thermally conductive part exceeds a value of 3.5 W/(m.Math.K).

(9) As a result of the direct thermal connection between the temperature sensor 14 and the thermally conductive part 13, the current temperature of the cell interior can be promptly and accurately detected by the temperature sensor.

(10) A temperature sensor 14 comprises a signal line 15. The measured temperature information can be transmitted via the signal line 15 to the control unit of the high-voltage battery (not represented). The control unit of the high-voltage battery can thus determine whether the current temperature of the battery cell lies within a stipulated temperature range. The more accurately and more rapidly the current temperature can be detected, the more effectively the control of the battery cell can be optimized vis-?-vis the current temperature of the battery cell 10, thus permitting the achievement of advantages with respect to the capacity and service life of the battery cells.

(11) The electrical terminal 11 of the battery cell 10 is configured as a solid body of metal, e.g., copper. The temperature sensor 14 is arranged, e.g., by the welding thereof to the housing 17. The battery cell 10 can comprise a further electrical terminal (not represented).

(12) The thermally conductive part 13 can be arranged at any appropriate location, e.g., on the top side or underside, or on the side wall of the housing 17. As represented in FIG. 2, the thermally conductive part 13 can be arranged on a side which is averted from the electrical terminal 11, i.e., on the underside of the housing 17 represented in FIG. 2. The temperature sensor 14 can preferably be connected to the thermally conductive part 13 by means of the housing 17, the wall of which is customarily constituted of a metal, e.g., aluminum. Preferably, however, it is not absolutely necessary for the temperature sensor 14 and the thermally conductive part 13 to be arranged at the same position on the wall of the housing 17, wherein the temperature sensor 14 is arranged outside the housing 17, e.g., by welding, and the thermally conductive part 13 is arranged inside the housing 17, e.g., by adhesive bonding.

(13) The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.