Patent Description:
Currently commercialized secondary batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-hydrogen batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, lithium secondary batteries, and the like. Among them, the lithium secondary batteries are spotlighted because they ensure free charging and discharging due to substantially no memory effect compared to nickel-based secondary batteries, as well as very low discharge rate and high energy density.

The lithium secondary battery mainly uses lithium-based oxide and carbon material as positive electrode active material and negative electrode active material, respectively. The lithium secondary battery includes an electrode assembly in which a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate respectively coated with a positive electrode active material and a negative electrode active material are arranged with a separator interposed therebetween, and an exterior, namely a battery case, for hermetically receiving the electrode assembly together with electrolyte.

In particular, in recent years, as the use of electric vehicles as well as portable devices such as smart phones and laptops has become increasingly common, interest in battery packs used therefor is concentrated and research is being actively conducted.

As the application area of the battery pack is further expanded as above, the safety of the battery pack is emerging as a very important issue. In particular, users of electric vehicles are rapidly increasing, and the failure to secure the safety of the battery may lead to damage to the vehicle as well as casualties of occupants. Moreover, if a problem occurs in the battery pack while the electric vehicle is running, it may cause a traffic accident, or the like, resulting in very serious human and property damage. Accordingly, the battery pack is generally provided with various management means for managing the charging and discharging of the battery pack and securing safety.

Such a means for securing the safety of a battery pack may include various components. Typically, such components may include a current sensor provided on a path through which a charging and discharging current flows, and a control device such as a battery management system (BMS) that blocks the charging and discharging path when overcurrent occurs. In this configuration, the current sensing information measured by the current sensor is transmitted to the control device, and the control device may operate a current blocking element such as a fuse, a switch or a relay according to the current sensing information.

However, such an overcurrent blocking configuration may not operate quickly. That is, in the case of the overcurrent blocking configuration, communication must be made between the current sensor and the control unit, and thus a time delay may occur. For example, the current sensing information measured by the current sensor is transmitted to the BMS, and the BMS may check whether there is an overcurrent based on the transmitted current sensing information and then transmits a signal to the current blocking element to block the charging and discharging path. However, according to this current blocking configuration, since the current sensing information must be transmitted to the control device such as a BMS and a control signal for blocking current must be transmitted from the control device such as BMS to the current blocking element, the current blocking operation may not be performed quickly.

Examples of background art can be found in <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, and <CIT>.

The present disclosure is designed to solve the problems of the related art, and therefore the present disclosure is directed to providing a current measurement apparatus, which may quickly perform a current blocking function by itself without using a separate control device such as a BMS, and a battery pack and a vehicle including the current measurement apparatus.

In accordance with the independent claim <NUM>, there is provided a current measurement apparatus, comprising: a first terminal made of an electrically conductive material; a second terminal made of an electrically conductive material and disposed to be spaced apart from the first terminal by a predetermined distance; a resistor interposed in a separated space between the first terminal and the second terminal and made of an electrically conductive material having a greater specific resistance than the first terminal and the second terminal; a circuit board having an electric path, located at a side portion of the first terminal and the second terminal, and electrically connected to the first terminal and the second terminal, respectively; a control unit mounted on the circuit board and configured to measure a current flowing in the resistor by using a voltage value between the first terminal and the second terminal and a resistance value of the resistor; and a cutting unit located above or below the resistor and configured to cut the resistor according to a control signal of the control unit.

Here, the first terminal and the second terminal are configured in a plate shape and located on the same plane as the circuit board.

In addition, the circuit board includes a body portion located at the side portion of the first terminal and the second terminal, a first extending portion formed to extend in a horizontal direction from the body portion and configured to be placed on a surface of the first terminal, and a second extending portion configured to be placed on a surface of the second terminal.

In addition, the cutting unit may be configured to be at least partially placed on the surfaces of both the first extending portion and the second extending portion.

In addition, the cutting unit may be configured to protrude outward in a horizontal direction further to the first extending portion and the second extending portion.

In addition, the circuit board may be configured to be detachably attached to the first terminal and the second terminal.

In addition, the cutting unit may contain a gunpowder therein and be configured to cut the resistor by exploding the gunpowder.

In addition, the cutting unit may include an explosion portion located above or below the resistor and configured to apply a cutting force by explosion to the resistor, a pressing portion configured to press the resistor by an explosion force of the explosion portion, and a cover portion located opposite to the pressing portion based on the resistor and configured to prevent the resistor cut by the pressing force of the pressing portion from scattering.

In addition, the circuit board may include a heat dissipation member provided on a surface thereof, and a heat transfer material interposed between the heat dissipation member and at least one of the first terminal, the resistor and the second terminal.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, there is also provided a battery pack, comprising the current measurement apparatus according to the present disclosure.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, there is also provided a vehicle, comprising the current measurement apparatus according to the present disclosure.

According to the present disclosure, when an abnormal situation such as overcurrent occurs, it is possible to quickly block the overcurrent.

In particular, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when overcurrent is measured by the current measurement apparatus, there is no need to communicate with a control device such as a BMS in order to block the overcurrent.

Therefore, it is possible to quickly prevent problems caused by overcurrent by shortening the operation time for blocking the overcurrent.

Therefore, the description proposed herein is just a preferable example for the purpose of illustrations only, not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, so it should be understood that other equivalents and modifications could be made thereto without departing from the scope of the disclosure, while the scope of protection is defined by the appended claims.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a configuration of a current measurement apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and <FIG> is an assembled perspective view of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the current measurement apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a first terminal <NUM>, a second terminal <NUM>, a resistor <NUM>, a circuit board <NUM>, a control unit <NUM>, and a cutting unit <NUM>.

The first terminal <NUM> and the second terminal <NUM> may be made of an electrically conductive material. For example, the first terminal <NUM> and the second terminal <NUM> may be made of a metal material such as copper.

The first terminal <NUM> and the second terminal <NUM> are respectively connected to one side and the other side on a path through which current flows. For example, when the current measurement apparatus according to the present disclosure is employed on a charging and discharging path of a battery pack, the ends of the first terminal <NUM> and the second terminal <NUM> may be respectively connected to different charging and discharging bus bars, which constitute the same charging and discharging path of a battery pack. To this end, the first terminal <NUM> and the second terminal <NUM> may have a terminal hole, as indicated by H1 in the drawing, such that the terminal hole is coupled to the hole of the charging and discharging bus bar of the battery pack by bolting.

The first terminal <NUM> and the second terminal <NUM> are disposed to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. For example, seeing the configuration of <FIG>, the first terminal <NUM> and the second terminal <NUM> are configured to be spaced apart by a predetermined distance in a left and right direction (x-axis direction of the drawing).

The resistor <NUM> is configured to be interposed in a separated space between the first terminal <NUM> and the second terminal <NUM>. In addition, the resistor <NUM> may be configured to be fixedly coupled to the first terminal <NUM> and the second terminal <NUM>. For example, the resistor <NUM> may have one end (left end) coupled and fixed with the first terminal <NUM> and the other end (right end) coupled and fixed with the second terminal <NUM>. At this time, the resistor <NUM> and the first terminal <NUM> and/or the second terminal <NUM> may be coupled by welding or the like, but various other coupling types may also be employed.

The resistor <NUM> is made of an electrically conductive material having a greater resistance value, particularly a greater specific resistance, than the first terminal <NUM> and the second terminal <NUM>. For example, the resistor <NUM> may be made of an alloy material containing at least two or more of manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), and copper (Cu).

The material, configuration, shape, or the like of the first terminal <NUM>, the second terminal <NUM> and the resistor <NUM> may employ those of a current sensor having a shunt resistor known at the time of filing of this application.

In accordance with claim <NUM>, the circuit board <NUM> is configured in a plate shape, like a printed circuit board (PCB), and may be configured to form an electric path on a surface thereof or at the inside thereof. In addition, the circuit board <NUM> is located at a side portion of the first terminal <NUM> and the second terminal <NUM>. In particular, the circuit board <NUM> is be configured to be located at a side portion not in a direction where the first terminal <NUM> and the second terminal <NUM> are coupled but in a direction orthogonal thereto. For example, seeing the configuration of <FIG> and <FIG>, the first terminal <NUM> and the second terminal <NUM> may be configured to be coupled in the left and right direction (x-axis direction of the drawing) with the resistor <NUM> interposed therebetween, and the circuit board <NUM> may be configured to be coupled in the front and rear direction (y-axis direction in the drawing). For example, the circuit board <NUM> may be configured to be located at a front end of the first terminal <NUM>, the second terminal <NUM>, and the resistor <NUM>.

The circuit board <NUM> is configured to be electrically connected to the first terminal <NUM> and the second terminal <NUM>, respectively. For example, as shown in the drawings, the circuit board <NUM> may include a plurality of measurement wires <NUM> made of a material through which an electric signal can be transmitted. In addition, the circuit board <NUM> may be electrically connected to the first terminal <NUM> through one of the measurement wires <NUM>, and may be electrically connected to the second terminal <NUM> through another measurement wire <NUM>. In addition, the measurement wire <NUM> may be connected and fixed to a conductor pattern or the like formed on the circuit board <NUM>. In this case, the bonding and fixing between the measurement wire <NUM> and the terminals <NUM>, <NUM> and/or between the measurement wire <NUM> and the circuit board <NUM> may be performed by soldering or the like, but various other bonding and fixing manners may also be implemented.

The control unit <NUM> is mounted on the circuit board <NUM> and configured to measure the magnitude of current flowing through the resistor <NUM>. More specifically, the control unit <NUM> may obtain a potential between the first terminal <NUM> and the second terminal <NUM> through the measurement wire <NUM>. In addition, the control unit <NUM> may store the resistance value of the resistor <NUM> in advance in a memory or the like. Accordingly, the control unit <NUM> measures the magnitude of the current flowing through the resistor <NUM> by using the obtained voltage value between the first terminal <NUM> and the second terminal <NUM> and the resistance value of the resistor <NUM> stored in advance.

The control unit <NUM> may be implemented in various forms such as a processor or a chipset known in the art, which may execute various control logics for measuring current and be mounted on the circuit board <NUM>.

The cutting unit <NUM> is located above or below the resistor <NUM>. For example, the cutting unit <NUM> may be configured to be placed on an upper surface of the resistor <NUM> as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. In this case, the cutting unit <NUM> may be configured to be also placed on an upper portion or a lower portion of the first terminal <NUM> and the second terminal <NUM> together with the resistor <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, a lower part of the cutting unit <NUM> may be placed in contact with the upper surface of the first terminal <NUM>, another lower part thereof is may be placed in contact with the upper surface of the resistor <NUM>, and still another lower part thereof may be placed in contact with the upper surface of the second terminal <NUM>.

The cutting unit <NUM> is configured to cut the resistor <NUM> according to a control signal of the control unit <NUM>. In other words, the control unit <NUM> controls the cutting unit <NUM> to cut the resistor <NUM>. To this end, the control unit <NUM> and the cutting unit <NUM> may be configured to send and receive electric signals to each other. For example, the control unit <NUM> and the cutting unit <NUM> may be configured to be electrically connected to each other through a component such as a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) or a wire. In this case, the contact point between the FPCB or the like and the control unit <NUM> and/or the cutting unit <NUM> may be coated with a waterproof material. Also, the control unit <NUM> and the cutting unit <NUM> may be configured to exchange signals with each other via an electric path of the circuit board <NUM>, namely a conductor pattern.

The control unit <NUM> may be configured to transmit a control signal for cutting to the cutting unit <NUM> when the current flowing through the resistor <NUM> is equal to or greater than a reference current. In this case, the reference current may be stored in advance in a memory device of the control unit <NUM> or the like. In addition, when the control signal for cutting is received from the control unit <NUM>, the cutting unit <NUM> may be configured to cut the resistor <NUM>.

The cutting unit <NUM> may be configured to cut the resistor <NUM> by applying a physical force to the resistor <NUM>. In addition, by the physical separation of the resistor <NUM>, the flow of current through the first terminal <NUM>, the resistor <NUM> and the second terminal <NUM> may be blocked. That is, if the resistor <NUM> is separated from the first terminal <NUM> and the second terminal <NUM>, the electric connection state between the first terminal <NUM> and the second terminal <NUM> is cut off, and the flow of current passing through the first terminal <NUM>, the resistor <NUM> and the second terminal <NUM> may not be formed any longer.

In particular, in the current measurement apparatus according to the present disclosure, the cutting unit <NUM> may be configured to press only the resistor <NUM> with respect to an assembly of the first terminal <NUM>, the resistor <NUM> and the second terminal <NUM>. In this case, the assembly of the first terminal <NUM>, the resistor <NUM> and the second terminal <NUM> may be separated more easily. That is, the resistor <NUM> may be coupled and fixed with the first terminal <NUM> and the second terminal <NUM> by welding or the like, and the coupled and fixed portions between the resistor <NUM> and the first terminal <NUM> and between the resistor <NUM> and the second terminal <NUM> may be separated at one time by applying a physical force to the resistor <NUM>. Therefore, in this case, the current may be blocked more quickly.

In addition, according to the configuration of the present disclosure, the current blocking performance may be stably secured with a simple structure. In particular, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the circuit board <NUM> is located at the side surface of the first terminal <NUM>, the resistor <NUM> and the second terminal <NUM>, and the cutting unit <NUM> is located above or below the first terminal <NUM>, the resistor <NUM> and the second terminal <NUM>. Thus, the cutting unit <NUM> may not disturb a connecting component such as a connection pin for measurement or the measurement wire <NUM> for the connection between the first terminal <NUM> and the circuit board <NUM> and between the second terminal <NUM> and the circuit board <NUM>. In particular, the measurement wire <NUM> or the like does not need to be provided in a long shape. Therefore, the accuracy for current measurement and the structural coupling force between the circuit board <NUM> and the first terminal <NUM> and between the circuit board <NUM> and the second terminal <NUM> may be further improved.

Moreover, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, it is advantageous to implement a current measurement apparatus having a compact size. That is, the current measurement apparatus of the present disclosure may have both the current measurement performance and the current blocking performance, without excessively increasing the volume. Therefore, when the current measurement apparatus is mounted to a battery pack or the like, the battery pack or the like may be designed easily, and the volume of the battery pack or the like may be prevented from increasing.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the cutting unit <NUM> may be disposed above the resistor <NUM>. In this case, the upper portion of the resistor <NUM> may be covered by the cutting unit <NUM>, thereby more effectively preventing moisture or water existing inside the current measurement apparatus from being introduced toward the resistor <NUM>. In particular, if there is moisture or water in the resistor <NUM>, the accuracy of current measurement may deteriorate. According to this embodiment of the present disclosure, the cutting unit <NUM> prevents moisture or water droplets from being introduced toward the upper portion of the resistor <NUM>, thereby preventing the accuracy of current measurement from deteriorating.

Meanwhile, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the circuit board <NUM> may include a connector <NUM> for communication with an external device. For example, when the current measurement apparatus according to the present disclosure is mounted to the battery pack, a BMS provided in the battery pack may be connected to the current measurement apparatus through the connector <NUM>. In addition, the BMS may receive the current measurement information of the current measurement apparatus through the connector <NUM>. Also, the circuit board <NUM> may further include various other components in addition to the connector <NUM> and the control unit <NUM>.

The first terminal <NUM> and the second terminal <NUM> are configured in a plate shape, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. For example, the first terminal <NUM> and the second terminal <NUM> may be configured in the form of a copper plate.

In addition, the circuit board <NUM> is configured to be in a plate shape. The first terminal <NUM> and the second terminal <NUM> are configured to be located on the same plane as the circuit board <NUM>. More specifically, the first terminal <NUM> and the second terminal <NUM> may be configured such that two wide surfaces are laid down to face upward and downward. In addition, the circuit board <NUM> may also be configured such that two wide surfaces are laid down to face upward and downward.

In this case, the first terminal <NUM>, the second terminal <NUM> and the circuit board <NUM> may be configured to be located on the same plane. For example, the first terminal <NUM>, the second terminal <NUM> and the circuit board <NUM> may all have a lower surface parallel to the x-y plane.

According to this configuration of the present disclosure, a current measurement apparatus having a more compact size may be implemented. In addition, according to the embodiment, the first terminal <NUM>, the second terminal <NUM> and the circuit board <NUM> may be stably mounted on the bottom surface of the current measurement apparatus.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a configuration of the current measurement apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In <FIG>, features different from the former embodiment of <FIG> and <FIG> will be described in detail.

Referring to <FIG>, the current measurement apparatus according to the present disclosure may further include a case <NUM>. The case <NUM> is an exterior material of the current measurement apparatus, and may be configured to have an inner space for accommodating at least a part of other components of the current measurement apparatus, such as the first terminal <NUM>, the second terminal <NUM>, the resistor <NUM>, the circuit board <NUM>, the control unit <NUM> and the cutting unit <NUM>.

For example, the case <NUM> may be configured to include a lower case <NUM> and an upper case <NUM>. In particular, an inner space is formed in the lower case <NUM> to accommodate other components of the current measurement apparatus, but an open portion may be formed at a top end thereof. Also, the upper case <NUM> may be coupled to the top open portion of the lower case <NUM>.

The case <NUM> may protect various components provided therein from external physical and chemical factors. However, the case <NUM>, for example the lower case <NUM>, may be configured such that the first terminal <NUM> and the second terminal <NUM> are partially exposed to the outside for electric connection to the charging and discharging bus bar or the like. In addition, the case <NUM> may also be configured to expose the connector <NUM> to the outside, so that an external device such as a BMS may be easily connected to the connector <NUM> or the like.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a configuration of a current measurement apparatus according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, <FIG> is an assembled perspective view of <FIG>, and <FIG> is a sectional view, taken along the line A1-A1' of <FIG>. In this embodiment, features different from the former embodiments will be described in detail, and features identical or similar thereto will not be described in detail.

Referring to <FIG>, the circuit board <NUM> includes a body portion <NUM> and an extending portion. In particular, the extending portion includes a first extending portion <NUM> and a second extending portion <NUM>.

The body portion <NUM> is a configuration located at the side portion of the first terminal <NUM> and the second terminal <NUM>, and may be regarded as having a configuration corresponding to the circuit board <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG> as above. Accordingly, a conductor pattern may be formed on the body portion <NUM>, and the control unit <NUM> may be mounted thereto.

The first extending portion <NUM> is formed to extend in a horizontal direction from the body portion <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the first extending portion <NUM> may be configured to extend in a y-axis direction, particularly in a -y-axis direction, on the x-y plane. In addition, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the first extending portion <NUM> is.

Reconfigured to be placed on a surface of the first terminal <NUM>, for example an upper surface of the first terminal <NUM>. The second extending portion <NUM> may be configured to extend in a horizontal direction from the body portion <NUM>, particularly to extend in a direction parallel to the extending direction of the first extending portion <NUM>. For example, referring to <FIG>, the second extending portion <NUM> may be configured to extend in the -y-axis direction, similar to the first extending portion <NUM>. In addition, the second extending portion <NUM> is configured to be placed on a surface of the second terminal <NUM>, for example an upper surface of the second terminal <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

According to this configuration of the present disclosure, the coupling between the circuit board <NUM> and a resistor assembly, which is an assembly of the first terminal <NUM>, the resistor <NUM> and the second terminal <NUM>, may be improved. In particular, since the first extending portion <NUM> and the second extending portion <NUM> are disposed on the upper portion or the lower portion of the first terminal <NUM> and the second terminal <NUM>, it is possible to restrict upward or downward movement of the first terminal <NUM> and the second terminal <NUM>. Accordingly, the mechanical coupling between the resistor assembly and the circuit board <NUM> may be improved.

In addition, the circuit board <NUM> and each terminal may be electrically connected through the first extending portion <NUM> and the second extending portion <NUM>. For example, the conductor pattern formed on the body portion <NUM> may extend to the first extending portion <NUM> and the second extending portion <NUM>. In addition, the conductor pattern formed on the first extending portion <NUM> and the second extending portion <NUM> may be connected to the first terminal <NUM> and the second terminal <NUM>. For example, when the conductor patterns of the first extending portion <NUM> and the second extending portion <NUM> are formed to be buried inside a polymer layer, at least a part of the conductor pattern may be configured to be exposed to the outside of the polymer layer. In addition, the exposed part of the conductor pattern as described above may be in contact with the first terminal <NUM> and the second terminal <NUM> to be electrically connected to the first terminal <NUM> and the second terminal <NUM>. According to this embodiment of the present disclosure, the circuit board <NUM> and each terminal may be electrically connected more easily. In particular, in this embodiment, an electric connection element such as the measurement wire <NUM> as shown in <FIG> and <FIG> may not be included outside the circuit board <NUM>.

Meanwhile, in this embodiment, the thickness of the circuit board <NUM>, particularly the thickness of the body portion <NUM>, may be configured to be greater than the thickness of the first terminal <NUM> and the second terminal <NUM>.

For example, seeing the configuration shown in <FIG>, in the circuit board <NUM>, assuming that the vertical thickness of the body portion <NUM> is t1 and the vertical thickness of the second terminal <NUM> is t2, t1 and t2 may be configured to establish the following relationship.

In particular, assuming that the vertical thickness of the second extending portion <NUM> extending from the body portion <NUM> of the circuit board <NUM> is t3, the following relationship may be established for t1, t2 and t3.

In particular, t1 may be equal to the sum of t2 and t3.

According to this configuration of the present disclosure, the thickness of the laminate of the second extending portion <NUM> and the second terminal <NUM> is the same as the thickness of the body portion <NUM>. Accordingly, the lower surface of the body portion <NUM> may be located on the same plane as the lower surface of the second terminal <NUM>, and the upper surface of the body portion <NUM> may be located on the same plane as the upper surface of the second extending portion <NUM>. In addition, this configuration may be identically applied to the first extending portion <NUM> and the first terminal <NUM>. Accordingly, the bonding state among the circuit board <NUM>, the terminal and the cutting unit <NUM> may be more stably maintained.

As described above, in the embodiment where the first extending portion <NUM> and the second extending portion <NUM> are provided on the circuit board <NUM>, the cutting unit <NUM> may be configured to be at least partially placed on the surfaces of both the first extending portion <NUM> and the second extending portion <NUM>.

For example, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, a lower portion of one side of the cutting unit <NUM>, for example a lower left side, may be placed on the first extending portion <NUM>, and a lower portion of the other side of the cutting unit <NUM>, for example a lower right side, may be placed on the second extending portion <NUM>.

According to this configuration of the present disclosure, the coupling between the cutting unit <NUM> and the circuit board <NUM> may be improved. For example, since the outer portions of the first extending portion <NUM> and the second extending portion <NUM> of the circuit board <NUM>, namely the upper surfaces thereof, are configured to be flat, the cutting unit <NUM> may be stably placed on the flat surface. In addition, according to this configuration, since an empty space is formed between the first extending portion <NUM> and the second extending portion <NUM> above the resistor <NUM>, it is possible to secure a space for locating the cutting configuration of the cutting unit <NUM> to cut the resistor <NUM>. In addition, according to this configuration, when the resistor <NUM> is cut by the cutting unit <NUM>, the first extending portion <NUM> and the second extending portion <NUM> serve to block fragments of the resistor <NUM>, thereby preventing the fragments from scattering to the outside. Moreover, according to this configuration, since the cutting unit <NUM> and the resistor assembly may not directly contact each other, it is possible to prevent the accuracy of current measurement from deteriorating due to current leakage or contact resistance.

<FIG> is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration of a current measurement apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure, and <FIG> is an enlarged sectional view showing a portion A2 of <FIG>. In this embodiment, features different from the former embodiments will be described in detail.

Referring to <FIG>, the cutting unit <NUM> may be configured to protrude in an outer horizontal direction further to the first extending portion <NUM> and the second extending portion <NUM>. That is, the cutting unit <NUM> may include a lower protrusion <NUM> protruding outward further to the first extending portion <NUM> and the second extending portion <NUM>. For example, referring to <FIG>, a lower right end of the cutting unit <NUM> is placed on the second extending portion <NUM>, and the right end of the cutting unit <NUM> may be configured to protrude in the right direction (+x-axis direction in the drawing) further to the second extending portion <NUM>, thereby forming the lower protrusion <NUM>. Moreover, the lower protrusion <NUM> may be configured to be bent downward (-z-axis direction in the drawing) in the form of surrounding the outer side of the second extending portion <NUM> in a state of extending to the right further to the second extending portion <NUM>. That is, the lower protrusion <NUM> of the cutting unit <NUM> may be configured to be bent in the form of surrounding the outer side of the second extending portion <NUM>. In addition, although <FIG> shows the configuration between the lower right end of the cutting unit <NUM> and the second extending portion <NUM>, the lower protrusion <NUM> may also be configured in a similar shape between the lower left end of the cutting unit <NUM> and the first extending portion <NUM>. That is, at the lower left side of the cutting unit <NUM>, the lower protrusion <NUM> configured to be bent in the form of surrounding the outer side, namely the left side, of the first extending portion <NUM> may be provided.

According to this configuration of the present disclosure, since the first extending portion <NUM> and the second extending portion <NUM> of the circuit board <NUM> are surrounded by the lower protrusion <NUM> of the cutting unit <NUM>, it is possible to more effectively prevent foreign substances, particularly moisture or the like, from being introduced toward the resistor <NUM>. That is, according to this configuration, the gap between the lower surface of the cutting unit <NUM> and the upper surface of the first extending portion <NUM> or the second extending portion <NUM> may not be exposed to the outside by the lower protrusion <NUM>. Accordingly, it is possible to more reliably prevent foreign substances such as moisture from being introduced toward the resistor <NUM> located between the first extending portion <NUM> and the second extending portion <NUM> in the horizontal direction. Moreover, under high humidity or rain conditions, water droplets may flow downward along the surface of the cutting unit <NUM>, but in this case, it is possible to prevent the water droplets from moving toward the lower protrusion <NUM> and penetrating toward the resistor <NUM>. In addition, the lower protrusion <NUM> may cover the side surfaces of the first extending portion <NUM> and the second extending portion <NUM> to protect the first extending portion <NUM> and the second extending portion <NUM> from external shocks or the like.

<FIG> is a front sectional view schematically showing a configuration of a current measurement apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> may be regarded as another modification of the sectional configuration along the line A4-A4' of <FIG>. In this embodiment, features different from the former embodiments will be described in detail.

Referring to <FIG>, the current measurement apparatus according to the present disclosure may be configured such that outer upper parts of the first extending portion <NUM> and the second extending portion <NUM> are chamfered. For example, the first extending portion <NUM> may be configured such that a left upper corner thereof is inclined, as indicated by A3 in <FIG>. In addition, the second extending portion <NUM> may be configured such that a right upper corner is inclined, as indicated by A3' in <FIG>. Moreover, the chamfered portion may be configured in a curved shape. In particular, in this embodiment, the chamfered portion may be formed in a region located outside the cutting unit <NUM> in the horizontal direction.

According to this configuration of the present disclosure, it is possible to more reliably prevent moisture or the like from penetrating toward the resistor <NUM>. In particular, when a water droplet flows along the outer surface of the cutting unit <NUM>, the water droplet falling onto the first extending portion <NUM> or the second extending portion <NUM> may flow more easily in a direction opposite to the resistor <NUM> through the chamfered portion. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably prevent the accuracy of current measurement from deteriorating due to the penetration of moisture toward the resistor <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration of a current measurement apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure, and <FIG> is a sectional view, taken along the line A5-A5' of <FIG>. In <FIG>, the cutting unit <NUM> is not illustrated for convenience of explanation. In this embodiment, features different from the former embodiments will be described in detail.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the circuit board <NUM> of the current measurement apparatus according to the present disclosure may include a third extending portion <NUM>. Here, the third extending portion <NUM> may be configured to connect an end of the first extending portion <NUM> and an end of the second extending portion <NUM> to each other. For example, a left end of the third extending portion <NUM> may be connected to a rear end of the first extending portion <NUM>, and a right end of the third extending portion <NUM> may be connected to a rear end of the second extending portion <NUM>. In addition, the cutting unit <NUM> may be placed on the third extending portion <NUM>. That is, as shown in <FIG>, the rear end of the cutting unit <NUM> may be placed on the third extending portion <NUM>. In this case, the cutting unit <NUM> may be regarded as being placed on all of the first extending portion <NUM>, the second extending portion <NUM> and the third extending portion <NUM>. Moreover, the cutting unit <NUM> may be partially placed on the body portion <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

According to this configuration of the present disclosure, the circuit board <NUM> is located in the horizontal direction, namely all of the front, rear, left and right directions, around the resistor <NUM>. In addition, the cutting unit <NUM> is located on the resistor <NUM>. Therefore, it is possible to more completely block the penetration of foreign substances such as moisture toward the resistor <NUM>.

In particular, as shown in <FIG>, the cutting unit <NUM> may also be configured to be partially placed on the body portion <NUM>. In this case, the upper portion of the resistor <NUM> may be more reliably sealed by the cutting unit <NUM>.

In addition, as shown in <FIG>, the third extending portion <NUM> may be configured to be bent in the form of surrounding the outer side portion (rear side portion) of the resistor <NUM>. That is, the third extending portion <NUM> may be configured to be bent downward in a shape of surrounding the rear side portion of the resistor <NUM>. In addition, the circuit board <NUM> may be configured to have a thickness capable of blocking the other outer side portion (front side portion) of the resistor <NUM>. In this case, the resistor <NUM> is more securely sealed from the outside by the body portion <NUM> and the third extending portion <NUM>, thereby further improving the water penetration blocking effect to the resistor <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration of a current measurement apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure, and <FIG> is a sectional view, taken along the line A6-A6' of <FIG>. In <FIG> and <FIG>, components such as the cutting unit <NUM> are not illustrated for convenience of explanation. In this embodiment, features different from the former embodiments will be described in detail.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the first extending portion <NUM> and the second extending portion <NUM> may be configured to be located at different portions in the vertical direction based on the resistor <NUM>. For example, referring to the drawings, the first extending portion <NUM> may be placed in contact with the upper surface of the first terminal <NUM>, and the second extending portion <NUM> may be placed in contact with the lower surface of the second terminal <NUM>.

According to this configuration of the present disclosure, the coupling force between the circuit board <NUM> and the resistor assembly including the first terminal <NUM>, the resistor <NUM> and the second terminal <NUM> may be further increased. For example, in the embodiment of <FIG> and <FIG>, upward movement of the resistor assembly may be restricted by the first extending portion <NUM>, and downward movement may be restricted by the second extending portion <NUM>. That is, both upward and downward movement of the resistor assembly may be restricted by the circuit board <NUM>. In particular, when the resistor <NUM> is pressed by the cutting unit <NUM> to cut the resistor <NUM>, the first extending portion <NUM> or the second extending portion <NUM> may support the resistor assembly in a direction opposite to the pressing direction. Therefore, the resistor <NUM> may be cut by the cutting unit <NUM> more smoothly and quickly. In addition, according to the configuration, the coupling force between the circuit board <NUM> and the resistor assembly may be improved, thereby further enhancing the mechanical stability of the current measurement apparatus.

In the current measurement apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the circuit board <NUM> may be configured to be detachably attached to the resistor assembly, particularly the first terminal <NUM> and the second terminal <NUM>. This will be described in more detail with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a partial configuration of a current measurement apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, features different from the former embodiments will be described in detail.

Referring to <FIG>, in the current measurement apparatus according to the present disclosure, the circuit board <NUM> may be coupled to the first terminal <NUM> and the second terminal <NUM> by a fastening member such as a bolt. More specifically, in the first extending portion <NUM> of the circuit board <NUM>, a first coupling hole may be formed to be perforated in the vertical direction, as indicated by H21. In addition, a first perforation hole may also be formed in the first terminal <NUM> at a position and in a shape corresponding to the first coupling hole H21. In addition, in the second extending portion <NUM> of the circuit board <NUM>, a second coupling hole may be formed to be perforated in the vertical direction, as indicated by H22. In addition, a second perforation hole may also be formed in the second terminal <NUM> at a position and in a shape corresponding to the second coupling hole H22.

In addition, the first bolt B1 may be inserted into the first coupling hole H21 and the first perforation hole to fasten the first extending portion <NUM> and the first terminal <NUM> with each other. In addition, the second bolt B2 may be inserted into the second coupling hole H22 and the second perforation hole to fasten the second extending portion <NUM> and the second terminal <NUM> with each other. Also, if the first bolt B <NUM> and the second bolt B2 are separated from each hole, the circuit board <NUM> and each terminal may be separated from each other.

According to this configuration of the present disclosure, the resistor assembly and the circuit board <NUM> may be easily attached and detached. In particular, according to the present disclosure, when an abnormal situation such as overcurrent occurs, the resistor <NUM> may be cut by the cutting unit <NUM>. In addition, if the resistor <NUM> is cut like this, the resistor assembly needs to be replaced with a new one. According to this embodiment, just by loosening the bolts B1, B2, the resistor assembly may be easily separated from the circuit board <NUM> and replaced with another new resistor assembly. Accordingly, the circuit board <NUM> and the like may be used continuously.

Moreover, although not shown in the drawings, in the above embodiment, the bolts B1, B2 may fasten not only the resistor assembly <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and the circuit board <NUM> to each other, but also the cutting unit <NUM>. For example, a fastening hole may also be formed in the cutting unit <NUM> at a position and in a shape corresponding to the first coupling hole H21 and the second coupling hole H22, and the bolts B1, B2 may also be inserted into these fastening hole. In this case, just by fastening one bolt, the resistor assembly <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, the circuit board <NUM>, and the cutting unit <NUM> may be coupled and fixed at once.

In addition, in the above configuration, the circuit board <NUM> and the terminals <NUM>, <NUM> may be electrically connected by the bolts B1, B2. That is, the first bolt B1 may be made of a conductor material and be configured to electrically connect the conductor pattern of the first extending portion <NUM> to the first terminal <NUM>. In addition, the second bolt B2 may also be made of a conductor material and be configured to electrically connect the conductor pattern of the second extending portion <NUM> to the second terminal <NUM>. According to this configuration of the present disclosure, the extending portions <NUM>, <NUM> of the circuit board <NUM> and the terminals <NUM>, <NUM> of the resistor assembly may be connected electrically and mechanically at once by fastening the bolts.

In another embodiment, the circuit board <NUM> and the terminal may be electrically connected by a ring terminal wire or the like. For example, one end of the ring terminal wire may be fastened to the first coupling hole H21 and the first fastening hole by the first bolt B1 to be mechanically and electrically connected to the first terminal <NUM>, and the other end of the ring terminal wire may be mechanically and electrically connected to the body portion <NUM> of the circuit board <NUM> by another bolt or the like. In addition, one end and the other end of another ring terminal wire may be mechanically and electrically connected to the second coupling hole H22 and the second fastening hole and the body portion <NUM> of the circuit board <NUM>, respectively.

In the current measurement apparatus according to the present disclosure, the cutting unit <NUM> may be configured to contain a gunpowder therein. In addition, the cutting unit <NUM> may be configured to explode the contained gunpowder and cut the resistor <NUM> by the explosion of the gunpowder. Also, the cutting unit <NUM> may explode the gunpowder based on a control signal of the control unit <NUM>. To this end, the cutting unit <NUM> may be electrically connected to the control unit <NUM> to receive a control signal from the control unit <NUM>. For example, the cutting unit <NUM> may be connected to the control unit <NUM> through an FPCB.

<FIG> is a side sectional view schematically showing a configuration of a current measurement apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, features different from the former embodiments will be described in detail. In particular, in <FIG>, the cutting unit <NUM> is mainly illustrated, and other components are illustrated in a simplified form.

Referring to <FIG>, in the current measurement apparatus according to the present disclosure, the cutting unit <NUM> may include an explosion portion <NUM>, a pressing portion <NUM>, and a cover portion <NUM>.

Here, the explosion portion <NUM> may be located above or below the resistor <NUM>, and may be configured to apply a cutting force due to the explosion to the resistor <NUM>. More specifically, in <FIG>, the explosion portion <NUM> is located above the resistor <NUM>, and may include a gunpowder <NUM>, an ignition switch <NUM>, a cylinder <NUM>, and a piston <NUM>. Here, the ignition switch <NUM> may be connected to the control unit <NUM> through an electric connection element, as indicated by F in the drawing. Here, the electric connection element may be an FPCB, but other various types of connection elements may be used. Then, the ignition switch <NUM> may ignite a flame when a cutting signal is received from the control unit <NUM>, so that the gunpowder <NUM> contained in the cylinder <NUM> explodes. In addition, due to the explosion of the gunpowder <NUM>, the pressure inside the cylinder <NUM> increases, and the piston <NUM> may move downward quickly and strongly.

In addition, the pressing portion <NUM> may be connected to the piston <NUM>. The pressing portion <NUM> may be configured to directly press the resistor <NUM> by receiving a force by the explosion force of the explosion portion <NUM>. More specifically, if the piston <NUM> moves downward quickly and strongly, eventually, as indicated by an arrow in the drawing, the pressing portion <NUM> connected to the piston <NUM> also moves downward quickly and strongly. In addition, the movement of the pressing portion <NUM> may apply a pressure to the resistor <NUM> to cut the resistor <NUM> itself or disconnect the coupling between the resistor <NUM> and the first terminal <NUM> and/or between the resistor <NUM> and the second terminal <NUM>. Therefore, a current may not flow through resistor assembly <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> any longer.

In addition, the cutting unit <NUM> may include a cover portion <NUM>. The cover portion <NUM> may be located opposite to the pressing portion <NUM> based on the resistor <NUM>. For example, in the configuration of <FIG>, the pressing portion <NUM> may be located above the resistor <NUM>, and the cover portion <NUM> may be located below the resistor <NUM>. In addition, the cover portion <NUM> may be configured to prevent fragments of the resistor <NUM> cut by the pressing force of the pressing portion <NUM> from scattering. In particular, the cover portion <NUM> may have an empty space therein, and may be configured such that its side where the resistor <NUM> is located is open and all other sides are closed. For example, as in the configuration shown in <FIG>, when the resistor <NUM> is located at an upper side, the cover portion <NUM> may be configured such that its upper portion is open and both lower and side portions are closed. According to this configuration of the present disclosure, when the resistor <NUM> is separated or damaged by the explosion portion <NUM> and the pressing portion <NUM>, it is possible to prevent the separated or damaged resistor <NUM> or its fragments from scattering to the outside of the cutting unit <NUM>. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the configuration of the cutting unit <NUM> for cutting the resistor <NUM> from damaging other components of the current measurement apparatus.

<FIG> is a side sectional view schematically showing a configuration of a current measurement apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, features different from the former embodiments will be described in detail.

Referring to <FIG>, in the current measurement apparatus according to the present disclosure, the circuit board <NUM> may include a heat dissipation member <NUM>. In particular, the heat dissipation member <NUM> may be mostly attached to the surface of the circuit board <NUM>, for example the upper surface of the body portion <NUM>. The heat dissipation member <NUM> may include a heat dissipation portion <NUM> for dissipating heat and a heat absorption portion <NUM> for absorbing heat. Moreover, the heat dissipation member <NUM> may be configured to absorb heat generated from the resistor assembly, particularly the first terminal <NUM> and the second terminal <NUM>. To this end, the heat absorption portion <NUM> of the heat dissipation member <NUM> may be configured to directly or indirectly contact at least one of the first terminal <NUM>, the resistor <NUM> and the second terminal <NUM> while maintaining electric insulation therewith. In addition, the heat absorbed from the resistor assembly through the heat absorption portion <NUM> in this way may be discharged to the outside through the heat dissipation portion <NUM>, as indicated by arrows. The heat dissipation member <NUM> may be implemented in various types of heat dissipation configurations, such as a heatsink, known at the time of filing of this application.

In particular, a heat transfer material T may be interposed between the heat dissipation member <NUM> and at least one of the first terminal <NUM>, the resistor <NUM> and the second terminal <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, a gel-like heat transfer material T may be interposed between the first terminal <NUM> and the heat absorption portion <NUM> of the heat dissipation member <NUM>. In addition, although not shown in the drawing, a heat transfer material T may also be interposed between the resistor <NUM> and/or the second terminal <NUM> and the heat absorption portion <NUM> of the heat dissipation member <NUM>. The heat transfer material T may be made of a material having high thermal conductivity and electric insulation. The heat transfer material T is widely known at the time of filing of this application and will not be described in detail here.

According to this configuration of the present disclosure, the heat of the resistor assembly, particularly the resistor <NUM>, may be more smoothly discharged to the outside. In the case of the resistor <NUM>, due to the temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) characteristics, it is necessary to compensate in consideration of the effect of temperature when measuring current. However, by smoothly discharging the heat of the resistor <NUM> to the outside as in the embodiment, it is possible to reduce the effect of temperature, thereby improving the precision of resistance measurement and reducing the complexity of the calculation process.

Meanwhile, in the above embodiment, the heat absorption portion <NUM> may be configured to protrude downward below the heat dissipation portion <NUM> and to be coupled in contact with the inside of the body portion <NUM> of the circuit board <NUM>. More specifically, one surface (the left surface in the drawing) of the heat absorption portion <NUM> may be in contact with the body portion <NUM>, and the other surface (the right surface in the drawing) of the heat absorption portion <NUM> may be in contact with at least one of the first terminal <NUM>, the resistor <NUM> and the second terminal <NUM>. That is, the heat absorption portion <NUM> may be fixed in a state of being interposed between the body portion <NUM> and the resistor assembly <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, when viewed in the y-axis direction of <FIG>. In addition, the heat absorption portion <NUM> may be interposed between the first extending portion <NUM> and the second extending portion <NUM>, when viewed in the x-axis direction of <FIG>.

According to this configuration of the present disclosure, the heat dissipation member <NUM> may be more stably fixed on the surface of the body portion <NUM>. That is, in the heat dissipation member <NUM>, movement of the heat absorption portion <NUM> in the left and right direction (x-axis direction in the drawing) may be restricted by the first extending portion <NUM> and the second extending portion <NUM>, and movement of the heat absorption portion <NUM> in the front and rear direction (y-axis direction in the drawing) may be restricted by the body portion <NUM> and the resistor assembly.

The current measurement apparatus according to the present disclosure may be applied to a battery pack. Accordingly, the battery pack according to the present disclosure may include the current measurement apparatus described above. In addition, the battery pack according to the present disclosure further includes general components included in a battery pack, such as a battery cell, a pack case, a BMS, a charging and discharging bus bar, a voltage sensing assembly and the like, in addition to the current measurement apparatus.

In addition, the current measurement apparatus according to the present disclosure may be applied to a vehicle. Accordingly, the vehicle according to the present disclosure may include the current measurement apparatus described above. In addition, the vehicle according to the present disclosure may further include general components included in a vehicle, such as a vehicle body, a motor, a drive shaft and the like, in addition to the current measurement apparatus.

Meanwhile, although terms indicating directions such as "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "front" and "rear" have been used in this specification, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that these terms are only for convenience of explanation, and may be expressed differently depending on a viewing position of an observer or a location of an obj ect.

Claim 1:
A current measurement apparatus, comprising:
a first terminal (<NUM>) made of an electrically conductive material;
a second terminal (<NUM>) made of an electrically conductive material and disposed to be spaced apart from the first terminal (<NUM>) by a predetermined distance;
a resistor (<NUM>) interposed in a separated space between the first terminal (<NUM>) and the second terminal (<NUM>);
a circuit board (<NUM>) having an electric path, located at a side portion of the first terminal (<NUM>) and the second terminal (<NUM>), and electrically connected to the first terminal (<NUM>) and the second terminal (<NUM>), respectively;
a control unit (<NUM>) mounted on the circuit board (<NUM>) and configured to measure a current flowing in the resistor (<NUM>) by using a voltage value between the first terminal (<NUM>) and the second terminal (<NUM>) and a resistance value of the resistor (<NUM>); and
wherein the current measurement apparatus is characterised in that the resistor is made of an electrically conductive material having a greater specific resistance than the first terminal (<NUM>) and the second terminal (<NUM>); and in that the current measurement apparatus further comprises:
a cutting unit (<NUM>) located above or below the resistor (<NUM>) and configured to cut the resistor (<NUM>) according to a control signal of the control unit (<NUM>),
wherein the first terminal (<NUM>) and the second terminal (<NUM>) are configured in a plate shape and located on the same plane as the circuit board (<NUM>),
wherein the circuit board (<NUM>) includes a body portion (<NUM>) located at the side portion of the first terminal (<NUM>) and the second terminal (<NUM>), a first extending portion (<NUM>) formed to extend in a horizontal direction from the body portion (<NUM>) and configured to be placed on a surface of the first terminal (<NUM>), and a second extending portion (<NUM>) configured to be placed on a surface of the second terminal (<NUM>).