Explosion-proof valve and battery pack

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the technical field of power batteries, and discloses an anti-explosion valve and a battery pack. The anti-explosion valve comprises a valve body, an end cover, a piston and a locking assembly. An exhaust groove is formed in one side of the valve body and communicated with the two ends, in the axial direction of the valve body, of the valve body. The end cover can be arranged at the groove bottom of the exhaust groove in a sealed mode, and a piston is arranged at one end of the end cover, penetrates through the other side of the valve body and is elastically connected with the valve body. The piston is provided with a first position and a second position, and the end cover can be pushed by air pressure in the battery pack to drive the piston to move away from the valve body, so that the piston moves from the first position to the second position, and the anti-explosion valve is opened; the locking assembly is arranged on the piston and / or the valve body, and the locking assembly can selectively lock the piston when the piston is located at the second position or selectively release locking of the piston at the second position and reset to the first position. The locking device can enter a locking state after the anti-explosion valve is opened, and unlocking is conducted till exhausting is completed, so that the exhausting speed of the anti-explosion valve is increased.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of power batteries, in particular to an explosion-proof valve and a battery pack. Background Technique

[0002] With the development of economic technology, new energy vehicles have become an emerging industry that has attracted much attention in the automotive industry, and the battery pack, as an important part of new energy vehicles, has also received much attention.

[0003] At present, the explosion-proof problem of the battery pack is still a key concern in the new energy industry. The explosion-proof valve of the battery pack is a safety device that protects the battery pack in the event of an emergency. When the internal pressure of the battery pack is too high, the gas will push out the piston body inside the explosion-proof valve under the action of the internal pressure of the battery pack, discharging the internal high-pressure gas outside the battery pack, ensuring the pressure balance between the inside and outside of the battery pack, and preventing the occurrence of battery pack explosion. It effectively prevents the sudden increase in pressure, bursting or external impact inside the battery pack, reducing battery damage; it can also make the battery pack avoid overvoltage, overload and overheating as much as possible during the charging process, thereby improving the service life of the battery pack.

[0004] However, after the existing explosion-proof valve is pushed open by the gas inside the battery pack, as the gas begins to be discharged outside, the internal pressure of the battery pack gradually decreases; at this time, due to the action of the spring connected to the piston body of the explosion-proof valve, the end cover of the explosion-proof valve gradually moves towards the closing direction, resulting in a gradual decrease in the exhaust efficiency of the explosion-proof valve, thereby increasing the exhaust time of the battery pack and increasing the danger of the battery pack.

[0005] Therefore, there is an urgent need for an explosion-proof valve to solve the above technical problems. Summary of the Utility Model

[0006] An object of the utility model is to provide an explosion-proof valve and a battery pack, which can enter a locked state after the explosion-proof valve is opened and unlock until the exhaust is completed, thereby improving the exhaust rate of the explosion-proof valve.

[0007] To achieve this purpose, the utility model adopts the following technical solutions:

[0008] The explosion-proof valve includes:

[0009] A valve body, one side of which is provided with an exhaust groove, and the exhaust groove communicates with both ends of the valve body along its own axial direction;

[0010] An end cover, which can be hermetically arranged at the bottom of the exhaust groove. One end of the end cover is provided with a piston, and the piston penetrates through the other side of the valve body and is elastically connected to the valve body. The piston has a first position and a second position. The end cover can be pushed by the air pressure in the battery pack to drive the piston to move away from the valve body, so that the piston moves from the first position to the second position.

[0011] A locking assembly is arranged on the piston and / or the valve body. The locking assembly can selectively lock the piston when the piston is in the second position, or selectively release the locking of the piston in the second position and reset it to the first position.

[0012] Optionally, the locking assembly includes:

[0013] A locking groove is opened on the inner peripheral wall of the valve body. The depth of the locking groove gradually decreases along the circumferential direction of the valve body to form a release section.

[0014] A locking member is elastically arranged on the outer peripheral wall of the piston. The locking member can be clamped in the locking groove. The locking member can pop out of the outer peripheral wall of the piston and be clamped in the locking groove when the piston moves to the second position to lock the piston in the second position. Or the locking member can move along the release section to disengage from the locking groove when the piston rotates to release the locking of the piston and reset it to the first position.

[0015] Optionally, an installation groove is opened on the outer peripheral wall of the piston. A first elastic member is arranged between the locking member and the bottom of the installation groove to elastically connect the locking member to the outer peripheral wall of the piston. The length of the first elastic member in the free state is greater than the depth of the installation groove.

[0016] Optionally, a second elastic member is further included. A piston seat is arranged on the side of the piston away from the end cover. The second elastic member is arranged between the piston seat and the valve body so that the piston can reset from the second position to the first position when it is not locked by the locking assembly.

[0017] Optionally, a first sealing member is arranged at the bottom of the exhaust groove. When the piston is in the first position, the first sealing member is pressed between the end cover and the bottom of the exhaust groove to hermetically arrange the end cover at the bottom of the exhaust groove.

[0018] Optionally, a plurality of exhaust holes are opened in the valve body. The exhaust holes are opened at the bottom of the exhaust groove so that the exhaust groove communicates with one end of the valve body away from the end cover.

[0019] Optionally, it further includes a protective member, which is arranged on the side of the valve body away from the end cover and covers the outer periphery of the piston to protect the piston.

[0020] Optionally, the valve body is further provided with a fixing portion for fixedly connecting with an external structure.

[0021] Optionally, the side of the valve body away from the end cover is a fixing surface, and a second sealing member is arranged on the fixing surface to make the explosion-proof valve be hermetically connected with the external structure.

[0022] Another object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack, which can quickly discharge the gas inside the battery pack when problems such as thermal runaway occur inside the battery pack, increasing the exhaust rate and the safety of the battery pack.

[0023] To achieve this purpose, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0024] The battery pack includes the above-mentioned explosion-proof valve.

[0025] The beneficial effects of the present invention:

[0026] The present invention provides an explosion-proof valve and a battery pack. By setting a locking assembly, when a safety problem such as thermal runaway occurs inside the battery pack or other external devices that need explosion-proof pressure relief, resulting in too high internal air pressure, the end cover of the explosion-proof valve is pushed by the air pressure and drives the piston to move away from the valve body. When it moves to the second position, the locking assembly can automatically lock and fix the relative position of the piston and the valve body, so that the opening of the explosion-proof valve remains at the maximum opening and continuously exhausts air until the air pressure meets the normal value. Then, the locking assembly releases the locking of the piston and resets to the first position according to the elastic force between the piston and the valve body to be sealed and used again. This process enables the explosion-proof valve to always be at the maximum opening for exhaust after being opened, effectively improving the exhaust rate, thereby shortening the exhaust pressure relief time and improving the safety of the device using the explosion-proof valve. Description of the Drawings

[0027] Figure 1 It is an axonometric view of the explosion-proof valve when the piston is in the first position provided by the specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 2 It is an axonometric view of the explosion-proof valve when the piston is in the second position provided by the specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 3 It is an exploded view of the explosion-proof valve provided by the specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 4 It is a cross-sectional view of the explosion-proof valve when the piston is in the first position provided by the specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 5 It is a cross-sectional view of the explosion-proof valve when the piston is in the second position provided by the specific embodiment of the present utility model;

[0032] Figure 6 It is a cross-sectional view of the valve body provided by the specific embodiment of the present utility model.

[0033] In the figure:

[0034] 10. Valve body; 101. Exhaust groove; 102. Exhaust hole; 103. Through hole; 11. Fixed part;

[0035] 20. End cover;

[0036] 30. Piston; 301. Installation groove; 31. Piston seat;

[0037] 40. Locking assembly; 41. Locking groove; 42. Locking member; 43. First elastic member;

[0038] 50. Second elastic member; 60. First sealing member; 70. Protective member; 80. Second sealing member. Specific embodiment

[0039] The present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the drawings and embodiments. It can be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present utility model, rather than limiting the present utility model. In addition, it should be noted that for the convenience of description, only the parts related to the present utility model rather than all the structures are shown in the drawings.

[0040] In the description of the present utility model, unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, the terms "connected", "connected to", and "fixed" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or integrated; it can be directly connected, or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and can be the internal communication of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present utility model can be understood according to specific situations.

[0041] In the present utility model, unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, the first feature being "above" or "below" the second feature may include the direct contact of the first and second features, or may include the first and second features not being in direct contact but being in contact through other features therebetween. Moreover, the first feature being "above", "above", and "on" the second feature includes the first feature being directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or simply indicating that the horizontal height of the first feature is higher than that of the second feature. The first feature being "below", "below", and "under" the second feature includes the first feature being directly below and obliquely below the second feature, or simply indicating that the horizontal height of the first feature is lower than that of the second feature.

[0042] In the description of this embodiment, the orientation or positional relationships such as "upper", "lower", "left", "right", etc. are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings. It is only for the convenience of description and simplifying the operation, rather than indicating or implying that the device or component referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, it should not be construed as a limitation to the present utility model. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for distinction in description and have no special meaning.

[0043] Next, refer to Figures 1 to 6 to introduce the explosion-proof valve and battery pack provided by the present utility model.

[0044] Please refer to Figures 1 to 5 , in this embodiment, the explosion-proof valve is used to discharge the internal gas when the internal air pressure of the battery pack is too high. It includes a valve body 10, an end cover 20, a piston 30 and a locking assembly 40. Among them, an exhaust groove 101 is provided on one side of the valve body 10, and the exhaust groove 101 communicates with both ends of the valve body 10 along its own axial direction to achieve the discharge of gas; the end cover 20 can be hermetically arranged at the bottom of the exhaust groove 101, and a piston 30 is provided at one end of the end cover 20. The piston 30 penetrates through the other side of the valve body 10 and is elastically connected to the valve body 10; the piston 30 has a first position and a second position. The end cover 20 can be pushed by the air pressure in the battery pack to drive the piston 30 to move away from the valve body 10, so that the piston 30 moves from the first position to the second position, thereby realizing the opening of the explosion-proof valve; the locking assembly 40 is arranged on the piston 30 and / or the valve body 10, and the locking assembly 40 can selectively lock the piston 30 when the piston 30 is in the second position, or selectively release the locking of the piston 30 in the second position and reset it to the first position.

[0045] In the explosion-proof valve of this embodiment, by setting the locking assembly 40, when a safety problem such as thermal runaway occurs inside the battery pack or other external devices that need explosion-proof pressure relief, causing the internal air pressure to be too high, the end cover 20 of the explosion-proof valve is pushed by the air pressure to drive the piston 30 to move away from the valve body 10. When it moves to the second position, the locking assembly 40 can automatically lock and fix the relative position of the piston 30 and the valve body 10, so that the opening degree of the explosion-proof valve remains at the maximum opening degree and continues to exhaust until the air pressure meets the normal value. Then, the locking assembly 40 releases the locking of the piston 30 and resets to the first position according to the elastic force between the piston 30 and the valve body 10 for sealing use again. This process enables the explosion-proof valve to always be at the maximum opening degree for exhaust after opening, effectively improving the exhaust rate, thereby shortening the exhaust pressure relief time and improving the safety of the device using this explosion-proof valve.

[0046] It is understandable that the explosion-proof valve in this embodiment is applied to the battery pack to perform explosion-proof pressure relief inside the battery pack. Of course, in other embodiments, the explosion-proof valve can also be applied to other external devices that require explosion-proof pressure relief, and specific limitations are not made here.

[0047] Please refer to Figures 3 to 6 , specifically, the locking assembly 40 includes a locking groove 41 and a locking member 42. The locking groove 41 is formed on the inner peripheral wall of the valve body 10, and the groove depth of the locking groove 41 gradually decreases along the circumferential direction of the valve body 10 to form a release section; the locking member 42 is elastically arranged on the outer peripheral wall of the piston 30, and the locking member 42 can be clamped in the locking groove 41. When in use, the locking member 42 can pop out of the outer peripheral wall of the piston 30 and be clamped in the locking groove 41 when the piston 30 moves to the second position. At this time, the piston 30 can be locked and fixed at the second position; when the piston 30 and the end cover 20 need to be reset, the end cover 20 is rotated, and the locking member 42 can move along the release section to disengage from the locking groove 41 when the piston 30 rotates. At this time, the piston 30 resets to the first position according to the elastic force between itself and the valve body 10.

[0048] Specifically, an installation groove 301 is formed on the outer peripheral wall of the piston 30, and a first elastic member 43 is arranged between the locking member 42 and the bottom of the installation groove 301 to elastically connect the locking member 42 to the outer peripheral wall of the piston 30. The length of the first elastic member 43 in the free state is greater than the groove depth of the installation groove 301. Such a setting enables the locking member 42 to be extended by the first elastic member 43 so that it can be clamped with the locking groove 41.

[0049] In this embodiment, the valve body 10 is provided with a plurality of exhaust holes 102, and the exhaust holes 102 are formed at the bottom of the exhaust groove 101 so that the exhaust groove 101 communicates with one end of the valve body 10 away from the end cover 20, thereby enabling the air pressure inside the external device to push the end cover 20 to move.

[0050] In some embodiments, the valve body 10 includes an inner ring body and an outer ring body, and the inner ring body and the outer ring body are connected by connecting ribs to form the valve body 10 having the exhaust holes 102.

[0051] Specifically, the inner ring body is provided with a through hole 103, and the piston 30 passes through the inner ring body to realize the passing-through and fixing of the piston 30. Optionally, the locking groove 41 is formed on the inner peripheral wall of the through hole 103 to be clamped with the locking member 42 on the piston 30.

[0052] In some embodiments, a first sealing member 60 is arranged at the bottom of the exhaust groove 101. When the piston 30 is in the first position, the first sealing member 60 is pressed between the end cover 20 and the bottom of the exhaust groove 101 so that the end cover 20 is hermetically arranged at the bottom of the exhaust groove 101, thereby realizing the internal sealing and reuse of the explosion-proof valve itself.

[0053] In some embodiments, the valve body 10 is further provided with a fixing portion 11 for fixedly connecting with an external device.

[0054] Optionally, the connection between the valve body 10 and the external device can be achieved by threaded connection or bolt fixing.

[0055] Exemplarily, in this embodiment, fixing portions 11 are provided at both ends of the outer periphery of the valve body 10, and through holes 103 are formed in the fixing portions 11 to enable the passing of bolts, thereby realizing the bolt fixed connection between the explosion-proof valve and the external device.

[0056] In other embodiments, a fixing portion 11 extends on the side of the outer ring body of the valve body 10 away from the end cover 20, and threads are provided on the outer periphery of the fixing portion 11, so as to realize the threaded connection between the explosion-proof valve and the external device.

[0057] In some embodiments, the side of the valve body 10 away from the end cover 20 is a fixing surface, and a second sealing member 80 is provided on the fixing surface to enable the explosion-proof valve to be hermetically connected with the external device, so that after the explosion-proof valve is connected with the external device, it has a certain sealing property and will not damage the sealing property of the external device.

[0058] In some embodiments, the explosion-proof valve further includes a second elastic member 50. A piston seat 31 is provided on the side of the piston 30 away from the end cover 20, and the second elastic member 50 is arranged between the piston seat 31 and the valve body 10, so that when the piston 30 is not locked by the locking assembly 40, it can be reset from the second position to the first position, realizing the closing and resetting of the explosion-proof valve, so that the explosion-proof valve can be used multiple times.

[0059] In some embodiments, the explosion-proof valve further includes a protective member 70. The protective member 70 is arranged on the side of the valve body 10 away from the end cover 20 and covers the outer periphery of the piston 30 to protect the piston 30 from being damaged due to impact.

[0060] This embodiment also provides a battery pack, which includes the explosion-proof valve described in any of the above solutions. By using this explosion-proof valve, when the internal pressure of the battery pack is relatively large and needs to exhaust gas, when the opening pressure value is reached, the end cover 20 is pushed open, driving the piston 30 to the second position and being fixed at the second position by the locking assembly 40 to ensure the rapid and continuous discharge of the gas in the battery pack, improving the exhaust and pressure relief rate of the battery pack, thereby improving the safety of the battery pack. After the pressure relief is completed, the end cover 20 can be rotated manually or in other ways, so that the locking assembly 40 releases the locking and fixing of the piston 30, and the piston 30 and the end cover 20 are reset under the action of the second elastic member 50, making the explosion-proof valve closed, thereby realizing the reuse of the explosion-proof valve.

[0061] Obviously, the above embodiments of the present utility model are merely examples for clearly illustrating the present utility model, rather than limitations on the implementation manners of the present utility model. For those of ordinary skill in the art, various obvious changes, re-adjustments and substitutions can be made without departing from the protection scope of the present utility model. It is not necessary and impossible to enumerate all implementation manners here. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principle of the present utility model shall be included within the protection scope of the claims of the present utility model.

Claims

1. Explosion-proof valve, characterized in that, Comprising: A valve body, with an exhaust groove provided on one side, and the exhaust groove communicates with both ends of the valve body along its own axial direction; An end cover, which can be hermetically arranged at the bottom of the exhaust groove. One end of the end cover is provided with a piston, and the piston penetrates through the other side of the valve body and is elastically connected to the valve body; the piston has a first position and a second position, and the end cover can be pushed by the air pressure in the battery pack to drive the piston to move away from the valve body, so that the piston moves from the first position to the second position; A locking assembly, arranged on the piston and / or the valve body, and the locking assembly can selectively lock the piston when the piston is in the second position, or selectively release the locking of the piston in the second position and reset it to the first position.

2. The explosion-proof valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The locking assembly includes: A locking groove, opened on the inner peripheral wall of the valve body, and the depth of the locking groove gradually decreases along the circumferential direction of the valve body to form a release section; A locking member, elastically arranged on the outer peripheral wall of the piston, and the locking member can be clamped in the locking groove; the locking member can pop out of the outer peripheral wall of the piston and be clamped in the locking groove when the piston moves to the second position to lock the piston in the second position; or the locking member can move along the release section to disengage from the locking groove when the piston rotates to release the locking of the piston and reset it to the first position.

3. The explosion-proof valve according to claim 2, characterized in that, An installation groove is opened on the outer peripheral wall of the piston, and a first elastic member is arranged between the locking member and the bottom of the installation groove to elastically connect the locking member to the outer peripheral wall of the piston. The length of the first elastic member in its free state is greater than the depth of the installation groove.

4. The explosion-proof valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, It further includes a second elastic member. A piston seat is provided on the side of the piston away from the end cover, and the second elastic member is arranged between the piston seat and the valve body, so that the piston can reset from the second position to the first position when it is not locked by the locking assembly.

5. The explosion-proof valve according to claim 1, wherein A first sealing member is provided at the bottom of the exhaust groove. When the piston is in the first position, the first sealing member is pressed between the end cover and the bottom of the exhaust groove, so that the end cover is hermetically arranged at the bottom of the exhaust groove.

6. The explosion-proof valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The valve body is provided with a plurality of exhaust holes, and the exhaust holes are opened at the bottom of the exhaust groove, so that the exhaust groove communicates with the end of the valve body away from the end cover.

7. The explosion-proof valve according to claim 1, wherein It further includes a protective member, which is arranged on the side of the valve body away from the end cover and covers the outer periphery of the piston to protect the piston.

8. The explosion-proof valve according to claim 1, wherein, The valve body is further provided with a fixing portion, and the fixing portion is used for fixedly connecting with an external structure.

9. The explosion-proof valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The side of the valve body away from the end cover is a fixing surface, and a second sealing member is provided on the fixing surface to hermetically connect the explosion-proof valve with the external structure.

10. Battery pack, characterized in that, An explosion-proof valve as described in any one of claims 1-9 is included.

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