Energy storage device

Abstract

The invention discloses an energy storage device. The equipment comprises a plurality of battery packs, the plurality of battery packs are stacked, and adjacent battery packs in the plurality of battery packs are electrically connected through connecting terminals on contact surfaces of the battery packs so as to realize parallel operation capacity expansion; the fire-fighting module comprises a fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism which is integrated in any one of the plurality of battery packs; the fire fighting pipeline is connected to the fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism, penetrates through the contact surface between the adjacent battery packs and extends to the inner cavity of each battery pack in the plurality of battery packs; and the fire-fighting module is configured to trigger the fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism to release a fire extinguishing agent to the internal cavity of the battery pack subjected to thermal runaway through the fire-fighting pipeline in response to the thermal runaway of any one of the plurality of battery packs. According to the energy storage equipment, the temperature out-of-control condition of each battery module can be controlled under the condition that only a single fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism is installed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of energy storage devices, and in particular to an energy storage device. Background Art

[0002] Consumer-oriented energy storage devices with multiple battery modules (such as portable, balcony photovoltaic and home energy storage power supplies) generally use battery management systems (BMS), which prevent thermal runaway of battery modules through thermal management algorithms (such as monitoring temperature and triggering power reduction or shutdown). However, such measures are only effective before thermal runaway occurs. Once any battery module enters a thermal runaway state, existing safety mechanisms (such as power limitation or system shutdown) will not be able to prevent the violent chain reaction of exothermic reactions, which may cause battery fire or even explosion in extreme cases. Therefore, for thermal runaway that has occurred, current consumer-oriented energy storage devices generally lack effective active suppression or mitigation measures. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present application provides an energy storage device.

[0004] The energy storage devices involved in the embodiments of this application include:

[0005] Multiple battery packs are stacked and adjacent battery packs are electrically connected via connection terminals on their contact surfaces to achieve parallel expansion.

[0006] Fire protection module, including:

[0007] a fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism, integrated into any one of the plurality of battery packs;

[0008] a fire protection pipe connected to the fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism and extending through the contact surface between adjacent battery packs to the internal chamber of each battery pack of the plurality of battery packs;

[0009] The fire protection module is configured to: in response to thermal runaway of any battery pack among the multiple battery packs, trigger the fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism to release the fire extinguishing agent through the fire protection pipe to the internal chamber of the battery pack where thermal runaway occurs.

[0010] In this way, the energy storage device in the embodiment of the present application is provided with a fire-fighting pipe extending to the internal cavity of each battery pack so that the internal cavity of each battery pack is connected to each other relative to the fire-extinguishing agent storage mechanism, so that when the temperature of the battery module of any battery pack of the energy storage device runs out of control, the fire-fighting module can spray flame-retardant cooling material to the battery module where the temperature runs out of control. In this way, the temperature runaway of each battery module can be controlled when only a single fire-extinguishing agent storage mechanism is installed.

[0011] In certain embodiments, the fire protection pipe is passed through the connection terminals on the contact surfaces of adjacent battery packs.

[0012] In this way, the energy storage device in the embodiment of the present application can use the connection terminals of adjacent battery packs to lay fire protection pipes, thereby achieving connectivity between the internal chambers of each battery pack.

[0013] In certain embodiments, the fire protection module further includes a passive trigger mechanism, and the passive trigger mechanism extends along the fire protection pipe to the internal cavity of each of the plurality of battery packs.

[0014] Thus, in the energy storage device in the embodiment of the present application, the passive triggering mechanism of the fire protection module can be arranged along the fire protection pipe to extend to the internal cavity of each battery pack, so that each battery pack can achieve passive triggering of the fire protection module.

[0015] In some embodiments, the passive trigger mechanism is a plurality of thermal wires, which extend to the internal cavity of each of the plurality of battery packs respectively. The thermal wires are configured to burn when the temperature exceeds the combustion temperature of the thermal wires. After the thermal wires burn, they trigger the fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism to release the fire extinguishing agent through the fire fighting pipe to the internal cavity of the battery pack experiencing thermal runaway.

[0016] Thus, the energy storage device in the embodiment of the present application also specifically provides a configuration method of a passive trigger mechanism, so that the fire protection module can be passively triggered when the temperature of each battery pack is out of control.

[0017] In some embodiments, the fire protection module further includes a plurality of valves, each of which corresponds one-to-one to a different fire protection pipe extending into an internal cavity of each of the plurality of battery packs. The plurality of valves corresponds one-to-one to the plurality of thermosensitive wires. When any one of the plurality of valves opens in response to combustion of the corresponding thermosensitive wire, the fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism then releases the fire extinguishing agent through the fire protection pipe corresponding to the valve.

[0018] In this way, the energy storage device in the embodiment of the present application also realizes precise control of the fire extinguishing agent entering each battery pack by setting a valve corresponding to the fire protection pipe, which is controlled to open when the fire protection module is triggered by the corresponding thermal wire.

[0019] In certain embodiments, each of the plurality of battery packs further includes a battery module, and the fire detection area on the battery module of each battery pack is affixed with the thermal wire.

[0020] Thus, the energy storage device according to the embodiment of the present application further provides a method for setting up the thermosensitive wire.

[0021] In some embodiments, each of the plurality of battery packs further comprises a battery management and monitoring board and a battery module, wherein the battery management and monitoring board in each battery pack is electrically connected to the battery module, and the battery management and monitoring board is configured to monitor battery status information of the battery module electrically connected thereto;

[0022] The fire protection module further includes an active trigger mechanism, which extends along the fire protection pipe to the internal cavity of each battery pack of the plurality of battery packs and is electrically connected to the battery management and monitoring board thereof;

[0023] When the battery management monitoring board of any battery pack among the multiple battery packs monitors that its battery status information has thermal runaway, the battery management monitoring board sends a thermal runaway signal to the active triggering mechanism, thereby triggering the fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism to release the fire extinguishing agent through the fire fighting pipe to the internal cavity of the battery pack where thermal runaway has occurred.

[0024] In this way, in the energy storage device in the embodiment of the present application, the active triggering mechanism of the fire protection module can be arranged along the fire protection pipe to extend to the internal cavity of each battery pack, and the active triggering of the fire protection module can be realized through the electrical connection between it and the battery management monitoring board.

[0025] In some embodiments, the active triggering mechanism is a plurality of electric initiators, which are respectively electrically connected to the battery management and monitoring boards of the plurality of battery packs; the fire protection module also includes a plurality of valves, which respectively correspond one-to-one to different fire protection pipes extending into the internal chamber of each of the plurality of battery packs, and the plurality of valves correspond one-to-one to the plurality of electric initiators. Any one of the plurality of valves opens in response to the corresponding electric initiator receiving a thermal runaway signal, and the fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism then releases the fire extinguishing agent through the fire protection pipe corresponding to the valve.

[0026] In this way, the energy storage device in the embodiment of the present application also realizes precise control of the fire extinguishing agent entering each battery pack by setting a valve corresponding to the fire-fighting pipe, which is controlled to open when the fire-fighting module is triggered by the corresponding active triggering mechanism.

[0027] In some embodiments, the thermal runaway signal is an electrical start signal, which includes a current or voltage signal generated when switching from a closed state to an open state, or a current or voltage signal generated when switching from an open state to a closed state.

[0028] Thus, the energy storage device in the embodiment of the present application further provides a form of a start signal when the fire protection module is passively triggered and actively triggered.

[0029] In certain embodiments, the plurality of battery packs include an integrated energy storage unit and at least one energy storage and power pack;

[0030] The energy storage integrated machine is used to receive electricity generated by photovoltaic panels or electricity from the power grid and store it, and to supply power to loads or the power grid;

[0031] The at least one energy storage power-up pack is used for parallel operation with the energy storage integrated machine for capacity expansion.

[0032] In this way, the energy storage device in the embodiment of the present application can achieve parallel expansion of the energy storage device by providing an all-in-one device and a power pack.

[0033] Additional aspects and advantages of the embodiments of the present application will be given in part in the description below, and in part will become obvious from the description below, or will be learned through practice of the embodiments of the present application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present application will become apparent and easily understood from the following description of the embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0035] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of the energy storage module in the embodiment of the present application;

[0036] Figure 2 This is one of the structural decomposition diagrams of the energy storage device in the embodiment of this application;

[0037] Figure 3 This is the second schematic diagram of the structural decomposition of the energy storage device in the embodiment of this application;

[0038] Figure 4 This is the third structural decomposition diagram of the energy storage device in the embodiment of this application;

[0039] Figure 5 This is the fourth structural decomposition diagram of the energy storage device in the embodiment of this application.

[0040] Among them: 100, energy storage device; 110, battery pack; 111, main battery pack; 112, energy storage and charging pack; 1111, main battery module; 1112, functional module; 1121, charging battery module; 120, fire protection module; 121, fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism; 122, fire protection pipeline; 123, valve assembly; 130, connecting terminal; A, female terminal; B, male terminal; 140, shell. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] The embodiments of the present application are described in detail below. Examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals represent the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the embodiments of the present application, and should not be understood as limiting the embodiments of the present application.

[0042] Current consumer-oriented energy storage products (such as balcony photovoltaic energy storage) generally rely on BMS-based preemptive thermal runaway prevention and control strategies. This strategy monitors the temperature of battery cells and key components (inverters, BMS, EMS), triggering derating or shutdown to reduce temperatures and prevent risks. However, with the increasing integration of equipment (battery modules, BMS, EMS, and inverters), their internal environments are becoming increasingly complex, making it difficult for pre-set algorithms to cover all unexpected abnormalities. More importantly, if thermal runaway breaks through the algorithm's defenses (such as smoke and fire), existing solutions lack timely and effective emergency response measures.

[0043] On the other hand, while large-scale industrial and commercial energy storage systems are equipped with fully functional fire protection systems (including multiple sensors, complex wiring, and even pipe networks), their design is based on specific premises: first, ample space: they can be deployed in dedicated locations (abandoned factories, independent power stations, port areas, factory rooftops), without spatial density restrictions; second, they are insensitive to cost and power consumption: the system's large size makes it relatively insensitive to the high complexity, high cost, large size, and high power consumption of fire protection systems. Therefore, the "high complexity, high cost, large size, and high power consumption" characteristics of industrial and commercial fire protection systems make them completely unsuitable for user-oriented products such as balcony energy storage, which require compact space, are cost-sensitive, and have power constraints.

[0044] In summary, the current market urgently needs a fire protection solution tailored for consumer-oriented energy storage equipment.

[0045] In this application, the energy storage device 100 may refer to a consumer-oriented energy storage power supply, which may specifically include a portable energy storage power supply, a balcony photovoltaic energy storage power supply, and a household energy storage power supply.

[0046] See also Figure 1 The energy storage device 100 in the embodiment of the present application includes a plurality of battery packs 110 , which are stacked and electrically connected to adjacent battery packs 110 via connection terminals 130 on their contact surfaces to achieve parallel expansion.

[0047] Fire protection module 120, including:

[0048] a fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism 121 , integrated into any one of the plurality of battery packs 110 ;

[0049] a fire-fighting pipe 122 connected to the fire-extinguishing agent storage mechanism 121 and passing through the contact surfaces between adjacent battery packs 110 to extend to the internal cavity of each battery pack 110 of the plurality of battery packs 110;

[0050] The fire protection module 120 is configured to: in response to thermal runaway of any battery pack 110 among the multiple battery packs 110 , trigger the fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism 121 to release the fire extinguishing agent through the fire protection pipe 122 to the internal chamber of the battery pack 110 where thermal runaway occurs.

[0051] In certain embodiments, the plurality of battery packs 110 include an integrated energy storage unit and at least one energy storage and power pack 112 ;

[0052] The energy storage device is used to receive and store electricity generated by photovoltaic panels or electricity from the power grid, and to supply power to loads or the power grid;

[0053] At least one energy storage power pack 112 is used for parallel expansion with the energy storage integrated machine.

[0054] Specifically, see Figure 1 The energy storage device 100 in the embodiment of the present application may be a household energy storage device 100 or an industrial energy storage device 100. Generally, the energy storage device 100 includes a plurality of stacked battery packs 110. Figure 1 The angle shown is when the energy storage device 100 is in normal use, that is, the battery packs 110 are stacked in the vertical direction. In particular, the multiple battery packs 110 generally include an energy storage integrated device and multiple energy storage power packs 112. Figure 2 The integrated energy storage system includes the main battery pack 111 of the energy storage device 100 and functional modules 1112 for implementing functions such as photovoltaic power generation and external grid connection. This allows the integrated energy storage system to generate electricity through photovoltaic panels or exchange electricity with the external grid. The energy storage booster pack 112, through electrical connection with the integrated energy storage system, enables parallel operation, thereby expanding the energy storage system's power capacity.

[0055] Please continue reading Figure 2 , Figure 2 The internal structure of the energy storage device 100 in an embodiment of the present application is shown, wherein each battery pack 110 includes a battery module and a housing 140. The battery module is disposed within the housing 140 and protected by the housing 140. For example, the main battery pack 111 includes the housing 140, a main battery module 1111 disposed within the housing 140, and a functional module 1112 disposed outside the housing 140. Each energy storage power-up pack 112 includes the housing 140 and a power-up battery module 1121 disposed within the housing 140.

[0056] Furthermore, each battery pack 110 is provided with a connection terminal 130 on its outer surface for connecting adjacent battery packs 110. When adjacent battery packs 110 are connected to each other, it is achieved through the connection between the connection terminals 130. For example, see Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 , Figure 4 The connecting terminal 130 between the main battery pack 111 and the energy storage and power pack 112 is shown, wherein the outer surface of the main battery pack 111 forms a female terminal A, and the outer surface of the adjacent energy storage and power pack 112 forms a male terminal B. When the two are stacked, the female terminal A and the male terminal B of the adjacent battery pack 110 are connected to form a complete connecting terminal 130, thereby achieving a connection between the two adjacent battery packs 110. Similarly, please refer to Figure 5 , Figure 5 The diagram shows a connecting terminal 130 between two adjacent energy storage power packs 112, wherein a female terminal A is formed on the outer surface of one energy storage power pack 112, and a male terminal B is formed on the outer surface of the other adjacent energy storage power pack 112. When the two are stacked, the female terminal A is socketed with the male terminal B of the adjacent battery pack 110 to form a complete connecting terminal 130, thereby realizing the connection between the two adjacent battery packs 110.

[0057] Furthermore, components for electrical connection are provided at the connection terminals 130. When adjacent battery packs 110 are connected to each other via the connection terminals 130, the two battery packs 110 can also be electrically connected at the same time. In this way, the battery packs 110 can be superimposed and applied, thereby expanding the power capacity of the energy storage device by parallel operation.

[0058] In addition, the energy storage device 100 also includes a fire protection module 120. The main function of the fire protection module 120 is to release fire extinguishing agent to the battery pack 110 that has thermal runaway when any of the multiple battery packs 110 has thermal runaway, thereby achieving temperature and fire control. Figure 2The firefighting module 120 includes two parts: one is a fire extinguisher storage mechanism, which stores the aforementioned fire extinguishing agent and can spray the fire extinguishing agent when triggered; the other is a firefighting pipe 122. The firefighting pipe 122 is connected to the firefighting agent storage mechanism 121 on one hand, and extends to the internal chamber of each battery pack 110 on the other hand. Since each battery pack 110 is independent of each other, the firefighting pipe 122 needs to pass through the contact surface between adjacent battery packs 110 when it is set up, so that the firefighting pipe 122 can reach the internal chamber of each battery pack 110. The main function of the firefighting pipe 122 is to guide the firefighting agent to the battery pack 110 experiencing thermal runaway when the firefighting agent storage mechanism 121 is triggered to spray the firefighting agent, thereby controlling the temperature of the battery pack 110 and the intensity of the fire.

[0059] Then, under the configuration of the above-mentioned fire-fighting module 120, the energy storage device 100 can use the fire-fighting agent sprayed by the single fire-fighting agent storage mechanism 121 to control the temperature and extinguish the fire of the battery pack 110 that has thermal runaway. Then, when the above-mentioned energy storage device 100 is installed with the fire-fighting module 120, only a single fire-fighting agent storage mechanism 121 can be configured for the entire energy storage device 100, thereby achieving the purpose of reducing the number of components of the energy storage device 100, thereby simplifying the energy storage system structure, and reducing cost, volume and weight. The design of the fire-fighting module 120 is particularly suitable for consumer-grade energy storage devices such as stacked battery packs. Its fire-fighting pipe 122 is provided through the connection terminal on the contact surface of the battery pack, which does not affect the appearance of the equipment and can achieve centralized fire protection for multiple battery packs through a single fire extinguisher storage device.

[0060] For example, see Figure 2 , Figure 2 The situation shown is that the fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism 121 is set at the energy storage integrated machine, and Figure 3 The illustrated case is that the fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism 121 is disposed at a certain energy storage and power pack 112. In either case, it is only necessary to dispose the fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism 121 and the fire fighting pipe 122 according to the disposition mode of the fire fighting module 120 in the above embodiment.

[0061] In this way, the energy storage device 100 in the embodiment of the present application is provided with a fire protection pipe 122 extending to the internal cavity of each battery pack 110 so that the internal cavity of each battery pack 110 is connected to each other relative to the fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism 121, so that the fire protection module 120 can spray flame retardant cooling material to the battery module experiencing temperature runaway when the battery module of any battery pack 110 of the energy storage device 100 experiences temperature runaway. In this way, the temperature runaway of each battery module can be controlled when only a single fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism 121 is installed. The design of the fire protection module 120 is particularly suitable for consumer-grade energy storage devices such as stacked multiple battery packs. Its fire protection pipe 122 is provided through the connection terminal on the contact surface of the battery pack, which does not affect the appearance of the device and can achieve centralized fire protection for multiple battery packs through a single fire extinguisher storage device.

[0062] In some embodiments, the fire protection pipe 122 passes through the connection terminal 130 on the contact surface of the adjacent battery pack 110 .

[0063] Specifically, based on the above-mentioned embodiment, the location of the fire duct 122 can be arbitrarily selected on the contact surface of the adjacent battery packs 110. Taking into account the design convenience and ease of use of the equipment, for example, the fire duct 122 can be passed through the connection terminal 130 on the contact surface of the adjacent battery pack 110. This can avoid the need to form additional through holes on the contact surface in order to set up the fire duct 122, thereby ensuring the protection of the internal cavity of the battery pack 110 as much as possible. At the same time, the connection function of the connection terminal 130 can be utilized to synchronously realize the further extension of the fire duct 122 when the adjacent battery packs 110 are connected together through the connection terminal 130. For example, please refer to Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 One end of the fire-fighting pipe 122 is connected to the fire-extinguishing agent storage mechanism 121, and the other end extends to the internal cavity of the corresponding battery pack 110. At the same time, the fire-fighting pipe 122 is arranged in the connecting terminals 130 of the two adjacent battery packs 110. In this way, the fire-fighting pipe 122 passes through the contact surface of the two adjacent battery packs 110 through the connecting terminals 130 and reaches the internal cavity of the corresponding battery pack 110.

[0064] In this way, the energy storage device 100 in the embodiment of the present application can utilize the connection terminals 130 of adjacent battery packs 110 to lay the fire protection pipes 122 , thereby achieving connectivity between the internal chambers of each battery pack 110 .

[0065] In some embodiments, the fire protection module 120 further includes a passive trigger mechanism, which extends along the corresponding fire protection pipe 122 to the internal cavity of the corresponding battery pack 110 .

[0066] Specifically, based on the above-described embodiment, regarding the triggering method of the fire protection module 120, the fire protection module 120 is illustratively provided with a passive trigger mechanism, one end of which is connected to the fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism 121 and the other end of which extends into the internal cavity of the corresponding battery pack 110. The main function of the passive trigger mechanism is to directly trigger the fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism 121 based on physical parameters such as temperature when a battery pack 110 experiences temperature runaway. When the temperature at the passive trigger mechanism rises above a preset temperature threshold and remains constant for a certain period of time, the fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism 121 is triggered to spray fire extinguishing agent. The fire extinguishing agent is then sprayed along the fire protection pipe 122 into the internal cavity of the battery pack 110 experiencing thermal runaway, thereby controlling the temperature of the battery modules within the corresponding battery pack 110 and the fire protection pipe 122. In other words, each battery pack 110 corresponds to a fire protection pipe 122, and each fire protection pipe 122 is equipped with a passive trigger mechanism.

[0067] In this way, in the energy storage device 100 in the embodiment of the present application, the passive triggering mechanism of the fire protection module 120 can be arranged along the fire protection pipe 122 to extend to the internal cavity of each battery pack 110, so that each battery pack 110 can achieve passive triggering of the fire protection module 120.

[0068] In some embodiments, the passive trigger mechanism is a plurality of thermal wires, which extend to the internal cavity of each battery pack 110 in the plurality of battery packs 110 respectively. The thermal wires are used to burn when the temperature exceeds the combustion temperature of the thermal wires. After the thermal wires burn, the fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism 121 is triggered to release the fire extinguishing agent through the fire fighting pipe 122 to the internal cavity of the battery pack 110 where thermal runaway occurs.

[0069] Specifically, based on the above embodiment, the passive trigger mechanism can be specifically manifested as a thermal wire, one end of which is connected to the fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism 121, and the other end extends into the internal cavity of the corresponding battery pack 110. Each battery pack 110 corresponds to a thermal wire. Furthermore, the thermal wire can be placed in the fire protection pipe 122 and extended to the internal cavity of the corresponding battery pack 110 along the laying direction of the fire protection pipe 122. In this way, when the battery pack 110 experiences temperature runaway, the thermal wire can directly sense the temperature change within the battery pack 110. When the temperature change exceeds the property range of the thermal wire itself, the thermal wire can directly trigger the fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism 121, thereby prompting the fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism 121 to spray the fire extinguishing agent. The fire extinguishing agent is then sprayed along the fire protection pipe 122 to the internal cavity of the battery pack 110 experiencing thermal runaway, thereby achieving temperature control of the battery pack 110 and controlling the fire.

[0070] For example, the thermal wire can be a thermal wire or a fuse. The thermal wire can transfer heat from the battery module's temperature changes to the fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism 121 through its own temperature changes. When the temperature change of the thermal wire exceeds its own preset parameter threshold, the fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism 121 is triggered to spray fire extinguishing agent. The thermal wire is generally a heat-conducting wire made of copper-nickel alloy. The wire's high-temperature resistance ensures that the thermal wire can properly trigger the fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism 121 in the event of temperature runaway. The fuse can trigger the fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism 121 by melting itself when the battery pack 110 temperature runs away.

[0071] Thus, the energy storage device 100 in the embodiment of the present application also specifically provides a configuration method of a passive triggering mechanism, so that the fire protection module 120 can be passively triggered when the temperature of each battery pack 110 is out of control.

[0072] In some embodiments, the fire protection module 120 further includes a plurality of valves, each of which corresponds one-to-one to a different fire protection pipe 122 in an internal chamber of each battery pack 110 in the plurality of battery packs 110. The plurality of valves corresponds one-to-one to a plurality of thermosensitive wires. When any one of the plurality of valves opens in response to combustion of the corresponding thermosensitive wire, the fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism 121 then releases the fire extinguishing agent through the fire protection pipe 122 corresponding to the valve.

[0073] Specifically, based on the above-described embodiments, and in order to precisely control the spraying of fire extinguishing agent into the internal chamber of the battery pack 110 experiencing thermal runaway and prevent the fire extinguishing agent from entering the internal chambers of battery packs 110 not experiencing thermal runaway, the fire protection module 120 is illustratively further provided with multiple valves, each corresponding to a fire protection pipe 122, that is, each valve corresponding to a battery pack 110. In addition to the above-described configuration, in a further exemplary embodiment, the valves are linked to thermal wires. For example, initially, all valves are closed. When a battery pack 110 experiences thermal runaway, the thermal wire corresponding to that battery pack 110 triggers the fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism 121. At this point, the valve corresponding to that battery pack 110 also opens in response to the triggering of the fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism 121 by the thermal wire, while the valves corresponding to other battery packs 110 remain closed. This precisely directs the fire extinguishing agent sprayed from the fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism 121 into the internal chamber of the battery pack 110 experiencing thermal runaway, thereby achieving temperature and fire control.

[0074] For example, see Figure 2 as well as Figure 3, multiple valves can generally be expressed as a valve assembly 123 that integrates multiple valves together. The valve assembly 123 surrounds the fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism 121, and each fire fighting pipe 122 is connected to the valve assembly 123. A valve is set at the connection between the valve assembly 123 and the fire fighting pipe 122. In the initial state, each valve in the valve assembly 123 is in a closed state. When a battery pack 110 experiences thermal runaway, the thermistor corresponding to the battery pack 110 and set in the corresponding fire fighting pipe 122 transmits the temperature change of the battery module in the internal chamber of the battery pack 110 to the fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism 121, thereby triggering the fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism 121 to spray the fire extinguishing agent and at the same time triggering the valve at the corresponding fire fighting pipe 122 to open, so as to guide the sprayed fire extinguishing agent to the internal chamber of the battery pack 110 that has experienced thermal runaway, thereby controlling the temperature and fire intensity of the battery pack 110.

[0075] In this way, the energy storage device 100 in the embodiment of the present application also realizes precise control of the fire extinguishing agent entering each battery pack 110 by setting a valve corresponding to the fire fighting pipe 122, which is controlled to open when the fire fighting module 120 is triggered by the corresponding thermal line.

[0076] In certain embodiments, each of the plurality of battery packs 110 further includes a battery module, and a heat-sensitive wire is attached to a fire detection area on the battery module of each battery pack 110 .

[0077] Specifically, based on the above embodiment, illustratively, a battery module is provided in the internal chamber of each battery pack 110. Generally, the thermal runaway state of the battery pack 110 is specifically manifested as the battery module temperature being too high or the battery module catching fire. Taking into account the sensitivity of the passive trigger mechanism to trigger the fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism 121, illustratively, the thermistor in the above embodiment extends to one side of the internal chamber of the battery pack 110 and is directly attached to the fire detection area of ​​the battery module included in the battery pack 110. Among them, the above-mentioned fire detection area has the following two characteristics: first, the temperature change is more obvious, and the accuracy of the temperature change detected by the thermistor in the fire detection area is relatively high; second, when the battery module catches fire, the fire detection area contains high-temperature gas or even flames, which can improve the triggering sensitivity of the fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism 121.

[0078] Thus, the energy storage device 100 according to the embodiment of the present application further provides a method for setting up the thermosensitive wire.

[0079] In some embodiments, each battery pack 110 of the plurality of battery packs 110 further includes a battery management and monitoring board and a battery module. The battery management and monitoring board in each battery pack 110 is electrically connected to the battery module, and the battery management and monitoring board is configured to monitor battery status information of the battery module electrically connected thereto.

[0080] The fire protection module 120 further includes an active trigger mechanism, which extends along the fire protection pipe 122 to the internal cavity of each battery pack 110 in the plurality of battery packs 110 and is electrically connected to its battery management and monitoring board;

[0081] When the battery management monitoring board of any battery pack 110 among the multiple battery packs 110 monitors that its battery status information has thermal runaway, the battery management monitoring board sends a thermal runaway signal to the active triggering mechanism, thereby triggering the fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism 121 to release the fire extinguishing agent through the fire fighting pipe 122 to the internal cavity of the battery pack 110 where thermal runaway has occurred.

[0082] Specifically, in addition to the passive triggering method achieved through temperature changes in the above-mentioned embodiment, the fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism 121 in the fire protection module 120 can also be triggered actively through circuitry. For example, each battery pack 110 includes a battery module and a battery management and monitoring board used in conjunction with the battery module. An electrical connection is established between the battery module and the battery management and monitoring board to enable the battery management and monitoring board to monitor the battery status information of the battery module. Correspondingly, the fire protection module 120 is also provided with an active trigger mechanism for each battery pack 110. Similar to the passive trigger mechanism in the above embodiment, one end of the active trigger mechanism is connected to the fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism 121, and the other end extends along the fire protection pipe 122 to the internal cavity of the corresponding battery pack 110, and is connected to the above-mentioned battery management and monitoring board. The cooperation between the active trigger mechanism and the battery management and monitoring board is mainly to monitor the battery status information of its matching battery module through the battery management and monitoring board. When the battery status information indicates that the current battery module is in a thermal runaway state, the battery management and monitoring board actively sends a thermal runaway signal to the active trigger mechanism, and sends the thermal runaway signal to the fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism 121 through the active trigger mechanism, and finally triggers the fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism 121 to spray the fire extinguishing agent, thereby realizing the active triggering of the fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism 121.

[0083] In this way, in the energy storage device 100 in the embodiment of the present application, the active triggering mechanism of the fire protection module 120 can be arranged along the fire protection pipe 122 to extend to the internal cavity of each battery pack 110, and the active triggering of the fire protection module 120 can be realized through the electrical connection between it and the battery management monitoring board.

[0084] In some embodiments, the active triggering mechanism is a plurality of electric initiators, which are respectively electrically connected to the battery management and monitoring boards of the plurality of battery packs 110; the fire protection module 120 also includes a plurality of valves, which respectively correspond one-to-one to different fire protection pipes 122 in the internal chamber of each battery pack 110 extending to the plurality of battery packs 110, and the plurality of valves correspond one-to-one to the plurality of electric initiators. Any one of the plurality of valves opens in response to the corresponding electric initiator receiving a thermal runaway signal, and the fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism 121 then releases the fire extinguishing agent through the fire protection pipe 122 corresponding to the valve.

[0085] Specifically, based on the above-mentioned embodiment, illustratively, the active triggering mechanism is generally manifested as an electric initiator, each battery pack 110 corresponds to an electric initiator, and the electric initiator is arranged in the fire protection pipe 122 corresponding to the battery pack 110 and connected to the fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism 121, so that a relatively independent active triggering means can be arranged for each battery pack 110.

[0086] Furthermore, in some examples, in order to precisely control the injection of fire extinguishing agent into the internal chamber of a battery pack 110 experiencing thermal runaway and prevent the fire extinguishing agent from entering the internal chamber of a battery pack 110 not experiencing thermal runaway, the fire protection module 120 is illustratively provided with multiple valves, each corresponding to a fire protection pipe 122, that is, each valve corresponding to a battery pack 110. In addition to the above configuration, the valves are linked to the electric trigger, for example, in the initial state, each valve is in the closed state. When a battery pack 110 experiences thermal runaway, the battery management and monitoring board corresponding to the battery pack 110 sends a thermal runaway signal to the fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism 121 through the electric initiator connected thereto, thereby actively triggering the fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism 121. At this time, the valve corresponding to the battery pack 110 also opens in response to the thermal runaway signal sent by the battery management and monitoring board, while the valves corresponding to other battery packs 110 continue to remain closed, thereby accurately guiding the fire extinguishing agent sprayed out by the fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism 121 when it is triggered to enter the internal cavity of the battery pack 110 where thermal runaway occurs, thereby achieving control of the temperature and fire intensity.

[0087] For example, see Figure 2 as well as Figure 3, multiple valves can generally be expressed as a valve assembly 123 that integrates multiple valves together. The valve assembly 123 surrounds the fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism 121. Each fire protection pipe 122 is connected to the valve assembly 123. A valve is set at the connection between the valve assembly 123 and the fire protection pipe 122. In the initial state, each valve in the valve assembly 123 is in a closed state. When a battery pack 110 experiences thermal runaway, the battery management and monitoring board corresponding to the battery pack 110 transmits the thermal runaway signal to the fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism 121 through the electric trigger set in the corresponding fire protection pipe 122, thereby triggering the fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism 121 to spray the fire extinguishing agent and simultaneously triggering the valve at the corresponding fire protection pipe 122 to open, so as to guide the sprayed fire extinguishing agent to the internal chamber of the battery pack 110 that has experienced thermal runaway, thereby controlling the temperature and fire intensity of the battery pack 110.

[0088] In this way, the energy storage device 100 in the embodiment of the present application also realizes precise control of the fire extinguishing agent entering each battery pack 110 by setting a valve corresponding to the fire fighting pipe 122, which is controlled to open when the fire fighting module 120 is triggered by the corresponding active triggering mechanism.

[0089] In some embodiments, the thermal runaway signal is an electrical start signal, which includes a current or voltage signal generated when switching from a closed state to an open state, or a current or voltage signal generated when switching from an open state to a closed state.

[0090] Specifically, based on the above-mentioned embodiment, the thermal runaway signal sent by the battery management monitoring board to the active trigger mechanism is an electrical start signal, which can be a current or voltage signal generated when a certain circuit switches from a closed state to an open state, or a current or voltage signal generated when a certain circuit switches from an open state to a closed state. For example, when the battery management monitoring board learns that the current battery module has thermal runaway by monitoring the battery status information, the trigger circuit connected to the active trigger mechanism switches its state. If the initial state of the trigger circuit is a closed state, the trigger circuit is switched to an open state. If the initial state of the trigger circuit is an open state, the trigger circuit is switched to a closed state. When the state of the trigger circuit changes, the trigger circuit will generate a current signal or a voltage signal accordingly. This signal can be transmitted to the fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism 121 through the active trigger mechanism connected thereto, thereby triggering the fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism 121.

[0091] Thus, the energy storage device 100 in the embodiment of the present application further provides a form of a start signal when the fire protection module 120 is passively triggered and actively triggered.

[0092] In the description of this specification, the reference terms "certain embodiments", "in an example", "exemplarily", etc. mean that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiments or examples are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present application. In this specification, the schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described may be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner. In addition, those skilled in the art may combine and combine the different embodiments or examples described in this specification and the features of the different embodiments or examples, unless they are mutually inconsistent.

[0093] Any process or method description in a flowchart or otherwise described herein may be understood to represent a module, segment or portion of code comprising one or more executable instructions for implementing the steps of a specific logical function or process, and the scope of the preferred embodiments of the present application includes alternative implementations in which functions may be performed out of the order shown or discussed, including performing functions in a substantially simultaneous manner or in the reverse order depending on the functions involved, which should be understood by those skilled in the art to which the embodiments of the present application belong.

[0094] Although the embodiments of the present application have been shown and described above, it can be understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and cannot be understood as limitations on the present application. Ordinary technicians in this field can change, modify, replace and modify the above embodiments within the scope of the present application.

Claims

1. An energy storage device, characterized in that: The energy storage device comprises: A plurality of battery packs, wherein the plurality of battery packs are stacked and adjacent battery packs are electrically connected via connection terminals on their contact surfaces to achieve parallel expansion; Fire protection module, including: a fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism, integrated into any one of the plurality of battery packs; a fire-fighting pipe connected to the fire-extinguishing agent storage mechanism and extending through the contact surface between adjacent battery packs to the internal chamber of each of the plurality of battery packs; The fire protection module is configured to, in response to thermal runaway of any one of the multiple battery packs, trigger the fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism to release the fire extinguishing agent through the fire protection pipe to the internal chamber of the battery pack experiencing thermal runaway.

2. The energy storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that The fire protection pipe is arranged through the connection terminals on the contact surfaces of adjacent battery packs.

3. The energy storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that The fire protection module further includes a passive trigger mechanism, which extends along the fire protection pipe to the internal cavity of each battery pack of the plurality of battery packs.

4. The energy storage device according to claim 3, characterized in that The passive trigger mechanism is a plurality of thermal wires, which extend to the internal cavity of each of the plurality of battery packs respectively. The thermal wires are used to burn when the temperature exceeds the combustion temperature of the thermal wires. After the thermal wires burn, they trigger the fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism to release the fire extinguishing agent through the fire fighting pipe to the internal cavity of the battery pack where thermal runaway occurs.

5. The energy storage device according to claim 4, characterized in that The fire protection module also includes a plurality of valves, each of which corresponds one-to-one to a different fire protection pipe extending into an internal cavity of each of the plurality of battery packs. The plurality of valves corresponds one-to-one to the plurality of thermosensitive wires. When any one of the plurality of valves opens in response to combustion of the corresponding thermosensitive wire, the fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism then releases the fire extinguishing agent through the fire protection pipe corresponding to the valve.

6. The energy storage device according to claim 4, characterized in that Each of the multiple battery packs further includes a battery module, and the fire detection area on the battery module of each battery pack is affixed with the thermal wire.

7. The energy storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that Each of the plurality of battery packs further comprises a battery management and monitoring board and a battery module, wherein the battery management and monitoring board in each battery pack is electrically connected to the battery module, and the battery management and monitoring board is configured to monitor battery status information of the battery module electrically connected thereto; The fire protection module further includes an active trigger mechanism, which extends along the fire protection pipe to the internal cavity of each of the plurality of battery packs and is electrically connected to the battery management and monitoring board thereof; When the battery management monitoring board of any battery pack among the multiple battery packs monitors that its battery status information has thermal runaway, the battery management monitoring board sends a thermal runaway signal to the active triggering mechanism, thereby triggering the fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism to release the fire extinguishing agent through the fire fighting pipe to the internal cavity of the battery pack where thermal runaway has occurred.

8. The energy storage device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The active triggering mechanism is a plurality of electric initiators, which are respectively electrically connected to the battery management and monitoring boards of the plurality of battery packs; the fire protection module also includes a plurality of valves, which respectively correspond one-to-one to different fire protection pipes extending into the internal cavity of each of the plurality of battery packs, and the plurality of valves correspond one-to-one to the plurality of electric initiators. Any one of the plurality of valves opens in response to the corresponding electric initiator receiving a thermal runaway signal, and the fire extinguishing agent storage mechanism then releases the fire extinguishing agent through the fire protection pipe corresponding to the valve.

9. The energy storage device according to claim 8, characterized in that The thermal runaway signal is an electrical start signal, which includes a current or voltage signal generated when switching from a closed state to an open state, or a current or voltage signal generated when switching from an open state to a closed state.

10. The energy storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that The plurality of battery packs include an integrated energy storage unit and at least one energy storage and power pack; The energy storage integrated machine is used to receive electricity generated by photovoltaic panels or electricity from the power grid and store it, and to supply power to loads or the power grid; The at least one energy storage power-up pack is used for parallel operation with the energy storage integrated machine for capacity expansion.

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