Power converter, energy storage tank and power converter integrated cabinet

Abstract

The application provides a power converter, an energy storage box and a power converter integrated cabinet, wherein the power converter comprises a shell, a circuit board is arranged in the shell, and a power conversion circuit is arranged on the circuit board. An interface is arranged on the shell, the power conversion circuit is used for being connected with other electronic equipment through the interface, an explosion vent is arranged on the shell, an explosion vent piece is arranged on the explosion vent, and the explosion vent and the interface are arranged on different surfaces of the shell. The technical scheme provided by the application can realize directional pressure relief of the power converter in a fault state by arranging the explosion vent on the shell and arranging the explosion vent and the interface on different surfaces of the shell, and direct impact of an explosion jet on the interface and external equipment, cables and connectors connected with the interface can be avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of power electronics technology, specifically to a power converter, an energy storage box, and a power converter integrated cabinet. Background Technology

[0002] Power converters are core power electronic devices that realize the conversion of electrical energy forms. They are widely used in electrochemical energy storage, industrial drives, and uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), including types such as power storage converters (PCS), frequency converters, UPS, and photovoltaic inverters. Taking energy storage applications as an example, electrochemical energy storage systems use electrochemical batteries such as lithium batteries as energy storage carriers and achieve bidirectional conversion of electrical energy through energy storage converters, thereby completing the cyclic storage and release of electrical energy. Energy storage containers and energy storage integrated cabinets have become important forms of electrochemical energy storage systems due to their high integration and flexible deployment advantages, and are widely used. The energy storage converter is the core equipment of electrochemical energy storage systems such as energy storage containers, undertaking the key task of AC-DC conversion. In typical electrochemical energy storage systems, the energy storage converter works in conjunction with the battery management system (BMS) and energy management system (EMS).

[0003] However, power converters can rupture or explode due to internal arcing faults, overvoltage breakdown, continuous heat accumulation, or intrusion of external foreign objects. To improve protection levels and accommodate compact power density designs, power converters typically employ a sealed metal casing. Their highly compact internal structure leaves little room for the diffusion of high-temperature, high-pressure gases, making them prone to rapid energy accumulation. Once a power converter ruptures or explodes, weak points in its sealed casing, such as the door panels and wiring terminals, are highly susceptible to cracking. The shock wave and flames generated by the explosion will directly impact adjacent power converters, battery clusters, and busbars, triggering a chain reaction of failures and potentially damaging the entire electrochemical energy storage system. This phenomenon is particularly prominent in densely deployed energy storage systems, inverter cabinets, and parallel uninterruptible power supply systems.

[0004] To address the aforementioned technical issues, there is an urgent need to improve the pressure relief scheme of power converters in order to reduce the impact of internal fault pressure relief on adjacent devices. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a power converter, an energy storage box, and a power converter integrated cabinet, which can reduce the impact on surrounding electrical components and / or the power converter's own structure when the power converter experiences an explosion.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the embodiments of this application adopt the following technical solutions.

[0007] In a first aspect, this application provides a power converter, which includes a housing, a circuit board disposed inside the housing, a power conversion circuit disposed on the circuit board, an interface disposed on the housing, the power conversion circuit being used to connect to other electronic devices through the interface, an explosion vent disposed on the housing, an explosion vent covered with an explosion vent plate, and the explosion vent and the interface being disposed on different sides of the housing.

[0008] This solution achieves directional and safe pressure relief of the power converter under fault conditions by incorporating a pressure relief port with a pressure relief diaphragm on the power converter housing and arranging the pressure relief port and the interface on different sides of the housing. When high-temperature and high-pressure gas is generated inside the power converter due to faults such as short circuits or device breakdown, the pressure inside the housing rises sharply. The pressure relief diaphragm will rupture and open preferentially when it reaches a preset pressure threshold, guiding the high-pressure gas flow and flame out of the pressure relief port. Placing the pressure relief port and the interface on different sides of the housing can, on the one hand, prevent the high-temperature and high-speed jet from directly impacting the interface and the external equipment, cables, and connectors connected to the interface, preventing secondary short circuits or damage to external systems; on the other hand, separating the venting direction from the interface operating surface can also reduce the safety threat to maintenance personnel. At the same time, since the interface seal is usually a weak point in the housing, the pressure relief process does not directly impact the sealing structure at the interface, which helps maintain the structural integrity of the housing and facilitates subsequent maintenance. Therefore, the technical solution provided in this application effectively reduces the damage to surrounding electrical components and the power converter's own structure during internal fault pressure relief, and improves the system's fault isolation capability.

[0009] In at least one possible implementation, the housing includes two opposing sides, each side having an explosion vent.

[0010] By specifically positioning the pressure relief vents on two opposite sides of the casing, the two vents can open simultaneously when the pressure inside the power converter rises sharply, forming a bidirectional pressure relief channel. This technical solution significantly increases the total pressure relief area, allowing the internal pressure to decrease more rapidly and avoiding the slow local pressure release caused by a single outlet. Simultaneously, the recoil force generated by bidirectional injection can at least partially offset the pressure, reducing the net recoil torque on the casing compared to a single-sided relief scheme, thereby preventing significant displacement and overturning of the casing. Furthermore, it makes the load on the casing more uniform, reducing the degree of casing deformation. This reduces the mechanical stress impact on the internal circuitry and better maintains the installation stability of the equipment within the rack or energy storage tank, minimizing or avoiding cascading failures of adjacent equipment caused by excessive casing deformation.

[0011] In at least one possible implementation, the venting disc is fixedly connected to the outer periphery of the venting port by a plurality of screws.

[0012] Multiple screws are used to secure the explosion vent to the outer periphery of the explosion vent. Compared to methods like adhesive bonding, this provides a reliable and consistent preload, ensuring a reliable seal between the explosion vent and the vent under normal operating conditions. This maintains the overall protection level of the housing and prevents moisture and dust intrusion. When the internal pressure exceeds a set value, the constraint formed by the screw fastening points causes the explosion vent to rupture and open along a pre-defined weak point path. Furthermore, the screw connection improves the ease of replacing the explosion vent; after a failure, maintenance personnel can quickly replace the vent simply by removing the screws, without scrapping the entire housing, significantly reducing maintenance difficulty and costs.

[0013] In at least one possible implementation, the venting disc includes a plurality of slits, which are continuously spaced apart and form a non-closed profile around a portion of the venting disc, the portion of which forms a pressure relief section, and a retaining section is formed between the two ends of the non-closed profile.

[0014] The pressure relief disc uses continuously spaced slits to form a non-closed profile, thus dividing the pressure relief section into a pressure-reducing section and a retaining section. This structure artificially creates weak areas on the pressure relief disc. When the internal pressure reaches the set opening pressure, the pressure-reducing section will precisely tear and flip open along the contour line formed by the slits. Due to the presence of the retaining section, the pressure-reducing section will not completely detach from the housing, avoiding secondary damage or short-circuit risks caused by high-speed ejection of metal fragments. The non-closed profile allows for controllable opening area and opening pressure, enabling precise matching of the discharge capacity required by the power converter. Furthermore, this structure has a simple manufacturing process, is easy to mass-produce, and maintains consistent opening pressure of the pressure relief section.

[0015] In at least one possible implementation, the outer side of the explosion relief disc away from the explosion relief port includes an explosion relief gap, the dimension of which in the direction perpendicular to the explosion relief port is greater than the dimension of the pressure relief portion in the direction perpendicular to the holding portion.

[0016] This feature further dictates that the explosion relief gap on the outside of the explosion relief disc must be larger than the opening stroke of the pressure relief section, ensuring sufficient space is reserved outside the explosion relief disc to avoid obstructing its opening. When the internal pressure of the power converter exceeds the threshold and the pressure relief section flips open around the retaining part, the pressure relief section can fully open to the designed position without directly interfering with or colliding with adjacent external structures (such as cabinet walls or partitions). This ensures complete unobstructed flow of the venting channel, preventing a decrease in the pressure relief capacity of the explosion relief port due to obstruction, and also prevents the pressure relief section from breaking or generating splashes due to collisions with external obstacles, thus improving the certainty and safety of the explosion relief process.

[0017] In at least one possible implementation, the surface of the housing with the explosion vent is recessed towards the interior of the housing at the periphery of the explosion vent, and the explosion vent plate is accommodated in the recess.

[0018] By designing the periphery of the explosion vent to be recessed towards the interior of the housing, and housing the explosion vent disc within this recess, an embedded installation of the explosion vent disc is achieved. This keeps the outer surface of the housing as flat as possible and reduces protruding parts, preventing damage or accidental activation of the explosion vent disc due to accidental bumps or scratches in scenarios where multiple devices are closely arranged or operating spaces are confined. The recessed structure also forms reinforcing ribs around the explosion vent, improving the local rigidity and strength of the housing at the opening. Simultaneously, this design reduces interference between the power converter and other structures during installation and removal, improving installation and disassembly efficiency.

[0019] Secondly, this application also provides an energy storage box, which includes multiple power converters and multiple rows of battery clusters. The multiple rows of battery clusters are arranged side by side, and the multiple power converters and the multiple rows of battery clusters are connected in a one-to-one correspondence. The power converters are used to convert the electrical energy output by the battery clusters connected to them. The power converters and battery clusters are arranged along the height direction of the energy storage box. The sides of the power converters are provided with explosion vents, and the sides of the multiple power converters are provided with side plates, with the explosion vents facing the side plates.

[0020] This energy storage solution connects multiple power converters to multiple rows of battery clusters, arranging them along the height. The explosion vents on both sides of the power converters face the added side panels. When any power converter experiences an internal fault and explodes, the high-temperature, high-pressure gas ejected from the explosion vents will directly impact the side panels. The side panels can at least partially absorb the impact energy during the explosion, preventing flames and hot gas from directly impacting adjacent battery clusters and other power converters. The side panels also confine the hot gas flow within the limited space between the side panels and the sides of the power converters, cutting off or preventing the spread of thermal runaway to the battery system, reducing the risk of battery ignition or thermal runaway, thereby significantly improving the overall safety of the energy storage system.

[0021] In at least one possible implementation, the side plate is provided with through holes.

[0022] By incorporating through-holes in the side panel, a completely enclosed cavity is avoided between the side panel and the power converter, allowing for heat dissipation of the power converter. These through-holes also facilitate the routing of vented gases to a secondary safety area or an external pressure relief channel.

[0023] Thirdly, this application also provides an energy storage box, which includes multiple power converters and multiple rows of battery clusters. The multiple rows of battery clusters are arranged in parallel, and the multiple power converters and the multiple rows of battery clusters are connected in a one-to-one correspondence. The power converters are used to convert the electrical energy output by the battery clusters connected to them. The power converters and battery clusters are arranged along the height direction of the energy storage box. The side of the power converter is provided with an explosion vent, which faces the inner wall of the energy storage box.

[0024] In this energy storage box, the explosion vent on the side of the power converter faces directly towards the inner wall of the box. This layout utilizes the box's own structure as an explosion vent barrier, eliminating the need for additional dedicated side panels. In the event of an internal explosion, the explosion jet directly impacts the robust inner wall of the box, where the energy is absorbed and deflected, preventing it from directly hitting the battery cluster or adjacent power converter.

[0025] Fourthly, this application also provides a power converter integrated cabinet, which includes a cabinet and a plurality of the aforementioned power converters disposed in the cabinet. The plurality of power converters are arranged horizontally side by side, and the explosion vent is disposed on the surface that does not face the adjacent power converters.

[0026] In a power converter integrated cabinet, multiple power converters are installed horizontally side-by-side and densely packed, with the explosion vents uniformly positioned on surfaces that do not face adjacent power converters. When an internal fault occurs in a power converter and an explosion occurs, the released high-temperature, high-pressure gas flow is directed to an unused area of ​​the cabinet, thus preventing direct impact on adjacent power converters. This avoids the cascading damage to nearby equipment caused by a single power converter failure through the impact of the high-temperature, high-pressure gas flow, ensuring the continuous operation of the power converter integrated cabinet.

[0027] In at least one possible implementation, explosion vents are provided on both the top and bottom surfaces of the casing.

[0028] This technical solution further confines the explosion vents to the top and bottom surfaces of the housing, making full use of the space above and below the equipment as venting channels in a horizontally arranged integrated cabinet. Simultaneous venting from the top and bottom also creates a force couple balance in the vertical direction, preventing the explosion venting process from generating thrust on the power converter housing and the cabinet structure, thus making the connection of the power converter within the integrated cabinet more stable.

[0029] In at least one possible implementation, the power converter integrated cabinet further includes a heat dissipation device and an isolation element, the isolation element being disposed between the heat dissipation device and the power converter, and at least one vent of the power converter facing the isolation element.

[0030] An isolator is installed between the heat dissipation device and the power converter, with at least one explosion vent facing the isolator. In the event of an explosion, the isolator acts as the first barrier, directly bearing the impact and thermal erosion of the explosion airflow. This protects vulnerable components behind the isolator, such as the cooling fan and fins, from being destroyed or ignited, ensuring that the cooling system can maintain basic functionality to help reduce system temperature after an explosion failure. The isolator can also change the direction of the explosion airflow, creating a tortuous pressure relief path, promoting the slowing and cooling of high-temperature gas, further reducing the risk of secondary disasters. Attached Figure Description

[0031] Figure 1 This is a first structural schematic diagram of a power converter provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0032] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the second structure of a power converter provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0033] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the third structure of a power converter provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0034] Figure 4 This is a partial exploded view of a power converter provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0035] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a venting disc provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0036] Figure 6 for Figure 5 A partially enlarged structural diagram.

[0037] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a vent for a housing provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0038] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of an energy storage box provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0039] Figure 9 This is a structural schematic diagram of an energy storage box provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0040] Figure 10 A simplified structural diagram of an energy storage box provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0041] Figure 11 This is a simplified structural diagram of a power converter integrated cabinet provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0042] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a power converter integrated cabinet provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0043] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures 1-Power converter; 100 - Housing; 110 - Explosion vent; 120 - Explosion relief disc; 121 - Slit; 122 - Pressure relief section; 123 - Holding section; 130 - Seal; 140 - Fastener; 200-interface; 300 circuit board; 2-Energy storage box; 21-Battery cluster; 22-Box body; 23-Side panel; 24-Through hole; 3-Power converter integrated cabinet; 31-Cabinet body; 32-Heat dissipation device; 33-Isolation component. Detailed Implementation

[0044] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the technical solutions of this application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the following embodiments are only used to explain and illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. The scope of protection of this application is determined by the claims.

[0045] In the description of the embodiments of this application, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used only for distinguishing descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or order. The words "a" or "one," etc., do not indicate a quantity limitation, but rather indicate the presence of at least one. In the description of the embodiments of this application, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0046] In the description of the embodiments of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the 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 element 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.

[0047] The embodiments of this application first provide a power converter. A power converter can be a power electronic device used to realize the conversion of electrical energy forms, specifically an energy storage converter, photovoltaic inverter, frequency converter, or uninterruptible power supply, etc. In electrochemical energy storage systems, the power converter undertakes the key task of AC-DC conversion and works in conjunction with battery management systems, energy management systems, etc. Power converters typically use a sealed metal casing to meet protection level requirements, such as the common IP54 or higher protection level. However, due to its compact internal structure, once a short circuit, device breakdown, or other fault generates high-temperature and high-pressure gas, energy can easily and rapidly accumulate inside the casing, causing the casing to rupture uncontrollably at weak points such as door panels and wiring ports, impacting adjacent equipment. To address this problem, the power converter provided in the embodiments of this application improves the safety of pressure relief by setting a directional explosion-proof structure.

[0048] See Figure 1 and Figure 2 , Figure 1 and Figure 2These are schematic diagrams of a power converter from different perspectives, provided in embodiments of this application. The power converter 1 may include a housing 100. Exemplarily, the housing 100 may be a sealed box structure constructed from metal plates by welding, riveting, or screw fastening, with an internal cavity for accommodating the core components of the power converter 1. The metal material of the housing 100 may be carbon structural steel, stainless steel, or aluminum alloy, etc., to achieve both good structural strength and electromagnetic shielding performance.

[0049] A circuit board 300 can be installed inside the housing 100. Figure 1 (This illustration only shows that the circuit board can be installed inside the housing 100; its specific circuit layout is not shown.) A power conversion circuit can be installed on the circuit board 300. The power conversion circuit can include various components such as power semiconductor devices, capacitors, inductors, busbars, and control chips, used to perform DC / AC, DC / DC, or AC / AC power conversion functions. Specifically, the power semiconductor devices can be insulated-gate bipolar transistor modules or silicon carbide power modules, etc.

[0050] An interface 200 may also be provided on the housing 100. The interface 200 can be one or more of a DC input interface, an AC output interface, a communication interface, or an auxiliary power interface. The power conversion circuit can connect to other electronic devices through the interface 200 to achieve functions such as power transmission or signal interaction. For example, in energy storage applications, the DC side of the power converter 1 can be connected to a battery pack through the interface 200, and the AC side can be connected to the power grid or a load through the interface 200. Therefore, the side of the power converter housing 100 where the interface is located is usually closer to or faces other electrical components, and this side is typically also the operating side for equipment maintenance personnel.

[0051] To address the issue of uncontrolled release of high-pressure gas during a malfunction of the power converter 1, a vent 110 is provided on the housing 100 of the power converter 1. A vent plate 120 may cover the vent 110. The vent 110 and the interface 200 may be located on different surfaces of the housing 100. In other words, the interface 200 for electrical connection and the vent 110 for venting pressure during a malfunction are isolated from each other on the surface of the housing 100. When high-temperature, high-pressure gas is generated inside the power converter 1 due to an abnormality such as a short circuit or device breakdown, the pressure preferentially overcomes the vent plate 120, guiding the high-pressure gas flow and flame to be released directionally from the vent 110, rather than being uncontrolledly ejected from the interface 200.

[0052] On the one hand, this technical solution can prevent high-temperature, high-speed jets from directly impacting the interface 200 and external equipment, cables, and connectors connected to the interface 200, thus preventing secondary short circuits or damage to external systems. On the other hand, separating the explosion vent direction from the operating surface can also reduce the safety threat to equipment maintenance personnel who may be in the direction of the interface 200. For example, in actual engineering, the interface 200 is usually located on the front panel and / or rear panel of the housing 100 for easy wiring and maintenance, while the explosion vent 110 can be located on the side, top, or bottom surface of the housing 100, thereby avoiding the operating area commonly used by operators.

[0053] In one embodiment of this application, the housing 100 can be generally a cuboid structure, that is, the angle between the plane containing the vent 110 and the interface 200 can be 90 degrees. Placing them on two mutually perpendicular surfaces maximizes the spatial isolation between the venting direction and the maintenance operation direction.

[0054] See Figure 1 and Figure 2 In some embodiments of this application, the housing 100 may include two oppositely disposed sides ( Figure 1 and Figure 2 The two sides in the X direction are equipped with explosion vents 110. The dual-sided explosion vent structure can open the two opposing explosion vents 110 simultaneously when the internal pressure of the power converter rises sharply, forming a bidirectional venting channel, which greatly increases the total pressure relief area and makes the internal pressure drop more quickly.

[0055] Simultaneously, the recoil forces generated by bidirectional injection can at least partially cancel each other out, significantly reducing the net recoil torque on the housing 100 (compared to a single-sided venting scheme), preventing significant displacement or overturning of the housing 100, and maintaining the installation stability of the power converter 1 within the rack. The shape of the vent 110 can be rectangular, circular, or oblong, etc., and its opening area can be designed to match the internal volume of the housing 100 and the expected fault energy. The ratio of the total opening area of ​​the vent 110 to the internal volume of the housing is kept within a suitable range to ensure sufficient venting capacity without excessively weakening the overall structural strength of the housing 100. For example, see... Figure 3 , Figure 3 The image shows a side of the housing 100 with an explosion vent 110. Interfaces 200 can be provided on two adjacent sides of the side of the housing 100 with the explosion vent. In a typical embodiment of this application, explosion vents 110 can be provided on two sides along the X-axis, and interfaces 200 can be provided on two sides along the Y-axis.

[0056] See Figure 4 , Figure 4This is a partially exploded structural diagram of a power converter provided in an embodiment of this application. To achieve reliable fixing and convenient replacement of the explosion vent 120, the explosion vent 120 can be fixedly connected to the outer periphery of the explosion vent 110 by multiple fasteners 140. Exemplarily, the fasteners 140 are specifically screws. The multiple screws can be evenly distributed along the circumference of the explosion vent 110, or evenly distributed along two opposite edges of the explosion vent 110, to form a relatively balanced clamping force.

[0057] The aforementioned technical solution of using multiple screws to fix the explosion relief disc 120 provides a reliable and consistent preload force compared to adhesive bonding, ensuring a reliable seal between the explosion relief disc 120 and the explosion relief port 110 under normal operating conditions, maintaining the overall protection level of the housing 100 (e.g., meeting IP54 requirements), and preventing the intrusion of moisture and dust. When the internal pressure of the power converter 1 exceeds a set value, the constraint formed by the screw fastening points can cause the explosion relief disc 120 to rupture and open in a controlled manner along a preset weak explosion relief section. In addition, the screw connection allows the explosion relief disc 120 to be a standard part that can be replaced independently, facilitating replacement by maintenance personnel after an explosion failure without scrapping the entire housing 100, thereby significantly reducing maintenance costs and downtime.

[0058] like Figure 4 As shown, a sealing element 130 may also be provided between the explosion relief disc 120 and the housing 100. The sealing element 130 may be a sealing strip. For example, the sealing element 130 may be made of an elastic material with good weather resistance and sealing performance, such as silicone rubber, EPDM rubber, or fluororubber. The sealing element 130 may be disposed around the periphery of the explosion relief port 110, and the explosion relief disc 120 and the sealing element 130 may be pressed together onto the housing 100 by fasteners 140 (screws) to achieve a reliable seal.

[0059] The set opening pressure of the vent 120 can be selected according to the internal volume of the power converter 1, the protection level requirements, and the fault energy level. For example, the opening pressure range can be set between tens of kPa and hundreds of kPa, so that the vent 120 only opens when the internal fault pressure exceeds the pressure fluctuations that may occur during normal operation, thus avoiding malfunction. For example, in a specific configuration, for an energy storage converter with a rated power of several hundred kilowatts, the static opening pressure of its vent 120 can be set to a nominal value between 50 kPa and 150 kPa, allowing for a certain manufacturing tolerance range.

[0060] See Figure 5 and Figure 6 , Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the specific structure of the explosion relief disc is shown. Figure 6 for Figure 5The diagram shows a partially enlarged structural view. The explosion relief disc 120 may include multiple slits 121. The multiple slits 121 may be arranged continuously at intervals and form a non-closed contour around a portion of the explosion relief disc 120. The portion enclosed by the non-closed contour forms a pressure relief section 122, which is flipped open during explosion relief; while the unslit portion between the two ends of the non-closed contour forms a retaining section 123, which is used to ensure that the pressure relief section 122 does not completely detach from the housing 100.

[0061] The slot 121 is a weakening groove, and the connecting structure between adjacent slots 121 is a connecting bridge. The slot 121 can be a through slot extending through the thickness of the explosion vent, or a relatively thinned groove, which can be formed on the plate of the explosion vent 120 through processes such as laser cutting, stamping, or etching. The material of the explosion vent 120 can be a thin metal plate such as stainless steel or aluminum alloy, and its thickness can be selected according to the opening pressure requirements. For example, the thickness of the explosion vent can be selected in the range of a few tenths of a millimeter to several millimeters.

[0062] When the internal pressure of the housing 100 reaches the set opening pressure of the explosion relief disc 120, the explosion relief stress is concentrated at the root and / or both ends of the slit 121. The pressure relief part 122 tears precisely along the contour line formed by the slit 121 and flips open around the retaining part 123. Since the retaining part 123 always connects the pressure relief part 122 to the housing 100, the pressure relief part 122 will not completely detach from the housing 100, thereby preventing metal fragments from being ejected by the high-speed airflow and causing secondary damage or short circuit.

[0063] The shape and size of the non-closed contour can be used to adjust the opening area of ​​the pressure relief section 122. Parameters such as the length of the slit 121, the width of the connecting bridge between adjacent slits 121, and the overall contour shape of the pressure relief section 122 can all be adjusted according to the required opening pressure. For example, increasing the width of the connecting bridge can increase the opening pressure, while increasing the total length of the slits can decrease the opening pressure.

[0064] Furthermore, the outer side of the explosion relief disc 120 away from the explosion relief port 110 may include an explosion relief gap, that is, the outer side of the explosion relief disc 120 may include a cavity for at least partially accommodating the explosion relief disc (mainly its pressure relief portion 122). The dimension of this explosion relief gap in the direction perpendicular to the explosion relief port 110 (i.e., the X-axis direction) is larger than the dimension (flipping radius) of the pressure relief portion 122 in the direction perpendicular to the retaining portion 123 (i.e., the Z-axis direction). In other words, a sufficiently large unobstructed space should be reserved outside the explosion relief disc 120 so that when the pressure relief portion 122 is flipped open around the retaining portion 123, it can be fully opened to the designed position without interfering with or colliding with adjacent external structures. For example, the dimension of the explosion relief gap may be 20% to 50% larger than the flipping radius to form a sufficient safety margin.

[0065] In one embodiment of this application, see Figure 7 , Figure 7 The housing structure at the explosion vent 110 is shown. The surface of the housing 100 where the explosion vent 110 is located is recessed towards the interior of the housing 100 at the periphery of the explosion vent 110. This allows the explosion vent plate 120 to be accommodated within the recess. The depth of the recess can be matched to the total installation height of the explosion vent plate 120, the seal 130, and the fastener 140, so that after assembly, the outer surface of the explosion vent plate 120 or the outer end of the fastener 140 is substantially flush with or slightly lower than the outer surface of the housing 100.

[0066] This embedded mounting structure keeps the outer surface of the housing 100 as flat as possible, reducing protruding parts. In scenarios where multiple devices are closely spaced or operating spaces are confined, this prevents the explosion vent 120 from being damaged or accidentally opened due to bumps or scratches. Simultaneously, the recessed structure around the explosion vent 110 creates a reinforcing rib effect, increasing the local stiffness and strength at the opening and helping to resist fatigue caused by internal pressure fluctuations. Furthermore, this design reduces interference between the power converter and other structures along the installation and removal path, improving installation and disassembly efficiency.

[0067] The embodiments of this application also provide an energy storage box 2. The energy storage box can be an energy storage device that integrates battery clusters, power converters, temperature control systems, etc. into a container or integrated cabinet. Due to its high integration and flexible deployment, it is widely used in scenarios such as grid peak shaving and frequency regulation, and energy storage for new energy power generation.

[0068] See Figure 8 , Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of an energy storage box provided in an embodiment of this application. The energy storage box 2 may include multiple power converters 1 as described above and multiple rows of battery clusters 21. The multiple rows of battery clusters 21 can be arranged in parallel. Each row of battery clusters 21 can be composed of multiple battery modules connected in series. The multiple power converters 1 can be connected one-to-one with the multiple rows of battery clusters 21, that is, each power converter 1 is used to perform power conversion on the electrical energy output from the corresponding row of battery clusters 21, for example, converting the DC power of the battery clusters 21 into AC power for grid connection. For example, as shown... Figure 8 As shown, the energy storage box 2 can be equipped with four rows of battery clusters and four power converters 1. Figure 8 (Two power converters are blocked). In, for example, string energy storage architectures, the one-to-one connection between the battery clusters 21 and the power converters 1 facilitates independent management and optimization of each battery cluster.

[0069] See Figure 8 and Figure 9 , Figure 9This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the energy storage box 2. The power converter 1 and the battery cluster 21 can be arranged along the height direction of the energy storage box 2 ( Figure 8 Arranged along the Z-axis direction. Figure 8 In the illustrated embodiment, the battery cluster 21 is positioned at the top, while the power converter 1 is positioned below the battery cluster 21. This top-bottom arrangement fully utilizes the vertical space of the energy storage box 2, while also shortening the connecting cable between the power converter 1 and the battery cluster 21, reducing line loss and cost. The side of the power converter 1 may be provided with an explosion vent 110. Inside the energy storage box 2, on both sides of the multiple power converters 1 ( Figure 8 Side plates 23 can be provided on both sides of the Y-axis direction, and the explosion vent 110 can face the side plate 23.

[0070] When any one of the power converters 1 experiences an internal fault and explosion, the high-temperature, high-pressure gas and flames ejected from the two side vents 110 will directly impact the side plate 23. The side plate 23 acts as a physical barrier to absorb the majority of the impact energy and obstructs at least part of the flames and hot airflow. The side plate 23 confines the hot airflow within a limited space between the side plate 23 and the side of the power converter 1, allowing it to diffuse and cool within this space, thus preventing the fault from spreading to the battery system.

[0071] For example, the side plate 23 can be made of ordinary carbon steel plate or galvanized steel plate with a thickness of 2mm to 5mm to have sufficient strength and rigidity to withstand the explosion impact without breaking. The distance between the side plate 23 and the side of the power converter 1 can be set according to the size of the explosion relief plate 120 (especially the size of the aforementioned pressure relief part 122) and the expected energy to be discharged, so as to form an effective buffer and diffusion space.

[0072] Further, see Figure 8 One or more through holes 24 may be provided on the side plate 23. These through holes 24 prevent the formation of a completely closed cavity between the side plate 23 and the side of the power converter 1. The released airflow can be throttled and discharged in an orderly manner through the through holes 24, which not only releases pressure and prevents the side plate 23 from deforming or rebounding shock waves after being subjected to excessive impact loads, but also directs the gas to a secondary safety area or an external pressure relief channel through the direction of the through holes 24. Simultaneously, the through holes 24 also serve to ventilate and dissipate heat for the power converter 1.

[0073] The through holes 24 can be circular, rectangular, or oblong, etc., and their number and total area can be determined comprehensively based on the pressure relief flow rate requirement and the heat dissipation airflow requirement. For example, the total area of ​​the through holes 24 can be designed to be 20% to 50% of the total area of ​​the side plate 23 to balance the requirements of pressure relief and protection. In one embodiment of this application, the through holes 24 can be formed into an array of holes on the side plate 23.

[0074] See Figure 10 , Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of another energy storage box 2 provided in an embodiment of this application. In another embodiment of this application, the side explosion vent 110 of the power converter 1 can directly face the inner wall of the box 22 of the energy storage box 2. This layout utilizes the inherent box 22 structure of the energy storage box 2 as an explosion vent barrier, eliminating the need for additional dedicated side panels, simplifying the structure and reducing costs, while saving some of the space occupied by the side panels, making the overall layout more compact.

[0075] When the power converter 1 experiences an internal explosion, the high-temperature airflow can directly impact the inner wall of the housing 22. Its energy can be absorbed and deflected by the inner wall, effectively protecting the battery cluster 21 from direct thermal shock. For example, the inner wall of the housing 22 can be reinforced in the area corresponding to the explosion vent 110, such as by local thickening or adding reinforcing ribs, to improve impact resistance. The reinforcing ribs can be distributed in a grid or rib-like pattern and connected to the inner wall of the housing 22 by welding or integral molding.

[0076] The explosion-proof structures of the two types of energy storage boxes mentioned above can be further combined, see [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 10 When multiple power converters 1 are arranged side by side, a side plate 23 can be installed between two adjacent power converters 1 with explosion vents 110 to reduce or avoid the impact of explosion on adjacent power converters; while the explosion vents of the power converters 1 facing the inner wall of the enclosure 22 still face the inner wall of the enclosure 22 to release explosions, so as to use the enclosure as an explosion vent barrier. Those skilled in the art can select appropriate explosion vent isolation schemes and make appropriate combinations based on the actual internal layout of the energy storage box 2, under the guidance of this application.

[0077] Embodiments of this application also provide a power converter integrated cabinet 3. In applications such as string energy storage systems, multiple power converters can be centrally installed in the integrated cabinet to save floor space and simplify wiring. The integrated cabinet 3 can be placed independently in a data center or as a functional unit within a prefabricated energy storage compartment. See also Figure 11 and Figure 12 , Figure 11 This is a simplified structural diagram of a power converter integrated cabinet provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 12 This is a structural diagram of a power converter integrated cabinet provided in an embodiment of this application. The power converter integrated cabinet 3 may include a cabinet body 31 and multiple power converters 1 disposed within the cabinet body 31. The multiple power converters 1 can be arranged horizontally side by side to form a high-density parallel system. Only necessary heat dissipation and maintenance clearances may be maintained between adjacent power converters 1.

[0078] In this dense layout, the explosion vent 110 is located on a surface that does not face the adjacent power converter 1. For example, as Figure 11As shown, in a horizontally arranged layout, adjacent power converters 1 face each other's front or back sides, and the explosion vent 110 can be arranged on the top and / or bottom surface of the housing. When a power converter 1 fails and explodes, the released high-temperature, high-pressure airflow can be directed to an unused area of ​​the cabinet, such as the busbar space above the cabinet or the air inlet space below, to avoid adjacent power converters 1 and prevent the shock wave and flame from directly damaging the adjacent unit's housing and its internal circuitry. In an alternative embodiment, depending on the relative positions of the devices within the integrated cabinet, the explosion vent 110 can also be located on the back of the housing, facing the rear wall of the cabinet 31.

[0079] In some embodiments of this application, explosion vents 110 are provided on both the top and bottom surfaces of the housing 100. Simultaneous release from the top and bottom creates a force couple balance in the vertical direction, preventing thrust on the cabinet 31 structure and making the equipment more securely fixed. The cabinet 31 may have pressure relief spaces or channels corresponding to the explosion vents 110 on its top and bottom surfaces to guide airflow in a safe direction. For example, the top plate of the cabinet 31 may be provided with an upward-extending pressure relief chimney or flow guide; a pressure relief trench or flow guide channel may be provided below the bottom plate of the cabinet 31.

[0080] See also Figure 11 and Figure 12 The power converter integrated cabinet 3 may further include a heat dissipation device 32 and an isolation component 33. The heat dissipation device 32 may be an air-cooled radiator for forced cooling of the power converter 1. The heat dissipation device 32 may be disposed at the bottom or top of the cabinet 31, forming a cooling air duct from bottom to top or from top to bottom. Exemplarily, in an embodiment of this application, the heat dissipation device 32 may be disposed at the top of the cabinet 31, that is, above the power converter 1.

[0081] See Figure 11 The isolator 33 can be disposed between the heat dissipation device 32 and the power converter 1. At least one explosion vent 110 of the power converter 1 (especially the top explosion vent) can face the isolator 33. When an explosion occurs, the isolator 33 acts as the first barrier, directly bearing the impact of the airflow and thermal erosion, protecting the heat dissipation device 32 from being destroyed or ignited, so that the heat dissipation system can still maintain its basic function after the explosion failure, and help reduce the system temperature.

[0082] Simultaneously, the isolator 33 can alter the flow direction of the hot gas, forming a tortuous pressure relief path, promoting the deceleration and cooling of the high-temperature gas before its discharge, further reducing the risk of secondary disasters. For example, the isolator 33 can be a metal partition or a protective plate made of high-temperature resistant material. The metal partition can be made of steel or aluminum alloy, with its thickness determined according to the expected impact energy. Multiple small holes or guide channels can be formed on the isolator 33 to achieve controlled airflow. The size and distribution of these small holes or guide channels can be designed to allow cooling airflow during normal operation, while creating a certain flow resistance during explosion venting to dissipate the kinetic energy of the explosion venting jet.

[0083] In summary, the technical solutions provided in this application can achieve the following technical effects based on the above embodiments.

[0084] First, it achieves directional and safe pressure relief under fault conditions, significantly reducing the impact on surrounding components and its own structure. This application guides the release of high-pressure gas and flame from a predetermined direction by placing the explosion vent and interface on different sides of the housing, and in specific implementations, placing the explosion vent on opposite sides or top / bottom surfaces of the housing. This directional explosion vent design can prevent high-temperature, high-speed jets from directly impacting adjacent electrical equipment, connecting cables, and operators.

[0085] Secondly, the dual-sided venting channels significantly increase the total pressure relief area, allowing the internal pressure of the power converter to decrease more rapidly. Simultaneously, the recoil forces generated by the bidirectional injection cancel each other out, reducing the net recoil torque on the casing and preventing significant displacement or overturning of the casing, thus maintaining the installation stability of the equipment within the rack or energy storage box. In the energy storage box, the vent faces a pre-designated side panel or inner wall, using a physical barrier to absorb impact energy and block flames and hot airflow, isolating the fault within a single device and cutting off the path for the fault to spread to the battery system. In the integrated cabinet, the vent is located on a surface not facing adjacent power converters, directing high-pressure airflow to unoccupied areas of the cabinet, preventing a single unit failure from triggering a chain reaction of damage to nearby equipment through physical impact.

[0086] Third, it balances the protection requirements under normal operating conditions with the explosion venting function requirements during malfunctions. The explosion vent is secured to the housing with fasteners and seals, maintaining the housing at IP54 protection level under normal operating conditions and preventing moisture and dust intrusion. When the internal pressure exceeds a set threshold, the vent's slit structure guides the pressure relief section to tear and flip open in a controlled manner along a preset contour, while maintaining the connection to prevent fragmentation, achieving precise control over the opening pressure and opening area. The explosion vent gap on the outside of the vent and the concave structure within the housing design ensure that the pressure relief section is not interfered with when it opens, guaranteeing complete unobstructed flow of the venting channel. The embedded installation method also prevents the vent from being damaged or accidentally opened due to accidental impacts, and the reinforcing ribs formed by the concave structure improve the local rigidity and strength at the opening.

[0087] Fourth, it improves system integration and maintenance convenience, and reduces manufacturing and repair costs. The explosion venting solution proposed in this application can adapt to various system architectures such as energy storage boxes and integrated cabinets, and the structural features can be flexibly combined and adjusted according to actual needs. In energy storage boxes, the explosion vent can face a preset side panel or directly utilize the inner wall of the box as a barrier; in integrated cabinets, the explosion vent can face the unused space of the cabinet and add an isolation component to protect the heat dissipation device. Since the explosion vent is a standard part and uses detachable connections such as screws, only the explosion vent needs to be replaced after a failure to restore the equipment function, without scrapping the entire shell, which greatly reduces maintenance costs and downtime.

[0088] It should be noted that the technical features described in the above embodiments can be combined arbitrarily according to actual needs. As long as the combination of these technical features does not conflict, it can constitute a new technical solution, and all such new technical solutions should fall within the scope of this application.

[0089] The above are merely some specific embodiments of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A power converter, characterized in that, The power converter includes a housing. A circuit board is installed inside the housing, and a power conversion circuit is installed on the circuit board. The housing is provided with an interface, through which the power conversion circuit is used to connect to other electronic devices. The housing is provided with an explosion vent, and the explosion vent is covered with an explosion vent plate. The explosion vent and the interface are located on different sides of the housing.

2. The power converter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing includes two oppositely arranged sides, and both sides are provided with the explosion vent.

3. The power converter according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The explosion relief disc is fixedly connected to the outer periphery of the explosion relief port by multiple screws.

4. The power converter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The explosion relief disc includes multiple slits, which are continuously spaced and form a non-closed contour around a portion of the explosion relief disc. The portion of the contour forms a pressure relief section, and a retaining section is formed between the two ends of the non-closed contour.

5. The power converter according to claim 4, characterized in that, The outer side of the explosion relief disc, away from the explosion relief port, includes an explosion relief gap. The dimension of the explosion vent gap in the direction perpendicular to the explosion vent is greater than the dimension of the pressure relief part in the direction perpendicular to the holding part.

6. The power converter according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The surface of the housing with the explosion vent is recessed towards the interior of the housing at the periphery of the explosion vent, and the explosion vent plate is accommodated in the recess.

7. An energy storage box, characterized in that, The energy storage box includes multiple power converters as described in any one of claims 1-6 and multiple rows of battery clusters, wherein the multiple rows of battery clusters are arranged side by side, and the multiple power converters and the multiple rows of battery clusters are connected in a one-to-one correspondence. The power converter is used to convert the electrical energy output by the battery cluster connected to it. The power converter and the battery cluster are arranged along the height direction of the energy storage box. The explosion vent is provided on the side of the power converter. Side plates are provided on both sides of the multiple power converters, and the explosion vent faces the side plate.

8. The energy storage box according to claim 7, characterized in that, The side plate is provided with through holes.

9. An energy storage box, characterized in that, The energy storage box includes multiple power converters as described in any one of claims 1-6 and multiple rows of battery clusters, wherein the multiple rows of battery clusters are arranged side by side, and the multiple power converters and the multiple rows of battery clusters are connected in a one-to-one correspondence. The power converter is used to convert the electrical energy output by the battery cluster connected to it. The power converter and the battery cluster are arranged along the height direction of the energy storage box. The explosion vent is provided on the side of the power converter and faces the inner wall of the energy storage box.

10. A power converter integrated cabinet, characterized in that, Includes a cabinet; and a plurality of power converters as described in any one of claims 1 to 6 disposed within the cabinet. The power converters are arranged side by side in a horizontal direction, and the explosion vent is located on a surface that does not face the adjacent power converters.

11. The power converter integrated cabinet according to claim 10, characterized in that, The explosion vents are provided on both the top and bottom surfaces of the casing.

12. The power converter integrated cabinet according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that, It also includes a heat dissipation device and an isolation component, the isolation component being disposed between the heat dissipation device and the power converter, and at least one of the explosion vents of the power converter facing the isolation component.

Images