An experimental battery box and its experimental method for thermal runaway triggered by external short circuit in the battery cell.

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of battery testing technology and proposes an experimental battery box for external short-circuit-triggered thermal runaway of battery cells. The box includes a battery housing, a rail frame, a triggering mechanism, and several battery cells to be tested placed inside the battery housing. Each battery cell has a positive terminal block and a negative terminal block fixed to its upper end, and the positive and negative terminal blocks on each cell are connected in series. A positive terminal is fixed to the positive terminal block, and a negative terminal is fixed to the negative terminal block. The rail frame is slidably mounted on the battery housing via a slide rail. Two sets of triggering mechanisms are provided, mounted on the rail frame. Each triggering mechanism includes a flexible clamp, a commutator, and a toggle mechanism. The commutator drives the toggle mechanism to open and close the flexible clamp. The flexible clamps on the two sets of triggering mechanisms are used to clamp the positive and negative terminal blocks respectively. This invention uses an external short-circuit-triggered thermal runaway method, solving the problem in existing technologies where internal short-circuit-triggered thermal runaway easily causes deformation of the arc generator head.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of battery experimental technology, specifically to an experimental battery box and experimental method for triggering thermal runaway by an external short circuit in a battery cell. Background Technology

[0002] When a battery experiences thermal runaway, the cell generates a large amount of heat in a short period of time, causing battery damage or even explosions and other safety accidents. To design countermeasures and verify their feasibility, it is usually necessary to simulate thermal runaway in experiments. A common method to trigger thermal runaway in experiments is to heat the battery. However, in existing experiments, heating the battery from the outside is slow and not conducive to improving the efficiency of thermal runaway experiments. To address this, CN219349085U discloses a test cell and thermal runaway experimental system. The test cell includes a casing, electrode assembly, arc generator, and terminals. The casing has an internal cavity, where the electrode assembly and arc generator are located. One end of the terminals is located outside the cavity, and the other end is located inside the cavity. The end of the terminals located inside the cavity is electrically connected to the arc generator.

[0003] However, the above-mentioned thermal runaway test method for battery cells has the following problems: When the arc generator is energized and generates an arc, an internal short circuit occurs first in the area of ​​the two electrode components adjacent to the arc generator, thus simulating the situation where an internal short circuit occurs first in the area of ​​the electrode component adjacent to another adjacent electrode component, causing thermal runaway. The method of generating an arc by the arc generator requires an internal short circuit to trigger thermal runaway within the battery cell. In actual operation, the arc generator needs to be repeatedly replaced and inserted into the battery cell. This process can easily cause deformation of the arc generator, and it is difficult to observe the contact between the arc generator and the battery cell during insertion, making the operation quite cumbersome. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention proposes an experimental battery box for thermal runaway triggered by external short circuit of the battery cell, which solves the problems of deformation of the arc generator head and inconvenience of operation caused by thermal runaway triggered by internal short circuit in the prior art.

[0005] The technical solution of the present invention is as follows: an experimental battery box for thermal runaway triggered by external short circuit of battery cell, comprising a battery box body (1), a rail frame (6), a triggering mechanism (7) and several battery cells (3) to be tested placed in the battery box body (1); the upper end of each battery cell (3) to be tested is fixed with a positive terminal plate (4) and a negative terminal plate (5), and the positive terminal plate (4) and the negative terminal plate (5) on each battery cell (3) to be tested are connected in series in sequence. A positive terminal post (41) is fixed on the positive terminal plate (4), and a negative terminal post (51) is fixed on the negative terminal plate (5). The rail frame (6) is slidably installed on the battery box body (1) through a slide rail (2). The triggering mechanism (7) is provided in two sets. The triggering mechanism (7) is installed on the rail frame (6). The two sets of triggering mechanisms are used to selectively connect the positive terminal post (41) and the negative terminal post (51) respectively.

[0006] As a preferred embodiment of the above scheme, the triggering mechanism (7) includes an elastic clamp (71), a reversing member (72), and a toggle member (73). The reversing member (72) is used to drive the toggle member (73) to drive the elastic clamp (71) to open and close. The elastic clamps (71) on the two sets of triggering mechanisms (7) are used to clamp onto the positive terminal post (41) and the negative terminal post (51) respectively.

[0007] As a preferred embodiment of the above scheme, the rail frame (6) includes a frame plate (61) spanning the outside of the battery box (1). Guide rods (62) are fixed at the bottom of both ends of the frame plate (61). A sliding sleeve (63) is slidably sleeved on the guide rod (62). A slider (64) is fixed on the sliding sleeve (63). The slider (64) is slidably mounted on the slide rail (2). A spring (65) is sleeved on the guide rod (62). The two ends of the spring (65) are respectively connected to the sliding sleeve (63) and the frame plate (61).

[0008] As a preferred embodiment of the above solution, the elastic clamp (71) includes a first rotating rod (711), a second rotating rod (712), and a positioning shaft (713). The positioning shaft (713) is fixed to the rail frame (6). The first rotating rod (711) is fixedly sleeved on the positioning shaft (713), and the second rotating rod (712) is rotatably sleeved on the positioning shaft (713). A first arc-shaped clamp (716) is fixed on the first rotating rod (711), and the second rotating rod (712) is rotatably sleeved on the positioning shaft (713). A second arc-shaped clamp (717) is fixed on the first arc-shaped clamp (716) and the second arc-shaped clamp (717). The first and second rotating rods are elastically connected. A stop bar (7110) is fixed at the end of the second rotating rod (712). The actuating member (73) is used to actuate the stop bar (7110) to drive the second rotating rod (712) to rotate, so as to open or close the elastic clamp (71).

[0009] As a preferred embodiment of the above scheme, the actuating component (73) includes a V-shaped plate (731), which is rotatably sleeved on the positioning shaft (713). The reversing component (72) is used to drive the V-shaped plate (731) to rotate. A first lever (732) is fixed to one end of the V-shaped plate (731), and a second lever (733) is fixed to the other end of the V-shaped plate (731). The first lever (732) and the second lever (733) are used to actuate the stop lever (7110).

[0010] As a preferred embodiment of the above scheme, a conductive sheet (718) is fixed on the inner arc surface of the second arc-shaped clip (717), and a terminal (719) penetrating the second arc-shaped clip (717) is fixed on the outer arc surface of the conductive sheet (718). The terminals (719) on the two sets of triggering mechanisms (7) are electrically connected by wires.

[0011] As a preferred embodiment of the above scheme, spring shafts (714) are fixed on both the first rotating rod (711) and the second rotating rod (712), and the two spring shafts (714) are connected by a tension spring (715).

[0012] As a preferred embodiment of the above scheme, the reversing component (72) includes a bracket (721), which is fixed on the rail frame (6). A rotating shaft (722) is rotatably sleeved on the bracket (721), and a first gear (725) is fixedly sleeved on the rotating shaft (722). A second gear (734) that meshes with the first gear (725) is fixed at the bottom of the V-shaped plate (731), and the second gear (734) is rotatably sleeved on the positioning shaft (713).

[0013] As a preferred embodiment of the above solution, a connecting post (723) is fixed to the top of the rotating shaft (722), and a handle (724) is fixed to the outside of the connecting post (723).

[0014] The present invention also provides an experimental method for a test battery box for thermal runaway triggered by external short circuit of battery cells, comprising the following steps: placing multiple test cells (3) inside the battery box (1) and connecting the multiple test cells (3) in series; by sliding the rail frame (6) horizontally on the slide rail (2), the triggering mechanism (7) can slide horizontally above the battery box (1); when testing a specified test cell (3), the elastic clamps (71) on the two sets of triggering mechanisms (7) are respectively clamped on the positive terminal post (41) and the negative terminal post (51) of the test cell (3), so that the test cell (3) can be short-circuited.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0016] 1. Place the battery cell to be tested inside the battery box and connect them in series. Drive the rotating shaft to rotate through the handle and connecting post. The rotating shaft drives the first gear to rotate. The first gear meshes with the second gear to drive the V-shaped plate to rotate on the positioning shaft. The second lever on the V-shaped plate can move the stop bar and drive the second rotating rod to open about the first rotating rod. After opening, the clamping of the first and second arc-shaped clamps on the positive or negative terminal can be released. The first lever on the V-shaped plate can move the stop bar and drive the second rotating rod to close about the first rotating rod. After closing, the first and second arc-shaped clamps can clamp the positive or negative terminal. After clamping, by electrically connecting the terminals on the two sets of triggering mechanisms through wires, the positive and negative terminals outside the battery cell to be tested are short-circuited, so that thermal runaway can be tested.

[0017] 2. Pull the frame upwards. At this time, the frame can be moved horizontally by sliding the slider on the slide rail, and the triggering mechanism can be moved horizontally at the same time. After the triggering mechanism is moved above the designated cell to be tested, the frame is released. The external short-circuit thermal runaway test can be performed on the cell to be tested at different positions. It is convenient and flexible to use. The external short-circuit triggered thermal runaway method solves the problem that the arc generating head is easily deformed in the existing technology when the internal short-circuit triggered thermal runaway is used. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0019] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of an experimental battery box for thermal runaway triggered by an external short circuit in a battery cell, as proposed in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the battery cell under test proposed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the rail frame proposed in the embodiments of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of an embodiment of the triggering mechanism proposed in this invention;

[0023] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the triggering mechanism proposed in one embodiment of the present invention from different perspectives;

[0024] Figure 6 This is a top view of another embodiment of the triggering mechanism proposed in this invention.

[0025] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the conductive sheet and the second arc-shaped clamp structure proposed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the commutator structure proposed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] In the diagram: 1. Battery housing; 2. Slide rail; 3. Battery cell under test; 4. Positive terminal block; 41. Positive terminal post; 5. Negative terminal block; 51. Negative terminal post; 6. Rail frame; 61. Frame plate; 62. Guide rod; 63. Sliding sleeve; 64. Slider; 65. Spring; 7. Triggering mechanism; 71. Elastic wire clamp; 711. First rotating rod; 712. Second rotating rod; 713. Positioning shaft; 714. Spring shaft; 715. Tension spring; 716. First arc-shaped clamp; 717. Second arc-shaped clamp; 718. Conductive sheet; 719. Terminal; 7110. Stop bar; 72. Reversing component; 721. Bracket; 722. Rotating shaft; 723. Connecting post; 724. Handle; 725. First gear; 73. Actuating component; 731. V-shaped plate; 732. First lever; 733. Second lever; 734. Second gear. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0029] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 An experimental battery box for thermal runaway triggered by external short circuit of a battery cell includes a battery box body 1, a rail frame 6, a triggering mechanism 7, and several battery cells 3 to be tested placed inside the battery box body 1. Each battery cell 3 has a positive terminal block 4 and a negative terminal block 5 fixed at its upper end, and the positive terminal block 4 and the negative terminal block 5 on each battery cell 3 are connected in series. A positive terminal post 41 is fixed on the positive terminal block 4, and a negative terminal post 51 is fixed on the negative terminal block 5. The rail frame 6 is slidably mounted on the battery box body 1 via a slide rail 2. Two sets of triggering mechanisms 7 are provided. The triggering mechanisms 7 are mounted on the rail frame 6 and include an elastic clamp 71, a commutator 72, and a toggle 73. The commutator 72 is used to drive the toggle 73 to drive the elastic clamp 71 to open and close. The elastic clamps 71 on the two sets of triggering mechanisms 7 are used to clamp the positive terminal post 41 and the negative terminal post 51 respectively.

[0030] Reference Figure 3The rail frame 6 includes a frame plate 61 spanning the outside of the battery box 1. Guide rods 62 are fixed at the bottom of both ends of the frame plate 61. Sliding sleeves 63 are slidably sleeved on the guide rods 62. Sliding sliders 64 are fixed on the sliding sleeves 63. Sliding sliders 64 are slidably mounted on the slide rail 2. Springs 65 are sleeved on the guide rods 62. The two ends of the springs 65 are connected to the sliding sleeves 63 and the frame plate 61, respectively.

[0031] Reference Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 The elastic clamp 71 includes a first rotating rod 711, a second rotating rod 712, and a positioning shaft 713. The positioning shaft 713 is fixed to the rail frame 6. The first rotating rod 711 is fixedly sleeved on the positioning shaft 713, and the second rotating rod 712 is rotatably sleeved on the positioning shaft 713. A first arc-shaped clamp 716 is fixed on the first rotating rod 711, and a second arc-shaped clamp 717 is fixed on the second rotating rod 712. The first arc-shaped clamp 716 and the second arc-shaped clamp 717 are used to clamp onto the positive end post 41 or the negative end post 51. Both the first and second rotating rods 712 are fixed with spring shafts 714, and the two spring shafts 714 are connected by a tension spring 715. The end of the second rotating rod 712 is fixed with a stop bar 7110. The actuating member 73 is used to actuate the stop bar 7110 to drive the second rotating rod 712 to rotate. The inner arc surface of the second arc-shaped clamp 717 is fixed with a conductive sheet 718. The outer arc surface of the conductive sheet 718 is fixed with a terminal 719 that passes through the second arc-shaped clamp 717. The terminals 719 on the two sets of triggering mechanisms 7 are electrically connected by wires.

[0032] Reference Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 The actuating component 73 includes a V-shaped plate 731, which is rotatably sleeved on the positioning shaft 713. The reversing component 72 is used to drive the V-shaped plate 731 to rotate. A first lever 732 is fixed to one end of the V-shaped plate 731, and a second lever 733 is fixed to the other end of the V-shaped plate 731. The first lever 732 and the second lever 733 are used to actuate the stop lever 7110.

[0033] Reference Figure 5 , Figure 8 The reversing component 72 includes a bracket 721, which is fixed to the rail frame 6. A rotating shaft 722 is rotatably sleeved on the bracket 721. A connecting post 723 is fixed to the top of the rotating shaft 722. A handle 724 is fixed to the outside of the connecting post 723. A first gear 725 is fixedly sleeved on the rotating shaft 722. A second gear 734 that meshes with the first gear 725 is fixed to the bottom of the V-shaped plate 731. The second gear 734 is rotatably sleeved on the positioning shaft 713.

[0034] An experimental method for a battery box for testing thermal runaway triggered by an external short circuit in a battery cell includes the following steps: placing multiple battery cells 3 to be tested 1 inside the battery box 1 and connecting the multiple battery cells 3 in series; using a horizontal sliding rail 6, a triggering mechanism 7 can slide horizontally above the battery box 1; when testing a specific battery cell 3, the elastic clamps 71 on the two sets of triggering mechanisms 7 are respectively clamped to the positive terminal post 41 and the negative terminal post 51 of the battery cell 3 to be tested, thereby achieving a short circuit in the battery cell 3 to conduct an external short circuit thermal runaway experiment; by adjusting the position of the rail 6, experiments on external short circuit thermal runaway of battery cells 3 at different positions can be conducted.

[0035] The working principle and usage process of this invention are as follows: The battery cell 3 to be tested is placed in the battery box 1 and connected in series. The handle 724 and the connecting post 723 drive the rotating shaft 722 to rotate. The rotating shaft 722 drives the first gear 725 to rotate. The first gear 725 drives the V-shaped plate 731 to rotate on the positioning shaft 713 by meshing with the second gear 734. The second lever 733 on the V-shaped plate 731 can move the stop lever 7110 and drive the second rotating rod 712 to open about the first rotating rod 711. After opening, the clamping of the first arc-shaped clamp 716 and the second arc-shaped clamp 717 on the positive terminal post 41 or the negative terminal post 51 can be released. The first lever 732 on the V-shaped plate 731 can move the stop lever 7110 and drive the second rotating rod 712 to close about the first rotating rod 711. After clamping, the first arc-shaped clamp 716 and the second arc-shaped clamp 717 can clamp the positive terminal post 41 or the negative terminal post 51. After clamping, the terminals 719 on the two sets of triggering mechanisms 7 are electrically connected through wires. At this time, the positive terminal post 41 and the negative terminal post 51 on the outside of the battery cell 3 under test are short-circuited, so that thermal runaway can be tested. Pull the frame plate 61 upward. At this time, the frame plate 61 can be translated by sliding the slider 64 on the slide rail 2 and the triggering mechanism 7 is translated simultaneously. After the triggering mechanism 7 is translated above the designated battery cell 3 under test, the frame plate 61 is released. The external short-circuit thermal runaway test of the battery cell 3 under test at different positions can be performed. The external short-circuit triggered thermal runaway method solves the problem that the arc generating head is easily deformed by the internal short-circuit triggered thermal runaway in the prior art.

[0036] It should be noted that during the experiment, by short-circuiting the external circuit of the cell under test 3, thermal runaway of a single cell under test 3 is triggered. The heat generated by cell under test 3 can be transferred to other cells under test 3 located inside the battery box 1. The experimenter can study the temperature change of the entire battery box after one cell in the battery module experiences thermal runaway. The temperature change of the battery module can be evaluated using temperature sensors. For example, temperature sensors are connected to the external surface of each cell under test 3, and a data processing device (e.g., a computer) that receives the detection results from the temperature sensors can assist the experimenter in analyzing the temperature change of the battery module. For example, the data processing device can plot the temperature change curve of each cell in the battery module based on the detection results of the temperature sensors.

[0037] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An experimental battery box for thermal runaway triggered by an external short circuit in a battery cell, characterized in that, The device includes a battery housing (1), a rail frame (6), a triggering mechanism (7), and several test cells (3) placed inside the battery housing (1). Each test cell (3) has a positive terminal block (4) and a negative terminal block (5) fixed at its upper end. The positive terminal block (4) and the negative terminal block (5) on each test cell (3) are connected in series. A positive terminal post (41) is fixed on the positive terminal block (4), and a negative terminal post (51) is fixed on the negative terminal block (5). The rail frame (6) is slidably mounted on the battery housing (1) via a slide rail (2). Two sets of triggering mechanisms (7) are provided and mounted on the rail frame (6). The two sets of triggering mechanisms are used to selectively connect the positive terminal post (41) and the negative terminal post (51). The triggering mechanism (7) includes an elastic clamp (71), a reversing member (72), and a toggle member (73). The reversing member (72) is used to drive the toggle member (73) to drive the elastic clamp (71) to open and close. The elastic clamps (71) on the two sets of triggering mechanisms (7) are used to clamp onto the positive terminal post (41) and the negative terminal post (51) respectively. The elastic clamp (71) includes a first rotating rod (711), a second rotating rod (712), and a positioning shaft (713). The positioning shaft (713) is fixed on the rail frame (6). The first rotating rod (711) is fixedly sleeved on the positioning shaft (713), and the second rotating rod (712) is rotatably sleeved on the positioning shaft (713). A first arc-shaped clamp (716) is fixed on the first rotating rod (711), and a second arc-shaped clamp (717) is fixed on the second rotating rod (712). The first arc-shaped clamp (716) and the second arc-shaped clamp (717) are used to clamp on the positive end post (41) or the negative end post (51). The first rotating rod and the second rotating rod are elastically connected. A stop bar (7110) is fixed at the end of the second rotating rod (712). The actuating member (73) is used to actuate the stop bar (7110) to drive the second rotating rod (712) to rotate, so as to open or close the elastic clamp (71). The actuating component (73) includes a V-shaped plate (731), which is rotatably sleeved on the positioning shaft (713). The reversing component (72) is used to drive the V-shaped plate (731) to rotate. A first lever (732) is fixed on one end of the V-shaped plate (731), and a second lever (733) is fixed on the other end of the V-shaped plate (731). The first lever (732) and the second lever (733) are used to actuate the stop lever (7110).

2. The experimental battery box for thermal runaway triggered by external short circuit of the battery cell according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rail frame (6) includes a frame plate (61) spanning the outside of the battery box (1). Guide rods (62) are fixed at the bottom of both ends of the frame plate (61). A sliding sleeve (63) is slidably sleeved on the guide rod (62). A slider (64) is fixed on the sliding sleeve (63). The slider (64) is slidably mounted on the slide rail (2). A spring (65) is sleeved on the guide rod (62). The two ends of the spring (65) are connected to the sliding sleeve (63) and the frame plate (61) respectively.

3. The experimental battery box for thermal runaway triggered by external short circuit of the battery cell according to claim 1, characterized in that, A conductive sheet (718) is fixed on the inner arc surface of the second arc-shaped clamp (717), and a terminal (719) penetrating the second arc-shaped clamp (717) is fixed on the outer arc surface of the conductive sheet (718). The terminals (719) on the two sets of triggering mechanisms (7) are electrically connected by wires.

4. The experimental battery box for thermal runaway triggered by external short circuit of the battery cell according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the first rotating rod (711) and the second rotating rod (712) are fixed with spring shafts (714), and the two spring shafts (714) are connected by a tension spring (715).

5. The experimental battery box for thermal runaway triggered by external short circuit of the battery cell according to claim 1, characterized in that, The reversing component (72) includes a bracket (721) fixed on the rail frame (6), a rotating shaft (722) rotatably sleeved on the bracket (721), a first gear (725) fixedly sleeved on the rotating shaft (722), and a second gear (734) meshing with the first gear (725) fixed at the bottom of the V-shaped plate (731), the second gear (734) rotatably sleeved on the positioning shaft (713).

6. The experimental battery box for thermal runaway triggered by external short circuit of the battery cell according to claim 5, characterized in that, A connecting post (723) is fixed to the top of the rotating shaft (722), and a handle (724) is fixed to the outside of the connecting post (723).

7. An experimental method for an experimental battery box using a cell external short circuit-triggered thermal runaway as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The process includes the following steps: placing multiple cells (3) to be tested inside the battery box (1) and connecting the multiple cells (3) to be tested in series; by sliding the rail frame (6) horizontally on the slide rail (2), the trigger mechanism (7) can slide horizontally above the battery box (1); when testing a specified cell (3), the elastic wire clamps (71) on the two sets of trigger mechanisms (7) are respectively clamped on the positive terminal post (41) and the negative terminal post (51) of the cell (3) to be tested.

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