Box integrated explosion-proof valve

Abstract

The application discloses a box integrated explosion-proof valve, and relates to the technical field of box-type explosion-proof valves.The box integrated explosion-proof valve comprises an explosion-proof box body, a valve body formed on the vertical side wall of the explosion-proof box body by locally thinning the thickness of the explosion-proof box body, a shielding piece arranged on the inner side of the valve body on the pressure relief path of the explosion-proof box body, and a starting unit arranged between the shielding piece and the explosion-proof box body.The starting unit is configured to enable the shielding piece to be in contact with the gas in the explosion-proof box body in a non-thermal runaway state, and to enable the shielding piece and the valve body to be staggered in the height direction of the explosion-proof box body when the gas pressure in the explosion-proof box body continuously rises, so that the valve body is in contact with the high-temperature and high-pressure gas in the explosion-proof box body.The setting of the shielding piece and the starting unit can effectively reduce the probability of false triggering of the valve body, and enables the explosion-proof box body to stably work.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of box-type explosion-proof valve technology, specifically to an explosion-proof valve with an integrated box body. Background Technology

[0002] In fields such as lithium battery energy storage and power supplies, explosion-proof enclosures / cabinets are core components for ensuring the safety of batteries in the event of thermal runaway. Traditional explosion-proof enclosures typically employ a separate structure consisting of an independent explosion-proof valve and the enclosure itself, which suffers from drawbacks such as complex assembly and high sealing risks.

[0003] The valve, named "New Type of Integrated Aluminum Shell Explosion-Proof Valve" (Document No. CN114824644A, hereinafter referred to as Document 1), includes a left-side material inflow boss, a right-side forming boss, an unformed central area, explosion marks, an aluminum shell body, and an extrusion area. The aluminum shell body has an internal aluminum shell sidewall with a machined thinning area. The extrusion area is formed by stamping within the machined thinning area. During extrusion, material flows into the left-side material inflow boss and the right-side forming boss. The right-side forming boss is formed upwards by stamping. This integrated structure of the explosion-proof valve and the aluminum shell reduces cost and lowers the risk of battery leakage.

[0004] The document, titled "An Integrated Explosion-Proof Valve Structure for Lithium Battery Housing" (Document No. CN215496978U, hereinafter referred to as Document 2), includes a lithium battery housing with an explosion-proof area on it. The explosion-proof area has an explosion-proof groove, which includes a first explosion-proof groove in the explosion-proof area and a second explosion-proof groove located below the bottom of the first explosion-proof groove. This structure directly presses the explosion-proof groove of the explosion-proof valve onto the lithium battery housing, thus assembling the explosion-proof valve and the lithium battery housing, i.e., the cover plate of the lithium battery, together.

[0005] Both Reference 1 and Reference 2 adopt an integrated structure of explosion-proof valve and enclosure to solve the problems of complex assembly and high sealing risk caused by the separate structure of independent explosion-proof valve and enclosure. However, because the explosion-proof valve has a thinner wall, its pressure resistance is much lower than that of the explosion-proof valve with a separate structure. It is easily triggered under false overpressure caused by non-thermal runaway scenarios such as production testing, ambient temperature rise, installation and maintenance, and sudden pressure changes. The integrated structure of explosion-proof valve and enclosure is a one-time sealing structure and cannot be repaired. After false triggering, the enclosure needs to be replaced. The stability of the explosion-proof enclosure is poor. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide an integrated explosion-proof valve to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: an integrated explosion-proof valve, comprising an explosion-proof enclosure, and further comprising: A valve body is formed on the vertical side wall of the explosion-proof enclosure by partially reducing the thickness of the enclosure. A shielding element is provided inside the valve body along the pressure relief path of the explosion-proof enclosure. A starting unit is located between the shielding member and the explosion-proof enclosure. The starting unit is configured to allow the shielding member to contact the gas inside the explosion-proof enclosure in a non-thermal runaway state. When the gas pressure inside the explosion-proof enclosure continues to rise, the shielding member and the valve body are offset in the height direction of the explosion-proof enclosure, so that the valve body contacts the high-temperature and high-pressure gas inside the explosion-proof enclosure.

[0008] As a further aspect of the present invention, the projection of the valve body is located within the projection area of ​​the explosion-proof enclosure in the height direction of the enclosure.

[0009] As a further embodiment of the present invention, the starting unit includes a support plate that is plugged into the explosion-proof enclosure; the support plate is provided with a through groove for the movement of the shielding member and a receiving groove for offsetting the shielding member from the valve body, the receiving groove being located between the through groove and the valve body and communicating with the through groove; the support plate is provided with a pre-tightening member for providing a pressing effect on the shielding member.

[0010] As a further embodiment of the present invention, the pretensioning member includes an elastic element disposed between the support plate and the blocking member, and a pressure head installed on the elastic element near one end of the blocking member.

[0011] As a further embodiment of the present invention, both the shielding member and the through groove are circular; a cam groove is provided on the side wall of the through groove that fits with the shielding member, and a sliding post is provided on the side wall of the shielding member that fits with the through groove, which slides in the cam groove; when the sliding post slides in the cam groove, it can drive the shielding member to rotate around its axis.

[0012] As a further embodiment of the present invention, the shielding member is provided with a clearance groove. When the shielding member moves along the axis of the through groove to above the receiving groove, the clearance groove coincides with the pressure head in the direction of the axis of the through groove.

[0013] As a further embodiment of the present invention, a ball bearing is provided at one end of the pressure head near the shielding member.

[0014] As a further embodiment of the present invention, the support plate is interference-fitted with the explosion-proof enclosure.

[0015] As a further aspect of the present invention, the valve body has a groove on the side wall facing the inner wall of the housing; the groove is used to control the direction of valve body breakage.

[0016] As a further aspect of the present invention, the engraving is one of the following: cross-shaped, straight, or ring-shaped.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are: This invention utilizes a milling process to locally thin the explosion-proof enclosure wall panel at a predetermined location to form a valve body. The valve body is integrally formed with the explosion-proof enclosure, eliminating additional assembly steps and significantly improving sealing reliability, thus avoiding the leakage risk of separate valve components. When the lithium battery inside the explosion-proof enclosure experiences thermal runaway, the high-temperature, high-pressure gas can rupture the valve body and rapidly discharge from the pressure relief zone where the ruptured valve body is located, releasing internal pressure and preventing the entire explosion-proof enclosure from bursting. Simultaneously, through the design of a shielding component and a starting unit, during normal operation of the explosion-proof enclosure (non-thermal runaway scenario), the shielding component replaces the valve body to receive instantaneous or short-term high pressure within the enclosure, preventing the valve body from being falsely triggered under excessive pressure. However, when the explosion-proof enclosure experiences thermal runaway, the gas pressure inside continues to rise. At this time, the starting unit drives the shielding component to move, causing it to shift away from the valve body. Only then can the high-temperature, high-pressure gas impact the valve body, causing it to rupture, thereby effectively reducing the probability of false triggering and allowing the explosion-proof enclosure to operate stably. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the overall structure of the integrated explosion-proof valve provided for an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the explosion-proof enclosure structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the starting unit and shielding component provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 for Figure 3 AA section view; Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the structure of the pretensioner provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the support plate structure provided for an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 , Figure 8 A schematic diagram illustrating the positional relationship between the shielding member and the pressure head under different working states, provided for an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the working state of the integrated explosion-proof valve provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] The attached figures are labeled as follows: 1-Explosion-proof enclosure, 2-Valve body, 3-Shielding component, 31-Allowing groove, 4-Starting unit, 41-Support plate, 42-Through groove, 43-Accommodation groove, 44-Pre-tightening component, 441-Elastic element, 442-Pressure head, 443-Ball, 45-Cam groove, 46-Sliding column, 5-Score. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0021] Please see Figures 1-9 As shown, the technical solution of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments: Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides an integrated explosion-proof valve including an explosion-proof enclosure 1, and further including: a valve body 2 formed by partially thinning the thickness of the explosion-proof enclosure 1 and disposed on the vertical side wall of the explosion-proof enclosure 1; a shielding member 3 disposed on the inner side of the valve body 2 along the pressure relief path of the explosion-proof enclosure 1; and an activation unit 4 disposed between the shielding member 3 and the explosion-proof enclosure 1. The activation unit 4 is configured to enable the shielding member 3 to contact the gas inside the explosion-proof enclosure 1 in a non-thermal runaway state, and to offset the shielding member 3 and the valve body 2 in the height direction of the explosion-proof enclosure 1 when the gas pressure inside the explosion-proof enclosure 1 continues to rise, so that the valve body 2 contacts the high-temperature and high-pressure gas inside the explosion-proof enclosure 1.

[0022] This invention involves locally thinning the wall panel of the explosion-proof enclosure 1 at a predetermined location using a milling process to form a valve body 2. The wall thickness of the thinned area is 2 / 3 of the wall thickness of the explosion-proof enclosure 1, and the wall thickness of the valve body 2 is 1 / 3 of the wall thickness of the explosion-proof enclosure 1. The valve body 2 of the explosion-proof valve is integrally formed with the explosion-proof enclosure 1, eliminating additional assembly steps and significantly improving sealing reliability, thus avoiding the leakage risk of separate valve components. When the lithium battery inside the explosion-proof enclosure 1 experiences thermal runaway, the high-temperature and high-pressure gas can break through the valve body 2 and quickly escape from the pressure relief area where the ruptured valve body 2 is located, releasing internal pressure and preventing the explosion-proof enclosure 1 from collapsing. The entire structure bursts; simultaneously, through the setting of the shielding component 3 and the starting unit 4, when the explosion-proof enclosure 1 is working normally (in a non-thermal runaway scenario), the shielding component 3 replaces the valve body 2 to receive the instantaneous or short-term high pressure inside the explosion-proof enclosure 1, preventing the valve body 2 from being accidentally triggered under false overpressure; when the explosion-proof enclosure 1 experiences thermal runaway, the gas pressure inside the explosion-proof enclosure 1 continues to rise. At this time, the starting unit 4 drives the shielding component 3 to move, so that the shielding component 3 is misaligned with the valve body 2. Only then can the high-temperature and high-pressure gas impact the valve body 2, causing the valve body 2 to rupture, thereby effectively reducing the probability of the valve body 2 being accidentally triggered, and allowing the explosion-proof enclosure 1 to work stably.

[0023] Please see Figure 9 As shown, in an optional embodiment of the present invention, the projection of the valve body 2 is located within the projection area of ​​the explosion-proof enclosure 1 in the height direction. It should be understood that the thinned area on the wall panel of the explosion-proof enclosure 1 is the inner wall of the wall panel, and the valve body 2 is close to the outer wall of the wall panel of the explosion-proof enclosure 1. The outer wall of the valve body 2 is flush with the outer wall of the explosion-proof enclosure 1. The valve body 2 has no protruding parts relative to the explosion-proof enclosure 1, resulting in a flat appearance for the explosion-proof enclosure 1, which facilitates modular installation and spatial layout.

[0024] Please see Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 9 As shown, in an optional embodiment of the present invention, the starting unit 4 includes a support plate 41 that is plugged into the explosion-proof enclosure 1; the support plate 41 is provided with a through groove 42 for the movement of the shielding member 3 and a receiving groove 43 that offsets the shielding member 3 from the valve body 2, the receiving groove 43 being located between the through groove 42 and the valve body 2 and communicating with the through groove 42; the support plate 41 is provided with a pre-tightening member 44 for providing a pressing effect to the shielding member 3. It should be understood that the support plate 41 is installed on the inner wall of the explosion-proof enclosure 1 by plugging, the shielding member 3 is located in the through groove 42 and can move horizontally within the through groove 42, the pre-tightening member 44 is used to provide pressure to the shielding member 3, so that the shielding member 3 can adhere to the inner wall of the support plate 41 when there is no thermal runaway, or so that even if the shielding member 3 moves a certain distance towards the receiving groove 43 during thermal runaway, it can move to the state of adhering to the inner wall of the support plate 41 after the air pressure in the explosion-proof enclosure 1 returns to normal; Reference Figure 9In the figure, b and c represent shielding components 3 at different positions. When the explosion-proof enclosure 1 experiences thermal runaway, the high-temperature and high-pressure gas can push the shielding component 3 to move closer to the receiving groove 43 until the shielding component 3 moves to position b. At this time, the shielding component 3 is located in the receiving groove 43 and is in a suspended state. Then the shielding component 3 will fall to position c, and the high-temperature and high-pressure gas in the explosion-proof enclosure 1 will then impact the valve body 2, causing the valve body 2 to rupture.

[0025] Please see Figure 5 In an optional embodiment of the present invention, the pretensioner 44 includes an elastic element 441 disposed between the support plate 41 and the shield 3, and a pressure head 442 mounted on the end of the elastic element 441 near the shield 3; it should be understood that the elastic element 441 may be a spring, and the pressure head 442 may be a smooth metal material.

[0026] Please see Figure 6 and Figure 7 In an optional embodiment of the present invention, both the shielding member 3 and the through groove 42 are circular; a cam groove 45 is provided on the side wall of the through groove 42 that fits with the shielding member 3, and a sliding post 46 that slides in cooperation with the cam groove 45 is provided on the side wall of the shielding member 3 that fits with the through groove 42; when the sliding post 46 slides in the cam groove 45, it can drive the shielding member 3 to rotate around its axis. It should be understood that the cam groove 45 opened on the inner wall of the through groove 42, together with the sliding column 46 installed on the shield 3, can form a cylindrical cam structure. When the shield 3 moves towards the side closer to the receiving groove 43 under air pressure, the shield 3 rotates synchronously in the through groove 42. Since the thickness of the through groove 42 in the support plate 41 is limited along the axial direction, the size of the pre-tightening member 44 is small and the pre-tightening force that can be provided is limited. Through the configuration of the sliding column 46 and the cam groove 45, the resistance of the shield 3 when it moves towards the side closer to the receiving groove 43 in the non-thermal runaway state of the explosion-proof box 1 can be increased, which can more effectively prevent the valve body 2 from being triggered accidentally.

[0027] Please see Figure 7 and Figure 8 In an optional embodiment of the present invention, the shielding member 3 is provided with a relief groove 31. When the shielding member 3 moves along the axis of the through groove 42 to above the receiving groove 43, the relief groove 31 coincides with the pressure head 442 in the direction of the axis of the through groove 42. It should be understood that when the shielding member 3 is a complete disc (i.e., without the relief groove 31), when the shielding member 3 moves into the receiving groove 43, the pre-tightening member 44 will apply a force against the airflow direction to the shielding member 3, which may easily cause the shielding member 3 to fail to fall to the bottom of the receiving groove 43 in time; in this embodiment, the relief groove 31 is provided on the shielding member 3, such as Figure 7 As shown, in the initial state, the pressure head 442 and the clearance groove 31 are misaligned. When the blocking member 3 moves into the clearance groove 31, the blocking member 3 rotates to... Figure 8As shown, the pressure head 442 is located in the relief groove 31, preventing the pre-tightening member 44 from blocking the shielding member 3 from moving down to the bottom of the receiving groove 43. When the explosion-proof box 1 is in a thermal runaway state, the valve body 2 can start up faster.

[0028] Please see Figure 5 In an optional embodiment of the present invention, a ball bearing 443 is provided at the end of the pressure head 442 near the shield 3. It should be understood that the ball bearing 443 makes the shield 3 rotate more smoothly.

[0029] Please see Figure 1 In an optional embodiment of the present invention, the support plate 41 is interference-fitted with the explosion-proof enclosure 1. It should be understood that the interference fit between the support plate 41 and the explosion-proof enclosure 1 eliminates the need for additional fasteners after insertion, thus facilitating the installation of the support plate 41.

[0030] Please see Figure 2 In an optional embodiment of the present invention, the valve body 2 has a groove 5 on the side wall facing the inner wall of the housing 1; the groove 5 is used to control the direction of the valve body 2's rupture. It should be understood that the groove 5 is processed by laser etching on the surface of the valve body 2, and the depth of the groove 5 is 2 / 3 of the wall thickness of the valve body 2. When the valve body 2 ruptures, the groove 5 ruptures in a limited manner, forming a pressure relief channel. At the same time, the burst pressure and rupture mode can be precisely controlled to achieve directional and gentle pressure relief.

[0031] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, the notch 5 is one of a cross shape, a straight line shape, or a ring shape.

[0032] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

[0033] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An integrated explosion-proof valve, comprising an explosion-proof enclosure (1), characterized in that: Also includes: The valve body (2) is formed on the vertical side wall of the explosion-proof enclosure (1) by partially thinning the thickness of the enclosure (1). The shielding component (3) is located on the inside of the valve body (2) along the pressure relief path of the explosion-proof enclosure (1); The starting unit (4) is located between the shield (3) and the explosion-proof enclosure (1). The starting unit (4) is configured to enable the shield (3) to contact the gas inside the explosion-proof enclosure (1) in a non-thermal runaway state. When the gas pressure inside the explosion-proof enclosure (1) continues to rise, the shield (3) and the valve body (2) are offset in the height direction of the explosion-proof enclosure (1), so that the valve body (2) contacts the high-temperature and high-pressure gas inside the explosion-proof enclosure (1).

2. The explosion-proof valve with an integrated housing according to claim 1, characterized in that: In the height direction of the explosion-proof enclosure (1), the projection of the valve body (2) is located within the projection area of ​​the explosion-proof enclosure (1).

3. The explosion-proof valve with an integrated housing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The starting unit (4) includes a support plate (41) that is plugged into the explosion-proof enclosure (1); the support plate (41) is provided with a through groove (42) for the movement of the shield (3) and a receiving groove (43) for the shield (3) to be offset from the valve body (2), the receiving groove (43) is located between the through groove (42) and the valve body (2) and communicates with the through groove (42); the support plate (41) is provided with a pre-tightening member (44) for providing a pressing effect on the shield (3).

4. The explosion-proof valve with an integrated housing according to claim 3, characterized in that: The pretensioner (44) includes an elastic element (441) disposed between the support plate (41) and the shield (3), and a pressure head (442) installed on the elastic element (441) near the end of the shield (3).

5. The explosion-proof valve with an integrated housing according to claim 4, characterized in that: Both the shielding member (3) and the through groove (42) are circular; a cam groove (45) is provided on the side wall of the through groove (42) that fits with the shielding member (3), and a sliding post (46) that slides in cooperation with the cam groove (45) is provided on the side wall of the shielding member (3) that fits with the through groove (42); when the sliding post (46) slides in the cam groove (45), it can drive the shielding member (3) to rotate around its axis.

6. The explosion-proof valve with an integrated housing according to claim 5, characterized in that: The shielding member (3) is provided with a relief groove (31). When the shielding member (3) moves along the axis of the through groove (42) to above the receiving groove (43), the relief groove (31) coincides with the pressure head (442) in the direction of the axis of the through groove (42).

7. The explosion-proof valve with an integrated housing according to claim 6, characterized in that: The pressure head (442) has a ball bearing (443) at one end near the shield (3).

8. The explosion-proof valve with an integrated housing according to claim 3, characterized in that: The support plate (41) is interference-fitted with the explosion-proof enclosure (1).

9. The explosion-proof valve with an integrated housing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The valve body (2) has a groove (5) on the side wall facing the inner wall of the box (1); the groove (5) is used to control the direction of the valve body (2) breaking.

10. The explosion-proof valve with an integrated housing according to claim 9, characterized in that: The engraving (5) is one of the following: cross-shaped, straight, or ring-shaped.

Images