BATTERY CELL AND MONITORING DEVICE FOR ASSEMBLED BATTERY

• US 20110135980A1
• Filed: 09/30/2009
• Published: 06/09/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Morita, Tsuyoshi, Kawase, Atsushi
• Granted Patent: US 8,563,152 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/93
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/396 Acquisition or processing of data for testing or for monitoring individual cells or groups of cells within a battery
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/4207 for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/482 for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 16/003 of fuel cells with other electrochemical devices, e.g. capacitors, electrolysers
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0025 Sequential battery discharge in systems with a plurality of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0048 Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells

Abstract

A battery cell includes a power generating element, an electrode connected to the power generating element and configured to electrically connect the power generating element to outside, and an exterior member configured to cover the power generating element. The exterior member includes an insulating layer and a conductive layer, and the conductive layer includes a connection section electrically connected to the outs.

Claims

1. A battery cell comprising:

a power generating element;

a conductive member connected to a member located outside the battery cell; and

an exterior member configured to cover the power generating element, the exterior member including an insulating layer and a conductive layer, the insulating member being disposed between the conductive layer and the conductive member, and the conductive layer including a connection section configured to be electrically connected to the member located outside the battery cell.

2. The battery cell according to claim 1, wherein

the conductive member is a communication electrode;

the insulating layer is located between the communication electrode and the conductive layer and functions as a dielectric material for a capacitor configured to accumulate charge; and

the communication electrode and conductive electrode function as terminals of the capacitor.

3. The battery cell according to claim 2, wherein

the exterior member further includes first and second sheet-like exterior members, the first and second sheet-like exterior members having outer peripheral edges joined together to enclose the power generating element between the first and second sheet-like exterior members;

each of the first and second sheet-like exterior members has a structure including a conductive layer and insulating layers laminated on opposing surfaces of the conductive layer;

the connection section is located in the conductive layer of one of the first sheet-like exterior member and the second sheet-like exterior member; and

the communication electrode is located on an outside facing side of the first sheet-like exterior member.

4. The battery cell according to claim 1, wherein

the conductive member is an electrode electrically connected to the power generating element;

the insulating layer is located between the electrode and the conductive layer and functions as a dielectric material of a capacitor configured to accumulate charge; and

the electrode and conductive layer function as terminals of the capacitor.

5. The battery cell according to claim 4, wherein

the exterior member further includes first and second sheet-like exterior members, the first and second sheet-like exterior members having outer peripheral edges joined together to enclose the power generating element between the first and second sheet-like exterior members;

each of the first and second sheet-like exterior members has a structure including a conductive layer and insulating layers laminated on opposing surfaces of the conductive layer; and

the connection section is located in the conductive layer of at least one of the first sheet-like exterior member and the second sheet-like exterior member.

6. The battery cell according to claim 1, wherein

the member is at least one of a microprocessor and a detection unit.

7. A battery assembly unit, comprising:

an assembled battery including a plurality of battery cells, each battery cell including a power generating element, a conductive member connected to a member located outside the battery cell, and an exterior member configured to cover the power generating element, the exterior member including an insulating layer and a conductive layer, the insulating layer being disposed between the conductive layer and the conductive member, and the conductive layer including a connection section electrically connected to a member located outside the battery cell; and

a detection unit configured to detect voltages of the plurality of battery cells, the detection unit being electrically connected to the connection section of at least one battery cell.

8. The battery assembly unit according to claim 7, wherein

the conductive member is a communication electrode;

the insulating layer is located between the communication electrode and the conductive layer;

the detection unit has a reference-potential terminal connected to the connection section in the conductive layer; and

the communication electrode is connected to a member for determining a reference potential of an alternating-current communication signal.

9. The battery assembly unit according to claim 8, wherein

the exterior member further includes first and second sheet-like exterior members, the first and second sheet-like exterior members having outer peripheral edges joined together to enclose the power generating element between the first and second sheet-like exterior members;

each of the first and second sheet-like exterior members has a structure including a conductive layer and insulating layers laminated on opposing surfaces of the conductive layer;

the connection section is located in the conductive layer of one of the first sheet-like exterior member and the second sheet-like exterior member; and

the communication electrode is located outside the first sheet-like exterior member.

10. The battery assembly unit according to claim 7, wherein

the detection unit has a communication signal terminal connected to the connection section in the conductive layer of the one of the first sheet-like exterior member and the second sheet-like exterior member.

11. The battery assembly unit according to claim 10, wherein

the exterior member further includes first and second sheet-like exterior members, the first and second sheet-like exterior members having outer peripheral edges joined together to enclose the power generating element between the first and second sheet-like exterior members;

each of the first and second sheet-like exterior members has a structure including a conductive layer and insulating layers laminated on opposing surfaces of the conductive layer; and

the connection section is located in the conductive layer of at least one of the first sheet-like exterior member and the second sheet-like exterior member.

12. The battery assembly unit according to claim 7, further comprising:

a power supply line configured to electrically connect the plurality of battery cells; and

a control unit configured to adjust capacities of the plurality of battery cells, wherein

the detection unit converts the detected voltages into alternating-current communication signals and sends the alternating-current communication signals to the control unit through the power supply line; and

the control unit adjusts the capacities of the plurality of battery cells in accordance with the detected voltages.

13. The battery assembly unit according to claim 12, wherein

the control unit sends an alternating-current communication signal for controlling the detection unit to the detection unit through the power supply line.

14. The battery assembly unit according to claim 13, wherein

the detection unit includes a resistor for adjusting the capacities of the plurality of battery cells.

15. The battery assembly unit according to claim 7, wherein

the assembled battery is connected to a power converter;

and

the detection unit includes a filter circuit configured to remove noise from the power converter.

16. The battery assembly unit according to claim 7, wherein

the assembled battery is connected to a grounding detector configured to detect grounding of the assembled battery;

and

the detection unit includes a filter circuit configured to remove noise from the grounding detector.

17. The battery assembly unit according to claim 7, wherein

the detection unit includes a storage unit configured to store a unique identifier of a battery cell to be detected.