JP7738527B2 - Temperature sensor device and battery module - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a temperature sensor device and a battery module.

In recent years, various temperature sensor devices that can be attached to battery modules have been developed. For example, the temperature sensor device described in Patent Document 1 includes a temperature sensor and a biasing portion that biases the temperature sensor toward the battery module. The biasing portion has a flexible portion. The flexible portion elastically deforms, causing the biasing portion to bias the temperature sensor toward the battery module.

JP 2013-171697 A

For example, the temperature sensor device described in Patent Document 1 requires a flexible portion to secure the temperature sensor to the battery module. However, providing a flexible portion can make it difficult to simplify the configuration of the temperature sensor device.

One object of the present invention is to fix a temperature sensor to a battery cell using a simple configuration. Other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the description of this specification.

One aspect of the present invention is as follows.
[1]
A temperature sensor;
an elastic member positioned between the temperature sensor and a pressing body that presses the temperature sensor toward the battery cell;
A temperature sensor device comprising:
[2]
The temperature sensor device according to [1], wherein the temperature sensor is flexible.
[3]
The temperature sensor device according to [1] or [2], further comprising a support plate for supporting the temperature sensor.
[4]
The temperature sensor device according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the temperature sensor is thermally insulated from the pressing body.
[5]
The temperature sensor device according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the temperature sensor is disposed on a side of the battery cell.
[6]
The battery cell;
[1] to [5], and a temperature sensor device according to any one of [1] to [5].
A battery module comprising:

According to the above aspect of the present invention, the temperature sensor can be fixed to the battery cell with a simple configuration.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the battery module according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view showing the temperature sensor device according to the embodiment together with some battery cells, a lower cover, and a front voltage detection device. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the lower left portion of the front voltage detection device and the temperature sensor device according to the embodiment, as viewed from the rear. 4 is a plan view showing the temperature sensor shown in FIG. 3 together with an elastic member. FIG. FIG. 4 is a left side view showing the temperature sensor shown in FIG. 3 together with an elastic member. 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining a method of attaching a front voltage detection device and a temperature sensor device to a cell stack. 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining a method of attaching a front voltage detection device and a temperature sensor device to a cell stack. 8 is a rear view of the structure between the battery cell and the lower cover in the state shown in FIG. 7. FIG.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below using the drawings. In all drawings, similar components will be designated by similar reference numerals, and descriptions will be omitted where appropriate.

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a battery module 1 according to an embodiment.

For the purpose of explanation, arrows indicating the X, Y, and Z directions are shown in each figure. The X direction is the front-to-rear direction of the battery module 1. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the tip of an arrow indicating the X direction will be referred to as the rear side of the battery module 1. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the base end of an arrow indicating the X direction will be referred to as the front side of the battery module 1. The Y direction is perpendicular to the X direction. The Y direction is the left-to-right direction of the battery module 1. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the tip of an arrow indicating the Y direction will be referred to as the left side of the battery module 1 when viewed from the front, and the right side of the battery module 1 when viewed from the rear. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the base end of an arrow indicating the Y direction will be referred to as the right side of the battery module 1 when viewed from the front, and the left side of the battery module 1 when viewed from the rear. The Z direction is perpendicular to both the X and Y directions. The Z direction is the up-down direction of the battery module 1. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the tip of an arrow indicating the Z direction will be referred to as the top side of the battery module 1. Unless otherwise specified, the base end of the arrow indicating the Z direction will be referred to as the underside of the battery module 1. Hereinafter, where necessary, the direction perpendicular to the X direction will be referred to as the YZ plane direction. Hereinafter, where necessary, the direction perpendicular to the Y direction will be referred to as the ZX plane direction. Hereinafter, where necessary, the direction perpendicular to the Z direction will be referred to as the XY plane direction. Note that the relationship between each of the X, Y, and Z directions and each of the front-to-rear, left-to-right, and up-and-down directions of the battery module 1 is not limited to the example described above.

The battery module 1 includes a cell stack 10, a housing 20, a front voltage detection device 30, and a rear voltage detection device 30'.

The cell stack 10 has a plurality of battery cells 100 and a plurality of compression pads 110. The plurality of battery cells 100 and a plurality of compression pads 110 are arranged alternately in the Y direction. A compression pad 110 is disposed on both sides of each battery cell 100 in the Y direction. The plurality of battery cells 100 and the plurality of compression pads 110 are compressed in the Y direction by a right cover 230 and a left cover 240, which will be described later. This makes it possible to suppress displacement of the battery cells 100 in the ZX plane.

The longitudinal direction of each battery cell 100 is approximately parallel to the X direction. The lateral direction of each battery cell 100 is approximately parallel to the Z direction. The thickness direction of each battery cell 100 is approximately parallel to the Y direction. Multiple battery cells 100 are stacked in the Y direction. Note that the shape of each battery cell 100 is not limited to this example.

Each battery cell 100 includes a battery element (not shown), an exterior material 102, a positive electrode tab 104, and a negative electrode tab 106. The battery element includes multiple positive electrodes and multiple negative electrodes (not shown) stacked alternately in the Y direction, and a separator (not shown) positioned between adjacent positive electrodes and negative electrodes in the Y direction. The exterior material 102 seals the battery element and an electrolyte (not shown). The positive electrode tab 104 is electrically connected to the positive electrode of the battery element. The positive electrode tab 104 is pulled out from one of both sides of the exterior material 102 in the X direction. The negative electrode tab 106 is electrically connected to the negative electrode of the battery element. The negative electrode tab 106 is pulled out from the other side of both sides of the exterior material 102 in the X direction. However, the structure of each battery cell 100 is not limited to this example.

In this embodiment, multiple cell groups 100G are connected in series from the cell group 100G located at one end in the Y direction to the cell group 100G located at the other end in the Y direction. Each cell group 100G includes multiple battery cells 100 connected in parallel. In this embodiment, each cell group 100G includes two battery cells 100 adjacent to each other in the Y direction. The two positive electrode tabs 104 drawn from the two battery cells 100 included in each cell group 100G face the same side in the X direction. The two negative electrode tabs 106 drawn from the two battery cells 100 included in each cell group 100G face the same side in the X direction. The positive electrode tabs 104 and negative electrode tabs 106 drawn from one of the cell groups 100G adjacent to each other in the Y direction face opposite each other in the X direction. Two cell groups 100G adjacent to each other in the Y direction include tab groups 108 located in front of or behind the two cell groups 100G. Each tab group 108 includes positive electrode tabs 104 and negative electrode tabs 106 joined to each other. The positive electrode tabs 104 and negative electrode tabs 106 included in each tab group 108 are joined to each other by, for example, laser welding. As a result, the multiple tab groups 108 located in front of the cell stack 10 and the multiple tab groups 108 located in the rear of the cell stack 10 are arranged alternately in the Y direction.

The configuration of the cell stack 10 is not limited to the above example. For example, each cell group 100G may include three or more battery cells 100 connected in parallel. Alternatively, multiple single battery cells 100 may be connected in series from a battery cell 100 located at one end in the Y direction to a battery cell 100 located at the other end in the Y direction.

The housing 20 has a front cover 210, a rear cover 220, a right cover 230, a left cover 240, a lower cover 250, and an upper cover 260. Each cover is made of a metal such as aluminum. The front cover 210 covers the front of the cell stack 10 and the front voltage detection device 30. The rear cover 220 covers the rear of the cell stack 10 and the rear voltage detection device 30'. When viewed from the front, the right cover 230 covers the right side of the cell stack 10. When viewed from the front, the left cover 240 covers the left side of the cell stack 10. The lower cover 250 covers the bottom of the cell stack 10. A thermally conductive adhesive 252 is disposed between the top surface of the lower cover 250 and the bottom end of the cell stack 10. This allows heat generated by the cell stack 10 to dissipate downward from the battery module 1 through the thermally conductive adhesive 252. The upper cover 260 covers the top of the cell stack 10.

The forward voltage detection device 30 includes a holder 310, multiple voltage detection units 320, multiple voltage detection lines 322, a voltage detection connector 324, and a positive bus bar 330.

The holder 310 is positioned in front of the cell stack 10. The holder 310 has multiple openings 312. Each of the multiple tab groups 108 located in the front of the cell stack 10 is exposed forward through each of the multiple openings 312. The holder 310 integrally holds multiple voltage detection units 320 and multiple voltage detection lines 322.

The multiple voltage detection units 320 are attached to the holder 310. Each of the multiple voltage detection units 320 is joined, for example by laser welding, to the front surface of each of the multiple tab groups 108 located at the front of the cell stack 10. The multiple voltage detection units 320 are electrically connected to a voltage detection connector 324 via multiple voltage detection wires 322. The multiple voltage detection wires 322 are routed through the holder 310. In an embodiment, by installing the holder 310 at an appropriate position relative to the cell stack 10, each of the multiple voltage detection units 320 can be positioned at an appropriate position relative to each of the multiple tab groups 108 located at the front of the cell stack 10.

The positive electrode bus bar 330 is electrically connected to the positive electrode tab 104 that extends forward from the battery cell 100 located at the right end of the cell stack 10 when viewed from the front. The battery module 1 can be electrically connected to other battery modules (not shown) via the positive electrode bus bar 330.

The rear voltage detection device 30' is positioned behind the cell stack 10. Similar to the front voltage detection device 30, the rear voltage detection device 30' has a holder and a voltage detection wire held by the holder. The rear voltage detection device 30' also has a negative electrode bus bar electrically connected to the negative electrode tab 106 drawn rearward from the battery cell 100 located at the left end of the cell stack 10 when viewed from the front.

Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the temperature sensor device 40 according to the embodiment, showing some battery cells 100, a lower cover 250, and a front voltage detection device 30. Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the lower left portion of the front voltage detection device 30 and the temperature sensor device 40 according to the embodiment, as viewed from behind. Figure 4 is a plan view showing the temperature sensor 420 shown in Figure 3 together with an elastic member 440. Figure 5 is a left side view showing the temperature sensor 420 shown in Figure 3 together with an elastic member 440. In Figure 4, the white circle with a black dot indicating the Z direction indicates the upper side of the battery module 1 from the back to the front of the page, and the lower side of the battery module 1 from the front to the back of the page. In Figure 5, the white circle with an X indicating the Y direction indicates that the right side of the battery module 1 when viewed from the rear is the side facing from the front to the back of the page, and that the left side of the battery module 1 when viewed from the rear is the side facing from the back to the front of the page.

The temperature sensor device 40 will be described with reference to Figure 2.

The battery module 1 is equipped with a temperature sensor device 40. The temperature sensor device 40 has a support 410 and two pairs of temperature sensors 420. Each temperature sensor 420 is, for example, a thermistor.

When viewed from the rear, the support body 410 is located behind the left side of the holder 310. The support body 410 includes a horizontal extension body 412 and a pair of vertical extension bodies 414. When viewed from the rear, the horizontal extension body 412 is located behind the lower left end of the holder 310. The horizontal extension body 412 extends approximately parallel to the Y direction. The pair of vertical extension bodies 414 extend upward from both ends of the horizontal extension body 412 in the Y direction approximately parallel to the Z direction. When viewed from the rear, the left vertical extension body 414 is located behind approximately the left end of the holder 310. When viewed from the rear, the right vertical extension body 414 is located behind approximately the center of the holder 310.

When viewed from the rear, the pair of temperature sensors 420 on the left side are attached to the left end of the horizontally extending body 412 and the upper end of the vertically extending body 414 on the left side. The pair of temperature sensors 420 face each other and are approximately parallel to the Z direction. The pair of temperature sensors 420 protrude rearward from the support body 410. When viewed from the rear, the pair of temperature sensors 420 detects the temperature of the battery cell 100 located approximately at the left end in the Y direction of the cell stack 10. Specifically, the pair of temperature sensors 420 are located above and below the front end of the battery cell 100. As a result, the pair of temperature sensors 420 detect the temperatures of the upper and lower ends of the front end of the battery cell 100. In this case, the size of the battery module 1 in the Y direction can be reduced compared to when the temperature sensors 420 are located between adjacent battery cells 100 in the Y direction.

When viewed from the rear, the pair of temperature sensors 420 on the right side are attached to the right end of the horizontally extending body 412 and the upper end of the vertically extending body 414 on the right side. The pair of temperature sensors 420 face each other and are approximately parallel to the Z direction. The pair of temperature sensors 420 protrude rearward from the support body 410. When viewed from the rear, the pair of temperature sensors 420 detect the temperature of the battery cell 100 located approximately in the center of the cell stack 10 in the Y direction. Specifically, the pair of temperature sensors 420 are located on the upper and lower sides of the front end of the battery cell 100. As a result, the pair of temperature sensors 420 detect the temperatures of the upper and lower ends of the front end of the battery cell 100. In this case, the size of the battery module 1 in the Y direction can be reduced compared to when the temperature sensors 420 are located between adjacent battery cells 100 in the Y direction.

The temperature of the battery cells 100 located approximately at the center of the cell stack 10 in the Y direction is less affected by the environment surrounding the cell stack 10 than the temperature of the battery cells 100 located at positions offset from the approximately center of the cell stack 10 in the Y direction. Therefore, under certain conditions of temperature rise of each battery cell 100, such as charging of each battery cell 100, the temperature of the battery cells 100 located approximately at the center of the cell stack 10 in the Y direction is more likely to rise and less likely to fall than the temperature of the battery cells 100 located at positions offset from the approximately center of the cell stack 10 in the Y direction. Therefore, the temperature changes of the multiple battery cells 100 included in the cell stack 10 under the specified conditions differ depending on their positions in the Y direction within the cell stack 10. In this embodiment, when viewed from the rear, the pair of temperature sensors 420 on the left side and the pair of temperature sensors 420 on the right side can detect different temperature changes at the approximately left end and approximately center of the cell stack 10 in the Y direction. Therefore, the temperature of the cell stack 10 can be controlled in accordance with these temperature changes.

In this embodiment, a thermally conductive adhesive 252 is disposed on the upper surface of the lower cover 250. Therefore, under certain conditions of temperature rise of each battery cell 100, such as charging of each battery cell 100, the temperature of the lower end of each battery cell 100 in the Z direction tends to be lower than the temperature of the upper end of each battery cell 100 in the Z direction due to the cooling effect of the thermally conductive adhesive 252. Therefore, the temperature change of each battery cell 100 under the certain conditions varies depending on the position in the Z direction within each battery cell 100. In this embodiment, when viewed from the rear, the pair of temperature sensors 420 on the left side can detect different temperature changes at the lower and upper ends of the battery cell 100 located approximately at the left end in the Y direction of the cell stack 10. Similarly, when viewed from the rear, the pair of temperature sensors 420 on the right side can detect different temperature changes at the lower and upper ends of the battery cell 100 located approximately in the center in the Y direction of the cell stack 10. Therefore, the temperature of the cell stack 10 can be controlled in accordance with these temperature changes.

The arrangement of the temperature sensor 420 is not limited to the arrangement described in the embodiment.

For example, the temperature sensors 420 may be attached to three or more different locations in the Z direction of one battery cell 100. For example, the temperature sensors 420 may be attached to approximately the upper end, the lower end, and the center of the battery cell 100 in the Z direction. In this example, different temperature changes can be detected at multiple locations in the Z direction of the battery cell 100. Furthermore, the temperature sensors 420 do not have to be attached to the upper and lower ends of the battery cell 100 in the Z direction. For example, the temperature sensor 420 may be attached to a location shifted downward from the upper end of the battery cell 100. Similarly, the temperature sensor 420 may be attached to a location shifted upward from the lower end of the battery cell 100. Furthermore, only one temperature sensor 420 may be attached to one battery cell 100.

The temperature sensors 420 may also be attached to three or more different locations in the Y direction of the cell stack 10. For example, the temperature sensors 420 may be attached to approximately the left end, approximately the center, and approximately the right end of the cell stack 10 in the Y direction. In this example, different temperature changes can be detected at multiple locations in the Y direction of the cell stack 10. Furthermore, the temperature sensors 420 do not have to be located approximately in the center and approximately the left end of the cell stack 10 when viewed from the rear. For example, the temperature sensor 420 may be attached to a location shifted to the right from approximately the left end of the cell stack 10 when viewed from the rear. Similarly, the temperature sensor 420 may be attached to a location shifted to the left or right from approximately the center of the cell stack 10 when viewed from the rear.

In the embodiment, the temperature sensor 420 is attached to the front end of the battery cell 100. Therefore, the temperature sensor 420 can be located relatively close to the support 410. Under certain conditions of temperature rise of each battery cell 100, such as charging of each battery cell 100, the temperature of both ends of each battery cell 100 in the X direction is more likely to rise and less likely to fall than the temperature of the approximate center of each battery cell 100 in the X direction. Furthermore, under high input/output conditions, such as rapid charging of the battery cell 100, the temperature of both ends of each battery cell 100 in the X direction is more likely to be higher than the temperature of the approximate center of each battery cell 100 in the X direction. In the embodiment, the temperature sensor 420 is located at a location where the temperature of the battery cell 100 is likely to be relatively high under these conditions. Therefore, the temperature sensor 420 can be located at a desirable location from the perspective of controlling the battery cell 100. However, the temperature sensor 420 may be located behind the front end of the battery cell 100. For example, the temperature sensor 420 may be attached to approximately the center of the battery cell 100 in the X direction. Alternatively, the temperature sensor 420 may be attached to the rear end of the battery cell 100. In this example, the temperature sensor 420 may be attached to, for example, the rear voltage detection device 30' shown in FIG. 1.

The reason why the temperature changes at multiple locations in the Z direction of each battery cell 100 differ under the above-mentioned specified conditions is not limited to the cooling effect of the thermally conductive adhesive 252. In other words, the temperature changes at multiple locations in the Z direction of each battery cell 100 under the specified conditions can differ from one another, for example, by arranging a temperature adjustment member such as a heater, cooler, or radiator above or below each battery cell 100 and not arranging a temperature adjustment member above or below each battery cell 100.

Referring to Figures 3 to 5, the temperature sensor 420 attached to the lower left portion of the support body 410 when viewed from the rear will be described. The configuration described for the temperature sensor 420 with reference to Figure 3 can also be applied to temperature sensors 420 attached to other portions of the support body 410.

The temperature sensor 420 is attached to the holder 310 and the support body 410 by a support plate 430 and a mounting bracket 432. The support plate 430 is, for example, a plastic plate. However, the material of the support plate 430 is not limited to this example. The support plate 430 includes a protrusion 430a and a front end 430b. The protrusion 430a protrudes toward the rear of the support body 410. The temperature sensor 420 is attached to the upper surface of the protrusion 430a, for example, via adhesive. This allows the temperature sensor 420 to be supported by the protrusion 430a. The front end 430b is bent upward relative to the protrusion 430a. The front end 430b is attached to the rear surface of the horizontal extension body 412 by a mounting bracket 432. This allows the position of the temperature sensor 420 in the XY plane to be fixed. In the example shown in Figure 3, the mounting bracket 432 is a rivet. However, the fixture 432 may be a fixture other than a rivet, such as a screw. The fixture 432 is inserted from behind the front end 430b into the horizontal extension body 412 and the holding body 310. The fixture 432 is made of an electrically insulating material, such as resin. Therefore, the fixture 432 has insulating properties. In this example, even if a metal portion of the exterior material 102 comes into contact with the fixture 432, a short circuit between the exterior material 102 and the fixture 432 can be prevented. However, the fixture 432 may also be made of a conductive material, such as metal.

One end of the temperature sensor wire 422 is connected to the front end of the temperature sensor 420. The temperature sensor wire 422 is routed through the support 410. Therefore, the temperature sensor wire 422 is held by the support 410. The other end of the temperature sensor wire 422 is electrically connected to the temperature sensor connector 424 shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Figures 6 and 7 are diagrams illustrating how to attach the forward voltage detection device 30 and the temperature sensor device 40 to the cell stack 10. Figure 8 is a rear view of the structure between the battery cell 100 and the lower cover 250 in the state shown in Figure 7. In Figure 8, the white circle with a black dot indicating the X direction indicates the rear side of the battery module 1 from the back of the page to the front, and the front side of the battery module 1 from the front of the page to the back.

The forward voltage detection device 30 and temperature sensor device 40 are attached to the cell stack 10 as follows:

First, the temperature sensor device 40 is attached to the rear surface of the forward voltage detection device 30. Specifically, the front surface of the support body 410 is mechanically joined to the rear surface of the holder 310, for example, by snap fitting.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the front voltage detection device 30 with the temperature sensor device 40 attached is installed in front of the cell stack 10. As a result, each of the multiple voltage detection units 320 shown in FIG. 1 is positioned in front of each of the multiple tab groups 108 shown in FIG. 1 that are located in front of the cell stack 10. In this state, each voltage detection unit 320 and each tab group 108 can be joined by, for example, laser welding. Furthermore, in the state shown in FIG. 6, by installing the front voltage detection device 30 in an appropriate position relative to the cell stack 10, the multiple temperature sensors 420 shown in FIG. 2 can be integrally arranged in appropriate positions relative to the cell stack 10. Therefore, in this embodiment, the workability of attaching the temperature sensors 420 to the battery cells 100 can be improved compared to when the front voltage detection device 30 and the temperature sensor device 40 are attached separately.

The temperature sensor 420 and the support plate 430 are flexible. Specifically, the temperature sensor 420 is flexible between the front and rear ends of the temperature sensor 420. Similarly, the support plate 430 is flexible between the front and rear ends of the protrusion 430a. This makes it easier to attach the temperature sensor 420 and the support plate 430 along the battery cell 100. It also makes it easier for the temperature sensor 420 and the support plate 430 to follow variations in the position of the battery cell 100. In the example shown in Figure 6, a portion of the upper surface of the temperature sensor 420 is in contact with the front lower end of the battery cell 100. As a result, when viewed in the Y direction, the temperature sensor 420 and the support plate 430 are bent downward.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the lower cover 250 is attached to the forward voltage detection device 30. Specifically, the protrusion 314 provided on the lower end of the holder 310 penetrates the front end of the lower cover 250 in the Z direction, thereby attaching the lower cover 250 to the holder 310. However, the structure for attaching the lower cover 250 to the holder 310 is not limited to this example. With the lower cover 250 attached to the holder 310, the lower cover 250 is disposed below the cell stack 10 via the thermally conductive adhesive 252 shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, two elastic members 440 are disposed at two locations on the front right end of the upper surface of the lower cover 250 when viewed from the front. In this embodiment, the elastic members 440 are sponges. However, the elastic members 440 may be elastic members other than sponges, such as leaf springs. The elastic members 440 are attached to the upper surface of the lower cover 250, for example, via adhesive. When the lower cover 250 is attached to the holder 310, the two elastic members 440 overlap in the Z direction with the two temperature sensors 420 attached to the lower part of the support body 410. Therefore, when the lower cover 250 is attached to the holder 310, the temperature sensors 420 and support plate 430 are positioned between the lower end of the battery cell 100 and the upper surface of the lower cover 250 in the Z direction, as shown in FIG. 8 .

7 and 8, the lower cover 250 presses the temperature sensor 420 and support plate 430 upward via the elastic member 440. That is, the lower cover 250 serves as a pressing body that presses the temperature sensor 420 and support plate 430 upward via the elastic member 440. As a result, the temperature sensor 420 and support plate 430 change from a bent state as shown in FIG. 7 to a state that is aligned approximately parallel to the X direction as shown in FIG. 8. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, the elastic member 440 is compressed in the Z direction by the lower cover 250 and support plate 430. Therefore, when the lower cover 250 is attached to the holder 310, the support plate 430 and temperature sensor 420 are biased toward the lower end of the battery cell 100 by the elastic member 440. This allows the temperature sensor 420 to be fixed to the lower end of the battery cell 100 with a simple configuration.

As in the example shown in Figure 8, an elastic member equivalent to the elastic member 440 may be disposed between the underside of the upper cover 260 and the upper surface of the temperature sensor 420 attached to the top of the support 410. In this structure, the elastic member can bias the temperature sensor 420 toward the upper end of the battery cell 100. Therefore, the temperature sensor 420 can be fixed to the upper end of the battery cell 100 with a simple configuration.

From the description of the embodiment, the elastic member 440 can be positioned between the temperature sensor 420 and a pressing body such as the lower cover 250 or upper cover 260 that presses the temperature sensor 420 toward the battery cell 100. When the elastic member 440 is positioned between the temperature sensor 420 and the pressing body, the elastic member 440 can bias the temperature sensor 420 toward the cell stack 10. This allows the temperature sensor 420 to be fixed to the battery cell 100 with a simple configuration.

In the example shown in FIG. 8 , the temperature sensor 420 may be thermally insulated from the lower cover 250 by the support plate 430 and elastic member 440. For example, the support plate 430 and elastic member 440 may be made of a material with heat-shielding properties. In this example, even if a temperature gradient occurs between the battery cell 100 and the lower cover 250, the temperature sensor 420 can accurately detect the temperature of the battery cell 100 regardless of the temperature of the lower cover 250. A temperature gradient between the battery cell 100 and the lower cover 250 occurs, for example, when the temperature of the battery cell 100 increases due to charging of the battery cell 100, while the lower cover 250 is cooled.

In the example shown in FIG. 8 , the exterior material 102 has a sealing edge 102a. The sealing edge 102a is pulled out from between the right-side lower surface 100a of the battery cell 100 and the left-side lower surface 100b of the battery cell 100, and is folded back below the right-side lower surface 100a. The temperature sensor 420 is preferably pressed toward the battery cell 100 without passing through the sealing edge 102a. That is, it is desirable that the temperature sensor 420 be in contact with the left-side lower surface 100b of the battery cell 100. When the temperature sensor 420 is in contact with the left-side lower surface 100b of the battery cell 100, the temperature of the battery cell 100 can be accurately detected by the temperature sensor 420 even if an air layer exists between the right-side lower surface 100a of the battery cell 100 and the sealing edge 102a. Furthermore, if the temperature sensor 420 is flexible, it can be made easier to bring the temperature sensor 420 into contact with the left-side lower surface 100b of the battery cell 100.

The above describes embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings, but these are merely examples of the present invention, and various configurations other than those described above can also be adopted.

For example, in the embodiment, the temperature sensor device 40 has multiple temperature sensors 420. However, the number of temperature sensors 420 provided in the temperature sensor device 40 may be only one.

In addition, in this embodiment, the temperature sensor 420 is attached to the forward voltage detection device 30 via the support 410. However, the temperature sensor 420 may be attached directly to the forward voltage detection device 30 without the support 410.

1 Battery module 10 Cell stack 20 Housing 30 Front voltage detection device 30' Rear voltage detection device 40 Temperature sensor device 100 Battery cell 100a Right lower surface 100b Left lower surface 100G Cell group 102 Exterior material 102a Sealing edge 104 Positive electrode tab 106 Negative electrode tab 108 Tab group 110 Compression pad 210 Front cover 220 Rear cover 230 Right cover 240 Left cover 250 Lower cover 252 Thermally conductive adhesive 260 Upper cover 310 Holder 312 Opening 314 Protrusion 320 Voltage detection portion 322 Voltage detection wire 324 Voltage detection connector 330 Positive electrode bus bar 410 Support body 412 Lateral extension body 414 Vertical extension body 420 Temperature sensor 422 Temperature sensor wire 424 Temperature sensor connector 430 Support plate 430a, protrusion 430b, front end 432, attachment 440, elastic member

Claims (4)

A temperature sensor device for use in a battery cell,
A temperature sensor;
a support plate that supports the temperature sensor;
an elastic member that biases the temperature sensor and the support plate toward the battery cell;
Equipped with
the support plate is located between the temperature sensor and the elastic member,
A temperature sensor device , wherein the temperature sensor is flexible. The temperature sensor device according to claim 1 , wherein the elastic member is located between the support plate and a pressing body that presses the temperature sensor and the support plate toward the battery cell. The temperature sensor device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the temperature sensor is disposed to the side of the battery cell. A battery cell;
a housing that houses the battery cell;
a temperature sensor device used in the battery cell ;
Equipped with
the temperature sensor device includes a temperature sensor, a support plate that supports the temperature sensor, and an elastic member that biases the temperature sensor and the support plate toward the battery cell;
A battery module in which, with the support plate positioned between the temperature sensor and the elastic member and the elastic member positioned between the support plate and the housing, the housing presses the temperature sensor, the support plate, and the elastic member toward the battery cell, causing the elastic member to urge the temperature sensor and the support plate toward the battery cell .