Method and apparatus for detecting leakage of coolant in battery cooling device for vehicle

Abstract

Disclosed is an apparatus for detecting a leakage of a coolant in a battery cooling device for a vehicle. In particular, the apparatus includes: a first pressure sensor to detect a first pressure in a coolant pipe; and a controller to receive a first pressure value from the first pressure sensor. The controller determines whether the coolant leaks in the coolant pipe based on the first pressure value.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for detecting a leakage of a coolant in a battery cooling device for a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
 a first pressure sensor configured to detect a first pressure in a coolant pipe; and   a controller configured to receive a first pressure value from the first pressure sensor,   wherein the controller determines whether the coolant leaks in the coolant pipe based on the first pressure value.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein
 prior to receiving the first pressure value, the controller is configured to start the vehicle and to drive or stop the vehicle.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein
 the controller is configured to calculate an amount of leakage of the coolant in the coolant pipe based on a variation value of the first pressure value with respect to time.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second pressure sensor configured to detect a second pressure in the coolant pipe,   wherein the controller is configured to receive a second pressure value and to calculate a position of leakage of the coolant occurring in the coolant pipe based on the first pressure value and the second pressure value.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein
 when it is determined that the coolant leaks in the coolant pipe, the controller is configured to stop an operation of an electric water pump and turn on a warning light disposed on a cluster of the vehicle.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein
 the first pressure sensor is installed in the coolant pipe disposed between a chiller and a coolant heater,   wherein the chiller is configured to cool a battery and the coolant heater is configured to heat the battery.