Thermal runaway fire extinguishing system for battery

Abstract

The invention relates to a thermal runaway fire extinguishing system for a battery. The thermal runaway fire extinguishing system includes: a housing configured to accommodate a plurality of battery modules; a plurality of cooling channels located at an upper portion of the housing and a lower portion of the housing, and configured to receive a cooling liquid circulating through the plurality of cooling channels; a fire extinguishing unit fluidly connected to the cooling channel; and a controller. The controller is configured to determine whether thermal runaway has occurred in at least one of the battery modules, increase a flow rate of the coolant flowing into the battery module undergoing thermal runaway based on determining that thermal runaway has occurred, and / or control the fire extinguishing unit to direct a fire extinguishing agent stored in the fire extinguishing unit into the cooling passage.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a thermal runaway fire extinguishing system for batteries. Background Technology

[0002] Temperature control of battery modules in electric vehicle battery systems can help maintain optimal cell temperature performance. Various cooling methods, including air cooling and water cooling systems, can be used.

[0003] Thermal runaway in battery modules of a battery pack, characterized by rapidly rising temperatures, can pose safety challenges. For example, when thermal runaway occurs in a battery module, an explosion may occur due to the rapid increase in temperature.

[0004] In some cases, air-cooled or water-cooled battery cooling systems may not be able to effectively control the rapid rise or increase in temperature of the battery module during thermal runaway. Furthermore, in some cases involving the use of certain refrigerants, thermal runaway may be exacerbated when the refrigerant reacts with the high temperature of the cell unit. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to an embodiment of this application, a thermal runaway fire extinguishing system for batteries is provided, which can spray extinguishing agent into a cooling channel integrated with the housing.

[0006] According to an embodiment of this application, a control method is provided that can provide a controller comprising two different control units to determine thermal runaway separately, and enable a fire suppression unit to be connected to a cooling channel.

[0007] According to an embodiment of this application, a thermal runaway fire suppression system for batteries is provided, which can provide an open valve located in the housing to correspond to each of the battery module assemblies and automatically open regardless of whether the controller is operating at a set temperature or a higher temperature to extinguish thermal runaway.

[0008] According to an embodiment of this application, a thermal runaway fire suppression system for batteries is described, comprising the following configuration.

[0009] In one aspect, an embodiment of this application provides a thermal runaway fire suppression system for batteries, comprising: a housing, a cooling channel, a fire suppression unit, and a controller, wherein the housing is configured to house a plurality of battery module assemblies; the cooling channel is located at the upper and lower parts of the housing, through which coolant circulates; the fire suppression unit is fluidly connected to the cooling channel; and the controller is configured to: determine whether a battery module assembly has experienced thermal runaway, and, upon determining that a battery module assembly has experienced thermal runaway, increase the flow rate of coolant entering the thermally runaway battery module assembly, and / or control the fire suppression unit to allow fire extinguishing agent stored in the fire suppression unit to flow into the cooling channel.

[0010] In some embodiments, the cooling passage may include an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being configured to allow coolant to flow in from the outside of the housing; and the outlet being configured to allow coolant to discharge out of the housing.

[0011] In some embodiments, the cooling channel may further include an upper cooling channel and a lower cooling channel, the upper cooling channel being located at the upper part of the housing and the lower cooling channel being located at the lower part of the housing; the inlet may be fluidly connected to the upper cooling channel inlet and the lower cooling channel inlet, and the outlet may be fluidly connected to the upper cooling channel outlet and the lower cooling channel outlet.

[0012] In some implementations, the thermal runaway fire suppression system for the battery may further include a shut-off valve located at the inlet of the lower cooling channel to block the inlet of the lower cooling channel when thermal runaway of the battery module assembly is determined to have occurred.

[0013] In some implementations, the fire suppression unit may be located adjacent to the upper cooling channel inlet, and the fire suppression unit may include a spray valve controlled to selectively and fluidly connect the fire suppression unit to the upper cooling channel.

[0014] In some implementations, the controller may include a valve control unit and a battery thermal management system, wherein the valve control unit is configured to determine that a thermal runaway has occurred in the battery module assembly if the flow rate of coolant in the upper cooling channel outlet is less than or equal to a set value, and to open the spray valve of the fire extinguishing unit; the battery management system is configured to, in response to a temperature signal of the battery module assembly, determine a thermally runaway battery module assembly and switch the shut-off valve at the lower cooling channel inlet to a closed state to increase the flow rate of coolant flowing into the upper cooling channel.

[0015] In some implementations, the thermal runaway fire suppression system for the battery may also include an open valve located on the upper surface of the housing in the same position as each of the battery module assemblies, facing the cooling channel, the open valve opening at a set temperature or higher.

[0016] In some implementations, an open valve corresponding to the thermally runaway battery module assembly can be opened, allowing extinguishing agent introduced from the extinguishing unit to be sprayed onto the thermally runaway battery module assembly.

[0017] In some embodiments, the fire extinguishing unit may include: a first chamber and a second chamber, the first chamber being fluidly connected to a cooling passage and configured to store a fire extinguishing agent; the second chamber being configured to supply compressed gas to the first chamber.

[0018] On the other hand, according to an embodiment of this application, a method for extinguishing thermal runaway fires for batteries is provided, comprising: measuring the temperature of a plurality of battery module assemblies by means of a controller; determining, by means of the controller, whether the battery module assemblies are in a state of thermal runaway; when it is determined that the battery module assemblies are in a state of thermal runaway, executing valve control of a cooling channel by means of the controller; and spraying extinguishing agent stored in the extinguishing unit into the cooling channel.

[0019] In some implementations, determining whether a battery module assembly is in a thermal runaway state via a controller may include: determining whether the temperature of the battery module assembly is higher than or equal to a set temperature via the controller's battery management system; and determining that the corresponding battery module assembly is in a thermal runaway state when it is determined that the temperature of at least one of the battery module assemblies measured by the battery management system is higher than or equal to the set temperature.

[0020] In some implementations, when the battery module assembly is determined to be in a state of thermal runaway, the valve control of the cooling channel by the controller may include: closing the shut-off valve located at the inlet of the lower cooling channel by the battery management system of the controller.

[0021] In some implementations, spraying the extinguishing agent stored in the extinguishing unit into the cooling passage may include: opening the spray valve of the extinguishing unit via the valve control unit of the controller to spray the extinguishing agent into the upper cooling passage inlet.

[0022] In some embodiments, the method for extinguishing thermal runaway fires for batteries may further include: spraying extinguishing agent injected into the upper cooling channel inlet onto the battery module assembly identified as being in a thermal runaway state via an open valve corresponding to the battery module assembly identified as being in a thermal runaway state.

[0023] In some implementations, spraying the extinguishing agent stored in the extinguishing unit into the cooling channel may include: determining, via the valve control unit of the controller, whether the flow rate of the coolant at the outlet of the upper cooling channel is less than or equal to a set value; and when it is determined that the flow rate of the coolant at the outlet of the upper cooling channel is less than or equal to the set value, opening the spray valve of the extinguishing unit. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a thermal runaway fire suppression system for batteries.

[0025] Figure 2 This is a side view of an example housing for a battery thermal runaway fire suppression system.

[0026] Figure 3 This is a side view showing an example of a battery module experiencing thermal runaway.

[0027] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a fire extinguishing unit.

[0028] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for extinguishing thermal runaway fires in batteries. Detailed Implementation

[0029] refer to Figure 1 This diagram illustrates a thermal runaway fire suppression system for batteries. The thermal runaway fire suppression system includes a housing 200 that includes multiple battery module assemblies (BMAs) 100, and the housing 200 can accommodate multiple battery module assemblies 100 connected in series or parallel for power supply.

[0030] In some examples, the battery module assembly 100 may be configured as a battery assembly, which is implemented by having a separator between the anode material and the cathode material, and the battery assembly is sealed in a wound state within a battery pack. The battery module assembly 100 may be an electrolyte battery using an electrolyte, such as a lithium-ion battery, or an all-solid-state battery using a solid electrolyte.

[0031] In addition, the housing 200 may be provided with power terminals exposed to the outside for supplying power to the outside, and the power terminals may include an anode terminal and a cathode terminal.

[0032] Accordingly, battery spaces can be formed in the housing 200 to accommodate multiple battery module assemblies 100 respectively, and the housing 200 can be sealed by a housing cover located on the upper surface of the housing 200.

[0033] In addition, a cooling channel 300 can be provided that penetrates the interior of the housing 200, allowing coolant to flow along the cooling channel 300. In some embodiments, the cooling channel 300 may include an upper cooling channel 310 and a lower cooling channel 320, wherein the upper cooling channel 310 is disposed along the upper end of the housing 200, allowing coolant to flow in the upper cooling channel 310, and the lower cooling channel 320 is disposed along the lower end of the housing 200, allowing coolant to flow in the lower cooling channel 320.

[0034] In addition, the cooling channel 300 may include a heat exchanger and a pump configured to pressurize the coolant.

[0035] The cooling channel 300 may include an upper cooling channel 310 disposed on the upper surface of the battery module assembly 100 with reference to the housing 200 and a lower cooling channel 320 disposed on the lower surface of the battery module assembly 100. The upper cooling channel 310 and the lower cooling channel 320 may be fluidly connected to the upper cooling channel inlet 311 and the lower cooling channel inlet 321, which branch off from the inlet 301 of the cooling channel 300, respectively.

[0036] The upper cooling channel inlet 311 and lower cooling channel inlet 321 through which the coolant flows into the housing 200 are located adjacent to one side based on the housing 200. Furthermore, the coolant flowing out of the housing 200 can be fluidly connected to the outlet 302 of the cooling channel 300 via the upper cooling channel outlet 312 and lower cooling channel outlet 322. The outlet 302 of the cooling channel 300 can be located adjacent to the other side based on the housing 200.

[0037] In some embodiments, the inlet 301 and the outlet 302 of the cooling channel 300 may be located on the same side of the housing 200, and the coolant flowing into the inlet 301 flows into the housing 200 adjacent to the battery module assembly 100 through the upper cooling channel 310 and the lower cooling channel 320, and is discharged to the outside of the housing 200 through the outlet 302.

[0038] The fire suppression unit 400 can be configured to open the injection valve 401 to inject extinguishing agent into the inlet 301 of the cooling passage 300 when thermal runaway of the battery module assembly 100 is determined. In some examples, the fire suppression unit 400 is configured to be fluidly connected to the upper cooling passage inlet 311 of the cooling passage 300, and the controller 600 is configured to open the injection valve 401 to inject extinguishing agent into the upper cooling passage inlet 311 if thermal runaway of the battery module assembly 100 is detected.

[0039] The controller 600 may include a battery management system (hereinafter referred to as BMS) 610, which can receive temperature information from the battery module assembly 100. In some examples, the BMS 610 can measure battery state information such as voltage, current, temperature, and internal resistance of each of the plurality of battery module assemblies 100, estimate SoC and SoH based on the measured battery state information, protect the battery, and perform cell balancing.

[0040] Furthermore, the controller 600 can perform valve control. In one embodiment of this application, the controller 600 can control the opening of the spray valve 401 located in the fire extinguishing unit 400 and detect the flow rate of coolant flowing into the upper cooling channel outlet 312. In some examples, the controller 600 according to this application may include a valve control unit (hereinafter referred to as VCU) 620, which can determine that thermal runaway has occurred in the battery module assembly 100 if the flow rate of coolant entering the upper cooling channel outlet 312 is less than or equal to a set value, and cause the spray valve 401 located in the fire extinguishing unit 400 to open to spray extinguishing agent into the upper cooling channel 310.

[0041] In one embodiment of this application, the BMS 610 is located within the housing 200 and can determine whether each of the battery module assemblies 100 has experienced thermal runaway, and when it is determined that at least one battery module assembly 100 has experienced thermal runaway, controls the shut-off valve 323 located at the lower cooling channel inlet 321 to close.

[0042] Accordingly, in this application, the controller 600 determines, via the BMS 610, whether the temperature of each of the battery module assemblies 100 is higher than or equal to a set temperature, and determines that the corresponding battery module assembly 100 has experienced thermal runaway when the temperature of at least one battery module assembly 100 is determined to be higher than or equal to the set temperature; and determines that the battery module assembly 100 has experienced thermal runaway when the VCU 620 determines that the flow rate of coolant flowing into the upper cooling channel outlet 312 is less than or equal to a set value.

[0043] Figure 2 and Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view showing the housing 200 and the battery module assembly 100 and the open valve 500 installed in the housing 200.

[0044] The housing 200 can be configured as an integration including an upper cooling channel 310 and a lower cooling channel 320, in which multiple battery module assemblies 100 can be mounted adjacent to each other. The upper cooling channel 310 and the lower cooling channel 320 can be positioned adjacent to the upper and lower ends of the multiple battery module assemblies 100. In some examples, the upper cooling channel 310 and the lower cooling channel 320 can be located in the upper housing 210 and the lower housing 220.

[0045] Furthermore, open-type valves 500, each facing a battery module assembly 100, are located within the housing 200. The open-type valves 500 of this application open at a set temperature or higher, and are configured such that, in each open state of the open-type valve 500, the upper cooling passage 310 is fluidly connected to the internal space of the housing 200 where a corresponding one of the battery module assemblies 100 is mounted.

[0046] The open-type valve 500 is positioned corresponding to the battery module assembly 100. A set temperature (i.e., opening temperature) for opening the open-type valve 500 can be set so that the valve opens if the corresponding battery module assembly 100 is in a thermal runaway state. Furthermore, in the thermal runaway state of the battery module assembly 100, the controller 600 can control the fire extinguishing unit 400 to spray extinguishing agent into the upper cooling channel inlet 311. Correspondingly, with the corresponding open-type valve 500 open, coolant and extinguishing agent can be sprayed into the thermally runaway battery module assembly 100.

[0047] Furthermore, since coolant and extinguishing agent are sprayed into the thermally runaway battery module assembly 100 when the corresponding open valve 500 is open, the flow rate of coolant discharged through the upper cooling channel outlet 312 can be relatively reduced. Therefore, if the flow rate of coolant entering the upper cooling channel outlet 312 is less than or equal to a set value, the VCU 620 can determine that at least one of the battery module assemblies 100 is in a thermal runaway state.

[0048] Therefore, the controller 600 according to this application can determine the thermal runaway state of the battery module assembly 100 through the BMS 610 and VCU 620, and when it is determined that at least one of the battery module assemblies 100 is in a thermal runaway state, it executes control to open the injection valve 401 so that the fire extinguishing unit 400 can be connected to the upper cooling channel inlet 311. At the same time, the BMS 610 executes control to switch the shut-off valve 323 to the closed state, thereby preventing coolant from flowing into the lower cooling channel inlet 321.

[0049] In some examples, BMS 610 can directly determine the thermal runaway state of battery module assembly 100 by measuring the temperature of battery module assembly 100; independent of BMS 610, VCU 620 can determine the thermal runaway state of battery module assembly 100 based on the decrease in the flow rate of coolant flowing into the upper cooling channel outlet 312.

[0050] As one embodiment of this application, if each of the BMS 610 and VCU 620 performs a thermal runaway determination, the fire extinguishing mechanism corresponding to the thermal runaway state can be executed by an independent unit of the controller 600. That is, if the BMS 610 determines, based on the temperature of the battery module assembly 100, that at least one of the battery module assemblies 100 is in a thermal runaway state, the BMS 610 closes the shut-off valve 323 located at the lower cooling channel inlet 321, thereby relatively increasing the flow rate of coolant flowing into the upper cooling channel inlet 311, and increasing the flow rate of coolant flowing into the thermally runaway battery module assembly 100 through the corresponding open valve 500. Conversely, if the flow rate of coolant entering the upper cooling channel outlet 312 is less than or equal to a set value, the VCU 620 determines that due to the thermal runaway state of the battery module assembly 100, coolant is flowing into the thermally runaway battery module assembly 100 through the opening of the corresponding open valve 500, and opens the spray valve 401 of the fire extinguishing unit 400. In other words, the BMS 610 and VCU 620 perform control to execute independent fire suppression functions. In one embodiment of this application, the BMS 610 and VCU 620 perform control to execute independent thermal runaway diagnosis and corresponding fire suppression functions.

[0051] Here, when either the BMS 610 or the VCU 620 of the controller 600 fails, the fire suppression function can be performed by the other, which is functioning normally. For example, if the VCU 620 is operating normally while the BMS 610 is malfunctioning, the VCU 620 determines that the flow rate of coolant entering the upper cooling channel outlet 312 has decreased and controls the injection valve 401 to inject fire extinguishing agent into the coolant supplied to the upper cooling channel inlet 311 based on the reduced flow rate. Thus, the fire extinguishing agent mixes with the coolant circulating to the upper cooling channel 310, and the fire extinguishing agent and coolant are injected into the corresponding battery module assembly 100 through the open valve 500.

[0052] Conversely, if the BMS 610 operates normally under the fault condition of the VCU 620, the BMS 610 determines the thermal runaway of the corresponding battery module assembly 100 based on the temperature measurement of the battery module assembly 100, and controls the shut-off valve 323 to block the supply of coolant to the downward cooling channel 320. This increases the flow rate of coolant supplied to the upper cooling channel 310, and the increased coolant supplied to the upper cooling channel 310 can be supplied to the thermally runaway battery module assembly 100.

[0053] As described above, the controller 600 may include a BMS 610 and a VCU 620, which can perform control independently of each other and, in response to the operating status of at least one control unit of the controller 600, perform control for extinguishing thermal runaway of the battery module assembly 100.

[0054] Figure 4 The configuration of a fire extinguishing unit 400 fluidly connected to an upper cooling channel 310 according to one embodiment of this application is shown.

[0055] As shown in the figure, the fire extinguishing unit 400 includes a first chamber 410 and a second chamber 420. The first chamber 410 contains a fire extinguishing agent and is fluidly connected to an upper cooling channel inlet 311. The second chamber 420 is located at the rear end of the first chamber 410 and is configured to apply pressure to the first chamber 410. A low-reactivity gas is stored at high pressure in the second chamber 420 and provided with a predetermined pressure such that when the injection valve 401 fastened to the first chamber 410 is opened, the fire extinguishing agent stored in the first chamber 410 is injected into the upper cooling channel inlet 311.

[0056] The gas stored under high pressure in the second chamber 420 includes N2 or CO2, and can apply pressure to the extinguishing agent in the first chamber 410 so that the extinguishing agent is sprayed into the upper cooling channel inlet 311 without backflow.

[0057] Furthermore, since the partition wall of the second chamber 420, which stores compressed gas, will be damaged if the injection valve 401, which is fluidly connected to the first chamber 410, is opened, the compressed gas can be introduced into the first chamber 410. Therefore, the compressed gas may include a gas that acts as a fire extinguishing agent.

[0058] As one embodiment of this application, the extinguishing agent may include a foaming agent, a foaming stabilizer, a foaming aid, and a pour point depressant, and the foaming agent, foaming stabilizer, foaming aid, pour point depressant, and extinguishing additive may be mixed in a predetermined proportion.

[0059] Foaming agents can be biodegradable and generate bubbles when mixed with the solvent to be sprayed. Foaming stabilizers can stabilize the bubbles generated by the foaming agent, thereby retaining the bubbles.

[0060] Foaming aids can enhance the fire resistance of generated bubbles, improve bubble stability, and improve oxygen supply blockage. Palm oil-based surfactants with excellent biodegradability can be used as foaming aids to prevent environmental pollution.

[0061] Pour point depressants lower the freezing point to prevent the extinguishing agent from freezing, as the temperature of the extinguishing agent decreases depending on the injection pressure. Furthermore, extinguishing additives can aid in fire suppression, and as extinguishing additives, mixtures comprising at least one of the following can be added: dipropylene glycol, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium sulfate, sodium phosphate, urea, potassium bicarbonate, sodium borate, ethanol, methanol, and isopropanol.

[0062] Here, if the extinguishing agent includes expanded vermiculite or silicate, it can easily extinguish metal fires.

[0063] The extinguishing agent configured in this way flows into the housing 200 through the upper cooling channel inlet 311 and is sprayed through the open valve 500 facing the thermally runaway battery module assembly 100 onto the thermally runaway battery module assembly 100 which has a temperature higher than the set temperature.

[0064] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for extinguishing thermal runaway fires of a vehicle battery using a thermal runaway extinguishing system for batteries, according to one embodiment of this application.

[0065] The controller 600 receives the temperature of the battery module assembly 100 located in the housing 200 and receives flow data from the outlet 302 of the cooling channel 300 (step S100). In some examples, the BMS 610 of the controller 600 receives temperature information of the battery module assembly 100, and the VCU 620 of the controller 600 receives coolant flow information from the outlet 312 of the upper cooling channel.

[0066] In the event of thermal runaway in the battery module assembly 100 (step S200), the BMS 610 determines whether the measured temperature of the battery module assembly 100 is higher than or equal to a set temperature (step S300). Furthermore, the VCU 620 determines whether the flow rate of the coolant at the upper cooling channel outlet 312 is less than or equal to a set value (step S400).

[0067] In the event of thermal runaway in battery module assembly 100, the temperature of the thermally runaway battery module assembly 100 rises rapidly. In response to the increased temperature of battery module assembly 100, a corresponding open valve 500 located in housing 200 opens. Therefore, BMS 610 can perform the following functions: receive the temperature of battery module assembly 100, determine whether thermal runaway has occurred in at least one battery module assembly, and notify the user of the result. Furthermore, if the flow rate of coolant in upper cooling channel outlet 312 is less than or equal to a set value, VCU 620 can determine that thermal runaway has occurred in battery module assembly 100 because coolant flowing into upper cooling channel 310 flows into the thermally runaway battery module assembly 100 through the open valve 500.

[0068] When the BMS 610 determines that thermal runaway has occurred in at least one battery module assembly 100 (yes in step S300), the BMS 610 controls the shut-off valve 323 located at the lower cooling channel inlet 321 (step S310). Here, the BMS 610 closes the shut-off valve 323, thereby blocking the flow of coolant through the lower cooling channel inlet 321 into the housing 200 (step S320). This is to control the shut-off valve 323 so that the flow rate of coolant flowing into the upper cooling channel 310, which is fluidly connected to the open valve 500, is relatively increased.

[0069] In addition, if thermal runaway occurs, VCU 620 determines whether the flow rate of coolant entering the upper cooling channel outlet 312 is less than or equal to a set value (step S400). Here, when it is determined that the flow rate of coolant entering the upper cooling channel outlet 312 is less than or equal to the set value, VCU 620 controls the spray valve 401 of the fire extinguishing unit 400 (step S410). If the spray valve 401 of the fire extinguishing unit 400 is opened (step S410), the extinguishing agent stored in the first chamber 410 is sprayed into the upper cooling channel inlet 311 (step S420). The fluid (i.e., the mixture of extinguishing agent and coolant) flows along the upper cooling channel inlet 311 to the upper surface of the housing 200, and the fluid including coolant and extinguishing agent is sprayed onto the corresponding battery module assembly 100 through the opened open-type valve 500 (step S430).

[0070] As described above, the battery thermal runaway extinguishing method according to this application can extinguish at least one battery module assembly 100 that has experienced thermal runaway by increasing the flow rate of the coolant and controlling the mixing of the extinguishing agent and coolant through the BMS 610 and VCU 620 respectively (step S440).

[0071] It is evident from the above description that the present application can achieve the following effects through the configuration, combination, and usage relationships disclosed in the above embodiments.

[0072] This application provides the effect of preventing the propagation of thermal runaway by spraying extinguishing agent onto a battery module assembly determined to be in a state of thermal runaway using a controller.

[0073] Furthermore, this application provides a fire extinguishing unit configured to spray extinguishing agent into a cooling channel, thereby configuring a thermal runaway fire extinguishing system for batteries that does not require a separate fire extinguishing structure, thus reducing cost and weight.

[0074] In addition, this application provides an open valve located at a position corresponding to each battery module component and automatically opening at a set temperature, thereby providing a stable fire extinguishing effect for thermally runaway battery modules even in the event of a control unit failure.

[0075] In some embodiments, the controller (e.g., controller 60) described throughout this application can be implemented as a memory and a processor, the memory storing data of algorithms for controlling the operation of various components arranged in the vehicle or programs for reproducing algorithms, and the processor using the data stored in the memory to perform the above operations. Here, the memory and processor can be implemented as separate chips. Alternatively, the memory and processor can be implemented as a single chip. For example, controller 600 may include at least one of the following: electronic control unit (ECU), central processing unit (CPU), microprocessor unit (MPU), microcontroller unit (MCU), application processor (AP), battery management system (BMS), valve control unit (VCU), or any other type of processor known in the art of this application. Furthermore, controller 600 may be configured as a combination of software and hardware capable of performing the operation of at least one application or program to execute the method according to the embodiments of this application.

[0076] The above detailed description is an illustration of this application. Furthermore, the above description is intended to illustrate exemplary embodiments of this application, and this application can be used in various other combinations, modifications, and environments. That is, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various substitutions, changes, and modifications can be made that are not illustrated herein but still remain within the spirit and scope of this application. The described embodiments demonstrate the best mode for implementing the technical ideas of this application, and various changes are also possible for specific application areas and uses of this application. Therefore, the above detailed description of this application is not intended to limit this application to the disclosed embodiments. Furthermore, the appended claims should also be construed as including other embodiments.

Claims

1. A thermal runaway fire suppression system for batteries, the system comprising: The housing is configured to accommodate multiple battery modules; Multiple cooling channels are located in the upper and lower parts of the housing and configured to receive coolant, which circulates through the multiple cooling channels; A fire extinguishing unit, which is fluidly connected to the plurality of cooling channels; as well as The controller is configured as follows: Determine whether at least one of the multiple battery modules has experienced thermal runaway; Based on the determination that at least one of the multiple battery modules has experienced thermal runaway, the flow rate of coolant flowing into the battery module experiencing thermal runaway is increased, and / or the fire suppression unit is controlled to direct the extinguishing agent stored in the fire suppression unit into the cooling channel.

2. The thermal runaway fire extinguishing system for batteries according to claim 1, wherein, The plurality of cooling channels include: The inlet, configured to receive coolant from the outside of the housing; and The outlet is configured to discharge coolant to the outside of the housing.

3. The thermal runaway fire extinguishing system for batteries according to claim 2, wherein, The plurality of cooling channels include: An upper cooling channel, including an upper cooling channel inlet and an upper cooling channel outlet, is located in the upper part of the housing; and A lower cooling channel, including a lower cooling channel inlet and a lower cooling channel outlet, wherein the lower cooling channel is located at the lower part of the housing; The inlet is fluidly connected to the upper cooling channel inlet and the lower cooling channel inlet; The outlet fluidly connects the upper cooling channel outlet and the lower cooling channel outlet.

4. The thermal runaway fire extinguishing system for batteries according to claim 3, further comprising: A shut-off valve is located at the inlet of the lower cooling channel and is configured to block the inlet of the lower cooling channel based on the determination that thermal runaway has occurred.

5. The thermal runaway fire extinguishing system for batteries according to claim 3, wherein, The fire extinguishing unit is positioned adjacent to the inlet of the upper cooling channel; The fire suppression unit includes a spray valve configured to selectively establish a fluid connection between the fire suppression unit and the upper cooling channel.

6. The thermal runaway fire extinguishing system for batteries according to claim 5, wherein, The controller includes: The valve control unit is configured to open the spray valve of the fire extinguishing unit based on the coolant flow rate at the outlet of the upper cooling channel being less than or equal to a set value; and The battery management system is configured to: identify the battery module undergoing thermal runaway based on the temperature signals of multiple battery modules, and switch the shut-off valve at the inlet of the lower cooling channel to the closed state, thereby increasing the flow rate of coolant into the upper cooling channel.

7. The thermal runaway fire extinguishing system for batteries according to claim 1, wherein, The plurality of cooling channels include an upper cooling channel, which has an upper cooling channel inlet and an upper cooling channel outlet, and the upper cooling channel is located at the upper part of the housing; The thermal runaway fire suppression system for batteries further includes: Multiple open-type valves are located on the upper surface of two or more associated housings of multiple battery modules, the multiple open-type valves facing upward cooling channels and configured to open at a temperature greater than or equal to a set temperature.

8. The thermal runaway fire extinguishing system for batteries according to claim 7, wherein, Based on the opening of one of a plurality of open valves associated with the battery module undergoing thermal runaway, the open valve is configured to direct extinguishing agent introduced from the extinguishing unit to be sprayed onto the battery module undergoing thermal runaway.

9. The thermal runaway fire extinguishing system for batteries according to claim 1, wherein, The fire extinguishing unit is limited to: A first chamber, which is fluidly connected to the plurality of cooling channels and configured to store fire extinguishing agent; and The second chamber is configured to supply compressed gas to the first chamber.

10. A method for extinguishing thermal runaway fires in batteries, the method comprising: The controller measures the temperature of multiple battery modules. The controller determines whether at least one of the multiple battery modules is in a state of thermal runaway. Based on the determination that at least one of the multiple battery modules is in a state of thermal runaway, the controller performs valve control on at least one of the multiple cooling channels; The controller causes the extinguishing agent stored in the extinguishing unit to be sprayed into at least one of the multiple cooling channels.

11. The thermal runaway fire extinguishing method according to claim 10, wherein, Determining whether at least one of multiple battery modules is in a state of thermal runaway via the controller includes: The controller's battery management system determines whether the temperature of at least one of the multiple battery modules is higher than or equal to a set temperature. When it is determined that the temperature of at least one of the multiple battery modules is higher than or equal to a set temperature, the corresponding battery module is determined to be in a state of thermal runaway.

12. The thermal runaway fire extinguishing method according to claim 10, wherein, The valve control performed by the controller for at least one of multiple cooling channels includes: The controller's battery management system closes the shut-off valve located at the inlet of the lower cooling channel.

13. The thermal runaway fire extinguishing method according to claim 10, wherein, The process of spraying extinguishing agent stored in the extinguishing unit into at least one of a plurality of cooling channels includes: The valve control unit of the controller opens the spray valve of the fire extinguishing unit to spray the extinguishing agent into the inlet of the upper cooling channel.

14. The thermal runaway fire extinguishing method according to claim 13, further comprising: By using an open valve associated with a battery module in a thermal runaway state among multiple battery modules, extinguishing agent injected into the upper cooling channel inlet is sprayed onto the battery module in a thermal runaway state.

15. The thermal runaway fire extinguishing method according to claim 10, wherein, The process of spraying extinguishing agent stored in the extinguishing unit into at least one of a plurality of cooling channels includes: The controller's valve control unit determines whether the flow rate of coolant at the outlet of the upper cooling channel is less than or equal to the set value. Based on the determination that the flow rate of coolant in the upper cooling channel outlet is less than or equal to the set value, the spray valve of the fire extinguishing unit is opened.

16. A thermal runaway fire suppression system for batteries, the system comprising: The housing is configured to accommodate multiple battery modules; Multiple cooling channels are configured to guide the coolant circulation through the cooling channels; The fire suppression unit is fluidly connected to the cooling channel; as well as The controller is configured as follows: Determine whether at least one of the multiple battery modules has experienced thermal runaway; Based on the determination that at least one of the multiple battery modules has experienced thermal runaway, the flow rate of coolant flowing into the battery module experiencing thermal runaway is increased, and / or the fire suppression unit is controlled to direct the extinguishing agent stored in the fire suppression unit into the cooling channel.

17. The thermal runaway fire extinguishing system for batteries according to claim 16, wherein, The fire extinguishing unit is positioned adjacent to the cooling channel inlet of one of the multiple cooling channels; The fire suppression unit includes a spray valve configured to selectively establish a fluid connection between the fire suppression unit and a cooling channel.

18. The thermal runaway fire extinguishing system for batteries according to claim 17, wherein, The controller includes: The valve control unit is configured to open the spray valve of the fire extinguishing unit based on the coolant flow rate at the outlet of the upper cooling channel being less than or equal to a set value.

19. The thermal runaway fire extinguishing system for batteries according to claim 18, wherein, The thermal runaway fire suppression system further includes: Multiple open-type valves are located in two or more associated housings of multiple battery modules and face cooling channels, and the multiple open-type valves are configured to open at a temperature greater than or equal to a set temperature.

20. The thermal runaway fire extinguishing system for batteries according to claim 18, wherein, Based on the opening of one of a plurality of open valves associated with the battery module undergoing thermal runaway, the open valve is configured to direct the extinguishing agent spray onto the battery module undergoing thermal runaway.

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