Active fire extinguishing device and battery pack

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of batteries, in particular to an active fire extinguishing device and a battery pack, the active fire extinguishing device is used for the battery pack, the active fire extinguishing device is arranged in a shell of the battery pack, and the active fire extinguishing device comprises a detection part, a fire extinguishing agent storage part and a jet power part. The fire extinguishing agent storage part is provided with a nozzle, and when the battery pack is in a use state, the nozzle is arranged at the top of the shell. The spraying power part communicates with the fire extinguishing agent storage part to provide power for spraying of the fire extinguishing agent in the fire extinguishing agent storage part. The detection part is used for detecting the fire behavior in the shell and is in communication connection with the injection power part. According to the active fire extinguishing device and the battery pack provided by the invention, active fire extinguishing of the battery pack is realized, the time for flame to escape to the outside of the battery pack is greatly prolonged, sufficient time is reserved for personnel escape, even thermal runaway transfer can be controlled until termination, and the safety of the battery pack is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of battery technology, and in particular to an active fire extinguishing device and a battery pack. Background Art

[0002] With the advancement of power battery technology, battery safety has become a key focus in current power battery research and development. In the event of an overheating fire in current power batteries, the only effective means of isolation and containment is the fireproofing and heat-insulating materials within the battery pack. However, this method of fire prevention and extinguishing is typically only temporary and fails to control or extinguish the fire. Consequently, once the temperature within the battery pack exceeds the critical point of the fireproofing and heat-insulating materials, the fire can still break through these materials and leak out, posing a threat to personnel safety. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of this application is to provide an active fire extinguishing device and battery pack to, to a certain extent, address the existing technical problem that once a power battery overheats and catches fire, it can only be isolated and blocked by the fireproof and heat-insulating materials installed in the battery pack. However, this method usually only blocks the fire temporarily and cannot control and extinguish the fire. As a result, once the temperature in the battery pack exceeds the critical point of the fireproof and heat-insulating materials, the fire will still break through the fireproof and heat-insulating materials and leak out, posing a threat to the personal safety of personnel.

[0004] According to a first aspect of the present application, there is provided an active fire extinguishing device for a battery pack, wherein the active fire extinguishing device is disposed inside a housing of the battery pack and comprises a detection unit, a fire extinguishing agent storage unit, and an injection power unit;

[0005] The fire extinguishing agent storage portion is provided with a nozzle, and when the battery pack is in use, the nozzle is provided on the top of the shell;

[0006] The spray power unit is in communication with the fire extinguishing agent storage unit to provide power for spraying the fire extinguishing agent in the fire extinguishing agent storage unit;

[0007] The detection unit is used to detect the fire condition inside the shell, and the detection unit is communicatively connected with the injection power unit.

[0008] Preferably, the fire extinguishing agent storage unit includes a storage main circuit and a power branch circuit that are connected to each other;

[0009] The main storage path extends along a first direction, and the power branch path is arranged at a middle position of the main storage path in the first direction;

[0010] The injection power unit is communicated with the power branch.

[0011] Preferably, the first direction is parallel to the length direction of the battery pack;

[0012] The fire extinguishing agent storage portion further includes a bend portion, a first end of the bend portion is communicated with the main storage path, and a second end of the bend portion is provided with the nozzle.

[0013] Preferably, the angle between the pipeline extension direction of the first end of the bend portion and the pipeline extension direction of the second end of the bend portion is α, wherein 90°<α≤180°.

[0014] Preferably, the extension direction of the power branch is perpendicular to the first direction.

[0015] Preferably, the jet power unit includes an explosion-proof chamber, an explosive and a trigger device;

[0016] The explosive is placed in the explosion-proof chamber, and the jet power unit is connected to the fire extinguishing agent storage unit via the explosion-proof chamber;

[0017] The trigger device is communicatively connected to the detection portion, and at least a portion of the trigger device is in contact with the explosive.

[0018] Preferably, the detection unit includes a temperature sensor and / or a pressure sensor and / or a gas composition sensor.

[0019] Preferably, it also includes:

[0020] The housing includes an upper cover, and the fire extinguishing agent storage unit and the injection power unit are both fixed in the upper cover via the fixing portion;

[0021] The jet power unit and the detection unit are communicatively connected via the control unit.

[0022] Preferably, there are multiple fire extinguishing agent storage units, and each of the fire extinguishing agent storage units is provided with at least one injection power unit.

[0023] According to the second aspect of the present application, a battery pack is provided, comprising the active fire extinguishing device described in any of the above technical solutions, and thus having all the beneficial technical effects of the active fire extinguishing device, which will not be repeated here.

[0024] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages:

[0025] The active fire extinguishing device provided in the present application arranges the fire extinguishing agent storage part at the top of the shell, so that the injection power part is connected to the fire extinguishing agent storage part, and the detection part is communicated with the injection power part. In this way, when the detection part detects a fire inside the shell and transmits it to the injection power part, the injection power part drives the fire extinguishing agent in the fire extinguishing agent storage part to be ejected from the nozzle located at the top of the shell, so that the fire extinguishing agent can rely on gravity to extinguish the fire, thereby realizing active fire extinguishing of the battery pack, greatly extending the time for the flame to leak out of the battery pack, leaving sufficient time for people to escape, and even controlling the transmission of thermal runaway until it is terminated, thereby improving the safety of the battery pack.

[0026] In order to make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present application more obvious and easy to understand, preferred embodiments are given below and described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] In order to more clearly illustrate the specific implementation methods of the present application or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following is a brief introduction to the drawings required for use in the specific implementation methods or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are some implementation methods of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without any creative work.

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the axonometric structure of the active fire extinguishing device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0029] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the assembly structure of the active fire extinguishing device and the upper cover provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0030] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the exploded structure of a battery pack provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0031] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the axonometric structure of the first fixing member provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0032] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the axonometric structure of the second fixing member provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0033] Reference numerals:

[0034] 1-fire extinguishing agent storage unit; 11-main storage circuit; 12-power branch circuit; 13-bend section; 14-nozzle; 2-injection power unit; 21-explosion-proof chamber; 22-trigger device; 3-detection unit; 4-control unit; 51-first fixing member; 52-second fixing member; 521-fitting sheet; 522-limiting clip; 61-upper cover; 62-shell body; 63-battery module.

[0035] F1-first direction; F2-second direction; F3-third direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The technical solution of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments.

[0037] The components of the embodiments of the present application generally described and shown in the drawings herein may be arranged and designed in a variety of different configurations. Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present application provided in the drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed application, but merely represents selected embodiments of the present application.

[0038] Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making any creative work shall fall within the scope of protection of this application.

[0039] In the description of this application, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating orientations or positional relationships, are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are intended solely to facilitate the description of this application and simplify the description. They do not indicate or imply that the devices or components referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed, or operate in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0040] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; mechanical connections or electrical connections; direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; and internal connections between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0041] Refer to the following Figures 1 to 5 An active fire extinguishing device and a battery pack according to some embodiments of the present application are described.

[0042] See also Figures 1 to 5As shown, an embodiment of the first aspect of the present application provides an active fire extinguishing device for a battery pack. The active fire extinguishing device is arranged inside the shell of the battery pack. The active fire extinguishing device includes a detection unit 3, a fire extinguishing agent storage unit 1, and a jet power unit 2. The fire extinguishing agent storage unit 1 is provided with a nozzle 14. When the battery pack is in use, the nozzle 14 is arranged at the top of the shell. The jet power unit 2 is connected to the fire extinguishing agent storage unit 1 to provide power for spraying the fire extinguishing agent in the fire extinguishing agent storage unit 1. The detection unit 3 is used to detect the fire inside the shell, and the detection unit 3 is connected to the jet power unit 2 for communication.

[0043] According to the active fire extinguishing device provided by the above technical features, the fire extinguishing agent storage part 1 is arranged on the top of the shell, so that the injection power part 2 is connected to the fire extinguishing agent storage part 1, and the detection part 3 is communicated with the injection power part 2. In this way, when the detection part 3 detects a fire inside the shell and transmits it to the injection power part 2, the injection power part 2 drives the fire extinguishing agent storage part 1 to be ejected from the nozzle 14 located at the top of the shell, so that the fire extinguishing agent can rely on gravity to extinguish the fire, thereby realizing active fire extinguishing of the battery pack, greatly extending the time for the flame to leak out of the battery pack, leaving sufficient time for people to escape, and even controlling the transmission of thermal runaway until it is terminated, thereby improving the safety of the battery pack.

[0044] Preferably, if Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the fire extinguishing agent storage unit 1 includes a main storage path 11 and a power branch path 12 that are interconnected. The main storage path 11 extends along a first direction F1, and the power branch path 12 is located in the middle of the main storage path 11 in the first direction F1. The injection power unit 2 is connected to the power branch path 12. This ensures that the injection power applied by the injection power unit 2 to the main storage path 11 is effectively and evenly applied, thereby ensuring the injection power of the fire extinguishing agent sprayed by each nozzle 14.

[0045] It should be noted that the middle position of the main storage path 11 in the first direction F1 can be understood as a position between one-third and two-thirds of the total length of the main storage path 11 .

[0046] Optionally, the fire extinguishing agent storage unit 1 may further include a three-way pipe, through which the main storage path 11 and the power branch path 12 can be connected.

[0047] Preferably, if Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the main storage path 11 may be provided with a plurality of nozzles 14, which may be spaced apart along the first direction F1 on the main storage path 11 to increase the number of extinguishing agent ejection points of the extinguishing agent storage portion 1, thereby improving the fire extinguishing effect of the active fire extinguishing device.

[0048] like Figure 1and Figure 2 As shown in the figure, an example of disposing two nozzles 14 in the main storage path 11 is shown. The two nozzles 14 can be respectively disposed at both ends of the main storage path 11 in the first direction F1.

[0049] However, the present invention is not limited thereto. As long as the smoothness of the fire extinguishing agent spraying of each nozzle 14 can be ensured, the number of nozzles 14 provided in the main storage path 11 is not limited to the two examples mentioned above.

[0050] Preferably, if Figures 1 to 3 As shown in the figure, an example in which the first direction F1 is parallel to the length direction of the battery pack is shown. In this way, it can not only effectively adapt to the structure of the current battery pack, but also effectively expand the fire extinguishing agent storage capacity of the fire extinguishing agent storage unit 1. The F1 shown in the figure may be an example of the above-mentioned first direction F1. For the convenience of description, the width direction of the battery pack is defined as the second direction F2, and the thickness direction of the battery pack is defined as the third direction F3. The F2 shown in the figure may be an example of the above-mentioned second direction F2, and the F3 shown in the figure may be an example of the above-mentioned third direction F3. Preferably, the above-mentioned second direction F2 may be perpendicular to the first direction F1, and the above-mentioned third direction F3 may be perpendicular to the second direction F2 and the first direction F1, respectively. However, it is not limited to this, and the first direction F1 can be adaptively adjusted according to the structure of the battery pack.

[0051] Preferably, if Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the fire extinguishing agent storage portion 1 may further include a bend portion 13, a first end of the bend portion 13 being connected to the storage main path 11, and a second end of the bend portion 13 being provided with the nozzle 14. Thus, the nozzle 14 is provided on the storage main path 11 via the bend portion 13, so as to change the spraying direction of the nozzle 14 via the bend portion 13, so as to avoid the nozzle 14 being able to spray only along the first direction F1, thereby increasing the radiation range of the fire extinguishing agent sprayed by the active fire extinguishing device, and further improving the fire extinguishing effect of the active fire extinguishing device.

[0052] Preferably, if Figure 2 As shown, the main storage path 11 extends along the first direction F1 to both ends of the battery pack in the first direction F1 to further improve the fire extinguishing agent storage capacity of the main storage path 11.

[0053] Preferably, if Figure 1 As shown, the angle between the pipeline extension direction of the first end of the bend portion 13 (i.e., the direction shown by S1 in the figure) and the pipeline extension direction of the second end of the bend portion 13 (i.e., the direction shown by S2 in the figure) can be α, wherein 90°<α≤180°, so that the nozzle 14 can spray the fire extinguishing agent toward the middle position of the storage main path 11, so that the fire extinguishing agent sprayed by the active fire extinguishing device can cover the entire battery pack.

[0054] Preferably, the bend portion 13 may include a first section and a second section connected to each other. The first section extends along the first direction F1 and is disposed at the first end to connect the bend portion 13 with the main storage path 11. Correspondingly, the second section may be disposed at the second end, and the nozzle 14 may be disposed in the second section.

[0055] Preferably, if Figure 2 As shown, the main storage path 11 can be arranged along the edge of the battery pack so that the main storage path 11 can avoid the battery modules 63 in the battery pack, thereby improving the space utilization in the battery pack.

[0056] Preferably, if Figure 2 As shown, the above-mentioned bend portion 13 can also include a third section, and the above-mentioned first section and second section can be connected via the third section. The third section can extend along the above-mentioned second direction F2, so that the setting position of the nozzle 14 can be expanded along the second direction F2 toward the middle of the battery pack, so as to further improve the range of the fire retardant sprayed by the nozzle 14 covering the battery module 63.

[0057] Preferably, if Figure 3 As shown, the housing may further include an upper cover 61. Correspondingly, the active fire extinguishing device may further include a fixing portion, through which the fire extinguishing agent storage portion 1 and the jet power portion 2 may be fixed in the upper cover 61 to achieve fixation of the active fire extinguishing device in the battery pack.

[0058] Preferably, if Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, the fixing portion may include a first fixing member 51 , and the fire extinguishing agent storage portion 1 may be fixed to the upper cover 61 via the first fixing member 51 .

[0059] Alternatively, as Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the fire extinguishing agent storage portion 1 may be tubular, and correspondingly, the first fixing member 51 may be a U-shaped pipe clamp, so as to clamp the fire extinguishing agent storage portion 1 to the top wall of the upper cover 61 .

[0060] Preferably, if Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown, the fixing portion may include a second fixing member 52 , and the jet power unit 2 may be fixed to the upper cover 61 via the second fixing member 52 .

[0061] Alternatively, as Figure 5As shown, the second fixing member 52 may include a fitting sheet 521 and a limiting clip 522 connected to each other. The fitting sheet 521 may be fitted and fixed to the top wall of the upper cover 61. The limiting clip 522 may be provided with a U-shaped limiting opening pointing downward. The jet power unit 2 may be embedded in the U-shaped limiting opening to limit the jet power unit 2.

[0062] Optionally, the detection unit 3 may include a temperature sensor to monitor the temperature inside the battery pack to detect fire inside the battery pack. It should be noted that monitoring the fire inside the battery pack using a temperature sensor is a prior art in the art and will not be described in detail here.

[0063] Optionally, the detection unit 3 may include a pressure sensor to monitor the pressure in the battery pack to detect fire in the battery pack. It should be noted that monitoring fire in the battery pack using a pressure sensor is a prior art in the art and will not be described in detail here.

[0064] Optionally, the detection unit 3 may include a gas composition sensor to monitor the gas composition in the battery pack to detect fire in the battery pack. It should be noted that monitoring the fire in the battery pack using a gas composition sensor is a prior art in the art and will not be described in detail here.

[0065] Preferably, if Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the active fire extinguishing device may be provided with a plurality of the detection parts 3, and the detection parts 3 may be evenly distributed inside the shell to ensure the accuracy of the detection results.

[0066] Preferably, if Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the above-mentioned active fire extinguishing device can also include a control unit 4, and the above-mentioned injection power unit 2 and detection unit 3 can be communicated with each other via the control unit 4, so as to facilitate processing of fire information detected by the detection unit 3 and send it to the injection power unit 2 to realize automatic control of the active fire extinguishing device.

[0067] Optionally, the control unit 4 may be an independently provided microcontroller unit (MCU) to facilitate independent control of the active fire extinguishing device.

[0068] Optionally, the control unit 4 may also be a battery management system (BMS for short) of the battery pack.

[0069] Preferably, if Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, there are multiple fire extinguishing agent storage units 1, and each fire extinguishing agent storage unit is provided with at least one injection power unit 2 to ensure the power of spraying fire extinguishing agent in each fire extinguishing agent storage unit 1, so as to further improve the coverage range of the active fire extinguishing device spraying fire extinguishing agent.

[0070] Optionally, not shown in the figure, the above-mentioned active fire extinguishing device may also include multiple above-mentioned control units 4, and the multiple control units 4 may be connected to communicate with each other to mutually verify whether a fire occurs in the battery pack, so as to avoid misjudgment caused by a single control unit 4 in judging the fire situation.

[0071] Optionally, the fire extinguishing agent stored in the fire extinguishing agent storage unit 1 can be a dry powder fire extinguishing agent, a foam fire extinguishing agent, etc. For example, the fire extinguishing agent can be perfluorohexanone or a mixture of ammonium phosphate and ammonium sulfate in different proportions according to the battery system configuration. It should be noted that the above-mentioned fire extinguishing agents are existing products in the field and will not be described in detail here.

[0072] In an embodiment, Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the jet power unit 2 may include an explosion-proof chamber 21 and a gas generator. The explosion-proof chamber 21 is connected to the above-mentioned power branch 12, and at least part of the above-mentioned gas generator is arranged in the explosion-proof chamber 21. In this way, when the jet power unit 2 obtains fire information, the gas generator can generate a large amount of gas in the explosion-proof chamber 21, causing the air pressure in the storage main path 11 to rise sharply, thereby driving the fire extinguishing agent in the storage main path 11 to be ejected from the nozzle 14.

[0073] Preferably, the gas generator may include an explosive and a trigger device 22 . The explosive may be disposed in the explosion-proof chamber 21 . At least a portion of the trigger device 22 may be buried in the explosive and communicated with the control unit 4 .

[0074] It should be noted that the principle of the above-mentioned gas generator is similar to that of the gas generator of the existing automobile airbag, and will not be described in detail here.

[0075] Optionally, the explosive material may be gunpowder or other agents capable of generating gas.

[0076] Taking the explosive as gunpowder as an example, the trigger device 22 may be an igniter, which drives the fire retardant to spray by the impact force generated by the explosion of the gunpowder in the explosion-proof chamber 21 .

[0077] Optionally, the explosion-proof chamber 21, the main storage path 11, and the power branch path 12 may be constructed of steel pipes to ensure the deformation resistance of the fire extinguishing agent storage unit 1 and the explosion-proof chamber 21, thereby preventing damage and deformation of the fire extinguishing agent storage unit 1 and the explosion-proof chamber 21 under the impact of airflow. Optionally, the explosion-proof pressure of the explosion-proof chamber may be greater than 250 kPa.

[0078] See also Figure 3 The embodiment of the second aspect of the present application also provides a battery pack, including the active fire extinguishing device described in any of the above embodiments, and thus has all the beneficial technical effects of the active fire extinguishing device, which will not be repeated here.

[0079] Specifically, the battery pack includes the shell.

[0080] Preferably, if Figure 3 As shown, the shell may include the upper cover 61 and the shell body 62 , and the box body and the upper cover 61 can be buckled together to form a cavity for accommodating the battery module 63 .

[0081] Preferably, if Figure 3 As shown, the battery pack may further include a battery module 63 , and the active fire extinguishing device may be disposed directly above the battery module 63 .

[0082] Optionally, the inner wall of the shell may be coated with a fire-resistant coating to further improve the overall fire-resistant effect of the battery pack.

[0083] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, rather than to limit them. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for some or all of the technical features therein. These modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. An active fire extinguishing device, characterized in that: For a battery pack, the active fire extinguishing device is arranged inside the housing of the battery pack, and the active fire extinguishing device includes a detection unit, a fire extinguishing agent storage unit, and an injection power unit; The fire extinguishing agent storage portion is provided with a nozzle, and when the battery pack is in use, the nozzle is provided on the top of the shell; The spray power unit is in communication with the fire extinguishing agent storage unit to provide power for spraying the fire extinguishing agent in the fire extinguishing agent storage unit; The detection unit is used to detect the fire condition inside the shell, and the detection unit is communicatively connected with the injection power unit.

2. The active fire extinguishing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fire extinguishing agent storage unit includes a storage main circuit and a power branch circuit that are connected to each other; The main storage path extends along a first direction, and the power branch path is arranged at a middle position of the main storage path in the first direction; The injection power unit is communicated with the power branch.

3. The active fire extinguishing device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first direction is parallel to the length direction of the battery pack; The fire extinguishing agent storage portion further includes a bend portion, a first end of the bend portion is communicated with the main storage path, and a second end of the bend portion is provided with the nozzle.

4. The active fire extinguishing device according to claim 3, characterized in that: An angle α is formed between a pipeline extension direction at the first end of the bend portion and a pipeline extension direction at the second end of the bend portion, wherein 90°<α≤180°.

5. The active fire extinguishing device according to claim 2, characterized in that: An extending direction of the power branch is perpendicular to the first direction.

6. The active fire extinguishing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The jet power unit includes an explosion-proof chamber, an explosive and a trigger device; The explosive is placed in the explosion-proof chamber, and the jet power unit is connected to the fire extinguishing agent storage unit via the explosion-proof chamber; The trigger device is communicatively connected to the detection portion, and at least a portion of the trigger device is in contact with the explosive.

7. The active fire extinguishing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The detection unit includes a temperature sensor and / or a pressure sensor and / or a gas composition sensor.

8. The active fire extinguishing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: Also includes: The housing includes an upper cover, and the fire extinguishing agent storage unit and the injection power unit are both fixed in the upper cover via the fixing portion; The jet power unit and the detection unit are communicatively connected via the control unit.

9. The active fire extinguishing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: There are multiple fire extinguishing agent storage units, and each of the fire extinguishing agent storage units is provided with at least one injection power unit.

10. A battery pack, characterized in that: An active fire extinguishing device comprising any one of claims 1 to 9.

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