Moving body

Abstract

The invention provides a mobile body which combines ventilation performance of a battery in normal time and safety after fire extinguishing. The mobile body is provided with a battery, a storage part having a ventilation opening and storing the battery, and a blocking mechanism for blocking the ventilation opening when the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a moving object. Background Art

[0002] Once a battery mounted on a mobile object catches fire, it will continue to retain heat even after the fire is extinguished, and there is a risk of re-ignition. If the re-ignition cannot be suppressed, it will be difficult to safely recover the battery after the fire is extinguished. To suppress the re-ignition, the battery must be kept at a low temperature or discharged by immersing it in water.

[0003] For example, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, when the temperature of the battery (battery module) reaches a predetermined value (eg, 100° C.), liquid such as water is supplied into a storage unit storing the battery so that the battery is immersed in water (liquid).

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-122031 Summary of the invention

[0007] Technical issues

[0008] However, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, since the battery is surrounded by the storage unit, it is difficult to ensure ventilation of the battery under normal circumstances. In particular, batteries mounted on aircraft such as multi-rotor aircraft require good ventilation for easy heat dissipation.

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to achieve both normal ventilation of a battery and safety after fire extinguishing.

[0010] Technical Solution

[0011] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, one embodiment of the present invention is a mobile body, which comprises:

[0012] Battery;

[0013] a storage portion having a vent and storing the battery; and

[0014] The blocking mechanism blocks the vent when the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature.

[0015] Technical Effects

[0016] According to the present invention, the vent of the storage part for storing the battery is blocked by the blocking mechanism when the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature. As a result, the ventilation of the battery through the vent can be ensured under normal circumstances. In addition, when a fire occurs or after the fire is extinguished, liquid such as water for discharge treatment can be accumulated in the storage part whose vent is blocked so that the battery is submerged in water (submerged in liquid). Therefore, both the ventilation of the battery under normal circumstances and the safety after the fire is extinguished can be taken into account. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of an unmanned aerial vehicle according to an embodiment.

[0018] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a battery cell according to an embodiment.

[0019] Figure 3 It is a cross-sectional view showing the state of a battery cell in normal state.

[0020] Figure 4 It is a cross-sectional view showing the state of a battery cell when a fire occurs.

[0021] Figure 5 It is a cross-sectional view showing the state of the battery cell after the fire is extinguished.

[0022] Explanation of symbols

[0023] 1 Unmanned aerial vehicle (mobile object)

[0024] 5 Battery Cell

[0025] 23 Body

[0026] 51 Battery Cell

[0027] 52 battery housing (housing member)

[0028] 52a First vent

[0029] 52b Slit hole

[0030] 54 Cooling fan

[0031] 55 First cooling water pipe (liquid supply mechanism)

[0032] 61 Battery mounting rack (storage unit)

[0033] 61a Second vent (vent)

[0034] 62 blocking mechanism

[0035] 64 Second cooling water pipe (liquid supply mechanism)

[0036] 65 Fire extinguishing agent

[0037] 66 Pressure regulating valve

[0038] 67 Liquid supply port (liquid supply mechanism)

[0039] 71 Battery cover

[0040] 71a Ventilation hole

[0041] S1 Interior Space

[0042] S2 ventilation space DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0044] [Overall structure of unmanned aerial vehicle]

[0045] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of the unmanned aerial vehicle 1 according to the present embodiment.

[0046] like Figure 1 As shown, an unmanned aerial vehicle (hereinafter referred to as “drone”) 1 of the present embodiment is an example of a mobile body of the present invention, and is a multi-rotor aircraft that obtains lift (thrust) through a plurality of rotor units (propellers) 21 .

[0047] Specifically, the drone 1 includes a main body 20 and a plurality of rotor units 21 .

[0048] The plurality of rotor portions 21 are provided at the front ends of a plurality of arm portions 22 extending in four directions from the main body portion 20 .

[0049] The main body 20 is formed in a rectangular box shape and includes a battery unit 5 (see FIG. 5 ) for supplying power to each part of the drone 1. Figure 2 )wait.

[0050] [Battery unit structure]

[0051] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the battery cell 5 .

[0052] like Figure 2 As shown, the battery unit 5 includes a battery case 52 that accommodates at least one (two in this embodiment) battery cell 51 .

[0053] The battery case 52 is formed in, for example, a rectangular box shape.

[0054] The first vent 52a that connects the inside and outside of the battery case 52 is formed on the side plate and the bottom plate (lower plate) of the battery case 52. However, the first vent 52a only needs to be formed in at least one (one) of the side plate and the bottom plate of the battery case 52, and its position, shape, number, etc. are not particularly limited.

[0055] A plurality of slit holes 52b as slit-shaped hole portions are formed on the upper plate of the battery case 52. As described later, the slit holes 52b are through holes for injecting a fire extinguishing agent 65 and / or a liquid for discharge treatment such as water, which will be described later, into the case in the event of a fire in the battery cell 51. The slit holes 52b of this embodiment are formed directly above the battery cell 51.

[0056] A cooling fan 54 and a first cooling water pipe 55 for cooling the battery cells 51 are arranged in the battery case 52 .

[0057] The cooling fan 54 is disposed, for example, on the side of the battery cell 51 , and ventilation is performed in the battery case 52 by driving the cooling fan 54 .

[0058] The first cooling water pipe 55 is guided around the battery case 52 in a manner extending along the battery cell 51, and its two ends are connected to an external cooling water pump (not shown). The cooling water circulates in the first cooling water pipe 55 by driving the cooling water pump to cool the battery case 52.

[0059] The battery case 52 is housed in the battery mounting frame 61 in a detachable manner. Figure 2 The battery can be loaded and unloaded relative to the battery mounting frame 61 by being plugged in and pulled out in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface.

[0060] The battery mounting frame 61 is formed in a shape that opens upward, and is mounted on the lower surface of the body 23, with the body 23 that blocks the opening as a top plate. The body 23 is a part of the main body 20 of the drone 1. The battery mounting frame 61 is formed in a shape that almost corresponds to the battery case 52 at least in plan view, and houses the battery case 52 in a state where there is almost no gap between the side plate and the bottom plate of the battery case 52.

[0061] The second vent 61a corresponding to the first vent 52a of the battery housing 52 is formed on the side plate and the bottom plate of the battery mounting frame 61. The second vent 61a, together with the first vent 52a at the corresponding position, connects the inside of the battery housing 52 with the outside of the battery mounting frame 61. It should be noted that the second vent 61a only needs to be formed in any one (one) of the side plate and the bottom plate of the battery mounting frame 61 corresponding to the first vent 52a, and its position, shape, number, etc. are not particularly limited.

[0062] Each second vent 61a is provided with a blocking mechanism 62 capable of blocking the second vent 61a. The blocking mechanism 62 automatically blocks the second vent 61a when the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature, without depending on external electrical control.

[0063] The blocking mechanism 62 can be applied to, for example, a heat-expandable refractory material. A heat-expandable refractory material is a refractory material that expands several to several dozen times at a predetermined temperature, and is used, for example, for fire prevention measures in buildings and / or to prevent the spread of fire. As the blocking mechanism 62, it is sufficient to arrange such a heat-expandable refractory material around the periphery of the second vent 61a so that the heat-expandable refractory material expands and blocks the second vent 61a.

[0064] It should be noted that the blocking mechanism 62 can block the second vent 61a as long as it exceeds a predetermined temperature, and its specific structure is not particularly limited. For example, the blocking mechanism 62 can be a mechanism that causes the fire-resistant roller shutter that blocks the second vent 61a to move to one side by means of a metal wire that burns at a predetermined temperature. In addition, when the blocking mechanism 62 blocks the second vent 61a, it is expected that the second vent 61a can be completely sealed in a manner that does not leak air, but it is sufficient to obtain a sealed state to the extent that water (liquid) does not leak in large quantities.

[0065] The internal space S1 of the battery mount 61 (more precisely, the space defined by the battery mount 61 and the machine body 23) has a space (redundant space) above the battery case 52. The second cooling water pipe 64 and the fire extinguishing agent 65 are provided in the space within the internal space S1.

[0066] The second cooling water pipe 64 is installed on the side plate of the battery mounting frame 61 in a manner close to the battery housing 52, and its two ends are connected to an external cooling water pump (not shown). By driving the cooling water pump, cooling water circulates in the second cooling water pipe 64 to cool the battery housing 52. It should be noted that the second cooling water pipe 64 can be the same cooling system as the first cooling water pipe 55, or it can be another cooling system.

[0067] The fire extinguishing agent 65 is arranged above the battery case 52 and fixed to the lower surface of the body 23. The fire extinguishing agent 65 is loaded in a manner that it falls into the battery case 52 below when the ambient temperature of the internal space S1 exceeds a predetermined temperature. The "predetermined temperature" is the temperature in the internal space S1 at which it can be considered that the battery cell 51 has caught fire. It should be noted that the fire extinguishing agent 65 is preferably arranged at least above the slit hole 52b. However, the fire extinguishing agent 65 only needs to be set in a manner that it is automatically sprinkled on the battery cell 51 without relying on external control when the predetermined temperature is exceeded.

[0068] Furthermore, a pressure regulating valve 66 and a liquid supply port 67 are provided in the internal space S1 of the battery mount 61 .

[0069] The pressure regulating valve 66 is disposed in the machine body 23 so as to allow the internal space S1 to communicate with the outside and stops working in a normal state. The pressure regulating valve 66 communicates the internal space S1 with the outside when a predetermined temperature is reached (or when manually operated).

[0070] The liquid supply port 67 is arranged in the body 23 so that the internal space S1 can communicate with the outside thereof, and stops working under normal conditions. The external side (upper side in the figure) of the liquid supply port 67 becomes a socket to which a liquid supply hose or the like can be installed. By installing a liquid supply hose or the like on the external side of the liquid supply port 67, liquid for discharge treatment can be supplied from the outside to the internal space S1.

[0071] The battery mount 61 is surrounded by a battery cover 71 .

[0072] The battery cover 71 is exposed outside the drone 1. Specifically, the battery cover 71 is formed in a shape that opens upward, and is mounted on the lower surface of the body 23 in a manner that the opening is blocked by the body 23. The battery cover 71 is arranged so as to surround the entire lower side of the battery mount 61 including the side of the battery mount 61, with a predetermined ventilation space S2 between the battery cover 71 and the battery mount 61.

[0073] A mesh ventilation hole 71a is formed on the side plate of the battery cover 71 to connect the outside of the drone 1 with the ventilation space S2. It should be noted that the ventilation hole 71a can be provided to connect the outside with the ventilation space S2, and its position, shape, number, etc. are not particularly limited.

[0074] [Battery unit functions and operations]

[0075] Next, the function and operation of the battery unit 5 will be described.

[0076] Figure 3 to Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the state of the battery cell 5, Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of normal conditions. Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the fire. Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view after the fire is extinguished.

[0077] It should be noted that “normal times” refers to situations other than the time of fire and / or the emergency time after the fire is extinguished.

[0078] <Normal time>

[0079] In normal times (for example, when the drone 1 is flying), the battery unit 5 supplies necessary electric power to each component of the drone 1 through the power generation of the battery cells 51 .

[0080] At this time, if Figure 3As shown, the battery cell 51 is air-cooled by a cooling fan 54 that ventilates the battery housing 52. Specifically, first, the external air of the drone 1 flows into the ventilation space S2 in the battery cover 71 through, for example, the ventilation hole 71a on the front side of the drone 1. After the air in the ventilation space S2 flows into the battery housing 52 through, for example, the first ventilation port 52a and the second ventilation port 61a on the lower side to cool the battery cell 51, it flows out to the ventilation space S2 again from the first ventilation port 52a and the second ventilation port 61a on the side. The air that flows out from the battery housing 52 to the ventilation space S2 flows out to the outside of the drone 1 through, for example, the ventilation hole 71a on the rear side of the drone 1.

[0081] As described above, the battery unit 5 has a structure with good ventilation, and the heat of the battery cells 51 is preferably removed under normal circumstances.

[0082] In addition, at this time, the battery case 52 is water-cooled (liquid-cooled) by cooling water that flows (flows) through the first cooling water pipe 55 and the second cooling water pipe 64. Specifically, the cooling water circulates through the first cooling water pipe 55 in the battery case 52 and the second cooling water pipe 64 outside the battery case 52 by a cooling water pump (not shown). The first cooling water pipe 55 directly cools the battery cell 51, and the second cooling water pipe 64 indirectly cools the battery cell 51 from the outside of the battery case 52.

[0083] <In case of fire>

[0084] When the battery cell 51 catches fire for some reason, a fire extinguishing operation is performed in the battery unit 5 .

[0085] Specifically, if Figure 4 As shown, first, the blocking mechanism 62 blocks the second vent 61a of the battery mounting frame 61 to isolate the fire source from the outside air. The blocking mechanism 62 of this embodiment is a heat-expandable refractory material, and as the battery cell 51 ignites, its temperature rises and expands until it exceeds a predetermined temperature, thereby blocking the second vent 61a. This can suppress the spread of fire.

[0086] The fire extinguishing agent 65 disposed above the battery case 52 begins to melt and fall due to the rise in ambient temperature accompanying the ignition of the battery cells 51. The fire extinguishing agent 65 falls toward the battery case 52 below and falls onto the battery cells 51 in the battery case 52 through the slit holes 52b to extinguish the fire.

[0087] In addition, a valve may be provided in the second cooling water pipe 64, and the cooling water in the second cooling water pipe 64 may be drained (discharged) by opening the valve manually or automatically (automatically according to the temperature). The valve may be replaced with a configuration that can manually or automatically discharge the cooling water in the second cooling water pipe 64 to the outside. For example, a portion of the second cooling water pipe 64 may be provided as a portion that is not heat-resistant so that the cooling water inside automatically leaks out at a predetermined temperature.

[0088] Furthermore, the first cooling water pipe 55 may be provided with a similar structure capable of manually or automatically releasing the internal cooling water to the outside.

[0089] Thus, the cooling water can be released (discharged) into the internal space S1 of the battery mount 61 to extinguish the fire of the battery cells 51 .

[0090] <After the fire is extinguished>

[0091] As described above, the fire of the battery cells 51 is extinguished by dropping the fire extinguishing agent 65 or further draining the cooling water.

[0092] At this time, when cooling water is released (liquid is released) into the internal space S1 of the battery mounting frame 61 during fire extinguishing, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 As shown, since the second ventilation opening 61 a of the battery mount 61 is blocked by the blocking mechanism 62 , the internal space S1 is filled with cooling water.

[0093] When the amount of water (liquid) in the internal space S1 is insufficient (for example, the battery case 52 is not completely submerged in water (submerged in liquid)), or the cooling water was not drained (drained) during fire extinguishing, the cooling water can be further drained (drained), or liquid for discharge treatment can be supplied from the outside to the internal space S1 through the liquid supply port 67.

[0094] Thus, the battery cell 51 can be immersed in water (immersed in liquid) together with the battery case 52. Therefore, the battery cell 51 can be cooled and discharged with a sufficient amount of water (liquid amount).

[0095] It should be noted that the liquid for discharge treatment supplied into the internal space S1 is not particularly limited as long as it is a liquid that promotes the discharge of the battery cell 51. The liquid is, for example, a sodium chloride aqueous solution and / or water of a predetermined concentration, an anionic surfactant described in Japanese Patent No. 6847716, an aqueous solution of an alkali metal weak acid salt described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2005-347162, etc.

[0096] When the liquid is supplied, the pressure regulating valve 66 may be opened to allow the air (including the generated gas) in the internal space S1 to escape to the outside. The pressure regulating valve 66 may be opened manually or automatically when a fire occurs.

[0097] [Technical Effects of the Present Embodiment]

[0098] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the second ventilation openings 61 a of the battery mounting rack 61 that accommodates the battery case 52 (battery cell 51 ) are blocked by the blocking mechanism 62 when the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature.

[0099] Therefore, ventilation of the battery case 52 (battery cell 51) through the second vent 61a can be ensured under normal circumstances. In addition, when a fire occurs and after the fire is extinguished, liquid for discharge treatment can be accumulated in the internal space S1 of the battery mounting frame 61 where the second vent 61a is blocked, and the battery case 52 can be submerged in water (submerged in liquid). In this way, the discharge treatment of the battery cell 51 can be appropriately performed, the risk of re-fire and / or electric shock can be suppressed, and the battery case 52 can be safely recovered.

[0100] Therefore, both the ventilation property of the battery during normal operation and the safety after fire extinguishing can be achieved.

[0101] According to the present embodiment, a liquid supply mechanism (at least one of the first cooling water pipe 55 , the second cooling water pipe 64 , and the liquid supply port 67 ) is provided to supply the liquid for the discharge process to the internal space S1 of the battery mount 61 .

[0102] Thus, when a fire occurs or after a fire is extinguished, the liquid for the discharge process can be quickly supplied to the internal space S1, and the battery cells 51 can be suitably extinguished or immersed in water (immersed in liquid).

[0103] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the blocking mechanism 62 is a thermally expandable refractory material that expands at a predetermined temperature, is disposed at the periphery of the second vent 61 a , and blocks the second vent 61 a when expanding.

[0104] Thus, the second ventilation opening 61a can be appropriately blocked at a predetermined temperature with a simple configuration and an automatic operation that does not require electrical control.

[0105] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the fire extinguishing agent 65 that falls at a predetermined temperature is arranged above the battery case 52 in the internal space S1 of the battery mount 61 .

[0106] Thus, the battery case 52 (battery cell 51 ) can be suitably extinguished when a fire occurs, with a simple configuration and automatic operation that does not require electrical control.

[0107] According to the present embodiment, the battery mounting frame 61 detachably accommodates the battery case 52 in a state where the battery cells 51 are accommodated.

[0108] Thus, the plurality of battery cells 51 and the like can be modularized (unitized) and the modules can be easily handled including recovered after fire extinguishing.

[0109] [other]

[0110] As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention is described, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment (including a modification).

[0111] For example, in the above embodiment, the fire extinguishing agent 65 and the cooling water are used to extinguish the fire of the battery cell 51. However, the fire may be extinguished only by the fire extinguishing agent 65 without using the cooling water. In this case, the first cooling water pipe 55 and the second cooling water pipe 64 are not required.

[0112] In addition, the liquid of the cooling system for the battery cells 51 is water (cooling water) and / or a liquid containing an additive such as antifreeze.

[0113] In the above embodiment, the second vent 61a of the battery mount 61 is blocked by the blocking mechanism 62, and the liquid for discharge treatment is supplied to the internal space S1 of the battery mount 61. However, a blocking mechanism may be provided at the first vent 52a of the battery case 52, and the blocking mechanism may block the first vent 52a and supply liquid into the battery case 52 in the event of a fire. With such a configuration, the battery cell 51 can also be submerged in water (submerged in liquid).

[0114] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, an unmanned aerial vehicle is cited as an example of the mobile body of the present invention. However, the present invention can be widely applied to mobile bodies equipped with batteries (for example, vehicles and / or ships, or toys imitating these, etc.). Among them, compared with automobiles (electric vehicles) in which batteries are sealed in a solid housing, the mobile body of the present invention can be more suitable for aircraft that usually require high ventilation and / or lightness of batteries.

[0115] In addition, the details shown in the above-mentioned embodiment can be appropriately changed without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A mobile object, It is characterized in that have: Battery; a storage portion having a vent and storing the battery; and The blocking mechanism blocks the vent when the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature.

2. The mobile body according to claim 1, It is characterized in that A liquid supply mechanism is provided which can supply liquid for the discharge process into the storage section.

3. The moving body according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The blocking mechanism is a heat-expandable refractory material that expands at a predetermined temperature, is disposed at the periphery of the vent, and blocks the vent when expanded.

4. The moving body according to claim 1, It is characterized in that A fire extinguishing agent dropped at a predetermined temperature is arranged above the battery in the storage portion.

5. The moving body according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The battery is a battery cell housed in a housing member. The housing portion houses the housing member in a detachable manner.

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