Detection device and fire extinguishing system

Abstract

The present invention discloses a detection device, which includes an installation shell, a smoke sensor, an air extraction mechanism, a main pipeline, and multiple branch pipelines. The installation shell has a detection space, the smoke sensor is arranged in the detection space, and the air extraction mechanism is used to extract the gas in the main pipeline and transport it to the detection space; one end of each branch pipeline is communicated with the main pipeline, the other end of each branch pipeline extends into a battery module, and each branch pipeline is provided with a balance hole communicated with the inner cavity of the battery box. The air extraction mechanism extracts the gas in the main pipeline into the detection space, and the main pipeline is communicated with each branch pipeline. As long as each battery module corresponds to extending into a branch pipeline, when a battery module far away from the installation shell has a thermal runaway, the generated smoke can quickly enter the detection space through the branch pipeline and the main pipeline, so as to detect the smoke in the early stage of the thermal runaway and take suppression measures, effectively avoiding the expansion of losses. The present invention also relates to a fire extinguishing system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of fire-fighting equipment, and particularly to a detection device and a fire extinguishing system. Background Art

[0002] Lithium batteries have a risk of thermal runaway in the case of short circuit, overcharging, over-discharging, temperature exceeding the limit, and mechanical damage. After thermal runaway occurs, a large amount of smoke will be generated. By placing a smoke sensor in the battery box to detect the smoke, it is possible to determine whether there is a battery with thermal runaway in the battery box.

[0003] However, currently the smoke sensor is fixed at a certain position in the battery box. When a battery far from the smoke sensor has a thermal runaway, the generated smoke needs to diffuse to the position where the smoke sensor is located before it can be detected by the smoke sensor. And the early-stage smoke diffusion speed is slow, and it may be detected by the smoke sensor only in the stage of severe thermal runaway, resulting in an enlarged loss. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a detection device and a fire extinguishing system that can quickly detect the smoke in the battery box and avoid the enlargement of losses.

[0005] A detection device includes:

[0006] An installation shell, which is arranged in the battery box, and the installation shell has a detection space;

[0007] A smoke sensor, which is arranged in the detection space;

[0008] An air extraction mechanism, which is arranged on the installation shell;

[0009] A main pipeline, which is connected to the air extraction mechanism, and the air extraction mechanism is used to extract the gas in the main pipeline and transport it to the detection space;

[0010] A plurality of branch pipelines, one end of each branch pipeline is communicated with the main pipeline, the other end of each branch pipeline extends into a battery module, and each branch pipeline is provided with a balance hole communicated with the inner cavity of the battery box.

[0011] By setting the above detection device, the air extraction mechanism extracts the gas in the main pipeline into the detection space. The main pipeline is communicated with each branch pipeline, and each branch pipeline is provided with a balance hole communicated with the inner cavity of the battery box. That is to say, as long as each battery module corresponds to extend into a branch pipeline, when a battery module far from the installation shell has a thermal runaway, the smoke generated in the battery module can quickly enter the detection space through the branch pipeline and the main pipeline, so as to be quickly detected by the smoke sensor in the detection space, thereby detecting the smoke in the early stage of thermal runaway and taking suppression measures, effectively avoiding the enlargement of losses.

[0012] In one embodiment, the detection device further includes a control valve, which is connected between the main pipeline and the air extraction mechanism, and the control valve is also used to connect with a fire extinguishing bottle storing a fire extinguishing agent. The control valve is used to control the communication between the main pipeline and the air extraction mechanism or the fire extinguishing bottle according to the detection of the smoke sensor.

[0013] In one embodiment, the detection device further includes an intake pipe, which is connected between the control valve and the air extraction mechanism.

[0014] In one embodiment, the installation shell is further provided with an air intake hole and a plurality of ventilation grilles. The air intake hole and each ventilation grille are communicated with the detection space, and the air extraction mechanism is communicated with the air intake hole.

[0015] In one embodiment, the detection device further includes a gas sensor, which is arranged in the detection space.

[0016] In one embodiment, the detection device further includes a plurality of temperature sensors, and each temperature sensor is arranged in a branch pipeline.

[0017] In one embodiment, the detection device further includes a pressure sensor, which is connected to the installation shell and is used to detect the pressure in the battery box.

[0018] In one embodiment, the detection device further includes a control board, which is arranged in the detection space, and the smoke sensor and the air extraction mechanism are electrically connected to the control board.

[0019] A fire extinguishing system includes the above-mentioned detection device.

[0020] In one embodiment, the detection device further includes a control valve and a plurality of sub-control valves. Each sub-control valve is arranged on a branch pipeline and is used to control the on-off of the branch pipeline. Description of the Drawings

[0021] Figure 1 Schematic structural diagram of the fire extinguishing system and the battery box provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 For Figure 1 Schematic layout structure diagram of the detection device in the shown fire extinguishing system;

[0023] Figure 3 For Figure 1 Schematic connection structure diagram of the detection device and the suppression device in the shown fire extinguishing system;

[0024] Figure 4 As shown in Figure 3 the installation shell of the detection device shown and the schematic structural diagram of its interior;

[0025] Figure 5 As shown in Figure 4 the sectional view of the installation shell shown and its interior;

[0026] Figure 6 As shown in Figure 1 the schematic layout structure diagram of the branch pipeline of the detection device and the temperature sensor in the fire extinguishing system shown.

[0027] Reference numerals:

[0028] 100, fire extinguishing system; 200, battery box; 300, battery module;

[0029] 10, detection device; 11, installation shell; 111, detection space; 112, air inlet hole; 113, ventilation grille; 114, first cavity; 115, second cavity; 12, smoke sensor; 13, air extraction mechanism; 14, main pipeline; 15, branch pipeline; 151, balance hole; 16, control valve; 17, connecting pipe; 18, intake pipe; 19, gas sensor; 20, pressure sensor; 21, temperature sensor; 22, control board;

[0030] 30, suppression device; 31, fire extinguisher bottle; 32, injection pipeline. Detailed implementation manners

[0031] To make the above objects, features, and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, the following will describe in detail the specific implementation manners of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. Many specific details are set forth in the following description to fully understand the present invention. However, the present invention can be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar improvements without departing from the connotation of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited by the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0032] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationships indicated by the terms "center", "longitudinal", "transverse", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc. are based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and thus should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0033] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one such feature. In the description of the present invention, the meaning of "a plurality" is at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0034] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and defined, terms such as "installed", "connected", "coupled", "fixed", etc. shall be understood in a broad sense. For example, it may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or integrated; it may be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it may be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it may be the communication inside two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements, unless otherwise clearly defined. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0035] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and defined, the first feature being "on" or "under" the second feature may be that the first and second features are in direct contact, or the first and second features are indirectly in contact through an intermediate medium. Moreover, the first feature being "above", "over" and "on top of" the second feature may be that the first feature is directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or merely indicates that the first feature has a higher horizontal height than the second feature. The first feature being "under", "beneath" and "underneath" the second feature may be that the first feature is directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or merely indicates that the first feature has a lower horizontal height than the second feature.

[0036] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as "fixed to" or "disposed on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or there may also be an intermediate element. When an element is considered to be "connected" to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intermediate element at the same time. The terms "vertical", "horizontal", "up", "down", "left", "right" and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only implementation.

[0037] As Figure 1 shown, a fire extinguishing system 100 provided by an embodiment of the present invention includes a detection device 10 and a suppression device 20. The detection device 10 is used to detect information of a plurality of battery modules 300 in the battery box 200, and the suppression device 30 is used to inject an inhibitor into the battery box 200 according to the information of the detection device 10. Specifically, when a thermal runaway occurs in the battery module 300 in the battery box 200, the detection device 10 detects the information of the thermal runaway, and then the suppression device 30 injects the inhibitor into the battery box 200.

[0038] Please refer to Figures 2-4 , the detection device 10 includes a mounting case 11, a smoke sensor 12, an air extraction mechanism 13, a main pipeline 14, and multiple branch pipelines 15.

[0039] The mounting case 11 is disposed in the battery box 200, and the mounting case 11 has a detection space 111. The smoke sensor 12 is disposed in the detection space 111 for detecting smoke. The air extraction mechanism 13 is disposed on the mounting case 11 and connected to the main pipeline 14 for extracting the gas in the main pipeline 14 and delivering it into the detection space 111.

[0040] One end of each branch pipeline 15 is communicated with the main pipeline 14, and the other end extends into a battery module 300. And each branch pipeline 15 is provided with a balance hole 151 communicated with the inner cavity of the battery box 200 (please refer to Figure 6 ).

[0041] By arranging the above-mentioned detection device 10, the air extraction mechanism 13 extracts the gas in the main pipeline 14 into the detection space 111. The main pipeline 14 is communicated with each branch pipeline 15, and each branch pipeline 15 is provided with a balance hole 151 communicated with the inner cavity of the battery box 200. That is to say, as long as each battery module 300 corresponds to extend into a branch pipeline 15, when a battery module 300 far away from the mounting case 11 has a thermal runaway, the smoke generated in the battery module 300 can quickly enter the detection space 111 through the branch pipeline 15 and the main pipeline 14, so as to be quickly detected by the smoke sensor 12 in the detection space 111, thereby detecting the smoke in the early stage of thermal runaway and taking suppression measures, effectively avoiding the expansion of losses.

[0042] It should be explained that the battery module 300 is generally sealed, and the other end of the branch pipeline 15 extends into the battery module 300. In order to avoid forming a vacuum in the branch pipeline 15 and ensure the operation of the air extraction mechanism 13, the balance hole 151 is opened in the part of the branch pipeline 15 that does not extend into the battery module 300, that is, the balance hole 151 is communicated with the inner cavity of the battery box 200.

[0043] When a thermal runaway occurs in the battery module 300, a large amount of smoke will be generated in the battery module 300, and the internal pressure will increase. Therefore, the smoke can be automatically sprayed into the branch pipeline 15, and the smoke sprayed into the branch pipeline 15 can be quickly extracted by the air extraction mechanism 13 into the detection space 111.

[0044] In addition, the gas and smoke generated in the battery module 300 are discharged through the branch pipeline 15, thereby reducing the pressure in the battery module 300.

[0045] In some embodiments, the detection device 10 further includes a connection joint. The main pipeline 14 includes three pipes. One ends of the three main pipelines 14 are all communicated with the connection joint, and the other ends of the three main pipelines 14 are sealed. The connection joint is also communicated with the air extraction mechanism 13.

[0046] In practical applications, the connection joint is a four-way joint.

[0047] In some embodiments, the air extraction mechanism 13 is a fan, and the fan is used to extract the gas in the main pipeline 14 into the detection space 111.

[0048] Please refer to Figures 3-5 , in some embodiments, the installation shell 11 is further provided with an air inlet hole 112 and a plurality of ventilation grilles 113. The air inlet hole 112 and each ventilation grille 113 are all communicated with the detection space 111, and the air extraction mechanism 13 is communicated with the air inlet hole 112.

[0049] It can be understood that in this embodiment, when the air extraction mechanism 13 operates, the gas near each battery module 300 in the battery box 200 can enter the branch pipeline 15 through the balance hole 151, then enter the detection space 111 along the branch pipeline 15, the main pipeline 14, the air extraction mechanism 13 and the air inlet hole 112, and finally be discharged into the battery box 200 from the ventilation grille 113 communicated with the detection space 111.

[0050] In some embodiments, the detection device 10 further includes a control valve 16. The control valve 16 is connected between the main pipeline 14 and the air extraction mechanism 13, and the control valve 16 is also used to be connected with a fire extinguishing bottle 31 storing a fire extinguishing agent in the suppression device 30. The control valve 16 is used to control the communication between the main pipeline 14 and the air extraction mechanism 13 or the fire extinguishing bottle 31 according to the detection of the smoke sensor 12.

[0051] It should be noted that the fire extinguishing bottle 31 stores a fire extinguishing agent and a pressurized gas to ensure that when the main pipeline 14 is communicated with the fire extinguishing bottle 31, the fire extinguishing agent can be directly filled into the main pipeline 14. At the same time, the spraying of the fire extinguishing agent and the detection of the detection device 10 share a set of pipelines, which reduces the cost and saves space.

[0052] In addition, the fire extinguishing agent is sprayed into the battery module 300 through the branch pipeline 15, and part of the fire extinguishing agent will be sprayed out through the balance hole 151. However, the aperture of the balance hole 151 is small, so most of the fire extinguishing agent will still be sprayed into the battery module 300 to ensure the suppression effect.

[0053] It can be understood that, under normal circumstances, the control valve 16 generally controls the communication between the main pipeline 14 and the air extraction mechanism 13, so that the smoke sensor 12 can quickly detect the gas conditions at various locations in the battery box 200. When a certain battery module 300 has a thermal runaway and generates smoke, and after the smoke sensor 12 detects the smoke, the control valve 16 connects the main pipeline 14 to the fire extinguisher 31 according to the detection of the smoke sensor 12. The fire extinguishing agent in the fire extinguisher 31 is sprayed into the battery module 300 through the main pipeline 14 and the branch pipeline 15 to suppress the battery module 300 with thermal runaway.

[0054] In some embodiments, the detection device 10 further includes a connecting pipe 17, which is connected between the connecting joint and the control valve 16 and is used to connect the connecting joint and the control valve 16.

[0055] In some embodiments, the detection device 10 further includes an intake pipe 18, which is connected between the control valve 16 and the air extraction mechanism 13 and is used to connect the control valve 16 and the air extraction mechanism 13.

[0056] In some embodiments, the detection device 10 further includes a gas sensor 19, which is arranged in the detection space 111 and is used to detect combustible gases. Specifically, the gas sensor 19 includes but is not limited to a CO sensor and a hydrogen sensor.

[0057] In some embodiments, the detection device 10 further includes a pressure sensor 20, which is connected to the installation shell 11 and is used to detect the pressure in the battery box 200.

[0058] It can be understood that when a large amount of gas and smoke in the battery module 300 are discharged through the branch pipeline 15, the gas in the battery box 200 will increase, and the pressure change is relatively rapid. That is to say, the pressure sensor 20 can detect the pressure change in time, and the pressure sensor 20 can be arranged on the installation shell 11 or any position in the battery box 200.

[0059] Please refer to Figure 6 , in some embodiments, the detection device 10 further includes a plurality of temperature sensors 21. Each temperature sensor 21 is arranged on a branch pipeline 15. When a certain battery module 300 has a thermal runaway, high-temperature gas and smoke will enter the branch pipeline 15 extending into the battery module 300, and the temperature sensor 21 in the branch pipeline 15 can quickly detect the temperature.

[0060] Combined with the above embodiments, it can be determined that through the additional gas sensor 19, pressure sensor 20 and temperature sensor 21, it is possible to more accurately determine whether the battery module 300 has a thermal runaway, and the change of the temperature sensor 21 can further determine the specific battery module 300 with thermal runaway.

[0061] Please refer to Figures 3-5 , in some embodiments, the detection device 10 further includes a control board 22, which is disposed in the detection space 111. The smoke sensor 12, the gas sensor 19, the pressure sensor 20, the temperature sensor 21, the control valve 16, and the air extraction mechanism 13 are all electrically connected to the control board 22.

[0062] In practical applications, the control board 22 divides the detection space 111 into a first cavity 114 and a second cavity 115. The smoke sensor 12 and the gas sensor 19 are located on the same side of the control board 22 and are within the first cavity 114, while the pressure sensor 20 is located on the other side of the control board 22 and is within the second cavity 115. The air inlet hole 112 communicates with the first cavity 114, and the plurality of ventilation grilles 113 communicate with both the first cavity 114 and the second cavity 115 at the same time.

[0063] It should be explained that the smoke sensor 12 and the gas sensor 19 require gas flow to quickly detect smoke and combustible gas, while pressure can be quickly detected without gas flow. Therefore, the first cavity 114 where the smoke sensor 12 and the gas sensor 19 are located needs to communicate with the air inlet hole 112 to ensure that gas quickly enters the first cavity 114, and the second cavity 115 where the pressure sensor 20 is located only needs to communicate with the inner cavity of the battery box 200 through the ventilation grilles 113.

[0064] In some embodiments, the suppression device 30 includes the above-mentioned fire extinguishing bottle 31 and the injection pipeline 32. The fire extinguishing bottle 31 stores a fire extinguishing agent and a pressurized gas, and the injection pipeline 32 is connected between the fire extinguishing bottle 31 and the control valve 16.

[0065] In some embodiments, the suppression device 30 further includes a plurality of sub-control valves, and each sub-control valve is disposed on a branch pipeline 15 to control the on-off of the branch pipeline 15.

[0066] It should be noted that the control board 22 is also electrically connected to the battery management system. When the battery module 300 with thermal runaway is not determined by the temperature sensor 21, the battery management system can be used to determine the battery module 300 with thermal runaway. Then, the control board 22 controls the control valve 16 to connect the fire extinguishing bottle 31 and the main pipeline 14, and controls other sub-control valves to close, thereby cutting off other branch pipelines 15, so that the fire extinguishing agent is only sprayed out through the branch pipeline 15 extending into the battery module 300 with thermal runaway, that is, accurately sprayed into the battery module 300 with thermal runaway, improving the accuracy of fire extinguishing.

[0067] Of course, in the case where the temperature sensor 21 is provided, the specific battery module 300 that undergoes thermal runaway can be determined through the temperature sensor 21 or in cooperation with the temperature sensor 21 and the battery management system, and then the fire extinguishing agent can be accurately sprayed on the battery module 300.

[0068] In addition, it can be understood that for the convenience of detection, under normal circumstances, the branch control valve is in an open state to conduct the branch pipeline 15 to facilitate the passage of air flow. When thermal runaway occurs and the fire extinguishing agent needs to be sprayed, in addition to the branch control valve corresponding to the battery module 300 where thermal runaway occurs being opened, the branch control valves corresponding to other normal battery modules 300 are closed.

[0069] In some embodiments, the suppression device 30 further includes a plurality of nozzles, and each nozzle is disposed at one end of the branch pipeline 15 extending into the battery module 300, that is, inside the battery module 300, to increase the spraying range of the fire extinguishing agent and improve the fire extinguishing effect.

[0070] The technical features of the above-described embodiments can be combined arbitrarily. For the sake of brevity of description, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above-described embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, it should be considered as the scope described in this specification.

[0071] The above-described embodiments merely represent several implementation manners of the present invention. The description is relatively specific and detailed, but it should not be construed as a limitation on the scope of the invention patent. It should be noted that for those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the concept of the present invention, several modifications and improvements can still be made, and these all belong to the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention patent shall be subject to the appended claims.

Claims

1. A detection device, characterized in that, Comprising: An installation shell, disposed within a battery box, the installation shell having a detection space; A smoke sensor, disposed within the detection space; An air extraction mechanism, disposed on the installation shell; A main pipeline, connected to the air extraction mechanism, the air extraction mechanism being configured to extract the gas within the main pipeline and convey it to the detection space; A plurality of branch pipelines, one end of each branch pipeline communicating with the main pipeline, the other end of each branch pipeline extending into a battery module, and each branch pipeline being provided with a balance hole communicating with the inner cavity of the battery box; The battery module is sealed, the other end of the branch pipeline extends into the battery module to ensure the operation of the air extraction mechanism, and the balance hole is provided in the portion of the branch pipeline that does not extend into the battery module; when the air extraction mechanism operates, the gas near each battery module within the battery box enters the branch pipeline through the balance hole.

2. The detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that The detection device further includes a control valve, the control valve being connected between the main pipeline and the air extraction mechanism, and the control valve is further configured to be connected to a fire extinguisher storing a fire extinguishing agent, the control valve being configured to control the communication between the main pipeline and the air extraction mechanism or the fire extinguisher according to the detection of the smoke sensor.

3. The detection device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The detection device further includes an intake pipe, the intake pipe being connected between the control valve and the air extraction mechanism.

4. The detection device according to claim 1, wherein The installation shell is further provided with an intake hole and a plurality of ventilation grilles, the intake hole and each ventilation grille communicating with the detection space, and the air extraction mechanism communicating with the intake hole.

5. The detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The detection device further includes a gas sensor, the gas sensor being disposed within the detection space.

6. The detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that The detection device further includes a plurality of temperature sensors, each temperature sensor being disposed within a branch pipeline.

7. The detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The detection device further includes a pressure sensor, the pressure sensor being connected to the installation shell for detecting the pressure within the battery box.

8. The detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The detection device further includes a control board, the control board being disposed within the detection space, the smoke sensor and the air extraction mechanism being electrically connected to the control board.

9. A fire extinguishing system, characterized in that, Comprising the detection device according to any one of claims 1-8.

10. The fire extinguishing system according to claim 9, characterized in that, The detection device further includes a control valve and a plurality of sub-control valves, each sub-control valve being disposed on a branch pipeline for controlling the on / off of the branch pipeline.

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