Lithium battery multistage safety protection system and control method

Abstract

The invention relates to a lithium battery multistage safety protection system and a control method, the lithium battery multistage safety protection system comprises a module cavity, a control unit and a plurality of lithium battery structures, the module cavity is provided with a plurality of fixing grooves, and each lithium battery structure is arranged in one fixing groove; each lithium battery structure comprises a shell, a single lithium battery arranged in the shell, a monitoring unit arranged on the shell and an ejection mechanism, and the ejection mechanism comprises a locking assembly arranged on the shell and at least one energy storage assembly; the control unit is electrically connected with each monitoring unit and the locking assembly, and the monitoring units transmit monitoring data to the control unit in real time and are used for judging whether each lithium battery monomer has a thermal runaway risk or not according to the monitoring data; when the control unit judges that the single lithium battery has the risk of thermal runaway, the control unit sends out a control signal to drive the locking assembly to unlock, the energy storage assembly releases elastic force, and the single lithium battery with the risk of thermal runaway is ejected out of the module cavity from the shell, so that a risk source is quickly isolated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of lithium battery safety protection technology, and more particularly to a multi-level safety protection system and control method for lithium batteries. Background Technology

[0002] Lithium-ion batteries are widely used in new energy vehicles and energy storage systems. Lithium-ion battery modules typically consist of multiple battery cells connected in series and parallel, monitored and controlled by a battery management system to meet the power output requirements of the vehicle under different operating conditions. However, with the rapid development of the new energy vehicle market, the contradiction between high energy density, high power density, and safety in battery systems is becoming increasingly prominent. Especially under abnormal conditions such as high temperature, overcharging, short circuits, or mechanical impacts, thermal runaway can easily occur, leading to combustion or even explosions, posing a threat to vehicle and personnel safety. Therefore, improving the safety protection capabilities of lithium-ion battery modules has become an important direction for industry research and development.

[0003] With the development of technology, technicians in related fields have also made extensive optimizations to automotive lithium battery modules to solve some of the aforementioned problems. For a more accurate comparison, patent number CN113381087A discloses a safety protection device and system for energy storage batteries. It collects temperature information of the battery module and gas concentration information of the surrounding space through a gas concentration detector and temperature sensor installed inside the cavity. This invention can quickly detect multiple fire information within the small space of the battery, judge the thermal runaway state of the lithium battery based on multiple pieces of information, and automatically release fire extinguishing agents to extinguish the fire. However, although it can determine which part of the battery has been damaged by the gas, when a lithium battery in a lithium battery module catches fire, it can only be extinguished by fire extinguishing agents inside the cavity. The fire extinguishing agent cannot completely disperse within the confined cavity, meaning the burning lithium battery cannot be completely extinguished. Therefore, the aforementioned method of extinguishing a burning lithium battery inside the cavity using fire extinguishing agents is not highly feasible.

[0004] Patent CN118315696B discloses a multi-level safety protection structure for lithium battery modules. By incorporating a support unit, a partition plate, and a discharge mechanism within the module structure, in the event of combustion or explosion, the support unit and drive assembly work together to flip the failed battery module along an arc-shaped groove and discharge it through a connecting cavity to the outside of the base plate, thus reducing harm to the vehicle body. However, this discharge method still has certain limitations: First, the battery module discharge process relies on the drive mechanism to rotate the support unit and release the locking structure, involving multiple action steps and resulting in response delays. Second, during the flipping and sliding process, the burning or high-temperature battery module remains inside the module cavity for a considerable time, making it easy for heat and smoke to transfer to adjacent cells, posing a risk of thermal runaway. Third, because the battery is flipped and then slid, the stability and reliability of the discharge action are easily affected when the vehicle is in dynamic operating conditions (such as vibration, tilting, or bumpy roads), potentially leading to incomplete or obstructed discharge, thereby reducing the protective effect.

[0005] Therefore, it is necessary to propose a multi-level safety protection system and control method for lithium batteries. By establishing a safety protection strategy within the battery module and combining real-time monitoring, rapid response, and rapid mechanical separation technologies, early warning and handling of thermal runaway risks can be achieved. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this application is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and propose a multi-level safety protection system and control method for lithium batteries. When abnormal temperature, gas leakage or thermal runaway trend of a battery cell is detected, ejection measures can be quickly executed to eject the battery cell that is burning or has a risk of thermal runaway from the module cavity in a very short time, thereby reducing the impact of high temperature and high pressure gas on adjacent battery cells.

[0007] This application is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0008] This application proposes a multi-level safety protection system for lithium batteries, including:

[0009] The module cavity is equipped with multiple fixing slots;

[0010] Multiple lithium battery structures are provided, each of which is disposed in a fixed slot. Each lithium battery structure includes a housing, a lithium battery cell disposed within the housing, a monitoring unit disposed on the housing, and an ejection mechanism. The monitoring unit is used to collect information of the lithium battery cell in real time. The ejection mechanism includes a locking component disposed on the housing and at least one energy storage component. The locking component is used to lock or release the lithium battery cell, and the energy storage component is used to provide ejection power when the lock is released.

[0011] The control unit is electrically connected to each of the monitoring units and the locking component respectively. Each of the monitoring units transmits monitoring data to the control unit in real time, which is used to determine whether each of the lithium battery cells has a risk of thermal runaway based on the monitoring data.

[0012] When the control unit determines that the lithium battery cell has a risk of thermal runaway, the control unit sends a control signal to drive the locking component to unlock, and the energy storage component releases its elastic force to eject the lithium battery cell with the risk of thermal runaway from the housing to the outside of the module cavity.

[0013] In one embodiment of this application, the housing has a channel, the shape and size of which are adapted to the lithium battery cell, and the energy storage component extends into the channel;

[0014] When the lithium battery cell extends into the channel, the lithium battery cell squeezes the energy storage component, and at the same time the energy storage component moves from the original state to the retracted state.

[0015] When the locking component is released, the energy storage component causes the lithium battery cell to pop out from the channel to the outside of the housing, and at the same time the energy storage component moves from the retracted state to the original state.

[0016] In one embodiment of this application, the housing has a positioning chamber, two fixed chambers and two connecting chambers. The positioning chamber is radially connected to the channel, and the two fixed chambers are respectively connected to the middle positioning chamber through one of the connecting chambers.

[0017] The energy storage assembly includes a wheel, a connecting shaft, and two coil springs. The circumferential surface of the wheel can be fitted with the circumferential surface of the lithium battery cell. The connecting shaft passes through the central axis of the wheel and is fixedly connected to the wheel. Both ends of the connecting shaft extend outside the wheel. The inner ends of the two coil springs are respectively fixedly connected to the circumferential position of one end of the connecting shaft. The wheel is radially movable within the positioning chamber. The connecting shaft is radially movable through the connecting chamber. Each coil spring is located within a fixed chamber, and the outer end of each coil spring abuts against the inner wall of the fixed chamber.

[0018] When the lithium battery cell is inserted into the channel, the lithium battery cell comes into contact with the wheel and squeezes the wheel. The wheel moves along the channel toward the positioning space. At the same time, the rotation of the wheel drives the coil spring from a free state to a compressed state.

[0019] When the locking assembly is released, the coil spring drives the wheel to rotate in the opposite direction, and at the same time the wheel moves along the positioning space toward the channel and extends into the channel. The lithium battery cell is ejected from the channel to the outside of the housing, and the coil spring moves from the compressed state to the free state.

[0020] In one embodiment of this application, the outer wall of the housing is provided with an opening groove, which is connected to the positioning chamber, the two fixed chambers and the two connecting chambers respectively, so that the energy storage component extends into the positioning chamber, the two fixed chambers and the two connecting chambers through the opening groove;

[0021] The lithium battery structure also includes a cover plate that can be detachably covered by the opening slot;

[0022] The energy storage assembly also includes two linear springs and a limiting part. One end of each of the two linear springs is fixedly connected to one of the limiting parts, and the other end is connected to the cover plate. The two limiting parts extend into a communicating space and abut against the connecting shaft.

[0023] When the lithium battery cell is inserted into the channel, the lithium battery cell squeezes the wheel, and the wheel moves along the channel toward the positioning space. At the same time, the connecting shaft pushes the two linear springs from a free state to a compressed state.

[0024] When the locking assembly is released, the two coil springs move from the compressed state to the free state. At the same time, the two coil springs push the connecting shaft to move along the positioning space toward the channel. The wheel moves along the positioning space toward the channel and extends into the channel. The wheel rotates in the opposite direction, causing the lithium battery cell to be ejected from the channel to the outside of the housing.

[0025] In one embodiment of this application, the housing has a first side and a second side, the first side and the second side are opposite to each other, the first side has a relief groove and a fixing hole in the relief groove, the second side has a receiving groove, and the channel has a first opening;

[0026] The locking assembly includes a cover, an elastic element, a motor, and a locking connector. The cover includes a first plate and a second plate, which are perpendicularly connected. The first plate has a first conductive negative electrode portion that can be electrically connected to the negative electrode of the lithium battery cell. The end of the first plate near the clearance groove is rotatably connected to the housing. The end of the second plate away from the first plate has a locking groove adapted to the locking connector. The locking connector is connected to the rotating shaft of the motor. The motor and the locking connector are both located in the receiving groove. The motor is electrically connected to the control unit. The elastic element is located in the clearance groove. One end of the elastic element is connected to the end of the first plate, and the other end is connected to the fixed hole.

[0027] When the motor drives the snap-fit ​​connector to rotate to the first angle, the elastic element drives the first plate to rotate around its rotational connection. The elastic element moves from the stretched state to the contracted state. At the same time, the snap-fit ​​groove separates from the snap-fit ​​connector, causing the first plate to move away from the first opening. This releases the limiting fit of the cover on the lithium battery cell, so that the energy storage assembly can eject the lithium battery cell through the first opening to the outside of the housing.

[0028] When the first plate rotates in the opposite direction around its rotational connection, the elastic element moves from a contracted state to a stretched state, causing the first plate to cover the first opening. The snap-fit ​​connector extends into the snap-fit ​​groove, so that the motor drives the snap-fit ​​connector to rotate to a second angle, thereby causing the snap-fit ​​connector to snap into the snap-fit ​​groove.

[0029] In one embodiment of this application, the monitoring unit is connected to the channel, and the monitoring unit is used to collect one or more of the temperature, voltage, current and gas concentration information of the lithium battery cell in real time, and transmit the monitoring data to the control unit;

[0030] When the control unit determines that the lithium battery cell has a risk of thermal runaway, the connector rotates 90°, causing the motor to drive the connector to rotate to the first angle, so that the slot separates from the connector.

[0031] When the motor drives the snap-fit ​​connector to rotate to the second angle, and the first plate covers the first opening, the snap-fit ​​connector rotates 90° in the opposite direction, so that the snap-fit ​​connector engages with the snap-fit ​​slot.

[0032] In one embodiment of this application, the housing is provided with a second conductive negative electrode portion at the clearance groove position, the second conductive negative electrode portion is electrically connected to the first conductive negative electrode portion, and the control unit is electrically connected to the second conductive negative electrode portion;

[0033] The housing has a first conductive positive electrode at the end opposite to the first opening. When the lithium battery cell is inserted into the channel and the first plate covers the first opening, the first conductive positive electrode is electrically connected to the positive electrode of the lithium battery cell, and the control unit is electrically connected to the first conductive positive electrode.

[0034] In one embodiment of this application, the module cavity includes a housing and a plurality of fasteners. The housing includes a plurality of fixing slots arranged in a matrix. The fasteners are detachably connected to the housing.

[0035] When the fastener is connected to the housing, the fastener blocks part of the housing to prevent the housing from detaching from the module cavity and to prevent the fastener from interfering with the rotation of the cover around its rotational connection.

[0036] In one embodiment of this application, the outer shell includes a plurality of first partitions and second partitions, the first partitions and the second partitions being perpendicularly connected to form a plurality of fixing grooves, the fixing member being cylindrical, and the fixing member being axially disposed along the central axis at the connection between the first partition and the second partition, so that any one of the cylinders simultaneously blocks part of the four positions of the outer shell.

[0037] This application proposes a multi-level safety protection control method for lithium batteries, the method comprising the following steps:

[0038] S1: Real-time acquisition of temperature, voltage, current, and gas concentration information of each lithium battery cell detected by the multiple monitoring units, and transmission of the monitoring data to the control unit;

[0039] S2: The control unit determines whether the lithium battery cell has a risk of thermal runaway based on the monitoring data;

[0040] S3: When the control unit determines that the lithium battery cell has a risk of thermal runaway, it sends a control signal to drive the corresponding locking component to unlock, triggering the corresponding energy storage component to release the elastic force and eject the lithium battery cell from the housing to the outside of the module cavity.

[0041] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this application are:

[0042] 1. In a multi-level safety protection system for lithium batteries, the module cavity is provided with multiple fixing slots, and each lithium battery structure is respectively disposed in one fixing slot. Each lithium battery structure includes a housing, a lithium battery cell disposed within the housing, a monitoring unit disposed on the housing, and an ejection mechanism. The monitoring unit is used to collect information of the lithium battery cell in real time. The ejection mechanism includes a locking component disposed on the housing and at least one energy storage component. The locking component is used to lock or release the lithium battery cell, and the energy storage component is used to provide ejection power when the lock is released. The control unit is electrically connected to each monitoring unit and the locking component. Each monitoring unit transmits monitoring data to the control unit in real time for determining whether each lithium battery cell has a risk of thermal runaway based on the monitoring data. When the control unit determines that a lithium battery cell has a risk of thermal runaway, it sends a control signal to drive the corresponding locking component to unlock, triggering the corresponding energy storage component to release the elastic force, so that the lithium battery cell is ejected from the housing and removed from the module cavity in a very short time, thereby quickly isolating the risk source. When the control unit detects the risk of thermal runaway in a single lithium-ion battery cell, it can directly and rapidly eject the abnormal cell, reducing the number of action links, shortening the response time, and decreasing the residence time of the abnormal cell within the cavity, thereby significantly reducing the risk of heat and gas diffusion. Furthermore, each cell in the system has an independently equipped ejection mechanism, thus reducing the impact of high-temperature, high-pressure gases on adjacent battery cells.

[0043] 2. During the installation of lithium battery cells, as the cell extends into the channel, its outer surface contacts the wheel, exerting pressure on it. Simultaneously, the wheel moves and rotates along the channel towards the positioning chamber, causing the connecting shaft to rotate synchronously. This causes the coil spring to move from a free state to a compressed state, storing its elastic force. When the control unit issues an action command, the locking assembly releases, and the coil spring returns to its free state under the elastic force, causing the connecting shaft and wheel to rotate in the opposite direction. This pushes the wheel along the positioning chamber towards the channel, creating a thrust between the wheel and the lithium battery cell. The reverse rotation of the wheel causes the lithium battery cell to move outwards along the channel, quickly ejecting it from the casing and achieving rapid isolation of the hazardous cell.

[0044] 3. When the locking assembly is released, the two wire springs move from the compressed state to the free state. At the same time, the two wire springs push the connecting shaft to move along the positioning space towards the channel. The wheel moves along the positioning space towards the channel and extends into the channel, causing the wheel to rotate in the opposite direction more quickly, driving the lithium battery cell to pop out of the channel and out of the housing.

[0045] 4. When the control unit determines that a single lithium battery cell has a risk of thermal runaway, it sends an action signal to drive the motor, causing the locking connector to rotate to the first angle and separate from the locking slot. At this time, under the action of the reset force, the elastic element drives the first plate to rotate around its rotation connection point. The first plate changes from the position covering the first opening to the position avoiding the first opening, thereby releasing the limiting fit of the cover on the lithium battery cell. The energy storage component can immediately release the elastic force, ejecting the cell out of the casing through the first opening. When a new lithium battery cell is manually installed, the first plate covers the first opening again under the action of reverse rotation. The elastic element returns from the contracted state to the stretched state. When the locking connector extends into the locking slot, it rotates to the second angle, causing the locking connector to extend back into the locking slot and engage with the second plate, thus resetting the locking component.

[0046] 5. In a multi-level safety protection control method for lithium batteries, temperature, voltage, current, and gas concentration information of each lithium battery cell are collected in real time by multiple monitoring units, and the monitoring data is transmitted to the control unit. After a risk is identified, the control unit quickly drives the locking component of the corresponding lithium battery structure to release, and immediately ejects the risky lithium battery cell from the module cavity through the energy storage component. This significantly shortens the response time, reduces the risk of heat and high-pressure gas spreading to adjacent lithium battery cells, and improves the overall operational safety and reliability of the battery module.

[0047] Other features and advantages of this application will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be apparent in part from the description, or may be learned by practicing the application. The objectives and other advantages of this application may be realized and obtained by means of the structures pointed out in the description, claims and drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0048] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0049] Figure 1 An overall perspective view of a multi-level safety protection system for lithium batteries provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0050] Figure 2 An overall perspective view of a multi-level safety protection system for lithium batteries provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0051] Figure 3 A bottom view of the overall lithium battery multi-level safety protection system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0052] Figure 4A bottom view of the overall casing provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0053] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the overall structure of a lithium battery provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0054] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the overall structure of a lithium battery provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0055] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the overall structure of a lithium battery provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0056] Figure 8 This is an exploded perspective view of a lithium battery structure provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0057] Figure 9 An overall perspective view of an energy storage component provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0058] Figure 10 This is a top view of the overall structure of a lithium battery provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0059] Figure 11 for Figure 10 A sectional view of section P1-P1 (the cover has covered the first opening);

[0060] Figure 12 for Figure 10 A sectional view of section P1-P1 (the cover does not cover the first opening);

[0061] Figure 13 This is an overall side view of a lithium battery structure provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0062] Figure 14 for Figure 13 Sectional view of P2-P2 section;

[0063] Figure 15 A flowchart illustrating a multi-level safety protection control method for lithium batteries;

[0064] Figure 16 This is a structural block diagram of a multi-level safety protection and control method for lithium batteries.

[0065] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0066] 10. Module cavity; 110. Outer shell; 111. Fixing groove; 112. First partition; 113. Second partition; 120. Fixing component; 20. Lithium battery structure; 210. Shell; 211. Channel; 212. Positioning compartment; 213. Fixing compartment; 214. Connecting compartment; 215. Opening groove; 216. First side surface; 2161. Clearance groove; 2162. Fixing hole; 2163. Second conductive negative electrode part; 217. Second side surface; 2171. Receiving groove; 218. First opening; 219. 220. First conductive positive electrode portion; 230. Cover plate; 240. Lithium battery cell; 250. Monitoring unit; 251. Locking assembly; 251. Cover piece; 2511. First plate; 2551. First conductive negative electrode portion; 2512. Second plate; 2552. Snap-fit ​​groove; 252. Elastic element; 253. Motor; 254. Snap-fit ​​connector; 260. Energy storage assembly; 261. Wheel body; 262. Connecting shaft; 263. Coil spring; 264. Wire spring; 265. Limiting part; 30. Control unit; b. Second angle. Detailed Implementation

[0067] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0068] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions in this application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0069] It should be noted that when a component is referred to as being "fixed to" or "set on" another component, it can be directly on or indirectly set on the other component; when a component is referred to as being "connected to" another component, it can be directly connected to or indirectly connected to the other component.

[0070] It should be understood that the terms "length", "width", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", and "outer" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or component referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application.

[0071] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this application, "multiple" or "several" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0072] It should be noted that the structures, proportions, sizes, etc., shown in the accompanying drawings of this specification are only for the purpose of assisting those skilled in the art in understanding and reading the content disclosed in the specification, and are not intended to limit the conditions under which this application can be implemented. Therefore, they have no substantial technical significance. Any modifications to the structure, changes in the proportions, or adjustments to the size should still fall within the scope of the technical content disclosed in this application, provided that they do not affect the effects and purposes that this application can produce.

[0073] Please refer to Figures 1 to 16 This application proposes a multi-level safety protection system for lithium batteries, comprising:

[0074] The module cavity 10 is provided with multiple fixing slots 111;

[0075] Multiple lithium battery structures 20 are provided, each lithium battery structure 20 is respectively disposed in a fixed slot 111, each lithium battery structure 20 includes a housing 210, a lithium battery cell 230 disposed in the housing 210, a monitoring unit 240 disposed on the housing 210 and an ejection mechanism (not marked in the figure), the monitoring unit 240 is used to collect information of the lithium battery cell 230 in real time, the ejection mechanism includes a locking component 250 disposed on the housing 210 and at least one energy storage component 260, the locking component 250 is used to lock or release the lithium battery cell 230, and the energy storage component 260 is used to provide ejection power when the lock is released;

[0076] The control unit 30 is located on the module cavity 10. The control unit 30 is electrically connected to each monitoring unit 240 and the locking component 250 respectively. Each monitoring unit 240 transmits monitoring data to the control unit 30 in real time, which is used to determine whether each lithium battery cell 230 has a risk of thermal runaway based on the monitoring data.

[0077] When the control unit 30 determines that the lithium battery cell 230 has a risk of thermal runaway, the control unit 30 sends a control signal to drive the locking component 250 to unlock, and the energy storage component 260 releases its elastic force to eject the lithium battery cell 230 with the risk of thermal runaway from the housing 210 to the outside of the module cavity 10.

[0078] Specifically, the module cavity 10 is provided with multiple fixing slots 111 for fixing multiple lithium battery structures 20. The arrangement of multiple fixing slots 111 allows each lithium battery structure 20 to operate independently, which helps to ensure that when a single cell malfunctions, only the cell in question is affected, without impacting other normally functioning cells. Each lithium battery structure 20 is housed in a fixing slot 111. Each lithium battery structure 20 is equipped with a monitoring unit 240 and an ejection mechanism. The monitoring unit 240 is used to collect real-time operating status information of the lithium battery cells 230, such as temperature, voltage, current, or gas concentration, and transmit the collected data to the control unit 30. The purpose of real-time monitoring is to quickly identify abnormal states, especially early signs of thermal runaway. The ejection mechanism includes a locking component 250 and at least one energy storage component 260, such as two energy storage components 260 symmetrically arranged on the housing 210. During normal operation, the locking component 250 locks the position of the lithium battery cell 230. When an abnormal risk is detected, it can quickly release the lock under the drive of the control unit 30. When the lock is released, the energy storage component 260 releases its stored elastic force, ejecting the lithium battery cell 230 with thermal runaway risk from its fixed position to the outside of the module cavity 10, thereby achieving rapid isolation of the risk source. The control unit 30 receives real-time data transmitted from each monitoring unit 240 and compares it with a preset safety threshold. When it is determined that a lithium battery cell 230 has a thermal runaway risk, the control unit 30 sends a control signal to drive the corresponding locking component 250 to release the lock and triggers the corresponding energy storage component 260 to act, causing the risky cell to be quickly ejected from the module cavity 10, preventing its abnormal state from further affecting adjacent battery cells and the entire system.

[0079] In summary, when the control unit 30 determines that a certain lithium battery cell 230 has a risk of thermal runaway, it sends a control signal to drive the corresponding locking component 250 to unlock, triggering the corresponding energy storage component 260 to release its elastic force. This causes the lithium battery cell 230 to be ejected from the housing 210 and detached from the module cavity 10 in a very short time, thereby quickly isolating the source of risk. Through this structural arrangement, each lithium battery structure 20 can be stably fixed during normal operation, and the lithium battery cell 230 can be separated immediately in case of an anomaly, forming a rapid response path for thermal runaway risks.

[0080] It is important to understand that existing technologies extinguish fires using fire extinguishing agents or by flipping and sliding the entire battery module to remove the burning battery. In this application, however, when the control unit 30 detects a risk of thermal runaway in a single lithium battery cell 230, it can directly and independently eject the abnormal cell, reducing the number of action links, shortening response time, and decreasing the residence time of the abnormal cell within the cavity, thereby significantly reducing the risk of heat and smoke diffusion. Furthermore, each cell in this system has an independently equipped ejection mechanism, preventing the reliability of protection from being affected by obstructed overall mechanical movement.

[0081] Please refer to Figures 10 to 14 In order to better eject the lithium battery cell 230 from the housing 210, in one embodiment, the housing 210 is provided with a channel 211, the shape and size of which are adapted to the lithium battery cell 230, and the energy storage component 260 extends into the channel 211.

[0082] When the lithium battery cell 230 extends into the channel 211, the lithium battery cell 230 squeezes the energy storage component 260, and at the same time the energy storage component 260 moves from the original state to the retracted state.

[0083] When the locking component 250 is released, the energy storage component 260 drives the lithium battery cell 230 to pop out of the housing 210 from the channel 211, and at the same time the energy storage component 260 moves from the retracted state to the original state.

[0084] Specifically, during the installation of the lithium battery cell 230, the lithium battery cell 230 extends into the housing 210 along the channel 211. The shape and size of the lithium battery cell 230 are adapted to the channel 211, stabilizing the position of the lithium battery cell 230. During this process, the lithium battery cell 230 compresses the energy storage component 260 located in the channel 211, causing the energy storage component 260 to compress from its original state to a retracted state, storing elastic force. When the control unit 30 detects a risk of thermal runaway in the cell and issues an action command, the locking component 250 is unlocked, and the energy storage component 260 resets under the action of elastic force, moving from the retracted state back to its original state. During this process, the lithium battery cell 230 is pushed out of the housing 210 quickly along the channel 211, achieving rapid isolation.

[0085] Please refer to Figure 8 In order to eject the lithium battery cell 230 from the channel 211 more quickly, in one embodiment, the housing 210 has a positioning chamber 212, two fixing chambers 213 and two connecting chambers 214. The positioning chamber 212 is radially connected to the channel 211, and the two fixing chambers 213 are respectively connected to the middle positioning chamber 212 through a connecting chamber 214.

[0086] The energy storage assembly 260 includes a wheel 261, a connecting shaft 262, and two coil springs 263. The circumferential surface of the wheel 261 can be fitted with the circumferential surface of the lithium battery cell 230. The connecting shaft 262 passes through the central axis of the wheel 261 and is fixedly connected to the wheel 261. Both ends of the connecting shaft 262 extend to the outside of the wheel 261. The inner ends of the two coil springs 263 are fixedly connected to the circumferential position of one end of the connecting shaft 262. The wheel 261 is radially movable in the positioning chamber 212. The connecting shaft 262 is radially movable through the connecting chamber 214. Each coil spring 263 is located in a fixed chamber 213. The outer end of each coil spring 263 abuts against the inner wall of the fixed chamber 213.

[0087] When the lithium battery cell 230 extends into the channel 211, the lithium battery cell 230 and the wheel 261 come into contact and squeeze the wheel 261. The wheel 261 moves along the channel 211 toward the positioning space 212. At the same time, the rotation of the wheel 261 drives the coil spring 263 to move from the free state to the compressed state.

[0088] When the locking assembly 250 is released, the coil spring 263 drives the wheel 261 to rotate in the opposite direction. At the same time, the wheel 261 moves along the positioning space 212 toward the channel 211 and extends into the channel 211. The lithium battery cell 230 is ejected from the channel 211 to the outside of the housing 210, and the coil spring 263 moves from the compressed state to the free state.

[0089] Specifically, the housing 210 has a positioning chamber 212, two fixing chambers 213, and two connecting chambers 214. The positioning chamber 212 is radially connected to the channel 211, and the two fixing chambers 213 are each connected to the positioning chamber 212 located in the middle through a connecting chamber 214. This spatial arrangement allows the energy storage assembly 260 to be stably arranged around the channel 211 and to flexibly switch between normal installation and abnormal ejection states. The energy storage assembly 260 includes a wheel 261, a connecting shaft 262, and two coil springs 263. The wheel 261 is made of rubber with a certain elasticity and friction, and its circumferential surface can fit against the circumferential surface of the lithium battery cell 230, thereby forming a tight fit when the cell is installed along the channel 211. The connecting shaft 262 passes through the central axis of the wheel 261 and is fixedly connected to the wheel 261, with both ends extending outside the wheel 261. The inner ends of the two coil springs 263 are fixedly connected to one end of the connecting shaft 262 at a circumferential position, and the outer end of each coil spring 263 abuts against the inner wall of the corresponding fixed compartment 213. The wheel body 261 is radially movable in the positioning compartment 212, and the connecting shaft 262 is radially movable through the connecting compartment 214, thereby ensuring smooth movement during installation and release.

[0090] During the installation of the lithium battery cell 230, as the lithium battery cell 230 extends into the channel 211, its outer surface comes into contact with the wheel 261, exerting a compressive force on the wheel 261. Simultaneously under this pressure, the wheel 261 moves and rotates along the channel 211 toward the positioning space 212, causing the connecting shaft 262 to rotate synchronously. This causes the coil spring 263 to move from a free state to a compressed state, storing elastic force.

[0091] When the control unit 30 issues an action command, the locking assembly 250 is unlocked. The coil spring 263 returns from the compressed state to the free state under the action of elastic force, driving the connecting shaft 262 and the wheel 261 to rotate in the opposite direction. At the same time, it pushes the wheel 261 to move along the positioning space 212 toward the channel 211, so that the contact surface between the wheel 261 and the lithium battery cell 230 generates thrust. The reverse rotation of the wheel 261 causes the lithium battery cell 230 to move in the direction outside the channel 211, thereby quickly ejecting the lithium battery cell 230 out of the housing 210 along the direction of the channel 211, completing the rapid isolation of the risk cell.

[0092] In summary, by directly contacting the lithium battery cell 230 with the wheel 261, the stored energy can be directly released as thrust without multi-stage transmission or complex mechanisms after the lock is released, resulting in a short response time. The wheel 261 is made of elastic and frictional rubber material, maintaining stable contact with the lithium battery cell 230 during installation and ejection. This prevents loosening of the cell assembly and ensures smooth and controlled ejection of the lithium battery cell 230 when the wheel 261 rotates in the opposite direction.

[0093] Please refer to Figure 8 In order to extend the wheel 261 into the channel 211 more quickly, in one embodiment, the outer wall of the housing 210 is provided with an opening slot 215, which is connected to the positioning chamber 212, the two fixed chambers 213 and the two connecting chambers 214 respectively, so that the energy storage component 260 can extend into the positioning chamber 212, the two fixed chambers 213 and the two connecting chambers 214 through the opening slot 215;

[0094] The lithium battery structure 20 also includes a cover plate 220, which is detachably covered by the opening slot 215;

[0095] The energy storage assembly 260 also includes two wire springs 264 and a limiting part 265. One end of each wire spring 264 is fixedly connected to a limiting part 265, and the other end is connected to the cover plate 220. The two limiting parts 265 extend into a connecting chamber 214 and abut against the connecting shaft 262.

[0096] When the lithium battery cell 230 extends into the channel 211, the lithium battery cell 230 squeezes the wheel 261, and the wheel 261 moves along the channel 211 toward the positioning space 212. At the same time, the connecting shaft 262 pushes the two wire springs 264 from the free state to the compressed state.

[0097] When the locking assembly 250 is released, the two wire springs 264 move from the compressed state to the free state. At the same time, the two wire springs 264 push the connecting shaft 262 to move along the positioning space 212 toward the channel 211. The wheel 261 moves along the positioning space 212 toward the channel 211 and extends into the channel 211. The wheel 261 rotates in the opposite direction, causing the lithium battery cell 230 to pop out from inside the channel 211 to the outside of the housing 210.

[0098] Specifically, the outer wall of the housing 210 has an opening slot 215, which communicates with the positioning chamber 212, the two fixed chambers 213, and the two connecting chambers 214, allowing the energy storage component 260 to extend into these chambers. This design facilitates the installation of the energy storage component 260; it can be installed or removed simply by removing the cover 251. It also facilitates maintenance, replacement, or adjustment of the spring force parameters when necessary. The cover plate 220 detachably covers the opening slot 215. When the cover plate 220 is in place, it provides a closed protection for the opening slot 215, preventing external impurities from entering, and allows for easy removal for maintenance, facilitating the inspection or replacement of the energy storage component 260. In addition to the original wheel 261, connecting shaft 262, and coil spring 263, the energy storage component 260 also includes two wire springs 264 and a limiting part 265. One end of each of the two linear springs 264 is fixedly connected to a limiting part 265, and the other end is connected to the cover plate 220. The two limiting parts 265 extend into the corresponding connecting chambers 214 and abut against the connecting shaft 262. This arrangement allows the movement of the connecting shaft 262 to be directly transmitted to the linear springs 264 through the limiting parts 265 during the assembly or abnormal ejection of the lithium battery cell 230, thereby assisting in the energy storage and release process.

[0099] During the installation of the lithium battery cell 230, as the lithium battery cell 230 extends into the channel 211, it compresses the wheel 261. The wheel 261 moves along the channel 211 toward the positioning space 212, causing the connecting shaft 262 to move synchronously and pushing the two wire springs 264 from a free state to a compressed state. At this time, the wire springs 264 store additional elastic force in the compressed state, serving as an auxiliary source of energy storage.

[0100] When the control unit 30 determines an abnormality and triggers the locking assembly 250 to unlock, the two wire springs 264 quickly return from the compressed state to the free state, pushing the connecting shaft 262 to move along the positioning space 212 toward the channel 211, causing the wheel 261 to extend into the channel 211. The wheel 261 rotates in the opposite direction and forms a squeezing and pushing contact with the surface of the lithium battery cell 230, thereby quickly ejecting the lithium battery cell 230 to the outside of the housing 210, achieving efficient isolation.

[0101] Please refer to Figures 5 to 7 and Figures 10 to 12 In order to better lock or unlock the locking component 250, in one embodiment, the housing 210 is provided with a first side 216 and a second side 217, the first side 216 and the second side 217 are opposite to each other, the first side 216 is provided with a relief groove 2161 and a fixing hole 2162 provided in the relief groove 2161, the second side 217 is provided with a receiving groove 2171, and the channel 211 has a first opening 218;

[0102] The locking assembly 250 includes a cover 251, an elastic element 252, a motor 253, and a snap-fit ​​connector 254. The cover 251 includes a first plate 2511 and a second plate 2512, which are perpendicularly connected. The first plate 2511 has a first conductive negative electrode portion 2551, which can be electrically connected to the negative electrode of the lithium battery cell 230. One end of the first plate 2511 near the clearance groove 2161 rotates with the housing 210. The second plate 2512 has a snap-fit ​​groove 2552 adapted to the snap-fit ​​connector 254 at one end away from the first plate 2511. The snap-fit ​​connector 254 is connected to the rotating shaft of the motor 253. The motor 253 and the snap-fit ​​connector 254 are both located in the receiving groove 2171. The motor 253 is electrically connected to the control unit 30. The elastic element 252 is located in the relief groove 2161. One end of the elastic element 252 is connected to the end of the first plate 2511, and the other end is connected to the fixed hole.

[0103] When the motor 253 drives the snap-fit ​​connector 254 to rotate to the first angle (not marked in the figure), the elastic element 252 drives the first plate 2511 to rotate around its rotational connection. The elastic element 252 moves from the stretched state to the contracted state. At the same time, the snap-fit ​​groove 2552 separates from the snap-fit ​​connector 254, so that the first plate 2511 moves away from the first opening 218, thereby releasing the limiting fit of the cover 251 on the lithium battery cell 230, so that the energy storage assembly 260 can pop the lithium battery cell 230 out of the housing 210 through the first opening 218.

[0104] When the first plate 2511 rotates in the opposite direction around its rotating connection, the elastic element 252 moves from the contracted state to the stretched state, causing the first plate 2511 to cover the first opening 218. The snap connector 254 extends into the snap groove 2552, so that the motor 253 drives the snap connector 254 to rotate to the second angle b, thereby snapping the snap connector 254 into the snap groove 2552.

[0105] Specifically, the housing 210 has a first side 216 and a second side 217 facing away from each other. The first side 216 has a relief groove 2161 and a fixing hole 2162 is provided in the relief groove 2161. The second side 217 has a receiving groove 2171, and the channel 211 has a first opening 218. This structure provides an independent arrangement space for the locking assembly 250, which facilitates the coordination of its rotational movement with the ejection path of the energy storage assembly 260. The locking assembly 250 includes a cover 251, an elastic element 252, a motor 253, and a snap-fit ​​connector 254. The cover 251 is composed of a first plate 2511 and a second plate 2512, which are perpendicularly connected. The first plate 2511 has a first conductive negative electrode portion 2551, which can be electrically connected to the negative electrode of the lithium battery cell 230. The first plate 2511 is rotatably connected to the housing 210 at one end near the clearance groove 2161, allowing the cover 251 to rotate around this rotatable connection point. The second plate 2512 has a snap-fit ​​groove 2552 at its end away from the first plate 2511, which is adapted to the snap-fit ​​connector 254. The snap-fit ​​connector 254 is connected to the shaft of the motor 253. Both the motor 253 and the snap-fit ​​connector 254 are arranged within the receiving groove 2171 on the second side 217. The motor 253 is electrically connected to the control unit 30, facilitating precise control of the locking and releasing actions by the control unit 30. The elastic element 252 is located within the clearance groove 2161, with one end connected to the end of the first plate 2511 and the other end connected to the fixing hole 2162.

[0106] Under normal operating conditions, the snap connector 254 extends into the snap slot 2552, keeping the cover 251 in the position covering the first opening 218. The cooperation between the first plate 2511 and the second plate 2512 restricts the movement of the lithium battery cell 230 along the channel 211.

[0107] When the control unit 30 determines that the lithium battery cell 230 has a risk of thermal runaway, it sends an action signal to drive the motor 253 to run, causing the snap-fit ​​connector 254 to rotate to a first angle and separate from the snap-fit ​​groove 2552. At this time, under the action of the reset force, the elastic element 252 drives the first plate 2511 to rotate around its rotation connection point. The first plate 2511 changes from the position covering the first opening 218 to the position avoiding the first opening 218, thereby releasing the limiting fit of the cover 251 on the lithium battery cell 230. The energy storage assembly 260 can immediately release the elastic force and eject the cell through the first opening 218 out of the housing 210.

[0108] After the new lithium battery cell 230 is manually installed, the first plate 2511 covers the first opening 218 again under the reverse rotation. The elastic element 252 returns from the contracted state to the stretched state. When the locking connector 254 extends into the locking groove 2552, the locking connector 254 rotates to the second angle b so that the locking connector 254 extends back into the locking groove 2552, so that the locking connector 254 engages with the second plate 2512, thereby resetting the locking component 250.

[0109] Please refer to Figure 11 and Figure 12 To illustrate the cooperation between the motor 253, the monitoring unit 240, and the control unit 30, in one embodiment, the monitoring unit 240 is connected to the channel 211. The monitoring unit 240 is used to collect one or more of the temperature, voltage, current, and gas concentration information of the lithium battery cell 230 in real time, and transmit the monitoring data to the control unit 30.

[0110] When the control unit 30 determines that there is a risk of thermal runaway in the lithium battery cell 230, the connector 254 rotates 90°, so that the motor 253 drives the connector 254 to rotate to the first angle, so that the slot 2552 separates from the connector 254.

[0111] When the motor 253 drives the connector 254 to rotate to the second angle b, and the first plate 2511 covers the first opening 218, the connector 254 rotates 90° in the opposite direction, so that the connector 254 engages with the slot 2552.

[0112] Specifically, the monitoring unit 240 is a monitoring module that integrates a temperature sensor, a voltage sensor, a current sensor, and a gas concentration sensor. The monitoring unit 240 is connected to the channel 211, allowing it to be positioned close to the lithium battery cell 230 to collect one or more operating parameters from the temperature, voltage, current, and gas concentration information of the lithium battery cell 230 in real time. Through the connection between the monitoring unit 240 and the channel 211, the monitoring unit 240 can obtain direct and accurate operating status data at the battery cell installation location, avoiding data delays or insufficient accuracy caused by sensors being placed too far away.

[0113] The monitoring unit 240 transmits the collected data to the control unit 30 in real time. The control unit 30 compares the data with a preset risk threshold to determine whether there is a risk of thermal runaway in the battery cell. When a risk of thermal runaway is determined to exist, the control unit 30 sends a command to drive the motor 253, causing the locking connector 254 to rotate 90° to the first angle. At this position, the locking slot 2552 separates from the locking connector 254, the locking component 250 loses its constraint, and the elastic element 252 drives the cover 251 away from the first opening 218 of the channel 211, thereby releasing the limitation of the lithium battery cell 230. The energy storage component 260 can then immediately eject the abnormal cell from the outside of the housing 210.

[0114] When a new lithium battery cell 230 is replaced, the control unit 30 can again send a command to drive the motor 253, causing the locking connector 254 to rotate 90° in the opposite direction. The locking connector 254 rotates to the second angle b. At this position, the locking connector 254 re-engages with the locking groove 2552. At the same time, the first plate 2511 covers the first opening 218 under the action of the elastic member 252, thereby resetting the locking assembly 250 and re-locking the battery cell.

[0115] In summary, the monitoring unit 240 is connected to channel 211, enabling the sensor to be close to the battery cells to collect temperature, voltage, current, and gas concentration information, improving data accuracy and real-time performance, and allowing for earlier detection of thermal runaway risks. The locking and releasing mechanism of the connector 254, which rotates 90° in conjunction with the setting of the first and second angles b, avoids the delays or malfunctions associated with complex linkage structures. Furthermore, the connector 254 switches between two stable angles (first and second angles b), ensuring a secure and reliable locking state while providing a clear release action during unlocking, reducing the risk of erroneous actions. After the action is completed, it can be quickly reset, facilitating system maintenance and reuse.

[0116] It should be noted that, in one embodiment, the module cavity 10 can be installed at the bottom of the vehicle frame, with the first opening 218 of the multiple fixing slots 111 facing the bottom of the vehicle, i.e., towards the ground. In the event of thermal runaway, after the locking assembly 250 is released, the at-risk lithium battery cell 230 quickly detaches from the module cavity 10 and falls to the bottom of the vehicle under the combined action of the pushing force of the energy storage assembly 260 and gravity. At the same time, the control unit 30 controls the lithium battery structure 20 to cut off power, thereby reducing the impact on the passenger compartment and surrounding critical components. In another embodiment, the bottom of the vehicle can be provided with a receiving cavity for accommodating the detached lithium battery cell 230. When the thermally runaway cell falls into the receiving cavity, the fire extinguishing agent release device inside the cavity can automatically release fire extinguishing agent to extinguish the fallen lithium battery cell 230, thereby achieving dual safety protection of cell isolation and fire suppression, reducing the risk of thermal spread.

[0117] Please refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 In one embodiment, the housing 210 is provided with a second conductive negative electrode portion 2163 at the position of the relief groove 2161. The second conductive negative electrode portion 2163 is electrically connected to the first conductive negative electrode portion 2551, and the control unit 30 is electrically connected to the second conductive negative electrode portion 2163.

[0118] The housing 210 has a first conductive positive electrode portion 219 at the end opposite to the first opening 218. When the lithium battery cell 230 extends into the channel 211 and the first plate 2511 covers the first opening 218, the first conductive positive electrode portion 219 is electrically connected to the positive electrode of the lithium battery cell 230, and the control unit 30 is electrically connected to the first conductive positive electrode portion 219.

[0119] Specifically, the housing 210 has a second conductive negative electrode portion 2163 at the clearance groove 2161 position. The second conductive negative electrode portion 2163 is electrically connected to the first conductive negative electrode portion 2551 on the cover 251, and the control unit 30 is also electrically connected to the second conductive negative electrode portion 2163. A first conductive positive electrode portion 219 is provided at the end of the housing 210 opposite to the first opening 218. When the lithium battery cell 230 extends into the housing 210 along the channel 211 and the first plate 2511 is in the locked state covering the first opening 218, the first conductive positive electrode portion 219 reliably contacts the positive electrode of the lithium battery cell 230, and the control unit 30 is electrically connected to the first conductive positive electrode portion 219, thereby forming a complete positive and negative electrode circuit, enabling the control unit 30 to normally monitor and manage the working status of the cell. Electrical connection is achieved when the locking component 250 is in the closed state, and the electrical connection is automatically disconnected when the locking component 250 is released and the lithium battery cell 230 pops out, thereby preventing the abnormal lithium battery cell 230 from continuing to participate in the working circuit.

[0120] Please refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 In one embodiment, the module cavity 10 includes a housing 110 and a plurality of fasteners 120. The housing 110 includes a plurality of fixing slots 111 arranged in a matrix. The fasteners 120 are detachably connected to the housing 110.

[0121] When the fastener 120 is connected to the housing 110, the fastener 120 covers part of the housing 210 to prevent the housing 210 from detaching from the module cavity 10 and to avoid the fastener 120 interfering with the rotation of the cover 251 around its rotational connection.

[0122] Specifically, the module cavity 10 includes a housing 110 and multiple fasteners 120. The housing 110 has multiple fixing slots 111 arranged in a matrix to densely arrange multiple lithium battery structures 20, making full use of the internal space of the housing 110 and improving power density and space utilization. The multiple fasteners 120 are detachably connected to the housing 110. When the fasteners 120 are connected to the housing 110, they can block part of the housing 210 of each lithium battery structure 20, thereby preventing the housing 210 from accidentally detaching from the module cavity 10 under vehicle vibration, tilting, or external impact. The structure and position of the fasteners 120 are optimized to effectively limit the housing 210 without interfering with the rotation of the cover 251 in the locking assembly 250 around its rotational connection, ensuring that the locking assembly 250 can operate smoothly under normal or abnormal conditions and without affecting the timely ejection of the risky cells. The detachable design of the fastener 120 allows for easy removal of the fastener 120 during battery cell installation, maintenance, or replacement, thereby quickly releasing the fixing slot 111. This facilitates the assembly or disassembly of the cells and improves the maintenance efficiency and operability of the system in subsequent use.

[0123] Please refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 In one embodiment, the outer shell 110 includes a plurality of first partitions 112 and second partitions 113. The first partitions 112 and second partitions 113 are vertically connected to form a plurality of fixing grooves 111. The fixing member 120 is cylindrical and is axially disposed along the central axis at the connection between the first partitions 112 and the second partitions 113, so that any cylindrical member can simultaneously block part of the four shells 210.

[0124] Specifically, the module cavity 10 includes multiple first partitions 112 and multiple second partitions 113. The first partitions 112 and second partitions 113 are vertically connected, and their mutually perpendicular and staggered arrangement divides the interior of the outer shell 110 into multiple fixing slots 111 for accommodating multiple lithium battery structures 20. This vertically connected partition structure creates regular partitions between the fixing slots 111, ensuring that each lithium battery structure 20 is arranged closely yet independently. The fixing member 120 is designed as a cylinder and is axially positioned along its central axis at the connection between the first partitions 112 and the second partitions 113. The arrangement of the cylindrical fixing member 120 is optimized so that a single cylindrical fixing member 120 can simultaneously block part of the housing 210 of the lithium battery structure 20 in four adjacent fixing slots 111, thereby achieving effective restraint of the maximum number of lithium battery structures 20 with the minimum number of fixing members 120. The fastener 120 adopts a detachable connection method. For example, the fastener 120 is set on the housing 110 by bolts, so that when it is necessary to replace or maintain any lithium battery structure 20, the corresponding fixing slot 111 can be released simply by removing the relevant fastener 120, thus reducing the amount of maintenance work.

[0125] Please refer to Figure 15 and Figure 16 A multi-level safety protection control method for lithium batteries, applied to a multi-level safety protection system for lithium batteries, includes the following steps:

[0126] S1: Real-time acquisition of temperature, voltage, current, and gas concentration information of each lithium battery cell 230 detected by multiple monitoring units 240, and transmission of the monitoring data to control unit 30;

[0127] S2: The control unit 30 determines whether there is a risk of thermal runaway in the lithium battery cell 230 based on the monitoring data;

[0128] S3: When the control unit 30 determines that there is a risk of thermal runaway in the lithium battery cell 230, it sends a control signal to drive the corresponding locking component 250 to unlock, and at the same time cuts off the power to the lithium battery cell 230, triggering the corresponding energy storage component 260 to release the elastic force, and popping the lithium battery cell 230 out of the housing 210 to the outside of the module cavity 10.

[0129] Specifically, in step S1, multiple monitoring units 240 arranged on each lithium battery structure 20 collect the operating status parameters of each lithium battery cell 230 in real time, including one or more of temperature, voltage, current, and gas concentration information. Since the monitoring units 240 are directly located close to the battery cells, these parameters can reflect the working status of the lithium battery cells 230 in real time and accurately, and the monitoring results are transmitted to the control unit 30 through data communication.

[0130] In step S2, the control unit 30 receives operating data transmitted from multiple monitoring units 240 and performs risk assessment based on preset thermal runaway determination logic. The preset logic includes conditions such as temperature threshold, charging / discharging status, voltage anomalies, and excessive gas concentration. The control unit 30 determines whether there is a risk of thermal runaway by comprehensively comparing the data.

[0131] In step S3, when the control unit 30 determines that a certain lithium battery cell 230 has a risk of thermal runaway, for example, if the temperature of the lithium battery cell 230 is too high, it will immediately send a control signal to the corresponding locking component 250 to drive the locking component 250 to unlock and cut off the power to the lithium battery cell 230. At the same time, the unlocked energy storage component 260 releases the pre-stored elastic force, quickly ejecting the battery cell with the risk of thermal runaway from the housing 210 to the outside of the module cavity 10, achieving immediate physical isolation of the risky cell. Through this control method, the risk source can be quickly removed from the battery module before thermal runaway further develops into combustion or explosion, thereby reducing the probability of a chain reaction.

[0132] In summary, the monitoring unit 240, deployed at each battery cell, can accurately collect operating parameters such as temperature, voltage, current, and gas concentration. The control unit 30, based on multi-parameter comprehensive analysis of the risk status, improves the accuracy of the judgment and the stability of the system. After a risk is identified, the control unit 30 quickly drives the locking component 250 of the corresponding lithium battery structure 20 to release, and immediately ejects the risky lithium battery cell 230 from the module cavity 10 through the energy storage component 260. This significantly shortens the response time, reduces the risk of heat and high-pressure gas spreading to adjacent lithium battery cells 230, and improves the overall operational safety and reliability of the battery module.

[0133] The above description of the disclosed embodiments enables those skilled in the art to make or use this application. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this application. Therefore, this application is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A multi-level safety protection system for lithium batteries, characterized in that, include: The module cavity is equipped with multiple fixing slots; Multiple lithium battery structures are provided, each of which is disposed in a fixed slot. Each lithium battery structure includes a housing, a lithium battery cell disposed within the housing, a monitoring unit disposed on the housing, and an ejection mechanism. The monitoring unit is used to collect information of the lithium battery cell in real time. The ejection mechanism includes a locking component disposed on the housing and at least one energy storage component. The locking component is used to lock or release the lithium battery cell, and the energy storage component is used to provide ejection power when the lock is released. The control unit is electrically connected to each of the monitoring units and the locking component respectively. Each of the monitoring units transmits monitoring data to the control unit in real time, which is used to determine whether each of the lithium battery cells has a risk of thermal runaway based on the monitoring data. When the control unit determines that the lithium battery cell has a risk of thermal runaway, the control unit sends a control signal to drive the locking component to unlock, and the energy storage component releases its elastic force to eject the lithium battery cell with the risk of thermal runaway from the housing to the outside of the module cavity.

2. The multi-level safety protection system for lithium batteries as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The housing has a channel, the shape and size of which are adapted to the lithium battery cell, and the energy storage component extends into the channel; When the lithium battery cell extends into the channel, the lithium battery cell squeezes the energy storage component, and at the same time the energy storage component moves from the original state to the retracted state. When the locking component is released, the energy storage component causes the lithium battery cell to pop out from the channel to the outside of the housing, and at the same time the energy storage component moves from the retracted state to the original state.

3. The lithium battery multi-level safety protection system as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The housing has a positioning chamber, two fixed chambers and two connecting chambers. The positioning chamber is radially connected to the channel, and the two fixed chambers are each connected to the middle positioning chamber through one of the connecting chambers. The energy storage assembly includes a wheel, a connecting shaft, and two coil springs. The circumferential surface of the wheel can be fitted with the circumferential surface of the lithium battery cell. The connecting shaft passes through the central axis of the wheel and is fixedly connected to the wheel. Both ends of the connecting shaft extend outside the wheel. The inner ends of the two coil springs are respectively fixedly connected to the circumferential position of one end of the connecting shaft. The wheel is radially movable within the positioning chamber. The connecting shaft is radially movable through the connecting chamber. Each coil spring is located within a fixed chamber, and the outer end of each coil spring abuts against the inner wall of the fixed chamber. When the lithium battery cell is inserted into the channel, the lithium battery cell comes into contact with the wheel and squeezes the wheel. The wheel moves along the channel toward the positioning space. At the same time, the rotation of the wheel drives the coil spring from a free state to a compressed state. When the locking assembly is released, the coil spring drives the wheel to rotate in the opposite direction, and at the same time the wheel moves along the positioning space toward the channel and extends into the channel. The lithium battery cell is ejected from the channel to the outside of the housing, and the coil spring moves from the compressed state to the free state.

4. The multi-level safety protection system for lithium batteries as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The outer wall of the housing is provided with an opening groove, which is connected to the positioning chamber, the two fixed chambers and the two connecting chambers respectively, so that the energy storage component can extend into the positioning chamber, the two fixed chambers and the two connecting chambers through the opening groove; The lithium battery structure also includes a cover plate that can be detachably covered by the opening slot; The energy storage assembly also includes two linear springs and a limiting part. One end of each of the two linear springs is fixedly connected to one of the limiting parts, and the other end is connected to the cover plate. The two limiting parts extend into a communicating space and abut against the connecting shaft. When the lithium battery cell is inserted into the channel, the lithium battery cell squeezes the wheel, and the wheel moves along the channel toward the positioning space. At the same time, the connecting shaft pushes the two linear springs from a free state to a compressed state. When the locking assembly is released, the two coil springs move from the compressed state to the free state. At the same time, the two coil springs push the connecting shaft to move along the positioning space toward the channel. The wheel moves along the positioning space toward the channel and extends into the channel. The wheel rotates in the opposite direction, causing the lithium battery cell to be ejected from the channel to the outside of the housing.

5. The multi-level safety protection system for lithium batteries as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The housing has a first side and a second side, the first side and the second side are opposite to each other, the first side has a relief groove and a fixing hole in the relief groove, the second side has a receiving groove, and the channel has a first opening; The locking assembly includes a cover, an elastic element, a motor, and a locking connector. The cover includes a first plate and a second plate, which are perpendicularly connected. The first plate has a first conductive negative electrode portion that can be electrically connected to the negative electrode of the lithium battery cell. The end of the first plate near the clearance groove is rotatably connected to the housing. The end of the second plate away from the first plate has a locking groove adapted to the locking connector. The locking connector is connected to the rotating shaft of the motor. The motor and the locking connector are both located in the receiving groove. The motor is electrically connected to the control unit. The elastic element is located in the clearance groove. One end of the elastic element is connected to the end of the first plate, and the other end is connected to the fixed hole. When the motor drives the snap-fit ​​connector to rotate to the first angle, the elastic element drives the first plate to rotate around its rotational connection. The elastic element moves from the stretched state to the contracted state. At the same time, the snap-fit ​​groove separates from the snap-fit ​​connector, causing the first plate to move away from the first opening. This releases the limiting fit of the cover on the lithium battery cell, so that the energy storage assembly can eject the lithium battery cell through the first opening to the outside of the housing. When the first plate rotates in the opposite direction around its rotational connection, the elastic element moves from a contracted state to a stretched state, causing the first plate to cover the first opening. The snap-fit ​​connector extends into the snap-fit ​​groove, so that the motor drives the snap-fit ​​connector to rotate to a second angle, thereby causing the snap-fit ​​connector to snap into the snap-fit ​​groove.

6. The multi-level safety protection system for lithium batteries as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The monitoring unit is connected to the channel and is used to collect one or more of the temperature, voltage, current and gas concentration information of the lithium battery cell in real time, and transmit the monitoring data to the control unit. When the control unit determines that the lithium battery cell has a risk of thermal runaway, the connector rotates 90°, causing the motor to drive the connector to rotate to the first angle, so that the slot separates from the connector. When the motor drives the snap-fit ​​connector to rotate to the second angle, and the first plate covers the first opening, the snap-fit ​​connector rotates 90° in the opposite direction, so that the snap-fit ​​connector engages with the snap-fit ​​slot.

7. The lithium battery multi-level safety protection system as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The housing is provided with a second conductive negative electrode at the clearance groove position. The second conductive negative electrode is electrically connected to the first conductive negative electrode. The control unit is electrically connected to the second conductive negative electrode. The housing has a first conductive positive electrode at the end opposite to the first opening. When the lithium battery cell is inserted into the channel and the first plate covers the first opening, the first conductive positive electrode is electrically connected to the positive electrode of the lithium battery cell, and the control unit is electrically connected to the first conductive positive electrode.

8. The multi-level safety protection system for lithium batteries as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The module cavity includes an outer shell and multiple fasteners. The outer shell includes multiple fixing slots arranged in a matrix. The fasteners are detachably connected to the outer shell. When the fastener is connected to the housing, the fastener blocks part of the housing to prevent the housing from detaching from the module cavity and to prevent the fastener from interfering with the rotation of the cover around its rotational connection.

9. The multi-level safety protection system for lithium batteries as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The outer shell includes multiple first partitions and second partitions. The first partitions are perpendicularly connected to the second partitions to form multiple fixing grooves. The fixing member is cylindrical and is axially located along the central axis at the connection between the first partition and the second partition, so that any one of the cylinders can simultaneously block part of the four outer shells.

10. A multi-level safety protection control method for lithium batteries, applied to the multi-level safety protection system for lithium batteries as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The method includes the following steps: S1: Real-time acquisition of temperature, voltage, current, and gas concentration information of each lithium battery cell detected by the multiple monitoring units, and transmission of the monitoring data to the control unit; S2: The control unit determines whether the lithium battery cell has a risk of thermal runaway based on the monitoring data; S3: When the control unit determines that the lithium battery cell has a risk of thermal runaway, it sends a control signal to drive the corresponding locking component to unlock, triggering the corresponding energy storage component to release the elastic force and eject the lithium battery cell from the housing to the outside of the module cavity.

Images