Power battery temperature control system

Abstract

The application discloses a power battery temperature control system, which comprises a temperature detection unit for detecting the temperature of a battery module in a battery box, a water cooling plate arranged outside the battery box, and a water circulation system communicated with a water cooling channel in the water cooling plate; a first explosion-proof valve capable of communicating the water cooling channel in the water cooling plate with the internal space of the battery box is arranged between the water cooling plate and the battery box; the first explosion-proof valve comprises an explosion-proof valve body, one end of the explosion-proof valve body facing the battery box is sealed with an explosion-proof diaphragm, and one end of the explosion-proof valve body facing the water cooling channel is sealed with a valve plate; the bottom of the valve plate is provided with a valve plate control plate for controlling the opening and closing of the valve plate according to the water flow direction in the water cooling plate; a second explosion-proof valve capable of communicating the internal space of the battery box with the outside is arranged on the side wall of the battery box; and a gas detection unit is arranged at the second explosion-proof valve. The system can realize the functions of cooling, heat preservation and fire extinguishing simultaneously.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of battery temperature control, and more particularly to a power battery temperature control system. Background Technology

[0002] New energy vehicles are driven by power batteries, which generate heat during charging and discharging. Moreover, when the ambient temperature rises or falls, it affects the heat dissipation of the power battery, which in turn affects the temperature of the battery cells, and also affects the battery life and safety. This patent adopts a unique battery thermal management control method, which adjusts the battery from both software and hardware aspects to achieve better temperature control and keep the battery cells in an efficient temperature range.

[0003] Patent No. 201310584198.8 discloses a battery device capable of cooling and heat preservation. Specifically, the battery device includes a battery box and a battery housed within the battery box. The device also includes a base plate, a cover plate, a liquid storage tank, a control box, a temperature sensor, and a pressure sensor. The control box contains a filter, a normally closed three-position three-way reversing solenoid valve I, a three-way valve I, a gas-liquid dual-purpose pump, a three-way valve II, a normally closed three-position three-way reversing solenoid valve II, a check valve, a cooler, and a main controller. The battery device operates in three states according to the above connection method: system circulating cooling, system vacuuming, and system heat preservation. This invention's cooling and heat preservation battery device can circulate cooling at high temperatures and vacuum heat preservation at low temperatures. However, the battery device disclosed in prior art document 1 can only regulate temperature and cannot extinguish a battery fire in a timely manner.

[0004] Currently, there are also publicly available technologies that use explosion-proof valves between the water circulation system and the battery box to achieve fire extinguishing. However, the method used is as follows: after the battery catches fire, when the high-pressure gas inside the battery box reaches a certain pressure, it breaks the explosion-proof valve, allowing external water to enter the battery box through the broken valve. This method requires the fire inside the battery box to have burned to a certain extent before it can be extinguished. By this time, the fire has already started to spread, and extinguishing it with water is often ineffective. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a power battery temperature control system to solve the problem that existing battery temperature control systems only have temperature regulation functions and cannot extinguish fires in a timely manner when batteries catch fire.

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention provides a power battery temperature control system, including a temperature detection unit for detecting the temperature of the battery module inside the battery box, a gas detection unit for detecting the gas concentration inside the battery box, a water-cooled plate disposed on the outside of the battery box, and a water circulation system connected to the water-cooled channel inside the water-cooled plate; the temperature detection unit and the gas detection unit are installed inside the battery box.

[0007] A first explosion-proof valve is installed between the water-cooled plate and the battery box, which enables the water-cooling channel in the water-cooled plate to communicate with the internal space of the battery box. The first explosion-proof valve includes an explosion-proof valve body, an explosion-proof diaphragm is sealed at the end of the explosion-proof valve body facing the battery box, and a valve plate is sealed at the end of the explosion-proof valve body facing the water-cooling channel. A valve plate control plate is provided at the bottom of the valve plate to control the opening and closing of the valve plate according to the direction of water flow in the water-cooled plate.

[0008] Furthermore, the valve plate is installed on the end of the explosion-proof valve body facing the water-cooling channel via a valve plate mounting seat, and the valve plate is slidably connected to the valve plate mounting seat; the valve plate control plate is set on the side of the valve plate facing the water inlet end of the water-cooling channel, and the end of the valve plate mounting seat away from the valve plate control plate is provided with a limiting mechanism to restrict the valve plate from sliding with the forward-flowing water.

[0009] Furthermore, the valve plate mounting seat includes an annular support frame that matches the shape of the explosion-proof valve body, and the valve plate is installed between the explosion-proof valve body and the support frame; the limiting mechanism is an arc-shaped support plate connected between the support frame and the explosion-proof valve body, and the concave surface of the support plate is provided with a sliding groove that conforms to the valve plate.

[0010] Furthermore, the valve plate control plate is an arc-shaped plate, with its convex surface facing the side of the water-cooling channel inlet.

[0011] Furthermore, an elastic component is provided on the side of the valve plate facing the inner side of the explosion-proof valve body. One end of the elastic component is fixedly connected to the valve plate, and the other end of the elastic component is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the side of the explosion-proof valve body where the support plate is located.

[0012] Furthermore, the water-cooled plate is located at the bottom of the battery box, and the first explosion-proof valve extends into the battery box by a length greater than 1 / 2 of the height of the battery module and less than 2 / 3 of the height of the battery module; when the valve plate reaches its maximum displacement under the impact of the reverse water flow, the deformation of the elastic component is irreversible.

[0013] Furthermore, the valve plate and the valve plate control plate are integrally molded.

[0014] Furthermore, the explosion-proof valve body, support frame, and support plate are integrally formed.

[0015] Furthermore, the water-cooled circulation system includes a water storage tank, an inlet pipe connecting the water storage tank and the inlet end of the water-cooled plate, and an outlet pipe connecting the water storage tank and the outlet end of the water-cooled plate; the inlet pipe is equipped with a valve, and the outlet pipe is equipped with a water-air dual-purpose pump.

[0016] Furthermore, a pressure relief device is installed on the top of the water storage tank.

[0017] Furthermore, a liquid level sensor is installed inside the water storage tank.

[0018] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: By installing a first explosion-proof valve between the water-cooling plate and the battery box, which enables communication between the water-cooling channel in the water-cooling plate and the internal space of the battery box, and by setting a valve plate on the first explosion-proof valve that can be opened and closed according to the water flow direction; when the water flow in the cooling plate is in the forward direction, the valve plate remains closed, maintaining normal cooling operation; when the temperature of the battery module in the battery box is detected to be higher than a preset threshold and the gas detection unit detects that the gas concentration is higher than a preset threshold, but the first explosion-proof valve is not activated, the water circulation system can be used to adjust the water flow direction and pressure in the cooling plate, open the valve plate on the first explosion-proof valve, and allow the water flow to enter the body of the explosion-proof valve to break through the explosion-proof diaphragm, and then enter the battery box to extinguish the fire, preventing the fire from spreading further; by adding an explosion-proof valve in the water circulation, this application can simultaneously achieve temperature regulation and fire extinguishing functions using the same water circulation system, and the fire can be extinguished in the early stage of the fire using this system, without waiting for the high-pressure gas to completely break through the explosion-proof valve. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of this application and form part of this application, use the same reference numerals to denote the same or similar parts. The illustrative embodiments of this application and their descriptions are used to explain this application and do not constitute an undue limitation of this application. In the drawings:

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure when the valve remains closed under the action of positive water flow;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the valve in the open state under the action of reverse water flow.

[0023] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the explosion-proof valve body according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the valve plate according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the valve plate according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] The components include: 1. Water storage tank; 11. Liquid level sensor; 12. Pressure relief mechanism; 2. Valve; 3. Water-air dual-purpose pump; 4. Water-cooled plate; 41. Water-cooled channel; 5. First explosion-proof valve; 51. Explosion-proof valve body; 511. Explosion-proof diaphragm; 512 / 514. Support plate; 513. Support frame; 515. First spring mounting seat; 52. Valve plate; 521. Valve plate control board; 522. Second spring mounting seat; 6. Battery box; 61. Battery module; 7. Second explosion-proof valve. Detailed Implementation

[0027] like Figure 1 The power battery temperature control system shown includes a temperature detection unit for detecting the temperature of the battery module 61 inside the battery box 6, a gas detection unit for detecting the gas concentration inside the battery box 6, a water-cooled plate 4 disposed on the outside of the battery box 6, and a water circulation system connected to the water-cooling channel 41 inside the water-cooled plate 4; a first explosion-proof valve 5 is installed between the water-cooled plate 4 and the battery box 6 to connect the water-cooling channel 41 inside the water-cooled plate 4 with the internal space of the battery box 6; the first explosion-proof valve 5 includes an explosion-proof valve body 5, an explosion-proof diaphragm 511 sealed at one end of the explosion-proof valve body 5 facing the battery box 6, and a valve plate 52 sealed at the other end of the explosion-proof valve body 5 facing the water-cooling channel 41; a valve plate control plate 521 is provided at the bottom of the valve plate 52 to control the opening and closing of the valve plate 52 according to the water flow direction inside the water-cooled plate 4. The gas detection unit can be an existing fire detector, which can be used to detect the concentration of one or more gases in carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen (H2), electrolyte leakage gas (VOC), or smoke. A second explosion-proof valve 7 is installed on the side wall of the battery box 6, which enables the internal space of the battery box 6 to communicate with the outside. When the gas and liquid inside the battery box 6 reach the explosion warning threshold, the gas inside the battery box 6 breaks through the second explosion-proof valve 7 to prevent the battery box 6 from exploding.

[0028] This invention involves installing a first explosion-proof valve 5 between the water-cooled plate 4 and the battery box 6, enabling communication between the water-cooling channel 41 within the water-cooled plate 4 and the internal space of the battery box 6. A valve plate 52 is provided on the first explosion-proof valve 5 to open and close according to the water flow direction. When the water flow in the cooling plate is in the forward direction, the valve plate 52 remains closed (e.g., when the water flow in the cooling plate is in the forward direction). Figure 2 (As shown), maintain normal cooling operation; when the temperature of the battery module 61 inside the battery box 6 is detected to be higher than the preset threshold and the gas detection unit detects that the gas concentration is greater than the preset threshold, but the first explosion-proof valve 5 is not activated, the water circulation system can be used to adjust the water flow direction and pressure in the cold plate to open the valve plate 52 on the first explosion-proof valve 5 (as shown). Figure 3As shown), water flows into the explosion-proof valve body 5, puncturing the explosion-proof diaphragm 511, and then enters the battery box 6 to extinguish the fire and prevent it from spreading further. This application achieves explosion-proof function by adding an explosion-proof valve to the water circulation system. It can also achieve temperature regulation and fire extinguishing functions simultaneously using the same water circulation system. Furthermore, the system can extinguish battery fires in the early stages of ignition, without waiting for high-pressure gas to completely puncture the explosion-proof valve.

[0029] According to one embodiment of this application, valve plate 52 is mounted on one end of the explosion-proof valve body 5 facing the water-cooling channel 41 via valve plate mounting seat, and valve plate 52 is slidably connected to valve plate mounting seat; valve plate control plate 521 is disposed on the side of valve plate facing the water inlet end of water-cooling channel 41, and a limiting mechanism is provided on the end of valve plate mounting seat away from valve plate control plate 521 to limit the sliding of valve plate 52 with forward-flowing water. When the water flows forward, under the action of the limiting mechanism, valve plate 52 will not slide and will remain closed; when the temperature of battery module 61 in battery box 6 is detected to be higher than a preset threshold and the gas detection unit detects that the gas concentration is higher than a preset threshold, valve 2 is opened, water-gas dual-purpose pump 3 is started to run in reverse, and the water pressure of the reverse water flow is controlled so that the reverse water flow pushes valve plate control plate 521, opens valve plate 52, and the water flow enters the explosion-proof valve body 5 and breaks the explosion-proof diaphragm 511.

[0030] According to one embodiment of this application, such as Figure 4 As shown, the valve plate mounting seat includes an annular support frame 513 that matches the shape of the explosion-proof valve body 5. The valve plate 52 is installed between the explosion-proof valve body 5 and the support frame 513. The limiting mechanism is an arc-shaped support plate 512 / 514 connected between the support frame 513 and the explosion-proof valve body 5. The concave surface of the support plate 512 / 514 is provided with a sliding groove that conforms to the valve plate 52. During installation, the valve plate 52 is inserted between the explosion-proof valve body 5 and the support frame 513, and the valve plate 52 is inserted into the sliding groove of the support plate 512 / 514. The valve plate control plate 521 should be located outside the support frame 513. Sealing rings that conform to the valve plate 52 are provided at the end of the explosion-proof valve body 5 that contacts the valve plate 52 and in the sliding groove of the support plate 512 / 514, so that a certain sealing effect is formed between the valve plate 52 and the explosion-proof valve body 5. It should be noted that when controlling the water flow of the water-cooled plate 4 in the forward direction, the water pressure of the forward water flow should be less than the pressure that can break through the explosion-proof diaphragm 511 of the first explosion-proof valve 5. Therefore, the sealing effect between the valve plate 52 and the explosion-proof valve body 5 does not need to be absolutely sealed.

[0031] According to one embodiment of this application, such as Figure 5 and Figure 6As shown, the valve plate control plate 521 is an arc-shaped plate, with its convex surface facing the water inlet end of the water cooling channel 41. When the water flows in the forward direction, the water flows towards the convex surface of the valve plate control plate 521, which can decompose the water flow pressure and reduce the influence of the valve plate control plate 521 on the water flow. When the water flows in the reverse direction, the concave structure of the valve plate control plate 521 can help concentrate the water flow pressure, making it easier to open the valve plate 52.

[0032] According to one embodiment of this application, an elastic component is provided on the side of the valve plate 52 facing the inner side of the explosion-proof valve body 5. One end of the elastic component is fixedly connected to the valve plate 52, and the other end of the elastic component is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the side of the explosion-proof valve body 5 where the support plate 512 / 514 is provided. The elastic component can be a spring or elastic rope, etc. By providing the elastic component, the stability of the valve plate 52 can be increased, enabling the valve plate 52 to remain closed even when there is no positive water flow.

[0033] According to one embodiment of this application, a water-cooled plate 4 is disposed at the bottom of the battery box 6, and the first explosion-proof valve 5 extends into the battery box for a length greater than 1 / 2 the height of the battery module 61 and less than 2 / 3 the height of the battery module 61; when the valve plate 52 reaches its maximum displacement under the impact of the reverse water flow, the deformation of the elastic component is irreversible. By making the length of the first explosion-proof valve 5 extending into the battery box 6 greater than 1 / 2 the height of the battery module 61 and less than 2 / 3 the height of the battery module 61, when the coolant breaks through the explosion-proof diaphragm 511 of the first explosion-proof valve 5, the coolant forms a spray effect from top to bottom, and the spray height of the coolant is not higher than the height of the battery module 61, which can help improve the fire extinguishing efficiency. When the coolant has completely entered the battery box and is no higher than the height of the first explosion-proof valve 5 (the coolant level in the battery box can be monitored by installing a level sensor inside the battery box), the water-gas dual-purpose pump 3 stops working, while valve 2 remains open. High-pressure combustible gas and fuel gas in the battery box 6 can then enter the water storage tank through the first explosion-proof valve 5 and the water-cooling channel 41 within the water-cooling plate 4 for venting. In practical applications, multiple first explosion-proof valves 5 can be installed between the water-cooling channel 41 of the water-cooling plate 4 and the battery box 6 as needed to improve fire extinguishing efficiency.

[0034] According to one embodiment of this application, the valve plate 52 and the valve plate control plate 521 are integrally formed. Using an integral forming process increases the connection strength between the valve plate 52 and the valve plate control plate 521.

[0035] According to one embodiment of this application, the explosion-proof valve body 5, the support frame 513, and the support plates 512 / 514 are integrally formed. Similarly, using an integral forming process can increase the connection strength between the explosion-proof valve body 5, the support frame 513, and the support plates 512 / 514.

[0036] According to one embodiment of this application, the water-cooled circulation system includes a water storage tank 1, an inlet pipe connected between the water storage tank 1 and the inlet end of the water-cooled plate 4, and an outlet pipe connected between the water storage tank 1 and the outlet end of the water-cooled plate 4; a valve 2 is provided on the inlet pipe, and a water-air dual-purpose pump 3 is provided on the outlet pipe. When the battery temperature rises, valve 2 is opened, and the water-gas dual-purpose pump 3 is started to run in the forward direction, causing the water in the water-cooling plate 4 to flow in the forward direction. The circulating water is used to cool the battery module 61 in the battery box 6. At this time, valve plate 52 remains closed, realizing the high-temperature cooling function of the battery. When the temperature is low, valve 2 is closed, and the water-gas dual-purpose pump 3 is started to run in the reverse direction, creating a vacuum in the water-cooling plate 4, realizing the low-temperature insulation function of the battery. When the temperature of the battery module 61 in the battery box 6 is detected to be higher than the preset threshold and the gas detection unit detects that the gas concentration is higher than the preset threshold, valve 2 is opened, the water-gas dual-purpose pump 3 is started to run in the reverse direction, and the power of the water-gas dual-purpose pump 3 is adjusted so that the reverse water flow pressure in the water-cooling plate 4 is greater than the force that can open valve plate 52 and the force that can break the explosion-proof diaphragm 511 of the first explosion-proof valve 5, realizing the battery fire extinguishing function.

[0037] According to one embodiment of this application, the top of the water storage tank 1 is provided with a pressure relief device. The pressure relief device can adopt a pressure relief valve, pressure relief cover or other structures, which can release pressure in time when the air pressure in the water storage tank 1 rises. This not only helps the normal operation of the water circulation system, but also protects the water circulation system.

[0038] According to one embodiment of this application, a liquid level sensor 11 is provided in the water storage tank 1, which can monitor the liquid level in the water tank and allow the user to obtain the liquid level status of the water storage tank 1 in a timely manner so as to make timely liquid level adjustments as needed.

[0039] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and are not intended to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can be made to the technical solutions of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the present invention, and all such modifications or substitutions should be covered within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A power battery temperature control system, characterized in that, It includes a temperature detection unit for detecting the temperature of the battery modules inside the battery box, a gas detection unit for detecting the gas concentration inside the battery box, a water-cooled plate installed on the outside of the battery box, and a water circulation system connected to the water-cooled channel inside the water-cooled plate; A first explosion-proof valve is installed between the water-cooled plate and the battery box, enabling communication between the water-cooling channel inside the water-cooled plate and the internal space of the battery box. The first explosion-proof valve includes an explosion-proof valve body, with an explosion-proof diaphragm sealed at the end of the explosion-proof valve body facing the battery box, and a valve plate sealed at the end of the explosion-proof valve body facing the water-cooling channel. The bottom of the valve plate is provided with a valve plate control plate that controls the opening and closing of the valve plate according to the direction of water flow inside the water-cooled plate. The valve plate control plate is located on the side of the valve plate facing the water inlet end of the water-cooling channel. The end of the valve plate mounting base away from the valve plate control plate is provided with a limiting mechanism that restricts the sliding of the valve plate with the forward-flowing water.

2. The power battery temperature control system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The valve plate is mounted on the end of the explosion-proof valve body facing the water-cooling channel via a valve plate mounting seat, and the valve plate is slidably connected to the valve plate mounting seat.

3. The power battery temperature control system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The valve plate mounting seat includes an annular support frame that matches the shape of the explosion-proof valve body, and the valve plate is installed between the explosion-proof valve body and the support frame; the limiting mechanism is an arc-shaped support plate connected between the support frame and the explosion-proof valve body, and the concave surface of the support plate is provided with a sliding groove that conforms to the valve plate.

4. The power battery temperature control system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The valve plate control plate is an arc-shaped plate, with its convex surface facing the water inlet end of the water cooling channel.

5. The power battery temperature control system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The valve plate has an elastic component on the side facing the inside of the explosion-proof valve body. One end of the elastic component is fixedly connected to the valve plate, and the other end of the elastic component is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the side of the explosion-proof valve body where the support plate is located.

6. The power battery temperature control system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The water-cooled plate is located at the bottom of the battery box, and the first explosion-proof valve extends into the battery box at a height greater than 1 / 2 of the battery module and less than 2 / 3 of the battery module; when the valve plate reaches its maximum displacement under the impact of the reverse water flow, the deformation of the elastic component is irreversible.

7. The power battery temperature control system according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The valve plate and valve plate control plate are integrally formed.

8. The power battery temperature control system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The explosion-proof valve body, support frame, and support plate are integrally formed.

9. The power battery temperature control system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The water circulation system includes a water storage tank, an inlet pipe connecting the water storage tank and the water-cooled plate, and an outlet pipe connecting the water storage tank and the water-cooled plate; the inlet pipe is equipped with a valve, and the outlet pipe is equipped with a water-air dual-purpose pump.

10. The power battery temperature control system according to claim 9, characterized in that, The top of the water storage tank is equipped with a pressure relief device.

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