Power battery fire-fighting cabin and battery swapping station with power battery fire-fighting cabin

Abstract

The power battery fire-fighting cabin (100) comprises a box body (10), the upper end of the box body (10) is open, a containing cavity (101) is formed in the box body (10), the containing cavity (101) is used for containing a thermal runaway power battery, at least the bottom of the containing cavity (101) is filled with fire-fighting liquid, and the box body (10) comprises a top frame (106) forming the opening in a surrounding mode. A plurality of lock catch devices (4) are arranged on the top frame (106), a fire-fighting platform (5) used for placing a power battery is further arranged in the box body (10) in a lifting mode, and the lock catch devices (4) have a first state for preventing the fire-fighting platform (5) from descending and a second state for allowing the fire-fighting platform (5) to descend. After the risk level of thermal runaway is judged through the fire-fighting platform (5), the recycling rate of the power battery can be increased by selecting a proper fire-fighting means, and meanwhile the safety and reliability of the battery replacing station can be improved by externally arranging the fire-fighting bin.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of battery swap stations, and in particular to a power battery fire compartment and a battery swap station having the same. Background Art

[0002] With the development and application of new energy vehicle technology, the methods for recharging vehicles have expanded. Some vehicles, such as new energy heavy-duty trucks, have adopted battery replacement, replacing the charging method used in passenger cars. Compared with charging, battery replacement, or battery swapping, can fully charge the vehicle in a shorter time, improving vehicle utilization. Currently, battery swapping is generally performed at dedicated battery swap stations, which store a certain number of power batteries. There is a risk of thermal runaway during charging and swapping of power batteries at these stations. If fire prevention measures are not taken quickly to prevent thermal runaway power batteries, fires or even explosions could occur, causing significant property damage to the entire battery swap station and surrounding buildings, and even endangering the lives of nearby personnel.

[0003] Existing battery swap stations typically have dedicated channels for transporting battery packs experiencing thermal runaway, and firefighting water tanks are installed within these dedicated channels. When a battery pack experiences thermal runaway, it is transported and placed into the firefighting water tank for firefighting treatment. This firefighting system takes up a significant amount of space within the battery swap station, resulting in increased size, increased costs, and reduced turnover. Furthermore, existing firefighting water tanks typically employ destructive firefighting, directly immersing thermally runaway power batteries in firefighting fluid. This makes the power batteries difficult to repair and utilize, especially when thermal runaway is localized or controllable. This destructive firefighting method is undesirable, necessitating the development of a new power battery firefighting compartment for use in battery swap stations. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a power battery fire fighting compartment, which can take corresponding fire fighting measures according to the level of thermal runaway of the power battery, eliminate the safety hazards brought by the thermal runaway battery and avoid the use of destructive means for fire fighting as much as possible.

[0005] In order to achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present invention provides a power battery fire-fighting compartment, which includes a box body with an upper opening and an internal cavity, wherein the cavity is used to accommodate power batteries in thermal runaway and at least the bottom is filled with fire-fighting fluid. The box body includes a top frame surrounding the aforementioned opening, and the top frame is provided with multiple locking devices. A fire-fighting platform for placing power batteries is also provided in the box body, and the locking device has a first state that prevents the fire-fighting platform from descending and a second state that allows the fire-fighting platform to descend.

[0006] Furthermore, the locking device includes a main body portion fixedly connected to the top frame and a locking tongue portion rotatably connected to the main body portion. When the locking device is in the first state, the rear end of the locking tongue portion is locked to the main body portion, and the front end of the locking tongue portion is used to hang the fire platform.

[0007] Furthermore, the locking device includes a movable pin, and the main body is provided with a guide groove for movably receiving the movable pin. When the locking device is in the first state, the rear end of the locking tongue is fixed to the main body by the movable pin.

[0008] Furthermore, a driving device is provided on the outside of the box body, and a cable is provided between the driving device and the movable pin of the locking device. The driving device pulls the movable pin toward the outside of the top frame through the cable to release the rear end of the lock tongue part, and then the lock tongue part rotates to release the front end of the fire fighting platform, allowing the fire fighting platform to sink. An elastic element is provided on the main body for resetting the movable pin toward the inside of the top frame.

[0009] Furthermore, the driving device is connected to at least two locking devices via a cable.

[0010] Furthermore, the locking device includes a main body portion fixedly connected to the top frame and a locking tongue portion slidably connected to the main body portion. When the locking device is in a first state, the front end of the locking tongue portion extends relative to the main body portion for hanging the fire platform. When the locking device is in a second state, the front end of the locking tongue portion retracts relative to the main body portion to release the fire platform.

[0011] Furthermore, the fire fighting platform includes a support bottom horizontally arranged in the cavity and a hoisting portion extending upward from the four sides of the support bottom, and the hoisting portion is provided with a hoisting rod matching the locking device.

[0012] Furthermore, the support bottom is provided with a plurality of guide portions extending upward along the inner side wall of the cavity. When the locking device is in the first state, the top of the guide portion is higher than the top frame. The guide portion is used to guide the power battery to be accurately installed on the support bottom of the fire fighting platform.

[0013] Furthermore, at least one vertically arranged guide rail is provided on the inner side wall of the cavity, and a limiting portion matching the guide rail is provided on the fire fighting platform. When the fire fighting platform is raised or lowered in the cavity, the limiting portion is in sliding contact with the guide rail.

[0014] The present invention also aims to provide a battery swap station, which places the power battery fire compartment externally, thereby reducing safety risks and adopting different levels of fire protection measures for thermal runaway power batteries, thereby increasing the possibility of power battery recycling.

[0015] In order to achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present invention provides a battery swap station, comprising a shell, a battery swap robot for battery swapping operations in the shell, and a track for limiting the moving path of the battery swap robot. A plurality of power batteries are arranged in the shell, a fire door is provided on the shell, and the track portion passes through the fire door and extends out of the shell. At least one power battery fire compartment as described above is provided on one side of the track outside the shell.

[0016] Beneficial effects of the present invention: By using this power battery fire fighting compartment, the power battery in thermal runaway can be placed on the power battery fire fighting compartment to judge the level of thermal runaway and take targeted fire fighting measures, avoiding the destructive fire fighting of directly immersing the thermal runaway battery in the fire fighting fluid, increasing the probability of power battery recycling, and at the same time, the power battery fire fighting compartment can also be used to inspect and maintain the power battery. By placing the power battery fire fighting compartment externally, the utilization rate of the internal space of the battery swap station is increased while improving safety. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of a power battery fire compartment provided by an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the power battery fire compartment shown; Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A partial enlarged view of area A shown; Figure 4 yes Figure 3 The structural schematic diagram of the locking device shown is in the first state; Figure 5 yes Figure 3 A schematic structural diagram of the locking device shown in the second state; Figure 6 is a structural schematic diagram of a locking device provided by another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 It is a structural diagram of a battery swap station provided by an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] The following describes embodiments of the present invention in detail. Examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals throughout represent the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are intended to explain the present invention, but are not to be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0019] In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "connected," "connected," and "fixed" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they may refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integration; mechanical connections or electrical connections; direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; and internal communication between two components or interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention in specific circumstances.

[0020] In the present invention, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, a first feature being "above" or "below" a second feature may include the first and second features being in direct contact, or may include the first and second features being in contact not directly but through another feature between them. Furthermore, a first feature being "above," "above," and "above" a second feature may include the first feature being directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or may simply mean that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. A first feature being "below," "below," and "below" a second feature may include the first feature being directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or may simply mean that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature.

[0021] The technical solution of the present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and through specific implementation methods.

[0022] See also Figures 1 to 5As shown, the first embodiment of the present invention provides a power battery fire fighting compartment 100, which is used to carry out fire fighting treatment for power batteries (not shown) that have thermal runaway, such as cooling or extinguishing fires and explosion prevention of the power batteries. The power battery fire fighting compartment 100 includes a box body 10 with an upper opening and an internal cavity 101. The cavity 101 is used to accommodate power batteries in thermal runaway and is filled with fire fighting liquid at least at the bottom. The box body 10 includes a top frame 106 that surrounds the aforementioned opening. The top frame 106 is roughly rectangular and is preferably made of a hollow metal material with a certain width. A plurality of locking devices 4 are provided on the top frame 106. Preferably, the locking devices 4 are symmetrically distributed with respect to each other. A fire fighting platform 5 for placing power batteries is also provided in the box body 10. The locking device 4 has a first state that prevents the fire fighting platform 5 from descending and a second state that allows the fire fighting platform 5 to descend. That is, the fire fighting platform 5 has a first height of being suspended in the box body 10 and a second height located at the bottom of the cavity 101 of the box body 10. The first height is determined by hanging the fire fighting platform 5 by multiple locking devices 4. The first height of the fire fighting platform 5 is higher than the second height. When the fire fighting platform 5 is at the first height, it is convenient to observe the thermal runaway level of the power battery in thermal runaway. When the temperature of the power battery is still controllable, local cooling with dry ice or natural cooling of the power battery can be adopted. At the same time, the fire fighting platform 5 at the first height can also be used as a daily maintenance station to perform maintenance on the power battery.

[0023] In one embodiment, the locking device 4 includes a main body 42 fixedly connected to the top frame 106 and a locking tongue 41 rotatably connected to the main body 42. The main body 42 is provided with a plurality of mounting holes 424, and the main body 42 can be fixedly mounted on the top frame 106 by bolts. When the locking device 4 is in a first state, the rear end 413 of the locking tongue 41 is locked to the main body 42 to prevent the locking tongue 41 from turning over. At this time, the front end 412 of the locking tongue 41 is used to hang the fire fighting platform 5 to prevent the fire fighting platform 5 from sinking. Furthermore, the locking device 4 includes a movable pin 423, and the main body 42 is provided with a guide groove 420 for movably receiving the movable pin 423. The movable pin 423 can reciprocate along the guide groove 420. Preferably, the guide groove 420 is arranged in the horizontal direction, and the main body 42 is also provided with a receiving groove (unnumbered) for receiving a part of the lock tongue portion 41. The guide grooves 420 are perpendicular to each other in the opening direction of the receiving grooves, and the lock tongue portion 41 is hingedly mounted on the main body 42 through a pivot 421 to realize the above-mentioned rotational connection. When the locking device 4 is in the first state, the rear end 413 of the locking tongue portion 41 is fixed in the receiving groove on the main body portion 42 by the movable pin 423. The movable pin 423 moves toward the outside of the top frame to release the rear end 413 of the locking tongue portion 41, and then the locking tongue portion 41 rotates to release the front end 412 of the fire fighting platform 5, allowing the fire fighting platform 5 to sink to the bottom of the cavity 101, and then the fire fighting liquid in the cavity 101 is used to carry out fire fighting on the power battery in thermal runaway.

[0024] Furthermore, a drive device 12 is provided on the outside of the housing 10. A cable 121 is disposed between the drive device 12 and the movable pin 423 of the locking mechanism 4. Preferably, the movable pin 423 is provided with a mounting hole 4230 for securing one end of the cable 121. The main body 42 is also provided with a sliding rod 422 for engaging the cable 121. The drive device 12 pulls the movable pin 423 toward the outside of the top frame 106 via the cable 121. The main body 42 is provided with an elastic element (not shown) for returning the movable pin 423 toward the inside of the top frame 106. Preferably, the front end 412 of the locking tongue 41 is closer to the pivot 421 than the rear end 413. Under the action of its own weight and leveraging, after the locking tongue 41 is flipped to a vertical position, it automatically returns to its receiving slot in the main body 42 without external forces. The driving device 12 can determine whether to trigger by installing a temperature sensor on the top frame 106 to identify the thermal runaway level of the power battery. Preferably, the temperature sensor is installed around the top frame 106. In some other embodiments, the driving device 12 can also be provided with a manual switch for manual control, which will not be elaborated.

[0025] The driving device 12 is connected to at least two locking devices 4 through a cable 121. Specifically, the box body 10 includes two side walls 103, two end walls 102 connected to the ends of the two side walls 103, and a bottom wall 107 located at the bottom of the side walls 103 and the end walls 102. The two side walls 103, the two end walls 102 and the bottom wall 107 are arranged to form a box body 10 with a cavity 101. The length of the side wall 103 is greater than that of the end wall 102, and a reinforcing rib 108 is provided in the middle of the side wall 103. The reinforcing rib 108 is preferably arranged in the vertical direction. The driving device 12 is fixedly mounted on the reinforcing rib 108. Locking devices 4 are respectively provided on both sides of the top of the side wall 103. The driving device 12 can be a telescopic cylinder or a telescopic motor. By pulling the cable 121, the locking devices 4 located at the top of the same side wall 103 can be simultaneously unlocked. Preferably, the driving devices 12 located on the two side walls 103 synchronously drive the four locking devices 4 on the top frame 106 to unlock. Furthermore, a liquid level display device is also provided on the outside of the end wall 102 or the side wall 103. The liquid level display device penetrates the box body 10 and is connected to the cavity 101. The liquid level display device can be used to observe the height of the fire-fighting liquid in the cavity 101, thereby determining whether the fire-fighting liquid needs to be replenished.

[0026] In another embodiment, Figure 6 As shown, the locking device 4 includes a main body 42 fixedly connected to the top frame 106 and a locking tongue 41 slidably connected to the main body 42. When the locking device 4 is in a first state, the front end 412 of the locking tongue 41 extends relative to the main body 42 to suspend the fire platform 5 and prevent it from sinking. When the locking device 4 is in a second state, the front end 412 of the locking tongue 41 retracts relative to the main body 42 to release the fire platform 5 and allow it to sink. Specifically, in this case, the end of a cable 121 can be directly connected to the rear end 413 of the locking tongue 41. The cable 121 can be pulled by the driving device 12 to retract the front end 412 of the locking tongue 41 relative to the main body 42. After the cable 121 is released, the locking tongue 41 can be reset using an elastic element (not shown). This description is not repeated here.

[0027] The fire fighting platform 5 includes a support base 50 positioned horizontally within the cavity 101 and a hoisting portion 52 extending upward from the periphery of the support base 50. The hoisting portion 52 is provided with a hoisting rod 524 that mates with the locking device 4. The hoisting rod 524 is hooked onto the front end 412 of the locking tongue 41, allowing the fire fighting platform 5 to be suspended within the cavity 101. The fire fighting platform 5 is also provided with a hanging portion 55, to which a lifting rope or chain can be attached, allowing the fire fighting platform 5 to be lifted upward from the bottom of the cavity 101.

[0028] Furthermore, the support base 50 is a transparent frame structure that is transparent from top to bottom. The outer peripheral frame of the support base 50 extends upward along the inner sidewall of the cavity 101 and is provided with multiple guide portions 51. When the locking device 4 is in the first state, the top of the guide portion 51 is higher than the top frame 106. The guide portion 51 is used to guide the power battery in thermal runaway to accurately land on the support base 50 of the fire fighting platform 5. At least one vertically extending guide rail 15 is provided on the inner sidewall of the cavity 101. The fire fighting platform 5 is provided with a stopper (not shown) that mates with the guide rail 15. When the fire fighting platform 5 is raised or lowered within the cavity 101, the stopper slides into contact with the guide rail 15. In some embodiments, the stopper can be formed by the lower end of the guide portion 51. In other embodiments, a separate stopper can be provided on the fire fighting platform 5 to mate with the guide rail 15. In actual use, since the fire-fighting fluid generates an upward buoyancy on the power battery located on the fire-fighting platform 5, the power battery in thermal runaway itself has the effect of slowly sinking, thereby obtaining buffer protection. More preferably, the guide rail 15 is provided with a slow-descent structure to allow the power battery in thermal runaway to slowly descend to the bottom of the cavity 101, or a buffer structure is provided at the bottom of the cavity 101 to prevent the power battery from being impacted when it descends to the bottom of the cavity 101. The buffer structure can be a rubber pad or a spring structure, etc., which will not be elaborated here.

[0029] See also Figure 7 As shown, the present invention also provides a battery swap station 200, which includes a shell 21 and a battery swap robot 300 for completing battery swap operations in the shell 21 and a track 22 for limiting the moving path of the battery swap robot 300. A number of power batteries are arranged in the shell 21, and a fire door 23 is provided on the shell 21. Part of the track 22 passes through the fire door 23 and extends out of the shell 21, so that the battery swap robot 300 can move from the shell 21 to the outside of the shell. In other words, the battery swap robot 300 can transport the power battery with thermal runaway from the shell 21 of the battery swap station 200 to the outside of the shell. At least one power battery fire compartment 100 as described above is provided on one side of the track 22 outside the shell 21. In some preferred embodiments, when the battery swap robot 300 transports the power battery with thermal runaway to the power battery fire compartment 100 and then moves back to the shell 21 along the track 22, it can be combined with the above-mentioned temperature sensor to determine whether to trigger the drive device 12.

[0030] By adopting the power battery fire fighting compartment 100 in accordance with the present invention, power batteries that produce thermal runaway can be dealt with in a graded manner, avoiding direct destructive fire fighting, and helping to improve the recovery rate of power batteries. In addition, the power batteries in the battery swap station 200 in accordance with the present invention can all be moved to the power battery fire fighting compartment 100 for inspection and maintenance. Even if thermal runaway occurs, fire fighting will be carried out outside the battery swap station 200, avoiding the thermal runaway battery from affecting other power batteries or equipment in the battery swap station 200, greatly reducing the losses caused by thermal runaway of the battery and improving safety.

[0031] The above embodiments merely illustrate the basic principles and features of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Various changes and modifications may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Such changes and modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the present invention. The scope of protection claimed in the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A power battery fire fighting compartment (100), comprising a box (10) with an upper opening and an inner cavity (101), wherein the cavity (101) is used to accommodate a power battery in thermal runaway and at least the bottom thereof is filled with a fire fighting liquid, and the box (10) comprises a top frame (106) surrounding the aforementioned opening, characterized in that: A plurality of locking devices (4) are provided on the top frame (106), and a fire fighting platform (5) for placing a power battery is also provided in the box body (10) for lifting. The locking device (4) has a first state for preventing the fire fighting platform (5) from descending and a second state for allowing the fire fighting platform (5) to descend.

2. The power battery fire compartment (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The locking device (4) comprises a main body (42) fixedly connected to the top frame (106) and a locking tongue (41) rotatably connected to the main body (42). When the locking device (4) is in a first state, a rear end (413) of the locking tongue (41) is locked to the main body (42), and a front end (412) of the locking tongue (41) is used to hang the fire fighting platform (5).

3. The power battery fire compartment (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that: The locking device (4) includes a movable pin (423), and the main body (42) is provided with a guide groove (420) for movably receiving the movable pin (423). When the locking device (4) is in a first state, the rear end (413) of the locking tongue portion (41) is fixed to the main body (42) by the movable pin (423).

4. The power battery fire compartment (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that: A driving device (12) is provided on the outside of the box body (10), and a cable (121) is provided between the driving device (12) and the movable pin (423) of the locking device (4). The driving device (12) pulls the movable pin (423) toward the outside of the top frame (106) through the cable (121), so that the movable pin (423) releases the rear end (413) of the lock tongue portion (41), and then the lock tongue portion (41) rotates to release the front end (412) of the fire fighting platform (5), so that the fire fighting platform (5) sinks. An elastic element is provided on the main body (42) for returning the movable pin (423) toward the inside of the top frame (106).

5. The power battery fire compartment (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that: The driving device (12) is connected to at least two locking devices (4) via a cable (121).

6. The power battery fire compartment (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The locking device (4) comprises a main body (42) fixedly connected to the top frame (106) and a locking tongue (41) slidably connected to the main body (42). When the locking device (4) is in a first state, a front end (412) of the locking tongue (41) extends relative to the main body (42) for hanging the fire fighting platform (5). When the locking device (4) is in a second state, the front end (412) of the locking tongue (41) retracts relative to the main body (42) to release the fire fighting platform (5).

7. The power battery fire compartment (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The fire fighting platform (5) comprises a support bottom (50) arranged horizontally in the cavity (101) and a hoisting portion (52) extending upward from the four sides of the support bottom (50). The hoisting portion (52) is provided with a hoisting rod (524) matching the locking device (4).

8. The power battery fire compartment (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that: The supporting bottom (50) is provided with a plurality of guide portions (51) extending upward along the inner side wall of the cavity (101); when the locking device (4) is in the first state, the top of the guide portion (51) is higher than the top frame (106); and the guide portion (51) is used to guide the power battery to be accurately installed on the supporting bottom (50) of the fire fighting platform (5).

9. The power battery fire compartment (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that: At least one vertically arranged guide rail (15) is provided on the inner side wall of the cavity (101), and a limiting portion matching the guide rail (15) is provided on the fire fighting platform (5). When the fire fighting platform (5) is raised or lowered in the cavity (101), the limiting portion is in sliding contact with the guide rail (15).

10. A battery swap station (200), comprising a housing (21), a battery swap robot (300) for battery swapping operations in the housing (21), and a track (22) for limiting the movement path of the battery swap robot (300), wherein a plurality of power batteries are arranged in the housing (21), characterized in that: A fire door (23) is provided on the shell (21), and a portion of the track (22) passes through the fire door (23) and extends out of the shell (21). At least one power battery fire compartment (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 is provided on one side of the track (22) outside the shell (21).

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