Gas outlet device, battery pack and battery pack thermal runaway control method

Abstract

The invention discloses an air outlet device, a battery pack and a battery pack thermal runaway control method, and relates to the technical field of power batteries. The air outlet device comprises an air outlet pipe, a first one-way valve, a separation element and an air blowing element, the air outlet pipe comprises a main body section and a branch section which are connected, the joint of the main body section and the branch section is a connector, and the main body section is provided with a main body inlet and a main body outlet; the first one-way valve is connected to the inner wall of the main body road section and located between the main body outlet and the connector, and the flowing direction of the first one-way valve points to the main body outlet from the main body inlet; the separating element is connected to the inner wall of the main body road section and located between the first one-way valve and the main body inlet, the separating element divides the inner space of the main body road section into a first channel and a second channel, and the connecting port is communicated with the second channel. The blowing element communicates with the branch road section and is used for blowing air towards the main road section through the branch road section. The technical problem that an existing first one-way valve is difficult to burst open is solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of power batteries, and in particular to a gas outlet device, a battery pack, and a method for controlling thermal runaway of a battery pack. Background Art

[0002] When current new energy batteries are working, due to various unforeseen operating conditions or quality defects, the battery cells in the battery pack may experience thermal runaway. Since the battery pack is in a sealed state, the high-temperature gas ejected from the battery cell carries the internal substances of the battery cell and spreads in the internal space of the battery pack, making it difficult to discharge. In addition, the heat cannot be dissipated in time and accumulates inside the battery pack, which may cause thermal runaway in other battery cells, leading to the risk of explosion and rapid fire of the entire battery pack.

[0003] Existing new energy batteries will have an additional gas outlet device to discharge high-temperature gas. The existing gas outlet device is generally composed of a pipeline and a one-way valve. For example, when out of control, the internal pressure of the battery pack will break open the one-way valve for discharge. However, the existing one-way valve structure also has a certain strength because the battery pack needs to be sealed. There is a problem that the high-temperature gas is difficult to quickly break open the one-way valve when out of control, delaying the discharge of the high-temperature gas. Summary of the invention

[0004] In view of this, the present invention provides a gas outlet device, a battery pack and a battery pack thermal runaway control method, which are used to solve the technical problem that the one-way valve body in the existing gas outlet device is difficult to be quickly flushed open.

[0005] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] An air outlet device, comprising:

[0007] The air outlet pipe comprises a main section and a branch section which are connected to each other, wherein the main section and the branch section are connected at a connection port, and the main section has a main inlet and a main outlet;

[0008] A first one-way valve, connected to the inner wall of the main body section and located between the main body outlet and the connecting port, wherein the flow direction of the first one-way valve is from the main body inlet to the main body outlet;

[0009] a partition element connected to the inner wall of the main body section and located between the first one-way valve and the main body inlet, wherein the partition element separates the internal space of the main body section into a first channel and a second channel, and the connecting port is in communication with the second channel;

[0010] and a blowing element connected to the branch section and used for blowing air toward the second channel through the branch section.

[0011] In some embodiments of the gas outlet device, a diameter of a channel opening of the second channel close to the connecting port is larger than a diameter of a channel opening of the second channel close to the first one-way valve.

[0012] In some embodiments of the air outlet device, the second channel includes a first straight channel, a transition channel, and a second straight channel in sequence from the connecting port to the first one-way valve, the channel opening diameter of the first straight channel is larger than the channel opening diameter of the second straight channel, and the channel opening diameter of the transition channel gradually decreases in the direction from the first straight channel to the second straight channel.

[0013] In some embodiments of the air outlet device, the diameter of the second channel gradually decreases from the connecting port to the main body inlet channel port.

[0014] In some embodiments of the air outlet device, one end of the partition element is connected to the inner wall of the main section and is closed, and the other end abuts against the first one-way valve.

[0015] In order to solve the above technical problems, the second technical solution adopted by the present invention is:

[0016] A battery pack, comprising the gas outlet device described in the above embodiment, and further comprising:

[0017] A shell, wherein a discharge port is formed on the shell and the discharge port is communicated with the main body inlet;

[0018] A battery cell is arranged in the housing, and an explosion-proof valve is arranged on the battery cell;

[0019] A confluence pipe is arranged in the housing, the confluence pipe is communicated with the explosion-proof valve, the confluence pipe is connected to the discharge port, and is communicated with the main body inlet, and the high-temperature gas discharged when the explosion-proof valve explodes enters the confluence pipe and is discharged from the battery pack through the gas outlet device;

[0020] A second one-way valve is disposed in the housing and is located between the battery cell and the flow conduit, wherein the flow direction of the second one-way valve is from the battery cell to the flow conduit; and

[0021] A power device is used to drive the high-temperature gas in the confluence pipeline to move toward the gas outlet device.

[0022] In some embodiments of the battery pack, the power device includes a first power element, which is connected to the main body outlet and is used to drive the high-temperature gas to move toward the gas outlet device by exhausting air.

[0023] In some embodiments of the battery pack, the power device includes an intake pipe, a third one-way valve and a second power element, the intake pipe, the third one-way valve and the second power element are all arranged in the outer shell, the outer shell is provided with an inlet port, the inlet port is connected with the outside of the battery pack, the two ends of the intake pipe are respectively connected with the inlet port and the busbar, the third one-way valve is arranged in the intake pipe, the second power element is arranged in the intake pipe, and the second power element is used to draw air from the outside to drive the high-temperature gas in the busbar to move toward the outlet device.

[0024] In some embodiments of the battery pack, the battery pack further includes a monitoring element, which is communicatively connected to the blowing element, and is used to monitor the state of the explosion-proof valve so that the blowing element can be activated and blow air toward the branch section when the explosion-proof valve is opened.

[0025] In order to solve the above technical problems, the third technical solution adopted by the present invention is:

[0026] A battery pack thermal runaway control method is applied to the battery pack as described in the previous embodiment, and the battery pack thermal runaway control method comprises the following steps:

[0027] Monitoring the status of the explosion-proof valve;

[0028] When the explosion-proof valve is opened, the blowing element is activated to flush open the first one-way valve; the high-temperature gas discharged when the explosion-proof valve explodes enters the busbar through the second one-way valve and is discharged from the battery pack through the gas outlet device. At the same time, the power device drives the high-temperature gas in the busbar to move toward the gas outlet device.

[0029] Implementing the embodiments of the present invention will have at least the following beneficial effects:

[0030] The above-mentioned air outlet device is applied to the battery pack, which can make itself and the battery pack have the technical effect of easily flushing open the first one-way valve. Specifically, the present invention is provided with a blowing element. When applied to a battery pack structure, firstly, the main section itself can receive the pressure when the battery pack is out of control and thus apply pressure to the first one-way valve. Secondly, through the blowing effect of the blowing element, the two can cooperate to form a combined force to cause the first one-way valve to open, thereby solving the technical problem that the existing first one-way valve is difficult to be flushed open.

[0031] The above-mentioned battery pack thermal runaway control method belongs to the same inventive concept as the above-mentioned air outlet device and battery pack. After monitoring that the explosion-proof valve has been opened, i.e., is in thermal runaway, the blowing element is started to assist in flushing open the first one-way valve in the air outlet pipe, and when the first one-way valve is flushed open, the power device is started to drive the high-temperature gas in the confluence line toward the air outlet pipe and discharged out of the battery pack, thereby solving the technical problem that the existing first one-way valve is difficult to flush open, and effectively discharges the high-temperature gas out of the battery pack. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0033] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structural connection of a battery pack in one embodiment;

[0034] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of the middle part of the battery cell;

[0035] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A simplified schematic diagram of the exhaust system;

[0036] Figure 4 is a schematic structural diagram of an air outlet device in one embodiment;

[0037] Figure 5 Flow chart of a method for controlling thermal runaway of a battery pack in one embodiment.

[0038] in:

[0039] 1. Power device; 11. Air intake pipe; 12. Air intake element; 13. Third one-way valve; 14. Independent power supply;

[0040] 2. air outlet device; 21. air outlet pipe; 211. main body section; 2111. main body inlet; 2112. main body outlet; 212. branch section; 213. connection port; 22. first one-way valve; 23. partition element; 24. first channel; 25. second channel; 251. first straight channel; 252. transition channel; 253. second straight channel;

[0041] 31. Converging pipeline; 32. Second one-way valve;

[0042] 100. casing; 101. battery cell; 102. explosion-proof valve. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] In order to facilitate the understanding of the present invention, the present invention will be described more fully below with reference to the relevant drawings. Preferred embodiments of the present invention are provided in the drawings. However, the present invention can be implemented in many other different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. On the contrary, the purpose of providing these embodiments is to make the understanding of the disclosure of the present invention more thorough and comprehensive.

[0044] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" another element, it may be directly on the other element or there may be a central element. When an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it may be directly connected to the other element or there may be a central element at the same time. The terms "vertical", "horizontal", "left", "right" and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only.

[0045] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art of the present invention. The terms used herein in the specification of the present invention are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. The term "and / or" used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more related listed items.

[0046] like Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, in one embodiment, the air outlet device 2 includes an air outlet pipe 21, a first one-way valve 22, a partition element 23 and an air blowing element. The air outlet pipe 21 includes a main body section 211 and a branch section 212 connected to each other. The main body section 211 and the branch section 212 are connected at a connection port 213. The main body section 211 has a main body inlet 2111 and a main body outlet 2112. The first one-way valve 22 is connected to the inner wall of the main body section 211 and is located between the main body outlet 2112 and the connection port 213. The flow direction of the first one-way valve is from the main body inlet 2111 to the main body outlet 2112. The partition element 23 is connected to the inner wall of the main body section 211 and is located between the first one-way valve 22 and the main body inlet 2111. The partition element 23 separates the internal space of the main body section 211 into a first channel 24 and a second channel 25. The connection port 213 is connected to the second channel 25. The blowing element is connected to the branch section 212 and is used to blow air toward the second channel 25 through the branch section 212 .

[0047] In this embodiment, a blowing element is provided. When applied to a battery pack structure, firstly, the main section 211 itself can receive the pressure when the battery pack is out of control, thereby applying pressure to the first one-way valve 22. Secondly, through the blowing effect of the blowing element, the two can cooperate to form a combined force to prompt the first one-way valve 22 to open, thereby solving the technical problem that the existing first one-way valve 22 is difficult to be flushed open.

[0048] In addition, by providing the partition element 23, it is possible to avoid mutual interference and influence between the first channel 24 and the second channel 25, and when the first channel 24 is used for non-pure gas to flow through, it is also possible to avoid the fluid in the first channel 24 from entering the second channel 25 and the branch section 212. For example, when applied to a battery pack, it is possible to avoid high-temperature gas from entering the second channel 25 and the branch section 212.

[0049] Specifically, the first one-way valve 22 can be a solenoid valve or a mechanical valve, etc., which can be conveniently controlled when it is a solenoid valve, or a mechanical valve, such as a spring-type mechanical valve balanced by pressure, etc. A spring-type mechanical valve includes a valve body and an elastic member connected to the valve body, the elastic force of the elastic member keeps the valve body in a closed state, when the air pressure is greater than the elastic force of the elastic member, the valve body is opened, and when the air pressure is less than the elastic force of the elastic member, the valve body automatically closes.

[0050] The blowing element can be a hair dryer or the like.

[0051] Preferably, the extension direction of the main section 211 is perpendicular to the extension direction of the branch section 212 .

[0052] In an embodiment of the air outlet device 2 , the diameter of the channel opening of the second channel 25 close to the connecting port 213 is larger than the diameter of the channel opening close to the first one-way valve 22 .

[0053] In this embodiment, such a design can achieve the effect of first receiving the airflow from the blowing element and then guiding the airflow direction, so as to better guide the airflow to the first one-way valve 22 .

[0054] In a specific embodiment of the air outlet device 2, the second channel 25 includes a first straight channel 251, a transition channel 252 and a second straight channel 253 in sequence from the connecting port 213 to the first one-way valve 22. The channel opening diameter of the first straight channel 251 is larger than the channel opening diameter of the second straight channel 253, and the channel opening diameter of the transition channel 252 gradually decreases from the first straight channel 251 to the second straight channel 253.

[0055] In this embodiment, the first straight channel 251 has a large opening, which can better receive the airflow from the blowing element, and then guide it to the second straight channel 253 under the action of the transition channel 252, and finally the first one-way valve 22 is better opened when the second straight channel 253 has a reduced opening.

[0056] In an embodiment of the gas outlet device 2, the diameter of the second channel 25 gradually decreases from the connecting port 213 to the main body inlet 2111. One end of the partition element 23 is connected to the inner wall of the main body section 211 and is closed, and the other end abuts against the first one-way valve 22, so that one end of the second channel 25 is closed and the other end of the outlet is opposite to the first one-way valve 22.

[0057] In this embodiment, the second channel 25 is a structure with one end open and the other end closed. By closing one end, the loss of airflow can be reduced. Therefore, after the blowing element continues to blow, the airflow will not continue to disperse in the space near the closed end, so that the airflow can be better directed to the open end, further enhancing the role of assisting in opening the first one-way valve 22. In addition, the second channel 25 in this embodiment gradually reduces the size of the channel opening aperture from the connecting port 213 to the main body inlet 2111. Combined with the channel opening aperture settings of the first straight channel 251, the transition channel 252 and the second straight channel 253 in the previous embodiment, it can form a second channel 25 in which the channel opening aperture gradually increases, maintains a large aperture for a period of time, gradually shrinks, and finally maintains a small aperture, that is, Figure 4 The middle Vardar tube structure can better guide the airflow of the blowing element to the first one-way valve 22 by designing the shape of the second channel 25 in this way.

[0058] The present invention also relates to a battery pack, including the gas outlet device 2 in the previous embodiment, and the battery pack also includes a shell 100, a battery cell 101, a conduit 31, a second one-way valve 32 and a power device 1. The shell 100 is provided with a discharge port, and the discharge port is connected to the main body inlet 2111. The battery cell is arranged in the shell 100, and each battery cell 101 is provided with an explosion-proof valve 102. The conduit 31 is arranged in the shell 100, and the conduit 31 is connected to the explosion-proof valve 102. The conduit 31 is connected to the discharge port and is connected to the main body inlet 2111. When the explosion-proof valve 102 explodes, the high-temperature gas discharged enters the conduit 31 and is discharged from the battery pack through the gas outlet device 2. The second one-way valve 32 is arranged in the outer shell 100 and is located between the battery cell 101 and the busbar 31. The flow direction of the second one-way valve 32 is from the battery cell 101 to the busbar 31. It is mainly used to prevent the high-temperature gas in the busbar 31 from entering the battery cell 101. The power device 1 is used to drive the high-temperature gas in the busbar 31 to move toward the gas outlet device 2.

[0059] In this embodiment, by applying the gas outlet device 2 in the previous embodiment, the discharge of high-temperature gas when the battery pack is out of control can be facilitated, and in this embodiment, a power device 1 and a busbar 31 are provided. The busbar 31 can receive the high-temperature gas from the battery cell 101 when it is out of control, and prevent the battery cell 101 from directly discharging the high-temperature gas into the outer casing 100. The power device 1 can drive the high-temperature gas in the busbar 31 to move, so that all the high-temperature gas can be discharged outside the battery pack.

[0060] In addition, in the present embodiment, the explosion-proof valve 102 and the second one-way valve 32 can both play a sealing role, maintaining the sealing of the battery cell 101 while providing an outlet for the high-temperature gas. After the pressure in the battery cell 101 increases, the explosion-proof valve 102 is first destroyed to release the high-temperature gas, and the one-way channel of the second one-way valve 32 is used to guide and avoid backflow, thereby introducing the high-temperature gas into the confluence pipe 31, and then under the action of the power device 1, the high-temperature gas in the confluence pipe 31 is driven to the gas outlet device 2, and then discharged to the outside of the battery pack through the gas outlet device 2.

[0061] In an embodiment of a battery pack, the power device 1 includes a first power element, which is connected to the main body outlet 2112 and is used to drive the high-temperature gas to move toward the gas outlet device 2 by exhausting air.

[0062] In this embodiment, specifically, the first power element can be a vacuum device or an exhaust fan. By connecting to the main body outlet 2112, after the first one-way valve 22 is flushed open, the activation of the first power element can suck out the high-temperature gas in the busbar 31 and discharge it outside the battery pack, thereby accelerating the discharge of the high-temperature gas.

[0063] In an embodiment of a battery pack, the power device 1 also includes an intake pipe 11, a third one-way valve 13 and a second power element 12. The intake pipe 11, the third one-way valve 13 and the second power element 12 are all arranged in the outer shell 100. The outer shell 100 is provided with an inlet port, which is connected to the outside of the battery pack. The two ends of the intake pipe 11 are respectively connected to the inlet port and the junction line 31. The third one-way valve 13 is arranged in the intake pipe 11. The second power element 12 is arranged in the intake pipe 11. The second power element 12 is used to inhale air from the outside to drive the high-temperature gas in the junction line 31 to move toward the outlet device 2.

[0064] In this embodiment, the second power element 12 can draw air from the outside into the housing 100, thereby driving the high-temperature gas in the confluence pipe 31 to move, and the high-temperature gas in the confluence pipe 31 is driven to the gas outlet device 2 in a blowing manner.

[0065] Specifically, the second one-way valve 32 may be a solenoid valve or a mechanical valve. The third one-way valve 13 may be a solenoid valve or a mechanical valve. Preferably, the third one-way valve 13 is far away from high-temperature gas, and is mainly used to draw air from the outside into the battery pack. It is preferably a solenoid valve. The mechanical valve may be, for example, a spring-type mechanical valve balanced by pressure. A spring-type mechanical valve includes a valve body and an elastic member connected to the valve body. The elastic force of the elastic member keeps the valve body in a closed state. When the air pressure is greater than the elastic force of the elastic member, the valve body is opened. When the air pressure is less than the elastic force of the elastic member, the valve body automatically closes.

[0066] Preferably, the battery pack further comprises a monitoring element, which is in communication connection with the blowing element and is used to monitor the state of the explosion-proof valve 102 so that the blowing element can be activated and blow air toward the branch pipeline 212 when the explosion-proof valve 102 is opened.

[0067] The present invention also relates to a battery pack thermal runaway control method, combining Figure 5 As shown, the battery pack thermal runaway control method applied to the battery pack in the previous embodiment includes the following steps:

[0068] S1. Monitor the status of the explosion-proof valve 102.

[0069] S2. When the explosion-proof valve 102 is opened, the blowing element is started to open the first one-way valve 22. The high-temperature gas discharged when the explosion-proof valve 102 explodes enters the conduit 31 through the second one-way valve 32 and is discharged from the battery pack through the gas outlet device 2. At the same time, the power device 1 drives the high-temperature gas in the conduit 31 to move toward the gas outlet device 2.

[0070] The invention belongs to the same concept as the previous air outlet device 2 and the battery pack. After it is detected by monitoring means that the explosion-proof valve has been opened, that is, it is in thermal runaway, the blowing element is started to assist in flushing open the first one-way valve in the air outlet pipe, and when the first one-way valve is flushed open, the power device is started to drive the high-temperature gas in the connecting pipe to move toward the air outlet pipe and be discharged out of the battery pack, thereby solving the technical problem that the existing first one-way valve is difficult to flush open, and effectively discharges the high-temperature gas out of the battery pack.

[0071] The technical features of the above embodiments may be combined arbitrarily. To make the description concise, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above 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.

[0072] The above embodiments only express several implementation methods of the present invention, 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 those of ordinary skill in the art, several variations and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these all belong to the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the patent of the present invention shall be subject to the attached claims.

Claims

1. A gas outlet device, characterized in that: The gas outlet device comprises: The air outlet pipe comprises a main section and a branch section which are connected to each other, wherein the main section and the branch section are connected at a connection port, and the main section has a main inlet and a main outlet; A first one-way valve, connected to the inner wall of the main body section and located between the main body outlet and the connecting port, wherein the flow direction of the first one-way valve is from the main body inlet to the main body outlet; a partition element connected to the inner wall of the main body section and located between the first one-way valve and the main body inlet, wherein the partition element separates the internal space of the main body section into a first channel and a second channel, and the connecting port is in communication with the second channel; and a blowing element connected to the branch section and used for blowing air toward the second channel through the branch section.

2. The gas outlet device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The diameter of the channel opening of the second channel near the connecting port is larger than the diameter of the channel opening near the first one-way valve.

3. The gas outlet device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The second channel includes a first straight channel, a transition channel and a second straight channel in sequence from the connecting port to the first one-way valve. The channel opening diameter of the first straight channel is larger than the channel opening diameter of the second straight channel. The channel opening diameter of the transition channel gradually decreases in the direction from the first straight channel to the second straight channel.

4. The gas outlet device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The diameter of the second channel gradually decreases from the connecting port to the main body inlet channel port.

5. The gas outlet device according to claim 4, characterized in that: One end of the partition element is connected to the inner wall of the main section and is closed, and the other end is abutted against the first one-way valve.

6. A battery pack, characterized in that: The battery pack comprises the gas outlet device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, and further comprises: A shell, wherein a discharge port is formed on the shell and the discharge port is communicated with the main body inlet; A battery cell is arranged in the housing, and an explosion-proof valve is arranged on the battery cell; A confluence pipe is arranged in the housing, the confluence pipe is communicated with the explosion-proof valve, the confluence pipe is connected to the discharge port, and is communicated with the main body inlet, and the high-temperature gas discharged when the explosion-proof valve explodes enters the confluence pipe and is discharged from the battery pack through the gas outlet device; A second one-way valve is disposed in the housing and is located between the battery cell and the flow conduit, wherein the flow direction of the second one-way valve is from the battery cell to the flow conduit; and A power device is used to drive the high-temperature gas in the confluence pipeline to move toward the gas outlet device.

7. The battery pack according to claim 6, characterized in that: The power device comprises a first power element, which is connected to the main body outlet and is used to drive the high-temperature gas to move toward the gas outlet device by exhausting air.

8. The battery pack according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that: The power device includes an intake pipe, a third one-way valve and a second power element. The intake pipe, the third one-way valve and the second power element are all arranged in the shell. The shell is provided with an inlet port, and the inlet port is connected with the outside of the battery pack. The two ends of the intake pipe are respectively connected with the inlet port and the junction line. The third one-way valve is arranged in the intake pipe, and the second power element is arranged in the intake pipe. The second power element is used to inhale air from the outside to drive the high-temperature gas in the junction line to move toward the outlet device.

9. The battery pack according to claim 6, characterized in that: The battery pack further includes a monitoring element, which is in communication with the blowing element and is used to monitor the state of the explosion-proof valve so that the blowing element can be activated and blow air toward the branch section when the explosion-proof valve is opened.

10. A method for controlling thermal runaway of a battery pack, characterized in that: Applied to the battery pack according to claims 6-9, the battery pack thermal runaway control method comprises the following steps: Monitoring the status of the explosion-proof valve; When the explosion-proof valve is opened, the blowing element is activated to flush open the first one-way valve; the high-temperature gas discharged when the explosion-proof valve explodes enters the busbar through the second one-way valve and is discharged from the battery pack through the gas outlet device. At the same time, the power device drives the high-temperature gas in the busbar to move toward the gas outlet device.

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