Power battery thermal runaway prevention system and control method thereof

Abstract

The present application relates to the field of new energy technology, and in particular to a power battery thermal runaway defense system and a control method thereof. A power battery thermal runaway defense system comprises a power battery, a shell and a core pack, the shell is provided with a water injection chamber, the core pack is arranged in the water injection chamber; a first water injection module is connected to the water injection chamber, and is used to inject the vehicle's own water into the water injection chamber; a second water injection module is connected to the water injection chamber, and is used to inject external water into the water injection chamber; a temperature detection module is used to detect the internal temperature of the power battery; a control module, the temperature detection module, the first water injection module, and the second water injection module are electrically connected to the control module respectively; the control module is used to receive the temperature detected by the temperature detection module, and control the first water injection module and / or the second water injection module to start respectively. It can quickly and effectively eliminate vehicle thermal runaway.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of new energy technology, and in particular to a power battery thermal runaway prevention system and a control method thereof. Background Art

[0002] Thermal runaway is a very important indicator in the field of new energy vehicles. It is not only closely related to the personal safety of passengers, but also has a huge negative impact on vehicle manufacturers in the current context of "fire" (electric vehicle spontaneous combustion), and will also cause a huge waste of social resources.

[0003] Through the analysis of a large number of electric vehicle thermal runaway cases, power battery thermal runaway is the main cause of electric vehicle thermal runaway. According to the analysis of the characteristics of power batteries, due to the characteristics of high energy density, fire and high temperature are the biggest safety risks faced by power batteries, and there are many causes. Existing power battery designs are also constantly proposing various countermeasures to ensure the safety of power batteries and passengers in the passenger compartment when thermal runaway occurs.

[0004] At present, the defense measures for thermal runaway of power batteries are usually pre-emptive measures. For example, the battery cells use heat-insulating materials to prevent overheating, or disconnect the high voltage and cool down in advance through detection to avoid thermal runaway. For thermal runaway events that have already occurred, it is still difficult to quickly control and eliminate them. Once thermal runaway occurs, the vehicle itself basically loses its self-rescue ability. Summary of the invention

[0005] Based on this, it is necessary to provide a power battery thermal runaway prevention system and a control method thereof that can quickly and effectively eliminate vehicle thermal runaway.

[0006] A power battery thermal runaway prevention system, comprising:

[0007] A power battery, comprising a shell, a core pack and a sealing cover, wherein the core pack is arranged in the shell, the sealing cover is arranged on the core pack, and a water injection cavity is formed between the inner wall of the shell, the side wall of the core pack and the outer wall of the sealing cover;

[0008] A first water injection module, connected to the water injection chamber, for injecting vehicle self-use water into the water injection chamber;

[0009] A second water injection module, connected to the water injection chamber, for injecting external water into the water injection chamber;

[0010] A temperature detection module, used to detect the internal temperature of the power battery;

[0011] The control module is electrically connected to the temperature detection module, the first water injection module and the second water injection module respectively; the control module is used to receive the temperature detected by the temperature detection module and control the first water injection module and / or the second water injection module to start respectively.

[0012] In one embodiment, the first water injection module includes a first water injection pipeline and an on-off switch, one end of the first water injection pipeline is connected to the water injection chamber, and the other end is connected to the vehicle cooling system and / or the windshield water system; the on-off switch is arranged on the first water injection pipeline and is connected to the control module circuit.

[0013] In one embodiment, the second water injection module includes a second water injection pipeline and a fire interface, and the fire interface is arranged on the vehicle body for connecting a fire water pipe; one end of the second water injection pipeline is connected to the fire interface, and the other end is connected to the water injection chamber.

[0014] In one of the embodiments, the power battery thermal runaway prevention system further includes an alarm module, which is electrically connected to the control module and is used to synchronously issue an alarm when the first water injection module and / or the second water injection module is started.

[0015] In one embodiment, the alarm module includes an in-vehicle alarm unit and an out-vehicle alarm unit, and the in-vehicle alarm unit and the out-vehicle alarm unit are electrically connected to the control module respectively.

[0016] In one embodiment, the power battery further includes a first sealing structure, and the first sealing structure is arranged between the sealing cover and the core package.

[0017] In one of the embodiments, the first sealing structure includes a first sealing member and a second sealing member. The first sealing member and the second sealing member are distributed up and down along the height direction of the core package and are respectively sealed with the side wall of the core package.

[0018] In one of the embodiments, the core package includes a plurality of battery cells arranged in an array, and along the height direction of the battery cells, a pole is arranged on the top of the battery cells, an explosion-proof valve is arranged on the bottom of the battery cells, and a copper bus is connected to the pole; the sealing cover is arranged on the top of the battery cells, and the first sealing structure is arranged between the inner wall of the sealing cover and the side wall of the battery cells.

[0019] In one of the embodiments, the core package further includes a second sealing structure, which is disposed between two adjacent battery cells and is sealed and matched with the two adjacent battery cells respectively.

[0020] The present application also provides a control method for the power battery thermal runaway prevention system as described in any of the above embodiments, the control method comprising the following steps:

[0021] The temperature detection module detects the internal temperature of the power battery and transmits the detected temperature value to the control module;

[0022] When the temperature value received by the control module reaches the critical temperature value of thermal runaway of the power battery, the control module controls the first water injection module to start, injects water into the water injection cavity through the first water injection module, and submerges part of the power battery;

[0023] When the temperature value received by the control module reaches the thermal runaway temperature value of the power battery, the control module controls the second water injection module to start, and continuously injects water into the water injection chamber through the second water injection module.

[0024] Compared with the prior art, the power battery thermal runaway prevention system can inject water into the water injection cavity of the power battery when thermal runaway is about to occur and after thermal runaway occurs. After thermal runaway occurs, the battery thermal runaway level can be quickly and effectively reduced, or even thermal runaway can be eliminated, reducing the proportion of personal and property damage. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application or the conventional technology, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the conventional technology descriptions are briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work.

[0026] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of the power battery thermal runaway protection system provided for this application.

[0027] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of the power battery provided in this application.

[0028] Figure 3 A schematic top view of the power battery provided in this application.

[0029] Figure 4 for Figure 3 Sectional view along line AA.

[0030] Figure 5 for Figure 3 Sectional view along line BB.

[0031] Figure 6 for Figure 4 Enlarged view of point A in the middle.

[0032] Reference numerals: 100, power battery; 101, housing; 102, core pack; 10, battery cell; 11, pole; 12, copper busbar; 13, explosion-proof valve; 103, water injection cavity; 104, sealing cover; 20, first sealing structure; 21, first sealing member; 22, second sealing member; 30, sealing cavity; 40, second sealing structure;

[0033] 200, first water injection module; 201, first water injection pipeline; 202, opening and closing switch; 300, second water injection module; 301, second water injection pipeline; 302, fire protection interface; 400, temperature detection module; 500, control module; 600, alarm module; 601, in-vehicle alarm unit; 602, out-vehicle alarm unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] In order to make the above-mentioned purposes, features and advantages of the present application more obvious and easy to understand, the specific implementation methods of the present application are described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the following description, many specific details are set forth to facilitate a full understanding of the present application. However, the present application can be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar improvements without violating the connotation of the present application, so the present application is not limited by the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0035] It should be noted that when a component is referred to as being "fixed to" or "disposed on" another component, it may be directly on the other component or there may also be a central component. When a component is considered to be "connected to" another component, it may be directly connected to the other component or there may be a central component at the same time. The terms "vertical", "horizontal", "upper", "lower", "left", "right" and similar expressions used in the specification of this application are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only implementation method.

[0036] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features. In the description of this application, the meaning of "plurality" is at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0037] In the present application, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, a first feature being “above” or “below” a second feature may mean that the first feature is directly in contact with the second feature, or the first feature and the second feature are indirectly in contact through an intermediate medium. Moreover, a first feature being “above”, “above” or “above” a second feature may mean that the first feature is directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. A first feature being “below”, “below” or “below” a second feature may mean that the first feature is directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature.

[0038] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in the specification of this application have the same meaning as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this application belongs. The terms used in the specification of this application are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit this application. The term "and / or" used in the specification of this application includes any and all combinations of one or more related listed items.

[0039] See also Figures 1 to 3 The present application provides a power battery thermal runaway prevention system, which includes a power battery 100, a first water injection module 200, a second water injection module 300, a temperature detection module 400, and a control module 500. Among them, the power battery 100 includes a shell 101, a core package 102, and a sealing cover 104. The core package 102 is arranged in a water injection chamber 103, and the sealing cover 104 is arranged on the core package 102. A water injection chamber 103 is formed between the inner wall of the shell 101, the side wall of the core package 102, and the outer wall of the sealing cover 104. The first water injection module 200 is connected to the water injection chamber 103, and is used to inject the vehicle's own water into the water injection chamber 103. The second water injection module 300 is connected to the water injection chamber 103, and is used to inject external water into the water injection chamber 103. The temperature detection module 400 is used to detect the internal temperature of the power battery 100. The temperature detection module 400, the first water injection module 200, and the second water injection module 300 are respectively electrically connected to the control module 500. The control module 500 is used to receive the temperature detected by the temperature detection module 400 and control the first water injection module 200 and / or the second water injection module 300 to start.

[0040] It is understandable that the temperature detection module 400 can monitor the internal temperature of the power battery 100 in real time, and the detected temperature value will be transmitted to the control module 500. The power battery 100 has a thermal runaway critical temperature value and a thermal runaway temperature value. After receiving the temperature value transmitted by the temperature detection module 400, the control module 500 compares it with the thermal runaway critical temperature value and the thermal runaway temperature value. If the temperature value reaches the thermal runaway critical temperature value of the power battery 100, the control module 500 controls the first water injection module 200 to start, and water is injected into the water injection chamber 103 through the first water injection module 200, and the power battery 100 is submerged to a certain height, so as to quickly cool down the power battery 100. If the internal temperature of the power battery 100 is still rising and reaches the thermal runaway temperature value of the power battery 100 after the first water injection module 200 injects water, the control module 500 controls the second water injection module 300 to start, and continuously injects water into the water injection chamber 103 through the second water injection module 300 to continue cooling the power battery 100, control the source of thermal runaway, and reduce the thermal runaway level of the battery system.

[0041] Furthermore, since the first water injection module 200 uses the vehicle's own water, it can respond to the water injection task most quickly and is less likely to have a risk of leakage. The second water injection module 300 uses external water, which can ensure the rapid injection of a large amount of medium and quickly reduce the thermal runaway level of the battery system.

[0042] That is, in this embodiment, after receiving the temperature detected by the temperature detection module 400, the control module 500 controls the first water injection module 200 or the second water injection module 300 to start at different temperature values.

[0043] Of course, in other embodiments, after receiving the temperature detected by the temperature detection module 400, the control module 500 can also control the first water injection module 200 and the second water injection module 300 to start respectively, and work together to inject water into the water injection chamber 103. For example, after the power battery 100 reaches the thermal runaway temperature value, the first water injection module 200 and the second water injection module 300 are both in the water injection state.

[0044] For example, the critical temperature of thermal runaway is 60°C to 80°C, and the values ​​may be 60°C, 70°C, 80°C, etc., and of course, the corresponding value may be selected according to the actual situation. The thermal runaway temperature is 200°C to 500°C, and the values ​​may be 200°C, 300°C, 400°C, 500°C, etc., and of course, the corresponding value may be selected according to the actual situation.

[0045] Furthermore, the first water injection module 200 includes a first water injection pipeline 201 and an on / off switch 202. One end of the first water injection pipeline 201 is connected to the water injection chamber 103, and the other end is connected to the vehicle cooling system and / or the windshield water system. The on / off switch 202 is arranged on the first water injection pipeline 201 and is electrically connected to the control module 500.

[0046] In this embodiment, the other end of the first water injection pipeline 201 is connected to the vehicle cooling system and the windshield washer water system respectively, to ensure that the amount of vehicle self-use water injected into the water injection chamber 103 is sufficient.

[0047] Of course, it is not limited thereto, in other embodiments, the other end of the first water injection pipeline 201 may also be connected only to the vehicle cooling system, or only to the vehicle windshield washer water system, as long as the vehicle water can be injected into the water injection cavity 103 .

[0048] For example, the control module 500 uses a single chip microcomputer or a PLC controller. The temperature detection module 400 uses a temperature sensor. The on-off switch 202 uses a valve, preferably an electric valve.

[0049] Furthermore, the second water injection module 300 includes a second water injection pipeline 301 and a fire interface 302. The fire interface 302 is provided on the vehicle body and is used to connect the fire hose. One end of the second water injection pipeline 301 is connected to the fire interface 302, and the other end is connected to the water injection chamber 103.

[0050] It is understandable that after the second water injection module 300 is started, a fire water pipe can be connected to the fire interface 302 to quickly inject fire water into the water injection chamber 103.

[0051] As a preferred embodiment, the fire interface 302 can be ejected from the vehicle body in a physical manner, and then connected to the fire hose. The physical manner can be a lever, a spring, etc. The principle is prior art, so it will not be described in detail.

[0052] In one embodiment, the thermal runaway prevention system of the power battery 100 further includes an alarm module 600. The alarm module 600 is electrically connected to the control module 500 and is used to synchronously issue an alarm when the first water injection module 200 and / or the second water injection module 300 are started.

[0053] In this embodiment, when the first water injection module 200 and the second water injection module 300 are started, the alarm module 600 both sound an alarm synchronously to remind personnel and ensure personal safety.

[0054] In other embodiments, the alarm module 600 may also issue an alarm only when the first water injection module 200 is started, or issue an alarm only when the second water injection module 300 is started.

[0055] Specifically, the alarm module 600 includes an in-vehicle alarm unit 601 and an out-vehicle alarm unit 602. The in-vehicle alarm unit 601 and the out-vehicle alarm unit 602 are electrically connected to the control module 500 respectively.

[0056] Understandably, in the initial stage, the in-vehicle alarm unit 601 is used to immediately remind the occupants to move to a safe area, and in the later stage, the out-vehicle alarm unit 602 is used to remind the public and outsiders to stay away from the vehicle that may have thermal runaway, so as to reduce casualties and property losses.

[0057] Exemplarily, the in-vehicle alarm unit 601 is a lighting lamp, a display screen, a speaker inside the vehicle, etc. The alarm is issued in the form of flashing of the lighting lamp, pop-up warning information on the display screen, alarm sound from the speaker inside the vehicle, etc.

[0058] Exemplarily, the vehicle exterior alarm unit 602 is a vehicle lamp, a horn, etc., and the alarm is issued by flashing the vehicle lamp, beeping the horn, or issuing an alarm sound.

[0059] like Figure 2-Figure 6 As shown, the power battery 100 further includes a first sealing structure 20. The first sealing structure 20 is disposed between the sealing cover 104 and the core package 102. The inner wall of the sealing cover 104 and the top surface of the core package 102 form a sealed cavity 30.

[0060] It is understandable that the sealing cover 104 and the first sealing structure 20 will completely isolate the core package 102 from the water injection cavity 103, ensuring that all high-voltage components on the core package 102 are sealed. Even if water is injected into the water injection cavity 103, the core package 102 will not leak electricity or explode, thereby improving safety performance and ensuring complete control of vehicle thermal runaway.

[0061] Exemplarily, the sealing cover 104 is made of sheet metal or injection molding.

[0062] Furthermore, the first sealing structure 20 includes a first sealing member 21 and a second sealing member 22. Along the height direction of the core package 102, the first sealing member 21 and the second sealing member 22 are distributed up and down, and are respectively sealed with the side walls of the core package 102.

[0063] Exemplarily, the first sealing member 21 and the second sealing member 22 are made of battery structural glue or other suitable glue materials.

[0064] The first sealing member 21 and the second sealing member 22 are distributed up and down, and the connection between the core package 102 and the sealing cover 104 is double-sealed to improve the waterproof performance of the core package 102 .

[0065] Furthermore, the core package 102 includes a plurality of cells 10 arranged in an array. Along the height direction of the cell 10, a pole 11 is provided on the top of the cell 10, and a copper bar 12 is connected to the pole 11, and an explosion-proof valve 13 is provided at the bottom of the cell 10. A sealing cover 104 is provided on the top of the cell 10, and a first sealing structure 20 is provided between the inner wall of the sealing cover 104 and the side wall of the cell 10.

[0066] The pole 11, copper busbar 12 and other electrical components are arranged on the top of the battery cell 10. After the sealing cover 104 is arranged on the top of the battery cell 10, the pole 11, copper busbar 12 and other electrical components are located in the above-mentioned sealed cavity, and the pole 11, copper busbar 12 and other electrical components are isolated and waterproof. When water is injected into the water injection cavity 103, the battery cell 10 can be immersed in water without leakage, thereby realizing rapid heat dissipation of the battery cell 10. The explosion-proof valve 13 is arranged at the bottom of the battery cell 10, and then in the initial stage of water injection, the explosion-proof valve 13 can be completely immersed in the liquid, which can quickly cool down the high-temperature explosion material, thereby preventing the occurrence of thermal runaway events.

[0067] Preferably, the core package 102 further includes a second sealing structure 40. The second sealing structure 40 is disposed between two adjacent battery cells 10 and is respectively sealed with the two adjacent battery cells 10. It is ensured that there is no possibility of water leakage between adjacent battery cells 10. With the cooperation of the first sealing structure 20, the second sealing structure 40 and the sealing cover 104, the waterproof level of the power battery 100 reaches PI67 or above.

[0068] Exemplarily, the second sealing structure 40 is made of mica materials, aerogel and other heat insulating materials.

[0069] The present application also provides a control method for a thermal runaway prevention system of a power battery 100 according to any of the above embodiments, the control method comprising the following steps:

[0070] The temperature detection module 400 detects the internal temperature of the power battery 100 and transmits the detected temperature value to the control module 500;

[0071] When the temperature value received by the control module 500 reaches the critical temperature value of thermal runaway of the power battery 100, the control module 500 controls the first water injection module 200 to start, injects water into the water injection chamber 103 through the first water injection module 200, and submerges part of the power battery 100;

[0072] When the temperature value received by the control module 500 reaches the thermal runaway temperature value of the power battery 100 , the control module 500 controls the second water injection module 300 to start, and continuously injects water into the water injection chamber 103 through the second water injection module 300 .

[0073] Exemplarily, the submerged portion of the power battery 100 mentioned above has a submerged height of 40 mm-60 mm, preferably 50 mm, to ensure that the explosion-proof valve is completely submerged.

[0074] Furthermore, if the temperature value received by the control module 500 does not reach the critical temperature value of thermal runaway of the power battery 100 , the battery water cooling system may be controlled to start performing normal conventional cooling operations on the power battery 100 .

[0075] Furthermore, when the first water injection module 200 is started, the control module 500 controls the in-vehicle alarm unit 601 to sound an alarm to alert personnel.

[0076] Furthermore, when the second water injection module 300 is started, the control module 500 controls the external alarm unit 602 to sound an alarm to alert personnel.

[0077] The technical features of the above-described embodiments may be arbitrarily combined. To make the description concise, 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, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0078] The above-described embodiments only express several implementation methods of the present application, and the descriptions thereof are relatively specific and detailed, but they cannot be understood as limiting the scope of the patent application. It should be pointed out that, for a person of ordinary skill in the art, several variations and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of the present application, and these all belong to the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the scope of patent protection of the present application shall be subject to the attached claims.

Claims

1. A power battery thermal runaway protection system, characterized in that: include: A power battery (100) comprises a shell (101), a core package (102) and a sealing cover (104), wherein the core package (102) is arranged in the shell (101), the sealing cover (104) is arranged on the core package (102), and a water injection cavity (103) is formed between the inner wall of the shell (101), the side wall of the core package (102) and the outer wall of the sealing cover (104); A first water injection module (200), which is in communication with the water injection chamber (103) and is used to inject vehicle water into the water injection chamber (103); A second water injection module (300), which is in communication with the water injection chamber (103) and is used to inject external water into the water injection chamber (103); A temperature detection module (400), used to detect the internal temperature of the power battery (100); a control module (500) electrically connected to the temperature detection module (400), the first water injection module (200), and the second water injection module (300), respectively; the control module (500) is used to receive the temperature detected by the temperature detection module (400), and to control the first water injection module (200) and / or the second water injection module (300) to start; The first water injection module (200) comprises a first water injection pipeline (201) and an on / off switch (202); one end of the first water injection pipeline (201) is connected to the water injection chamber (103), and the other end is used to be connected to the vehicle cooling system and / or the windshield water system; the on / off switch (202) is arranged on the first water injection pipeline (201) and is electrically connected to the control module (500); The power battery (100) further comprises a first sealing structure (20), wherein the first sealing structure (20) is arranged between the sealing cover (104) and the core package (102); The core package (102) comprises a plurality of battery cells (10) arranged in an array, an explosion-proof valve (13) is arranged at the bottom of the battery cell (10) along the height direction of the battery cell (10), and the sealing cover (104) is arranged on the top of the battery cell (10).

2. The power battery thermal runaway prevention system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second water injection module (300) comprises a second water injection pipeline (301) and a fire interface (302); the fire interface (302) is arranged on the vehicle body and is used to connect a fire water pipe; one end of the second water injection pipeline (301) is connected to the fire interface (302), and the other end is connected to the water injection chamber (103).

3. The power battery thermal runaway prevention system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The power battery thermal runaway protection system further comprises an alarm module (600), wherein the alarm module (600) is electrically connected to the control module (500) and is used to synchronously issue an alarm when the first water injection module (200) and / or the second water injection module (300) are started.

4. The power battery thermal runaway prevention system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The alarm module (600) comprises an in-vehicle alarm unit (601) and an out-vehicle alarm unit (602), and the in-vehicle alarm unit (601) and the out-vehicle alarm unit (602) are electrically connected to the control module (500) respectively.

5. The power battery thermal runaway prevention system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first sealing structure (20) comprises a first sealing component (21) and a second sealing component (22); along the height direction of the core package (102), the first sealing component (21) and the second sealing component (22) are distributed up and down and respectively cooperate with the side wall of the core package (102) in a sealing manner.

6. The power battery thermal runaway prevention system according to claim 1, characterized in that: A pole (11) is arranged on the top of the battery cell (10), and a copper busbar (12) is connected to the pole (11); the first sealing structure (20) is arranged between the inner wall of the sealing cover (104) and the side wall of the battery cell (10).

7. The power battery thermal runaway prevention system according to claim 6, characterized in that: The core package (102) further comprises a second sealing structure (40), wherein the second sealing structure (40) is arranged between two adjacent battery cells (10) and is respectively sealed and matched with the two adjacent battery cells (10).

8. A control method for a power battery thermal runaway prevention system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The control method comprises the following steps: The temperature detection module (400) detects the internal temperature of the power battery (100) and transmits the detected temperature value to the control module (500); When the temperature value received by the control module (500) reaches the critical temperature value of thermal runaway of the power battery (100), the control module (500) controls the first water injection module (200) to start, injecting water into the water injection chamber (103) through the first water injection module (200) and submerging part of the power battery (100); When the temperature value received by the control module (500) reaches the thermal runaway temperature value of the power battery (100), the control module (500) controls the second water injection module (300) to start, and continuously injects water into the water injection chamber (103) through the second water injection module (300).

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