Explosion-proof valve and battery pack

Abstract

The utility model provides an anti-explosion valve and a battery pack. The anti-explosion valve comprises a main body arranged on a shell, a locking piece and a valve element, wherein the locking piece and the valve element are arranged on the main body; a mounting cavity communicating the interior and the exterior of the shell is formed in the main body; the valve element is locked in the mounting cavity through a locking piece, the valve element and the mounting cavity are sealed, a channel allowing gas exchange between the interior and the exterior of the shell is formed in the valve element, and a waterproof breathable film is arranged on the channel; when the pressure in the shell is larger than a preset threshold value, the valve element can move towards the outside of the shell along the mounting cavity and push the locking piece to be unlocked, and the valve element is separated from the mounting cavity by means of the pressure in the shell after being unlocked. According to the anti-explosion valve, when thermal runaway occurs, the installation cavity with the large flow area can be used for exhausting gas or foreign matter, so that the gas or the foreign matter can be efficiently and rapidly exhausted, the use reliability of the anti-explosion valve can be improved, the number of parts used by the anti-explosion valve is small, the structure is simple, installation is convenient, and cost can be greatly reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of power battery components, and in particular to an explosion-proof valve. The utility model also relates to a battery pack provided with the explosion-proof valve. Background Art

[0002] Power battery packs are core components of electric vehicles and energy storage systems. They contain multiple battery cells, and abnormalities can occur during the charging and discharging process. These can include cell damage leading to electrolyte leakage, thermal runaway, and other extreme situations. These issues not only damage the cells but can also negatively impact the safety and performance of the battery pack. Therefore, addressing thermal runaway and rapidly draining any leaked electrolyte are crucial.

[0003] Traditional explosion-proof valves typically use spring-loaded and ejector-type valves, which are relatively complex in structure, have high manufacturing costs, are prone to more failure points, and are complex to operate. They typically require multiple steps or tools to switch between open and closed states. In traditional explosion-proof valve designs, springs or ejector pins are susceptible to external factors such as temperature and pressure, which may cause the valve to malfunction under extreme conditions, thereby affecting the safety performance of the battery pack. Furthermore, traditional explosion-proof valve designs typically only allow for one-way exhaust, making it impossible to effectively remove foreign matter blocking the valve. This can cause the valve to fail, further impacting the safety performance of the entire battery pack. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of this, the present invention aims to provide an explosion-proof valve to facilitate the rapid discharge of gas or foreign matter and improve the reliability of use.

[0005] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the technical solution of the utility model is achieved as follows:

[0006] An explosion-proof valve comprises a main body provided on a housing, and a locking member and a valve core provided on the main body;

[0007] The main body is provided with a mounting cavity communicating with the interior and exterior of the housing;

[0008] The valve core is locked in the installation cavity by the locking member, and the valve core and the installation cavity are sealed. A channel is provided in the valve core to allow gas exchange between the inside and outside of the housing, and a waterproof and breathable membrane is provided on the channel.

[0009] When the pressure in the housing is greater than a preset threshold, the valve core can move along the installation cavity toward the outside of the housing and push the locking member to unlock it. After unlocking, the valve core escapes from the installation cavity with the help of the pressure in the housing.

[0010] Furthermore, the locking member can move between a first position and a second position, and the moving direction of the locking member intersects with the axial direction of the installation cavity; in the first position, the locking member is locked with the valve core and locks the valve core in the installation cavity, and the valve core is driven by pressure to push the locking member from the first position to the second position and release the lock with the locking member.

[0011] Furthermore, the locking member includes a locking pin slidably provided on the shell; an elastic member is provided between the locking pin and the shell, the locking pin has a locking end extending into the mounting cavity, and under the elastic force of the elastic member, the locking end can be pressed tightly against the valve core.

[0012] Furthermore, the locking pins are multiple and spaced apart along the circumference of the valve core, and the elastic member is provided between each locking pin and the housing.

[0013] Furthermore, a limiting end surface is provided on the valve core, and the locking pin abuts against the limiting end surface to limit the movement of the valve core toward the interior of the housing.

[0014] Furthermore, a guide structure is provided between the valve core and the locking member, and the guide structure is used to guide the valve core to push the locking member to move from the first position to the second position.

[0015] Furthermore, the guiding structure includes a first conical end surface formed on the valve core, and a second conical end surface provided on the locking member, and the first conical end surface can fit with the second conical end surface.

[0016] Furthermore, a sealing member is provided between the main body and the valve core, and the sealing member is used to seal the gap between the main body and the valve core.

[0017] Furthermore, the main body is provided with a connecting portion for connecting the main body to the shell.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages:

[0019] The explosion-proof valve described in the utility model is configured such that the valve core is locked in the installation cavity in the main body by the locking member through the provided main body, the locking member and the valve core, and a channel is provided in the valve core to allow gas exchange between the inside and outside of the shell, and a waterproof breathable membrane is provided on the channel. The channel and the waterproof breathable membrane can balance the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the shell. When the pressure in the shell is greater than a preset threshold, the valve core moves along the installation cavity toward the outside of the shell under the action of the pressure in the shell, and pushes the locking member to release the lock of the valve core. At the same time, the valve core can be released from the installation cavity with the help of the pressure in the shell, thereby utilizing the installation cavity with a large flow area to exhaust gas or discharge foreign matter, so that gas or foreign matter can be discharged efficiently and quickly, thereby improving the reliability of the explosion-proof valve. Moreover, the explosion-proof valve uses fewer parts, has a simple structure, is easy to install, and can greatly reduce costs.

[0020] Furthermore, arranging the movement direction of the locking member to intersect the axial direction of the mounting cavity facilitates the arrangement of the locking member and makes the structure more compact. The locking member is a locking pin slidably mounted on the housing, with an elastic member disposed between the locking pin and the housing. The elastic force of the elastic member allows the locking pin to press against the valve core, thereby enhancing the locking effect of the locking pin in locking the valve core within the mounting cavity. Furthermore, the structure is simple, making it easy to design and implement.

[0021] Secondly, arranging multiple lock pins spaced circumferentially along the valve core improves the balance of the lock core locking, further enhancing the performance. The limiting end surface provided on the valve core allows the lock pin to abut against the limiting end surface, effectively preventing the lock pin from moving into the housing. A guide structure provided between the valve core and the locking member smoothly guides the valve core to push the locking member from the first position to the second position. The guide structure utilizes a fit between the first and second conical end surfaces, resulting in a simple structure and ease of fabrication.

[0022] In addition, a seal is provided between the main body and the valve core to seal the gap between the valve core and the main body, ensuring a sealing effect between the inner wall of the installation cavity and the valve core, thereby effectively preventing the gas in the housing from flowing through the gap between the valve core and the inner wall of the installation cavity. The connection portion provided on the main body facilitates the connection and installation of the main body to the housing, and also facilitates the connection and installation of the explosion-proof valve to the housing.

[0023] Another object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack, in which the explosion-proof valve as described above is provided.

[0024] The battery pack of the present invention, by adopting the above-mentioned explosion-proof valve, can facilitate the efficient and rapid discharge of gas or foreign matter when the battery pack suffers thermal failure, thereby improving the reliability of the use of the explosion-proof valve, and further helping to improve the safety and maintainability of the battery pack. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The accompanying drawings, which constitute part of the present invention, are intended to provide a further understanding of the present invention. The exemplary embodiments of the present invention and their descriptions are intended to explain the present invention and do not constitute an improper limitation of the present invention. In the accompanying drawings:

[0026] Figure 1 A three-dimensional diagram of an explosion-proof valve according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0027] Figure 2 This is a front view of the explosion-proof valve according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0028] Figure 3 for Figure 2 AA section view in the figure;

[0029] Figure 4 This is a structural diagram of the valve core during the opening process according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0030] Figure 5 This is a structural diagram of the valve core in an open state according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0031] Figure 6 This is a schematic structural diagram of the main body according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0032] Figure 7 This is a structural diagram of the valve core according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0033] Description of reference numerals:

[0034] 1. Main body; 101. Mounting cavity; 102. Mounting hole; 103. Connecting lug; 1031. Connecting hole; 11. Mounting nut;

[0035] 2. Valve core; 201. Channel; 202. First tapered end surface; 203. Position-limiting end surface; 21. Waterproof breathable membrane; 22. First section; 23. Locking section; 24. Second section;

[0036] 3. Lock pin; 301. Second tapered end surface; 31. Large diameter section; 32. Small diameter section;

[0037] 4. Elastic parts; 5. Sealing parts. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the embodiments of the present invention and the features therein can be combined with each other.

[0039] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that if terms such as "upper," "lower," "inner," and "outer" appear to indicate orientation or positional relationships, these are based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are intended solely to facilitate the description of this utility model and simplify the description. They do not indicate or imply that the device or component 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 utility model. Furthermore, if terms such as "first" and "second" appear, they are used solely for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0040] Furthermore, in the description of this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly defined, the terms "mounted," "connected," "connection," and "connector" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to fixed, removable, or integral connections; mechanical or electrical connections; direct or indirect connections through an intermediary; and internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of these terms in this utility model based on specific circumstances.

[0041] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and in combination with embodiments.

[0042] Example 1

[0043] This embodiment relates to an explosion-proof valve, which facilitates the rapid discharge of gas or foreign matter and can improve the reliability of use.

[0044] In terms of overall composition, Figures 1 to 5 As shown, the explosion-proof valve of this embodiment includes a main body 1 provided on the shell, and a locking member and a valve core 2 provided on the main body 1. The main body 1 is provided with an installation cavity 101 that connects the inside and outside of the shell. The valve core 2 is locked in the installation cavity 101 by the locking member, and the valve core 2 and the installation cavity 101 are sealed. In addition, a channel 201 is provided in the valve core 2 to allow gas exchange between the inside and outside of the shell, and a waterproof and breathable membrane 21 is provided on the channel 201. When the pressure in the shell is greater than a preset threshold, the valve core 2 can move outward along the installation cavity 101 and push the locking member to unlock it. After being unlocked, the valve core 2 can escape from the installation cavity 101 with the help of the pressure in the shell.

[0045] At this time, as in the above structure, a channel 201 is provided in the valve core 2 to allow gas exchange between the interior of the shell and the tail, and a waterproof breathable membrane 21 is provided on the channel 201. The channel 201 and the waterproof breathable membrane 21 can be used to balance the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the shell.

[0046] When the pressure in the shell is greater than a preset threshold, the valve core 2 can move toward the outside of the shell along the installation cavity 101 under the action of the pressure in the shell, and push the locking piece to release the lock of the valve core 2. At the same time, the valve core 2 can escape from the installation cavity 101 with the help of the pressure in the shell. Therefore, the installation cavity 101 with a larger flow area than the channel 201 can be used to exhaust or discharge foreign matter, so that the gas or foreign matter can be discharged efficiently and quickly, thereby improving the reliability of the explosion-proof valve. Moreover, the explosion-proof valve of this embodiment uses fewer parts, has a simple structure, is easy to install, and can greatly reduce costs.

[0047] For details, see Figures 1 to 5 , and combined with Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 1 , as a preferred embodiment, the valve body in this embodiment comprises a generally cylindrical main body 1 and a connecting portion connected to the main body 1. A mounting cavity 101 is provided in the middle of the main body 1 and extends through both ends of the valve body. The connecting portion is used to connect the main body 1 to the housing, facilitating the connection and installation of the main body 1 to the housing, and thus facilitating the connection and installation of the explosion-proof valve to the housing.

[0048] Specifically, the connection portion includes a connecting lug 103 and a connecting hole 1031 provided in the connecting lug 103. In practice, the valve body is connected to the housing via a connector inserted through the connecting hole 1031. It is worth noting that the connector may be a threaded connector such as a bolt or screw. The housing in this embodiment may be, for example, a battery pack housing.

[0049] In this embodiment, still refer to Figures 1 to 5 , and combined with Figure 7 As shown, the valve core 2 is located in the mounting cavity 101 in the main body 1 and is sealed with the mounting cavity 101. The valve core 2 is locked in the mounting cavity 101 by a locking member. At this time, the locking member can ensure that the valve core 2 is well positioned on the main body 1, ensuring the normal use of the explosion-proof valve.

[0050] To ensure a seal between the inner wall of the mounting cavity 101 and the valve core 2, in this embodiment, a sealing member 5 is provided between the main body 1 and the valve core 2. This sealing member 5 is used to seal the gap between the main body 1 and the valve core 2. The provision of the sealing member 5 seals the gap between the valve core 2 and the main body 1, thereby ensuring a seal between the inner wall of the mounting cavity 101 and the valve core 2. This also effectively prevents gas within the housing from flowing through the gap between the valve core 2 and the inner wall of the mounting cavity 101, and effectively prevents foreign matter from entering the battery pack.

[0051] It is worth noting that the sealing member 5 of this embodiment is preferably a sealing ring. In a specific implementation, a mounting groove can be provided on the inner wall of the mounting cavity 101, so that the sealing ring is embedded in the mounting groove. Alternatively, a mounting groove for mounting the sealing ring can be provided on the valve core 2.

[0052] As a preferred embodiment, in this embodiment, the locking member is movable between a first position and a second position, and the direction of movement of the locking member intersects the axial direction of the mounting cavity 101. In the first position, the locking member engages with the valve core 2, locking the valve core 2 within the mounting cavity 101. The valve core 2, under pressure, pushes the locking member from the first position to the second position, releasing the lock from the locking member. In this case, intersecting the axial direction of the mounting cavity 101 facilitates the arrangement of the locking member and makes the structure more compact.

[0053] For specific structure, see Figures 3 to 5 As shown, the locking member of this embodiment includes a lock pin 3 slidably arranged on the housing. To facilitate the installation of the lock pin 3, in this embodiment, the locking member is Figure 6 As shown, the main body 1 is provided with a mounting hole 102 communicating with the mounting cavity 101. The locking member is mounted in the mounting hole 102 and is movable between a first position and a second position within the mounting hole 102. Preferably, the axial direction of the mounting hole 102 is perpendicular to the axial direction of the mounting cavity 101. This further facilitates the arrangement and installation of the locking member and helps shorten the overall height of the main body 1, thereby further contributing to a compact and compact structure.

[0054] To ensure effective installation of the locking member, in this embodiment, a mounting nut 11 is provided within the mounting hole 102. This nut 11 is threaded into the mounting hole 102, and a through-hole is provided in the center of the nut 11 for the locking member to pass through. The locking pin 3 of this embodiment structurally comprises a connected large-diameter section 31 and a small-diameter section 32. The large-diameter end is positioned adjacent to the mounting cavity 101, while the small-diameter section 32 is inserted through the mounting nut 11.

[0055] Moreover, in this embodiment, an elastic member 4 is further provided between the locking pin 3 and the housing. The locking pin 3 has a locking end extending into the mounting cavity 101, and under the elastic force of the elastic member 4, the locking end can be tightened against the valve core 2. The locking end is specifically provided at the end of the large diameter section 31. The elastic member 4 preferably adopts a spring sleeved on the small diameter section 32, so that one end of the spring abuts against the mounting nut 11 on the housing, and the other end of the spring abuts against the intersection of the small diameter section 32 and the large diameter section 31. At this time, the setting of the mounting nut 11 and the structure of the large diameter section 31 and the small diameter section 32 of the locking pin 3 can better fix the elastic member 4. Its structure is simple, easy to design and implement, and makes installation more convenient.

[0056] Moreover, in the above structure, the locking member adopts a lock pin 3 that can be slidably arranged on the shell, and an elastic member 4 is provided between the lock pin 3 and the shell. In this way, the elastic force of the elastic member 4 is utilized to make the lock pin 3 press tightly against the valve core 2, which can improve the locking effect of the lock pin 3 in locking the valve core 2 in the installation cavity 101, and the structure is simple, which is convenient for design and implementation.

[0057] As a preferred embodiment, in this embodiment, multiple lock pins 3 are arranged at intervals along the circumference of the valve core 2, and an elastic member 4 is provided between each lock pin 3 and the housing. In this case, arranging multiple lock pins 3 at intervals along the circumference of the valve core 2 can improve the balance of the lock core locking, thereby further enhancing the performance. Furthermore, in this embodiment, preferably, two lock pins 3 are arranged on opposite sides of the valve core 2, and the line connecting the two lock pins 3, i.e., the axial direction of the lock pin 3, is arranged orthogonally to the line connecting the two connecting lugs 103. This makes the structural arrangement more symmetrical and also helps to ensure the force balance of the main body 1.

[0058] Similarly, as a preferred embodiment, in this embodiment, a limiting end surface 203 is provided on the valve core 2, and the lock pin 3 abuts against the limiting end surface 203 to limit the movement of the valve core 2 into the housing. The provision of the limiting end surface 203 can effectively prevent the lock pin 3 from moving into the housing through the abutment and cooperation between the lock pin 3 and the limiting end surface 203.

[0059] To facilitate the formation of the limiting end surface 203, the valve core 2 of this embodiment has a first section 22, a locking section 23, and a second section 24, which are sequentially connected along its length. The locking section 23 is located in the middle of the length of the valve core 2 and is used to lock with the locking member. The cross-sectional area of the locking section 23 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the two ends. In this way, the limiting end surface 203 is formed at the junction of the locking section 23 and the first section 22. In addition, the waterproof and breathable membrane 21 is provided at the end of the first section 22.

[0060] In this embodiment, a guide structure is preferably provided between the valve core 2 and the locking member. The guide structure is used to guide the valve core 2 to push the locking member from the first position to the second position. Specifically, as a preferred embodiment, the guide structure includes a first tapered end surface 202 formed on the valve core 2 and a second tapered end surface 301 provided on the locking member. The first tapered end surface 202 is capable of abutting against the second tapered end surface 301.

[0061] At this time, when the valve core 2 moves along the installation cavity 101 toward the outside of the shell, the first conical end face 202 can be used to push the second conical end face 301, so that the two locking pins 3 move away from each other, thereby releasing the lock with the valve core 2, and under the action of sufficient pressure inside the shell, the valve core 2 can be removed from the installation cavity 101, so that the entire installation cavity 101 connects the inside and outside of the shell, and thus can quickly and efficiently discharge gas or foreign matter.

[0062] The above-mentioned first conical end face 202 is specifically formed at the position where the second section 24 is connected to the locking section, so that when the valve core 2 moves toward the outside of the shell, it can smoothly push the locking pin 3 to move in the direction away from the installation cavity 101, thereby realizing the switching of the valve core 2 from the locked state to the unlocked state.

[0063] In the specific use of the explosion-proof valve of this embodiment, the main body 1 is connected to the shell through the connecting piece passing through the connecting hole 1031, and the end of the valve core 2 with the waterproof and breathable membrane 21 is close to the outside of the shell. Figure 3 As shown, the lock pin 3 is locked on the locking section 23 of the valve core 2, so that the valve core 2 is locked in the installation cavity 101. When the housing heats up during use, or when the internal air pressure of the housing fluctuates slightly due to factors such as entering a high-altitude area or changes in the external temperature, the interior of the housing can be ventilated with the external environment through the waterproof and breathable membrane 21 on the explosion-proof valve, thereby ensuring that the internal and external air pressures are balanced.

[0064] Under normal conditions, the elastic member 4 disposed between the lock pin 3 and the main body 1 is in a compressed state. At this time, the lock core can better squeeze the valve core 2, so that the valve core 2 can be better locked, ensuring that the valve core 2 will not be accidentally opened due to slight changes in internal and external air pressure. When the battery in the shell experiences thermal runaway, the high-pressure gas in the shell will push the valve core 2 to move along the installation cavity 101 toward the outside of the shell. At this time, the valve core 2 pushes the lock pin 3 to move away from the installation cavity 101, and the elastic member 4 is further compressed on the basis of being compressed, and its state is as follows. Figure 4 shown.

[0065] Until the lock pin 3 is out of contact with the bottom end of the second section 24 of the valve core 2, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 As shown, the valve core 2 is unlocked. Figure 6 As shown, under the action of the pressure in the shell, the valve core 2 separates from the installation cavity 101, so that the inside and outside of the shell can exchange gas or discharge foreign matter through the installation cavity 101 with a larger flow area, thereby allowing the gas or foreign matter to be discharged efficiently and quickly.

[0066] The explosion-proof valve of this embodiment can improve the reliability of use, and the explosion-proof valve uses fewer parts, has a simple structure, is easy to install, can greatly reduce costs, and has a good use effect.

[0067] Example 2

[0068] This embodiment relates to a battery pack, the shell of which is provided with the explosion-proof valve described in the first embodiment.

[0069] The battery pack of this embodiment adopts the explosion-proof valve of Example 1. By adopting the explosion-proof valve of Example 1, when the battery pack suffers thermal failure, it can facilitate the efficient and rapid discharge of gas or foreign matter, improve the reliability of the use of the explosion-proof valve, and further help improve the safety and maintainability of the battery pack.

[0070] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An explosion-proof valve, characterized in that: It comprises a main body provided on the housing, and a locking member and a valve core provided on the main body; The main body is provided with a mounting cavity communicating with the interior and exterior of the housing; The valve core is locked in the installation cavity by the locking member, and the valve core and the installation cavity are sealed. A channel is provided in the valve core to allow gas exchange between the inside and outside of the housing, and a waterproof and breathable membrane is provided on the channel. When the pressure in the housing is greater than a preset threshold, the valve core can move along the installation cavity toward the outside of the housing and push the locking member to unlock it. After unlocking, the valve core escapes from the installation cavity with the help of the pressure in the housing.

2. The explosion-proof valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: The locking member is movable between a first position and a second position, and a moving direction of the locking member intersects with an axial direction of the mounting cavity; In the first position, the locking member locks with the valve core and locks the valve core in the installation cavity. The valve core is driven by pressure to push the locking member from the first position to the second position and release the lock with the locking member.

3. The explosion-proof valve according to claim 2, characterized in that: The locking member includes a locking pin slidably provided on the housing; An elastic member is provided between the lock pin and the housing. The lock pin has a locking end extending into the installation cavity. Under the elastic force of the elastic member, the locking end can be pressed tightly against the valve core.

4. The explosion-proof valve according to claim 3, characterized in that: The locking pins are multiple and spaced apart along the circumference of the valve core, and the elastic member is provided between each locking pin and the housing.

5. The explosion-proof valve according to claim 3, characterized in that: The valve core is provided with a limiting end surface, and the lock pin abuts against the limiting end surface to limit the movement of the valve core toward the inside of the housing.

6. The explosion-proof valve according to claim 2, characterized in that: A guide structure is provided between the valve core and the locking member, and the guide structure is used to guide the valve core to push the locking member to move from the first position to the second position.

7. The explosion-proof valve according to claim 6, characterized in that: The guiding structure includes a first conical end surface formed on the valve core and a second conical end surface provided on the locking member, and the first conical end surface can fit with the second conical end surface.

8. The explosion-proof valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: A sealing member is provided between the main body and the valve core, and the sealing member is used to seal the gap between the main body and the valve core.

9. The explosion-proof valve according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The main body is provided with a connecting portion for connecting the main body to the shell.

10. A battery pack, characterized in that: The battery pack housing is provided with an explosion-proof valve according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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