Discharging device and power utilization system

By designing a discharge device to convert the electrical energy of the battery pack into other energy and release it externally, the problem of safety risks when the battery pack of the electric vehicle is thermally out of control is solved, and higher fire safety is achieved.

CN222735063UActive Publication Date: 2025-04-08BYD CO LTD
View PDF 0 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Application Number
CN202420543478.8
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Utility models(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-03-19
Publication Date
2025-04-08
Estimated Expiration
2034-03-19

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

When the battery pack of electric vehicles is thermally out of control, the internal energy is too large, resulting in safety risks. The existing technology is difficult to effectively reduce the impact of thermally out of control.

Method used

Design a discharge device, including a connector, a control circuit and an electrical module, which is electrically connected to the battery pack through the connector, and the control circuit is electrically connected to the electrical module. The energy conversion part is used to convert the electrical energy of the battery pack into other energy (such as thermal energy), and quickly discharge outside the battery pack to reduce internal energy storage.

Benefits of technology

By releasing the energy of the battery pack to the outside, the energy storage inside the battery pack is reduced, effectively reducing the safety risks caused by thermal runaway and improving fire safety.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure CN222735063U_ABST
    Figure CN222735063U_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

The utility model relates to a discharging device and a power utilization system, the discharging device is applied to the power utilization system, and the discharging device comprises a connector which is suitable for being electrically connected with a battery pack of the power utilization system; the control circuit is connected with the connector; the power utilization module is electrically connected with the control circuit, so that the battery pack is discharged through the power utilization module when the battery pack is in thermal runaway; the power utilization module comprises an energy conversion part used for converting electric energy of the battery pack into other energy. According to the invention, rapid discharge is carried out outside the battery pack to reduce energy reserve, so that the influence caused by thermal runaway is reduced, and meanwhile, the flexibility and applicability of operation are improved.
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of battery pack fire protection, and in particular to a discharge device and a power system. Background Art

[0002] At present, with the development of electric vehicles, the fire safety of electric vehicle battery packs has also attracted more and more attention. The fire protection solutions in related technologies can basically be summarized into two categories. The first is to design various fire extinguishing and cooling solutions in the battery pack. The second is to pass fire water into the battery pack to play the role of fire extinguishing.

[0003] In the related art, only safety design and safety protection are considered inside the battery pack. Since the battery pack stores energy, the energy is too large when the battery pack diffuses heat, which will cause greater safety risks. After all, the internal space of the battery pack is limited, and it is impossible to reduce the impact of thermal runaway of the battery pack more safely and effectively. Utility Model Content

[0004] The present application is proposed to solve the above-mentioned problems. According to one aspect of the present application, a discharge device is provided, which is applied to an electric power system, and the device comprises: a connector, which is suitable for being electrically connected to a battery pack of the electric power system; a control circuit, which is connected to the connector; a power module, which is electrically connected to the control circuit, so that the battery pack can be discharged through the power module when it has thermal runaway; wherein the power module comprises an energy conversion component for converting the electrical energy of the battery pack into other energy.

[0005] Exemplarily, the energy conversion component includes an electric heating element for converting the electrical energy of the battery pack into thermal energy.

[0006] Exemplarily, the device also includes a switch module, the energy conversion component includes at least two electric heating elements, the control circuit is also connected to the switch module, and the control circuit is suitable for controlling the connection state between the at least two electric heating elements through the switch module to change the resistance of the energy conversion component.

[0007] Exemplarily, the device also includes a current sampler, which is electrically connected to the energy conversion element and to the control circuit; the control circuit is used to obtain the current of the energy conversion element through the current sampler, and control the energy conversion element to switch between a first state and a second state according to the current of the energy conversion element; wherein the first state includes the at least two electric heating elements being connected in parallel, and the second state includes the at least two electric heating elements being connected in series.

[0008] Exemplarily, the power module further includes a heat exchange component, and the heat exchange component is thermally connected to the energy conversion component for exchanging heat with the energy conversion component.

[0009] Exemplarily, the heat exchange assembly includes a circulation box, the energy conversion element is thermally connected to the circulation box, the circulation box is used to accommodate a circulating working fluid, and the energy conversion element is used to exchange heat with the circulation box and the circulating working fluid.

[0010] Exemplarily, the heat exchange component also includes a cooling box and a circulation pump, a first circulation pipe is connected between the cooling box and the circulation box; the circulation pump is connected to the first circulation pipe so that the first circulation pipe transports the circulating medium from the circulation box to the cooling box; a second circulation pipe is also connected between the cooling box and the circulation box so that the circulating medium is transported from the cooling box to the circulation box through the second circulation pipe.

[0011] Exemplarily, the device further includes a refrigerator, which is disposed in the cooling box and is used to reduce the temperature of the circulating working fluid.

[0012] Exemplarily, the device also includes a first thermometer, which is arranged in the cooling box, and the first thermometer is electrically connected to the control circuit, and the control circuit obtains the first temperature of the circulating working fluid in the cooling box through the first thermometer; the control circuit is suitable for controlling the opening and closing of the refrigerator according to the first temperature to adjust the temperature of the circulating working fluid.

[0013] Exemplarily, the device also includes a second temperature detector, which is arranged in the circulation box, and the second temperature detector is electrically connected to the control circuit, and the control circuit obtains the second temperature of the circulating working fluid in the circulation box through the second temperature detector; the control circuit is suitable for controlling the opening and closing of the circulation pump according to the second temperature to control the flow of the circulating working fluid.

[0014] Exemplarily, the control circuit is suitable for controlling the rotational speed of the circulation pump according to the second temperature to adjust the flow rate of the circulating working medium; wherein the rotational speed of the circulation pump includes at least a first rotational speed and a second rotational speed, and the second rotational speed is greater than the first rotational speed.

[0015] Exemplarily, the device includes a housing, and the control circuit, the energy conversion component, and the heat exchange component are all arranged in the housing; the connector can be connected to the battery pack in an on-off manner.

[0016] Exemplarily, the device is suitable for being arranged on an electric power system, and the energy conversion component is suitable for being thermally connected to a circulating working fluid box of the electric power system; the device also includes a circulating pipe, and the first end and the second end of the circulating pipe are both connected to the circulating working fluid box, and the circulating pipe is suitable for being connected to a heat exchange component of the electric power system so as to adjust the temperature of the circulating working fluid in the circulating pipe through the heat exchange component.

[0017] Exemplarily, the control circuit is also used to obtain the battery voltage of the battery pack; the control circuit is suitable for controlling whether the energy conversion element and the connector are connected according to the battery voltage.

[0018] According to another aspect of the present application, there is also provided an electricity consumption system, which includes a battery pack and the above-mentioned discharge device.

[0019] The discharge device in the present application delivers the electric energy of the battery pack to the power module through the connector and the control circuit. The energy converter in the power module can convert the electric energy into other energy, such as heat energy, mechanical energy, kinetic energy, etc., so that the electric energy of the battery pack can be quickly released through the operation of the power module. By releasing the electric energy of the battery pack, the internal energy storage of the battery pack is reduced to reduce the impact of thermal runaway of the battery pack, thereby achieving the purpose of fire safety. The present application introduces the energy release process of the battery pack outside the battery pack, and reduces the impact of thermal runaway by performing rapid discharge outside the battery pack. Compared with the solution of processing inside the battery pack in the related art, the flexibility and applicability of the operation are increased. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] By describing the embodiments of the present application in more detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the above and other purposes, features and advantages of the present application will become more apparent. The accompanying drawings are used to provide a further understanding of the embodiments of the present application and constitute a part of the specification. Together with the embodiments of the present application, they are used to explain the present application and do not constitute a limitation of the present application. In the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals generally represent the same components or steps.

[0021] Figure 1 The structural block diagram of the discharge device in the first embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0022] Figure 2 A circuit connection diagram of the power module in the first embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0023] Figure 3 A circuit diagram of the energy conversion element and the switch module in the first embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0024] Figure 4 The figure shows the overall structure of the discharge device in the first embodiment of the present application.

[0025] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the structure of the coolant circulation in the first embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0026] Figure 6 A flow chart of the control circuit control in the first embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0027] Figure numerals: 1. connector; 2. control circuit; 3. energy conversion element; 31. heating wire; 32. current sampler; 4. circulation box; 41. second temperature detector; 5. cooling box; 51. refrigerator; 52. first temperature detector; 6. first circulation pipeline; 61. circulation pump; 7. second circulation pipeline. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the present application more obvious, the example embodiments according to the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments of the present application, and it should be understood that the present application is not limited to the example embodiments described herein. Based on the embodiments of the present application described in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work should fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0029] Embodiment 1

[0030] like Figure 1 As shown, a discharge device is applied to a power consumption system, and the device includes: a connector, a control circuit and a power consumption module.

[0031] The connector is suitable for being electrically connected to a battery pack of the power system, and the control circuit is connected to the connector.

[0032] The power module is electrically connected to the control circuit so that the battery pack can be discharged through the power module when it is in thermal runaway, wherein the power module includes an energy conversion element for converting the electrical energy of the battery pack into other energy, wherein the other energy may include thermal energy, mechanical energy, kinetic energy, etc.

[0033] The discharge device in the present application delivers the electric energy of the battery pack to the power module through the connector and the control circuit. The energy converter in the power module can convert the electric energy into other energy, so that the electric energy of the battery pack can be quickly released through the operation of the power module. By releasing the electric energy of the battery pack, the internal energy storage of the battery pack is reduced to reduce the impact of thermal runaway of the battery pack, thereby achieving the purpose of fire safety. The present application introduces the energy release process of the battery pack outside the battery pack, and reduces the impact of thermal runaway by performing rapid discharge outside the battery pack. Compared with the solution of processing inside the battery pack in the related art, the flexibility and applicability of the operation are increased.

[0034] like Figure 2As shown, exemplarily, the discharge device also includes a housing, and the control circuit 2 and the power module are both arranged in the housing. Among them, the connector 1 can be connected to the battery pack in an on-off manner. Exemplarily, the connector 1 can be a discharge gun, the discharge gun is connected to the housing, and the discharge gun is electrically connected to the battery pack through the charging port of the power system.

[0035] The discharge device in the present application uses a discharge gun as a connector 1. By connecting the discharge gun to the charging port of the electric vehicle, the discharge device and the battery pack can be electrically connected, so that the battery pack is discharged through the energy conversion element 3, so as to reduce the power of the battery pack during the discharge process to reduce the impact of thermal runaway, so as to achieve the purpose of safe firefighting. In addition, after the discharge gun is connected to the charging port, continuous discharge can be performed, and continuous operation by fire-related personnel is not required, and the use process is more convenient.

[0036] In the embodiment of the present application, the energy conversion element may be an electric heating element for converting the electric energy of the battery pack into heat energy. Specifically, the efficiency of converting electric energy into heat energy is higher than that of converting other forms of energy. Therefore, the selection of an electric heating element can shorten the discharge time of the battery pack, thereby improving the safety protection efficiency of the battery pack when thermal runaway occurs and reducing safety risks.

[0037] like Figure 2 As shown, the device in the embodiment of the present application also includes a switch module, the energy conversion component includes at least two electric heating elements, wherein the electric heating element can be a heating wire 31, and the control circuit 2 is also connected to the switch module. The controlled circuit 2 controls the connection state between the at least two heating wires 31 through the switch module to change the resistance of the energy conversion component 3.

[0038] The electric heating wire 31 in the present application is used as the energy conversion element 3, which will continue to generate heat during use to consume the power in the battery pack. Compared with other conversion forms, the effect of converting electricity into heat is higher, so the selection of the electric heating wire 31 can shorten the discharge time and thus improve the safety protection efficiency. In some embodiments, the energy conversion element 3 can be an electric heating rod, etc., which quickly releases the power in the battery pack by converting electrical energy into heat energy.

[0039] When connected to the battery pack, the voltage of the battery pack and the current applied to the energy conversion element 3 are not constant. If the current is too large and the resistance of the heating wire 31 is too small, the energy conversion element 3 may be damaged. If the current is small but the resistance of the heating wire 31 is large, the power consumption efficiency of the energy conversion element 3 may be low, so it needs to be adjusted through the control component.

[0040] Exemplarily, the device further includes a current sampler 32, which is electrically connected to the energy conversion element 3 and to the control circuit 2. The control circuit 2 obtains the current of the energy conversion element 3 through the current sampler 32. When the current is greater than the current threshold, the control circuit 2 controls the energy conversion element 3 from the first state to the second state through the switch module. The first state includes at least the heating wires 31 being connected in parallel, and the second state includes at least the heating wires 31 being connected in series.

[0041] For example, the control circuit 2 in the embodiment of the present application is connected to a controller, and the controller is electrically connected to the control circuit 2, so as to control the on-off between each electrical appliance in the device and the control circuit 2, and then control the connection between the electrical appliance and the battery pack, so as to realize various controls on the discharge of the battery pack. Among them, the controller of the control circuit 2 can be a microcontroller unit (MCU) or other suitable controller.

[0042] like Figure 3 As shown, it is a schematic diagram of the connection between the switch module and the heating wire 31. The switch module includes a first switch S1, a second switch S2 and a third switch S3, and the first heating wire L1 and the second heating wire L2 constitute an energy conversion element 3. After the energy conversion element 3 is connected to the voltage of the battery pack, the initial state is the first state in which the heating wires 31 are connected in parallel, at which time the first switch S1 and the second switch S2 are closed, and the third switch S3 is disconnected. The two heating wires 31 are in a parallel state, at which time the resistance of the energy conversion element 3 is small. When the voltage of the battery pack remains unchanged, the overall power is high, and the discharge can be carried out effectively. When the current I is too large, the control circuit 2 will adjust the state of the switch module so that the first switch S1 and the second switch S2 are disconnected, and the third switch S3 is closed. At this time, the two heating wires 31 will enter a state of series connection, and the overall resistance will increase, so that the current of the energy conversion element 3 will not be too large to cause burning, which is convenient for the long-term recycling of the energy conversion element 3.

[0043] It should be noted that, after the heating wires 31 are switched to be connected in series, the current passing through the energy conversion element 3 will become smaller due to the increase in resistance, but the control circuit 2 will not control the energy conversion element 3 to re-enter the first state. In addition, the above shows the state of two heating wires 31 being connected, and when more heating wires 31 are provided, the state can also be adjusted in the same way.

[0044] Exemplarily, the power module in the embodiment of the present application further includes a heat exchange component, and the heat exchange component is thermally connected to the energy conversion component to exchange heat with the energy conversion component. After the energy conversion component converts electrical energy into thermal energy, the heat exchange of the heat exchange component can better conduct heat and facilitate the release of electrical energy. Wherein, the heat exchange component and the energy conversion component are both arranged in the above-mentioned housing.

[0045] like Figure 4 As shown, illustratively, the heat exchange component in the embodiment of the present application includes a circulation box 4, and the energy conversion component 3 and the circulation box 4 are thermally connected. In some embodiments, the energy conversion component 3 is arranged in the circulation box 4 to achieve heat conduction, the circulation box 4 is used to accommodate the circulating working fluid, and the energy conversion component 3 is used to heat the circulating working fluid. Exemplarily, the circulating working fluid can be a coolant, and in other embodiments, water can also be used as the circulating working fluid. When the heating wire 31 serving as the energy conversion component 3 is energized and working, it will heat the coolant in the circulation box 4, thereby achieving a discharge effect. Among them, the coolant in the circulation box 4 can be water or other liquids selected according to actual conditions.

[0046] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, illustratively, the heat exchange assembly in the embodiment of the present application further includes a cooling box 5 and a circulation pump 61, and a first circulation pipe 6 is connected between the cooling box 5 and the circulation box 4. The circulation pump 61 is connected to the first circulation pipe 6, and the control circuit 2 is electrically connected to the circulation pump 61. The control circuit 2 is also used to control the circulation pump 61 to start, so as to transport the coolant from the circulation box 4 to the cooling box 5 through the first circulation pipe 6. A second circulation pipe 7 is also connected between the cooling box 5 and the circulation box 4, so as to transport the coolant from the cooling box 5 to the circulation box 4 through the second circulation pipe 7.

[0047] The circulation pump 61 is connected to the control circuit 2. When the control circuit 2 controls the circulation pump 61 to turn on, the circulation pump 61 enters the working state and transports the coolant from the circulation box 4 to the cooling box 5 through the first circulation pipe 6. Then, the coolant can be refluxed through the second circulation pipe 7, thereby realizing the circulation of the coolant. On the one hand, the circulation pump 61 can be electrically connected to the battery pack through the control circuit 2, and the battery pack provides power to the circulation pump 61. During the operation of the circulation pump 61, the battery pack can be discharged, and the discharge process of the battery pack can be accelerated to achieve rapid discharge. On the other hand, during the circulation of the coolant, it can also be prevented that the heating wire continuously overheats the coolant such as water in the circulation box 4, affecting the safety of the device.

[0048] Exemplarily, the discharge device in the embodiment of the present application also includes a refrigerator 51, which is arranged in the cooling box 5, and the refrigerator 51 is electrically connected to the control circuit 2. The control circuit 2 is also used to control the refrigerator 51 to turn on to reduce the temperature of the coolant. Because the circulation box 4 and the cooling box 5 are connected through a circulation pipeline, after the coolant in the refrigerator 51 is cooled, the temperature of the coolant in the circulation box 4 will also be reduced through circulation. In this way, the coolant will not be overheated, and the safety of the discharge device can be guaranteed. In addition, the refrigerator 51 will also use the power of the battery pack during operation to accelerate the discharge process.

[0049] The discharge device in the embodiment of the present application further includes a first thermometer 52 and a second thermometer 41. The first thermometer 52 is arranged in the cooling box 5, and the first thermometer 52 is electrically connected to the control circuit 2. The control circuit 2 (controller) obtains the first temperature T01 of the coolant in the cooling box 5 through the first thermometer 52. The second thermometer 41 is arranged in the circulation box 4, and the second thermometer 41 is electrically connected to the control circuit 2. The control circuit 2 (controller) obtains the second temperature T02 of the coolant in the circulation box 4 through the second thermometer 41. The control circuit 2 in the embodiment of the present application will control and adjust the operation of the refrigerator 51 and the circulation pump 61 according to the first temperature T01 measured by the first thermometer 52 and the second temperature T02 obtained by the second thermometer 41.

[0050] like Figure 4-Figure 6 As shown, Figure 6 This is a flowchart of the control circuit in the embodiment of the present application. For example, after the discharge device starts working. The control circuit 2 (controller) will first obtain the amount of electricity of the energy conversion component 3 through the current sampler 32. When the current is greater than the current threshold Imax, the control circuit 2 will control the above-mentioned switch module to adjust, so that the heating wire 31 of the energy conversion component 3 enters the second state (series connection), thereby avoiding damage to the energy conversion component 3 due to excessive current. After that, the first temperature T01 of the coolant in the cooling box 5 will be detected and obtained through the first temperature detector 52, and the second temperature T02 of the coolant in the circulation box 4 will be detected and obtained through the second temperature detector 41.

[0051] When the first temperature T01 is greater than the first threshold value T1, the control circuit 2 controls the refrigerator 51 to turn on to reduce the temperature of the coolant, thereby reducing the temperature of the coolant in the circulation box 4 and the cooling box 5, and the coolant can be continuously heated by the heating wire 31.

[0052] When the second temperature T02 is greater than the second threshold value T2, the control circuit 2 controls the circulation pump 61 to start, so that the coolant circulates between the circulation box 4 and the cooling box 5.

[0053] In addition, the control circuit 2 can also control the speed of the circulating pump 61 during operation. When the second temperature T02 is greater than the third threshold value T3, the control circuit 2 controls the speed of the circulating pump 61 from the first speed to the second speed to accelerate the circulation of the coolant between the circulation box 4 and the cooling box 5.

[0054] Among them, the second speed is greater than the first speed, and the third threshold value T3 is greater than the second threshold value T2. And the first threshold value T1 is greater than the second threshold value T2 and the third threshold value T3. For example, in actual use, the first threshold value T1-the third threshold value T3 are all set. The first threshold value T1, the second threshold value T2 and the third threshold value T3 can be set to 60 degrees Celsius, 40 degrees Celsius and 50 degrees Celsius respectively.

[0055] Because in actual use, the temperature of the coolant will gradually increase from room temperature. When it reaches the second threshold value T2, the circulation pump 61 will start to circulate, and the coolant in the cooling box 5 will enter the circulation box 4 to be heated. After working for a period of time, the temperature rises again. When the temperature exceeds the third threshold value T3, the working speed of the circulation pump 61 will be accelerated, indicating the circulation speed of the coolant. Finally, when the temperature reaches the first threshold value T1, the refrigerator 51 will be controlled to turn on, so that the temperature of the coolant in the cooling box 5 and the circulation box 4 can be reduced, so that the energy conversion component 3 can continue to work to heat the coolant. In addition, the coolant will not be overheated due to the heating of the energy conversion component 3, making the use of the discharge device safer.

[0056] In addition, the control circuit 2 can also obtain the voltage of the battery pack (for example, the voltage at both ends of the battery pack can be obtained through a voltage sampler). When the battery voltage pool voltage is less than the voltage threshold, the control circuit 2 controls the energy conversion component 3 to disconnect the electrical connection with the connector 1, so that the battery pack stops discharging the energy conversion component 3. Among them, the voltage threshold can be 0. When the battery voltage is very low, it means that the power of the battery pack is about to be released, and the work of the discharge device is completed. The connector 1 can be removed from the charging port to complete the discharge of the battery pack.

[0057] The discharge device in the present application delivers the electric energy of the battery pack to the energy conversion element 3, the circulation pump 61, the refrigerator 51 and other electrical equipment through the connector 1 and the control circuit 2. The electric energy of the battery pack can be released through the operation of these electrical equipment. By reducing the energy storage of the battery pack, the impact of thermal runaway can be reduced when the battery pack has thermal runaway, thereby achieving the purpose of fire safety. The present application introduces the energy release process of the battery pack outside the battery pack, and reduces energy storage by performing rapid discharge outside the battery pack. Compared with the solution of processing inside the battery pack in the related art, the flexibility and applicability of the operation are increased.

[0058] Embodiment 2

[0059] The embodiment of the present application provides a discharge device, which is applied to a power consumption system, and the device includes: a connector, a control circuit, and a power consumption module. The connector is electrically connected to the battery pack of the electric vehicle, and the control circuit is connected to the connector. The power consumption module is electrically connected to the control circuit so that the battery pack can be discharged through the power consumption module when thermal runaway occurs, wherein the power consumption module includes an energy conversion component for converting the electrical energy of the battery pack into thermal energy.

[0060] The difference from the above-mentioned embodiment 1 is that the discharge device provided in the embodiment of the present application does not have a separate housing, but is integrated into the power system. For example, the power system in the embodiment of the present application includes an electric car and an energy storage system.

[0061] Take an electric vehicle as an example: wherein the above-mentioned discharge device is arranged on the electric vehicle, and the energy conversion element is thermally connected to the circulating medium box of the electric vehicle. Exemplarily, the energy conversion element can be arranged in a coolant box (the circulating medium is the coolant in the box); the device also includes a circulation pipeline, the first end and the second end of the circulation pipeline are both connected to the coolant box, and the circulation pipeline is also connected to the heat exchange component of the electric vehicle to cool the coolant in the circulation pipeline through the heat exchange component. Among them, the heat exchange component can be an on-board air conditioner on the vehicle.

[0062] Exemplarily, the control circuit in the embodiment of the present application is connected to the BMS (battery management system) of the electric vehicle, and various operating data of the battery pack (such as temperature, battery charge, battery voltage, etc.) are obtained through the BMS.

[0063] The discharge device in the embodiment of the present application transmits the electric energy of the battery pack to the energy conversion component through the connector and the control circuit. The electric energy of the battery pack can be released through the operation of the energy conversion component. By reducing the energy storage of the battery pack, the impact of thermal runaway can be reduced when the battery pack has thermal runaway. And because the discharge device and the power system are integrated together, the operator does not need to connect the connector to the charging port, which is more convenient to use.

[0064] Embodiment 3

[0065] An embodiment of the present application provides an electric power system, which includes a battery pack and the discharge device of the above embodiment. The electric power system can be an energy storage cabinet, an energy storage container, and an electric vehicle, etc. By adopting the discharge device, the electric energy of the battery pack is sent to the power module through the connector and the control circuit, and the electric energy of the battery pack can be released through the operation of the energy conversion component and the heat exchange component. By reducing the energy storage of the battery pack, the impact of thermal runaway can be reduced when thermal runaway occurs in the battery pack, thereby achieving the purpose of fire safety. The present application introduces the energy release process of the battery pack to the outside of the battery pack, and reduces energy storage by performing rapid discharge outside the battery pack. Compared with the solution of processing inside the battery pack in the related art, the flexibility and applicability of the operation are increased.

[0066] Although example embodiments have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the above example embodiments are merely exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of the present application to this. Those of ordinary skill in the art may make various changes and modifications therein without departing from the scope and spirit of the present application. All these changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present application as required by the appended claims.

[0067] In the description provided herein, a large number of specific details are described. However, it is understood that the embodiments of the present application can be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques are not shown in detail so as not to obscure the understanding of this description.

[0068] Similarly, it should be understood that in order to streamline the present application and help understand one or more of the various inventive aspects, in the description of the exemplary embodiments of the present application, the various features of the present application are sometimes grouped together into a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof. However, the method of the present application should not be interpreted as reflecting the following intention: the claimed application requires more features than the features clearly stated in each claim. More specifically, as reflected in the corresponding claims, the inventive point is that the corresponding technical problem can be solved with features less than all the features of a single disclosed embodiment. Therefore, the claims following the specific embodiment are hereby explicitly incorporated into the specific embodiment, wherein each claim itself serves as a separate embodiment of the present application.

[0069] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that, except for mutually exclusive features, all features disclosed in this specification (including the accompanying claims, abstracts and drawings) and all processes or units of any method or device disclosed in this specification may be combined in any combination. Unless otherwise expressly stated, each feature disclosed in this specification (including the accompanying claims, abstracts and drawings) may be replaced by an alternative feature that provides the same, equivalent or similar purpose.

[0070] In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that, although some embodiments herein include certain features included in other embodiments but not other features, the combination of features of different embodiments is meant to be within the scope of the present application and form different embodiments. For example, in the claims, any one of the claimed embodiments may be used in any combination.

[0071] The above is only a specific implementation or description of a specific implementation of the present application, and the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any technician familiar with the technical field can easily think of changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the present application, which should be included in the protection scope of the present application. The protection scope of the present application shall be based on the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A discharge device, applied to an electric power system, characterized in that: The device comprises: A connector, the connector being adapted to be electrically connected to a battery pack of the power system; a control circuit connected to the connector; A power module, wherein the power module is electrically connected to the control circuit so that the battery pack can be discharged through the power module when thermal runaway occurs; wherein the power module includes an energy conversion component for converting the electrical energy of the battery pack into other energy.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that The energy conversion element includes an electric heating element for converting the electrical energy of the battery pack into thermal energy.

3. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that The device also includes a switch module, the energy conversion component includes at least two electric heating elements, the control circuit is also connected to the switch module, and the control circuit is suitable for controlling the connection state between the at least two electric heating elements through the switch module to change the resistance of the energy conversion component.

4. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that The device further comprises a current sampler, the current sampler being electrically connected to the energy conversion element and to the control circuit; the control circuit being used to obtain the current of the energy conversion element through the current sampler, and to control the energy conversion element to switch between the first state and the second state according to the current of the energy conversion element; Wherein, the first state includes the at least two electric heating elements being connected in parallel, and the second state includes the at least two electric heating elements being connected in series.

5. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The power module also includes a heat exchange component, which is thermally connected to the energy conversion component for exchanging heat with the energy conversion component.

6. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that The heat exchange component comprises a circulation box, the energy conversion element is thermally connected to the circulation box, the circulation box is used to accommodate a circulating medium, and the energy conversion element is used to exchange heat with the circulation box and the circulating medium.

7. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that The heat exchange assembly further comprises a cooling box and a circulation pump, wherein a first circulation pipeline is connected between the cooling box and the circulation box; The circulation pump is connected to the first circulation pipeline so that the first circulation pipeline transports the circulating medium from the circulation box to the cooling box; A second circulation pipeline is further connected between the cooling box and the circulation box, so as to transport the circulating medium from the cooling box to the circulation box through the second circulation pipeline.

8. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that The device further comprises a refrigerator, which is arranged in the cooling box and is used to reduce the temperature of the circulating working medium.

9. The device according to claim 8, characterized in that The device further comprises a first temperature detector, which is disposed in the cooling box and is electrically connected to the control circuit, and the control circuit obtains a first temperature of the circulating working medium in the cooling box through the first temperature detector; The control circuit is suitable for controlling the opening and closing of the refrigerator according to the first temperature to adjust the temperature of the circulating working medium.

10. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that The device further comprises a second temperature detector, which is disposed in the circulation box and is electrically connected to the control circuit, and the control circuit obtains a second temperature of the circulating medium in the circulation box through the second temperature detector; The control circuit is suitable for controlling the opening and closing of the circulation pump according to the second temperature to control the flow of the circulating working medium.

11. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that The control circuit is suitable for controlling the rotation speed of the circulation pump according to the second temperature to adjust the flow speed of the circulating working medium; The rotation speed of the circulation pump includes at least a first rotation speed and a second rotation speed, and the second rotation speed is greater than the first rotation speed.

12. The device according to any one of claims 6 to 11, characterized in that The device comprises a shell, and the control circuit, the energy conversion component and the heat exchange component are all arranged in the shell; the connector can be connected to the battery pack in an on-off manner.

13. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that The device is suitable for being arranged on an electric power system, and the energy conversion element is suitable for being thermally connected to a circulating medium box of the electric power system; The device also includes a circulation pipeline, the first end and the second end of which are both connected to the circulation medium box, and the circulation pipeline is suitable for connecting to the heat exchange component of the power system to adjust the temperature of the circulation medium in the circulation pipeline through the heat exchange component.

14. The device according to any one of claims 1-4, 6-11 and 13, characterized in that The control circuit is also used to obtain the battery voltage of the battery pack; the control circuit is suitable for controlling whether the energy conversion element and the connector are connected according to the battery voltage.

15. An electricity system, characterized in that: The power system comprises a battery pack and a discharge device as described in any one of claims 1-14.