Fire extinguishing device and battery cell

Abstract

The invention provides a fire extinguishing device and a battery cell, the fire extinguishing device can be additionally installed on a battery cell with a tab, and the fire extinguishing device is helpful for suppressing heat spread in a unit of the battery cell. The fire extinguishing device is provided with: an insulating sheet disposed on a tab connected to an electrode on a surface on which the electrode of a battery cell is disposed; a fire extinguishing sheet disposed on the insulating sheet and made of an alkali metal; and a fixing part to which the insulating sheet and the fire extinguishing sheet are fixed in a state of being electrically insulated from each other.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to fire extinguishing devices and battery cells. Background Technology

[0002] Previously, a phenomenon known as "thermal runaway" occurred when a short circuit, either internal or external, within a battery cell (e.g., a lithium-ion battery cell) caused heat to build up, leading to a continuous rise in temperature. Another phenomenon known as "thermal propagation" occurred when, during thermal runaway, gases produced by the vaporization of the electrolyte within the battery cell were released to the outside, causing the thermal runaway to spread to surrounding battery cells.

[0003] As a prior art for suppressing heat spread, for example, a flame-arresting vent port is known, which can be installed on the electrode surface of a battery cell. However, this invention does not consider the battery cells being connected in series / parallel via tabs (busbars), making it impossible to install the vent port on a battery cell with tabs. Furthermore, vent ports are more commonly located within battery modules or battery packs (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

[0004] In other words, there was previously no means to add to a battery cell with tabs to suppress heat spread.

[0005] Existing technical documents

[0006] Patent documents

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2024-508132

[0008] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2024-525104 Summary of the Invention

[0009] The problem the invention aims to solve

[0010] One aspect of this disclosure is to provide a fire extinguishing device and a battery cell that can be additionally installed on a battery cell equipped with tabs, thereby helping to suppress heat spread on a cell-by-cell basis.

[0011] Solution to the problem

[0012] One aspect of the fire extinguishing device disclosed herein includes: an insulating sheet disposed on a tab, the tab being connected to an electrode on the electrode mounting surface of a battery cell; a fire extinguishing disc disposed on the insulating sheet and made of an alkali metal; and a fixing portion thereto, wherein the insulating sheet and the fire extinguishing disc are fixed to the fixing portion in a state of electrical insulation from each other.

[0013] One aspect of the fire extinguishing device disclosed herein includes: a fire extinguishing disc disposed on an electrode tab, comprising an insulator and an alkali metal, the electrode tab being connected to the electrode on the electrode mounting surface of a battery cell; and a fixing portion to which the fire extinguishing disc is fixed.

[0014] One embodiment of the present disclosure has a battery cell having one of the aforementioned fire extinguishing devices.

[0015] Invention Effects

[0016] According to this disclosure, additional tabs can be installed on battery cells, thereby helping to suppress heat spread on a cell-by-cell basis. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a perspective view schematically showing the state in which the fire extinguishing device of Embodiment 1 of this disclosure is installed on a battery cell.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a side view schematically showing the state in which the fire extinguishing device of Embodiment 1 of this disclosure is installed on a battery cell.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a top view schematically showing the state in which the fire extinguishing device of Embodiment 1 of this disclosure is installed on a battery cell.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a schematic side view of the fire extinguishing device according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a perspective view schematically showing the state in which the fire extinguishing device of Embodiment 2 of this disclosure is installed on a battery cell.

[0022] Figure 6 This is a side view schematically showing the state in which the fire extinguishing device of Embodiment 2 of this disclosure is installed on a battery cell.

[0023] Figure 7 This is a top view schematically showing the state in which the fire extinguishing device of Embodiment 2 of this disclosure is installed on a battery cell.

[0024] Figure 8 This is a schematic side view of the fire extinguishing device according to Embodiment 2 of this disclosure.

[0025] Figure 9 This is a side view schematically showing the state in which a fire extinguishing device of a modified embodiment 1 of the present disclosure is installed on a battery cell.

[0026] Figure 10This is a side view schematically showing the state in which the fire extinguishing device of a modified embodiment 2 of this disclosure is installed on a battery cell.

[0027] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0028] 1: Fire extinguishing equipment;

[0029] 2: Insulating sheet;

[0030] 3: Fire extinguishing discs;

[0031] 4: Structural components;

[0032] 5: Adhesive components;

[0033] 10: Battery cell;

[0034] 11: Electrode (busbar). Detailed Implementation

[0035] The embodiments of this disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that common structural elements in the various figures are labeled with the same reference numerals, and descriptions of these structural elements are omitted where appropriate.

[0036] <Implementation Method 1>

[0037] use Figures 1-4 The fire extinguishing device 1 and the battery cell 10 of Embodiment 1 will be described.

[0038] Figure 1 This is a perspective view schematically showing the state in which the fire extinguishing device 1 of Embodiment 1 is installed on the battery cell 10. Figure 2 This is a schematic side view (facing) showing the state in which the fire extinguishing device 1 of Embodiment 1 is installed on the battery cell 10. Figure 1 (See the diagram where arrow A is pointing in the direction of observation). Figure 3 This is a schematic top view (facing) showing the state in which the fire extinguishing device 1 of Embodiment 1 is installed on the battery cell 10. Figure 1 (See the diagram where arrow B is pointing in the direction of observation). Figure 4 This is a schematic side view of the fire extinguishing device 1 according to Embodiment 1.

[0039] Figures 1-3 The battery cell 10 shown is, for example, a lithium-ion battery cell. Figures 1-3 As shown, the battery cell 10 is cylindrical. Although not shown in the figure, an electrode (e.g., a positive electrode) is provided on the upper surface 10a of the battery cell 10. This electrode is connected to a tab 11. It should be noted that... Figures 1-3In the illustration, both ends of the tab 11 are shortened for ease of explanation, but it is also possible that at least one end extends to a position further than shown and connects to the electrode of another battery cell located next to it (not shown).

[0040] Figures 1-4 The fire extinguishing device 1 shown is a device that is installed on a battery cell 10 and is used to extinguish a fire caused by exhaust gas in the battery cell 10.

[0041] like Figures 1-4 As shown, the fire extinguishing device 1 has an insulating sheet 2, a fire extinguishing sheet 3, and a structural component 4.

[0042] Insulating sheet 2 is a rectangular sheet component made of a known insulator (e.g., resin). Figures 1-3 As shown, the insulating sheet 2 is disposed on the tab 11 on the upper surface 10a (in other words, the electrode mounting surface) of the battery cell 10. It should be noted that... Figure 2 In order to make the illustration easier to understand, the tab 11 and the insulating sheet 2 are shown separately, but the tab 11 and the insulating sheet 2 can also be in contact with each other.

[0043] The insulating sheet 2 is provided to prevent the fire extinguishing sheet 3 from contacting the electrode tab 11. Therefore, preferably, the area of ​​the insulating sheet 2 is larger than that of the fire extinguishing sheet 3.

[0044] like Figure 4 As shown, the two ends of the insulating sheet 2 are fixed to the inner surface 4a of the structural member 4. Therefore, when the fire extinguishing device 1 is installed on the battery cell 10, the two ends of the insulating sheet 2 are located between the side surface 10b of the battery cell 10 and the inner surface 4a of the structural member 4.

[0045] Fire extinguishing disc 3 is a rectangular disc component made of an alkali metal, which is capable of extinguishing fires caused by emitted gases. Examples of alkali metals include potassium and sodium, but are not limited to these.

[0046] like Figures 1-3 As shown, the fire extinguishing disc 3 is mounted on the insulating sheet 2. Figure 4 As shown, the two ends of the fire extinguishing disc 3 are fixed to the outer surface 4b of the structural member 4. It should be noted that... Figure 2 and Figure 4 In order to make the illustration easier to understand, the fire extinguishing sheet 3 and the insulating sheet 2 are shown separately, but the fire extinguishing sheet 3 and the insulating sheet 2 can also be in contact with each other.

[0047] It should be noted that, as a method for fixing the insulating sheet 2 and the fire extinguishing sheet 3 to the structural member 4, for example, methods using known adhesives and methods of applying adhesive force to both ends of the insulating sheet 2 and the fire extinguishing sheet 3 can be cited, but are not limited thereto.

[0048] Structural member 4 is a columnar member with both its upper and lower surfaces arched (the shape of a part of a ring). Structural member 4 is made of a known material (e.g., plastic) that has insulation and high strength.

[0049] like Figures 1-4 As shown, two structural members 4 are used. The two structural members 4 correspond to one example of a fixing part. In addition, one of the two structural members 4 corresponds to one example of a first fixing part, and the other corresponds to one example of a second fixing part.

[0050] As described above, both ends of the insulating sheet 2 are fixed to the inner surface 4a of the structural member 4. More specifically, one end of the insulating sheet 2 is fixed to the inner surface 4a of one structural member 4, and the other end of the insulating sheet 2 is fixed to the inner surface 4a of another structural member 4 (see reference). Figure 4 ).

[0051] Furthermore, as described above, both ends of the fire extinguishing disc 3 are fixed to the outer surface 4b of the structural member 4. More specifically, one end of the fire extinguishing disc 3 is fixed to the outer surface 4b of one structural member 4, and the other end of the fire extinguishing disc 3 is fixed to the outer surface 4b of another structural member 4 (see reference). Figure 4 ).

[0052] As described above, the insulating sheet 2 and the fire extinguishing sheet 3 are fixed to the two structural members 4 respectively in a state of electrical insulation from each other (see reference). Figure 4 ).

[0053] The two structural members 4 are configured to abut against the side 10b of the battery cell 10 when the fire extinguishing device 1 is installed on the battery cell 10, and to be opposite to each other across the battery cell 10 (see reference). Figures 1-3 ).

[0054] It should be noted that the fire extinguishing device 1 is installed on each of the multiple battery cells 10, for example, when the multiple battery cells 10 are modularized. Therefore, by prefabricating multiple... Figure 4 The fire extinguishing device 1 shown in the diagram can be easily installed onto multiple battery cells 10.

[0055] As explained above, the fire extinguishing device 1 of Embodiment 1 is characterized by having: an insulating sheet 2 disposed on a tab 11, the tab 11 being connected to an electrode on the electrode mounting surface (e.g., upper surface 10a) of the battery cell 10; a fire extinguishing disc 3 disposed on the insulating sheet 2, which is made of an alkali metal; and a structural member 4, wherein the insulating sheet 2 and the fire extinguishing disc 3 are fixed to the structural member 4 in a state of electrical insulation from each other.

[0056] Generally, when thermal runaway occurs, fires often ignite from the electrode mounting surface located in the direction of the exhaust gas ejection. However, the fire extinguishing device 1 of Embodiment 1, because it has an alkali metal extinguishing disc 3 mounted on the electrode mounting surface (upper surface 10a), can suppress (extinguish) fires caused by exhaust gases on a per-cell basis, with each battery cell equipped with a tab. As a result, it helps to suppress the spread of heat.

[0057] Furthermore, since the insulating sheet 2 and the fire extinguishing sheet 3 are pre-fixed to the structural member 4, the battery cell 10 with the tabs installed can be easily installed by inserting the two structural members 4 along the side 10b of the battery cell 10.

[0058] It should be noted that even when both the positive and negative electrodes are disposed on the upper surface 10a in the battery cell 10, the fire suppression effect can be achieved by disposing of the fire extinguishing device 1 of this embodiment in the battery cell 10.

[0059] <Implementation Method 2>

[0060] use Figures 5-8 The fire extinguishing device 1 and the battery cell 10 of Embodiment 2 will be described.

[0061] Figure 5 This is a perspective view schematically showing the state in which the fire extinguishing device 1 of Embodiment 2 is installed on the battery cell 10. Figure 6 This is a schematic side view (facing) showing the state in which the fire extinguishing device 1 of Embodiment 2 is installed on the battery cell 10. Figure 5 (See the diagram where arrow A is pointing in the direction of observation). Figure 7 This is a schematic top view (facing) showing the state in which the fire extinguishing device 1 of Embodiment 2 is installed on the battery cell 10. Figure 5 (See the diagram where arrow B is pointing in the direction of observation). Figure 8 This is a schematic side view of the fire extinguishing device 1 according to Embodiment 2.

[0062] for Figures 5-8 Structural elements common to Embodiment 1 are labeled with the same reference numerals. Therefore, the description of these structural elements will be omitted below, and the differences from Embodiment 1 will be described instead.

[0063] like Figures 5-8 As shown, the difference between the fire extinguishing device 1 in Embodiment 2 and Embodiment 1 is that the fire extinguishing device 1 does not have an insulating sheet 2.

[0064] Figures 5-8The fire extinguishing disc 3 shown is composed of the aforementioned alkali metals (e.g., potassium and sodium) and a known insulator (e.g., resin). Therefore, the fire extinguishing disc 3 of this embodiment not only has the function of extinguishing fires caused by exhaust gases, but also has the function of electrical insulation from electrodes not shown.

[0065] It should be explained that, for example Figure 8 As shown, the two ends of the fire extinguishing disc 3 are fixed to the outer side 4b of the structural component 4, but it is not limited to this and can also be fixed to the inner side 4a.

[0066] As explained above, the fire extinguishing device 1 of Embodiment 2 is characterized by having: a fire extinguishing disc 3 disposed on an electrode tab 11, which is made of an insulator and an alkali metal, the electrode tab 11 being connected to an electrode on the electrode mounting surface (e.g., upper surface 10a) of the battery cell 10; and a structural member 4 to which the fire extinguishing disc 3 is fixed.

[0067] Therefore, similar to Embodiment 1, the fire extinguishing device 1 of Embodiment 2, due to the presence of an alkali metal extinguishing disc 3 on the electrode mounting surface (upper surface 10a), is able to suppress (extinguish) fires caused by exhaust gases on a per-cell basis, with each battery cell equipped with a tab. As a result, it helps to suppress the spread of heat.

[0068] Furthermore, since the fire extinguishing disc 3 is pre-fixed to the structural member 4, the battery cell 10 with tabs can be easily installed by inserting the two structural members 4 along the side 10b of the battery cell 10.

[0069] It should be noted that even when both the positive and negative electrodes are disposed on the upper surface 10a in the battery cell 10, the fire suppression effect can be achieved by disposing of the fire extinguishing device 1 of this embodiment in the battery cell 10.

[0070] <Variation Example>

[0071] This disclosure is not limited to the above description of embodiments 1 and 2, and various modifications can be made without departing from its spirit.

[0072] For example, in the fire extinguishing device 1 described in embodiments 1 and 2, an adhesive component can be used instead of structural component 4. Hereinafter, using... Figure 9 and Figure 10 Variations of implementation methods 1 and 2 will be described.

[0073] Figure 9 This is a side view schematically showing the state in which the fire extinguishing device 1 of a modified embodiment 1 is installed on the battery cell 10. Figure 10 This is a side view schematically showing the state in which the fire extinguishing device 1 of a modified embodiment 2 is installed on the battery cell 10.

[0074] Figure 9 and Figure 10 The adhesive component 5 shown is composed of a substance with adhesive properties and a known insulator.

[0075] like Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown, two adhesive members 5 are provided. The two adhesive members 5 correspond to an example of a fixing part. In addition, one of the two adhesive members 5 corresponds to an example of a first fixing part, and the other corresponds to an example of a second fixing part.

[0076] in addition, Figure 9 , Figure 10 The two adhesive members 5 shown are configured in the same way as the two structural members 4 described in Embodiment 1. That is, when the fire extinguishing device 1 is installed on the battery cell 10, the two adhesive members 5 are configured to face each other with the battery cell 10 in between.

[0077] right Figure 9 Please provide an explanation. For example... Figure 9 As shown, the two ends of the insulating sheet 2 and the fire extinguishing sheet 3 are respectively glued and fixed to two adhesive pieces 5. At this time, the insulating sheet 2 and the fire extinguishing sheet 3 are fixed to the two adhesive pieces 5 in a state of electrical insulation from each other.

[0078] In addition, Figure 9 In this context, methods for fixing the two ends of the insulating sheet 2 (specifically, the side without the adhesive 5) to the side 10b of the battery cell 10 include, for example, using a known adhesive and applying adhesive force to the two ends of the insulating sheet 2, but are not limited thereto.

[0079] It should be noted that, in Figure 9 In this case, firstly, the two ends of the insulating sheet 2 and the fire extinguishing sheet 3 are respectively glued to the two adhesive pieces 5, and then the two ends of the insulating sheet 2 are glued to the side 10b of the battery cell 10, thereby making it easy to install the fire extinguishing device 1 onto the battery cell 10.

[0080] right Figure 10 Please provide an explanation. For example... Figure 10 As shown, two adhesive pieces 5 are bonded and fixed to the side 10b above the battery cell 10. Furthermore, the two ends of the fire extinguishing disc 3 are respectively bonded and fixed to the two adhesive pieces 5.

[0081] It should be noted that, in Figure 10 In this case, firstly, the two ends of the fire extinguishing disc 3 are glued to two adhesive pieces 5, and then the two adhesive pieces 5 are glued to the side 10b of the battery cell 10, thereby making it easy to install the fire extinguishing device 1 onto the battery cell 10.

[0082] The above explanation Figure 9 , Figure 10 The fire extinguishing device 1 shown can achieve the same function and effect as the fire extinguishing device 1 in embodiments 1 and 2.

[0083] Industrial applicability

[0084] The fire extinguishing device and battery cell disclosed herein help to suppress fires caused by exhaust gases.

Claims

1. A fire extinguishing device, characterized in that, have: An insulating sheet is disposed on a tab, which is connected to the electrode on the electrode mounting surface of the battery cell; Fire extinguishing discs, disposed on the insulating sheet, are made of alkali metals; and The insulating sheet and the fire extinguishing sheet are fixed to the fixing part in a state of electrical insulation from each other.

2. The fire extinguishing device as described in claim 1, wherein, The fixing part includes: a first fixing part for fixing one end of the fire extinguishing sheet and the insulating sheet respectively; and a second fixing part for fixing the other end of the fire extinguishing sheet and the insulating sheet respectively. The first fixing part and the second fixing part are configured to abut against the side of the battery cell when the fire extinguishing device is installed on the battery cell, and to face each other across the battery cell.

3. The fire extinguishing device as described in claim 2, wherein, The first fixing part and the second fixing part are structural parts or adhesive parts.

4. The fire extinguishing device as described in claim 1, wherein, The alkali metal is potassium or sodium.

5. A fire extinguishing device, characterized in that, have: A fire extinguishing disc, disposed on a tab, is made of an insulator and an alkali metal, the tab being connected to the electrode on the electrode mounting surface of the battery cell; and The fire extinguishing disc is fixed to the fixing part.

6. The fire extinguishing device as described in claim 5, wherein, The fixing part includes: a first fixing part for fixing one end of the fire extinguishing disc; and a second fixing part for fixing the other end of the fire extinguishing disc. The first fixing part and the second fixing part are configured to abut against the side of the battery cell when the fire extinguishing device is installed on the battery cell, and to face each other across the battery cell.

7. The fire extinguishing device as described in claim 6, wherein, The first fixing part and the second fixing part are structural parts or adhesive parts.

8. The fire extinguishing device as described in claim 5, wherein, The alkali metal is potassium or sodium.

9. A single battery cell, characterized in that, have: The fire extinguishing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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