Battery pack drainage device with alarm structure

Abstract

The utility model discloses a liquid drainage device with an alarm structure for a battery pack, which comprises a mounting component, and the mounting component forms a channel allowing cooling liquid to flow from the inside of the battery pack to the outside; the opening and closing assembly is arranged in the mounting assembly and comprises at least two expansion parts, and the expansion parts can control opening and closing of the channel; and the pressure sensor is arranged between the expansion pieces, and the expansion pieces can apply pressure to the pressure sensor. According to the utility model, the expansion piece is arranged to control the opening and closing conditions of the valve and the shell, so that the flow rate of leaked cooling liquid flowing from the inside of the battery pack to the outside is controlled; therefore, the pressure sensor can monitor the leakage condition of the cooling liquid in the battery pack in real time according to the pressure applied to the pressure sensor by the expansion piece, and monitor the discharge condition of the leaked cooling liquid in real time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of new energy vehicle battery pack maintenance technology, specifically to a draining device for a battery pack with an alarm structure. Background Technology

[0002] Coolant leakage in the battery packs of new energy vehicles can lead to insufficient coolant for cooling, resulting in overheating, reduced battery efficiency and lifespan, and may also cause electrical short circuits, increasing the risk of fire or explosion. The main causes of leakage include seal failure, physical damage, manufacturing defects, and coolant corrosion.

[0003] Existing coolant drainage devices use expanding materials to control the opening and closing of valves to promptly drain leaked coolant from the battery pack to the outside. However, existing sensors for detecting coolant leaks are installed inside the battery pack and cannot detect whether the coolant drainage device is effectively open to drain the coolant. Failure to drain coolant in a timely manner can lead to electrical short circuits, thermal runaway, and other fire or explosion risks inside the battery pack. Utility Model Content

[0004] This invention addresses the problem of detecting whether leaking coolant has begun to drain into the environment by providing a draining device for battery packs with an alarm structure. The specific technical solution is as follows:

[0005] A drain device for a battery pack with an alarm structure includes: a mounting assembly that forms a channel allowing coolant to flow from the interior of the battery pack to the outside; an opening and closing assembly disposed inside the mounting assembly, the opening and closing assembly including at least two expansion members capable of controlling the opening and closing of the channel; and a pressure sensor disposed between the expansion members, the expansion members capable of applying pressure to the pressure sensor.

[0006] Furthermore, the expansion direction of the expansion member is the axial direction, and the pressure sensor is set on the axial end face that contacts the expansion member, with the expansion direction of the expansion member being the direction of the pressure applied to the pressure sensor.

[0007] Preferably, the mounting assembly includes: a housing with one end disposed inside the battery pack and the other end disposed outside the housing; an opening and closing assembly disposed inside the housing; a first liquid inlet disposed at the end of the housing disposed inside the battery pack, the first liquid inlet penetrating the housing; a second liquid inlet disposed at the end of the housing disposed inside the battery pack, the second liquid inlet being able to communicate with the outside; and a liquid outlet disposed at the end of the housing disposed outside the housing, the liquid outlet penetrating the housing, the second liquid inlet, the interior of the housing, and the liquid outlet forming a channel.

[0008] Preferably, the opening and closing assembly further includes: a valve disposed at the liquid outlet, the valve and the liquid outlet being capable of controlling the flow rate of the channel; and a spring disposed inside the housing, the spring being disposed in the axial region of the expansion member, the axial direction of the spring being the same as the expansion direction of the expansion member.

[0009] Preferably, the expansion member is divided into two sections and disposed inside the housing. The expansion member expands along the axial direction of the housing, and the pressure applied by the expansion member to the pressure sensor is the axial direction of the housing.

[0010] Preferably, the expansion element is a flexible material that absorbs the volume expansion of the coolant.

[0011] Preferably, it also includes a host computer, which is electrically connected to the pressure sensor and is capable of displaying the pressure signal emitted by the pressure sensor.

[0012] As can be seen from the above technical solution, this utility model has the following beneficial effects:

[0013] This invention controls the opening and closing of the valve and the housing by setting an expansion member, thereby controlling the flow rate of leaked coolant from inside the battery pack to the outside. Secondly, a pressure sensor is set on the axial end face of the expansion member, so that the pressure sensor can monitor the leakage of coolant inside the battery pack in real time according to the pressure applied to it by the expansion member, and also monitor the discharge of leaked coolant in real time. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the state of the present invention before the coolant is absorbed, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing the state of the present invention after absorbing coolant in an embodiment.

[0016] In the diagram: 1. Mounting assembly; 2. Opening and closing assembly; 3. Pressure sensor; 4. Host computer; 11. Housing; 12. First liquid inlet; 13. Second liquid inlet; 14. Drain outlet; 21. Expansion component; 22. Valve; 23. Spring. Detailed Implementation

[0017] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0018] In the description of the embodiments of this utility model, it should be noted that the terms "inner", "outer", "upper", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship in which the utility model product is usually placed when in use. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0019] like Figure 1 As shown, this utility model embodiment includes: a mounting assembly 1, which forms a channel that allows coolant to flow from the inside of the battery pack to the outside; an opening and closing assembly 2 disposed inside the mounting assembly 1, which includes at least two expansion members 21, which are capable of controlling the opening and closing of the channel; and a pressure sensor 3 disposed between the expansion members 21, which is capable of applying pressure to the pressure sensor 3.

[0020] Specifically, the expansion member 21 is made of a flexible material that can fill the interior of the mounting assembly 1. It has fine pores inside that can hold coolant, allowing it to expand in volume after absorbing coolant.

[0021] Specifically, the part of the mounting component 1 installed inside the battery pack has a through hole, and the part of the mounting component 1 installed outside the battery pack also has a through hole, so that the coolant leaking inside the battery pack can flow into the interior of the mounting component 1 through the through hole inside the battery pack, and then flow out to the outside through the through hole outside the battery pack, forming a channel that allows the coolant to flow.

[0022] Secondly, the interior of the mounting assembly 1 forms a cavity for housing the opening and closing assembly 2, wherein the expansion member 21 fills the internal cavity of the mounting assembly 1. When the expansion member 21 absorbs coolant and its volume increases, it can increase the size of the through hole of the mounting assembly 1, thereby increasing the flow rate of leaking coolant through the channel, and thus realizing the opening of the control channel. This allows the expansion member 21 to open the channel after absorbing coolant and close the channel when it does not absorb coolant. Secondly, the embodiment preferably has two expansion members 21. When the expansion member 21 absorbs coolant and expands, both of them apply pressure to each other, thereby applying pressure to the pressure sensor 3 located at the contact position of the two expansion members 21. This allows the pressure sensor 3 to detect the pressure and generate a signal. Based on the generated signal, it can be determined that the expansion member 21 has expanded and the leaking coolant has started to flow to the outside, thus reminding the operator to collect the leaked coolant in a container in time.

[0023] Furthermore, the expansion direction of the expansion member 21 is the axial direction, and the pressure sensor 3 is disposed on the axial end face in contact with the expansion member 21. The expansion direction of the expansion member 21 is the direction of the pressure received by the pressure sensor 3.

[0024] Specifically, after the expansion member 21, which fills the internal cavity of the mounting component 1, absorbs the coolant and expands, its volume increases. In this embodiment, the expansion direction of the expansion member 21 is the axial direction, that is, the increased volume moves along the axis towards both ends of the expansion member 21. The two expansion members 21 expand simultaneously and squeeze the pressure sensor 3, so that the volume change rate of the expansion member 21 is proportional to the pressure applied to the pressure sensor 3, which makes it easier to determine the outflow of leaking coolant.

[0025] like Figure 2 As shown in the figure, the arrows point to the flow trajectory of the leaking coolant.

[0026] The mounting assembly 1 includes: a housing 11 with one end disposed inside the battery pack and the other end disposed outside the battery pack; an opening and closing assembly 2 disposed inside the housing 11; a first liquid inlet 12 disposed at the end of the housing 11 disposed inside the battery pack and penetrating the housing 11; a second liquid inlet 13 disposed at the end of the housing 11 disposed inside the battery pack and capable of communicating with the outside; and a liquid outlet disposed at the end of the housing 11 disposed outside the battery pack and penetrating the housing 11, wherein the second liquid inlet 13, the interior of the housing 11, and the liquid outlet form a channel.

[0027] Specifically, the bottom end of the housing 11 is an open end, which is a liquid outlet. The interior of the housing 11 is filled with an expansion member 21. The expansion member 21 expands along the axial direction of the housing 11, thereby controlling the communication between the liquid outlet and the interior of the battery pack, and thus controlling the opening and closing of the channel that allows the leaked coolant to flow. The top of the housing 11 has a first liquid inlet 12, and the side of the housing 11 intersects with the interior of the battery pack to form a second liquid inlet 13. The second liquid inlet 13 communicates with the liquid outlet through the gap between the interior side of the housing 11 and the radial side of the expansion member 21. Leaking coolant enters the interior of the housing 11 through the first liquid inlet 12 and the second liquid inlet 13, and is then absorbed by the expansion member 21. The expansion member 21 expands towards the bottom of the housing 11, thereby opening the liquid outlet and allowing it to communicate with the outside. This allows the leaking coolant to flow through the second liquid outlet to the liquid outlet and then out of the battery pack. In addition, when the expansion member 21 is not expanded, the bottom of the expansion member 21 blocks the liquid outlet, preventing it from communicating with the outside, thereby closing the channel and ensuring the sealing performance of the battery pack.

[0028] Furthermore, the opening and closing assembly 2 also includes: a valve 22 disposed at the liquid outlet, which is capable of controlling the flow rate of the channel; and a spring 23 disposed inside the housing 11, which is disposed in the axial region of the expansion member 21, and the axial direction of the spring 23 is the same as the expansion direction of the expansion member 21.

[0029] Specifically, under the push of the expansion member 21, valve 22 can move relative to the outlet along the axial direction of the housing 11. The contact surface between valve 22 and the outlet is stepped, so that when the expansion member 21 does not expand and pushes valve 22 away from the outlet, valve 22 and the outlet can maintain the sealing performance of the battery pack and ensure the performance of the battery pack. Secondly, when the expansion member 21 expands and pushes valve 22 away from the outlet, the flow rate of leaked coolant through the channel depends on the size of the gap between the opposite surfaces of valve 22 and the outlet. Therefore, when the coolant leakage is serious, the leaked coolant... A large amount of coolant rushes into the first inlet 12 and the second inlet 13, causing the expansion member 21 to expand rapidly. This pushes the valve 22 away from the outlet, increasing the gap between them and improving the flow capacity of the channel. This allows the coolant to flow out of the battery pack in a timely manner. When the coolant leakage is not severe, the volume of leaked coolant rushing into the first inlet 12 and the second inlet 13 is small, resulting in a low expansion rate of the expansion member 21. This reduces the flow rate of the leaked coolant through the channel, thereby increasing the discharge rate of the leaked coolant while ensuring the battery pack is sealed.

[0030] Secondly, the spring 23 is a tension spring 23, one end of which is connected to the top of the housing 11 and the other end of which is connected to the valve 22. When the expansion member 21 expands, the valve 22 moves away from the housing 11, and the spring 23 is stretched. When the expansion member 21 discharges coolant and stops expanding, the stretched spring 23 pulls the valve 22 close to the housing 11 to return to its original position, thereby achieving automatic closure of the channel.

[0031] Furthermore, it also includes a host computer 4, which is electrically connected to the pressure sensor 3 and can display the pressure signal emitted by the pressure sensor 3.

[0032] Specifically, in this embodiment, the host computer 4 is a battery management system, whose main functions include detecting battery status, protecting the battery from overcharging or over-discharging damage, balancing the power differences between battery cells, and providing information on battery health status and remaining capacity. The pressure data collected by the pressure sensor 3 can be converted into the signal mode required by the battery management system through the circuit.

[0033] The pressure sensor 3 generates two signals based on the pressure it receives: First, if there is no coolant leakage and the expansion member 21 does not expand, the pressure is zero, indicating the battery pack's cooling system is functioning normally. Second, if there is coolant leakage and the expansion member 21 expands, the pressure data is transmitted in real-time to the host computer 4. The operator then uses this data to perform actions and monitors the coolant discharge in real-time. Furthermore, if the pressure sensor 3 malfunctions, it also transmits a signal to the host computer 4, reminding the operator to replace it promptly to ensure the normal operation of this embodiment.

[0034] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions, and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. Technical, shape, and structural parts not described in detail in this invention are all well-known technologies.

Claims

1. A draining device for a battery pack with an alarm structure, characterized in that, include: Mounting assembly (1) forms a channel that allows coolant to flow from the inside of the battery pack to the outside; An opening and closing assembly (2) disposed inside the mounting assembly (1) includes at least two expansion members (21) capable of controlling the opening and closing of the channel; and A pressure sensor (3) is disposed between the expansion members (21), and the expansion members (21) are capable of applying pressure to the pressure sensor (3).

2. The draining device for a battery pack according to claim 1, characterized in that: The expansion direction of the expansion member (21) is the axial direction, and the pressure sensor (3) is disposed on the axial end face that contacts the expansion member (21). The expansion direction of the expansion member (21) is the direction of the pressure received by the pressure sensor (3).

3. The draining device for a battery pack according to claim 1, characterized in that: The installation component (1) includes: A housing (11) with one end located inside the battery pack and the other end located outside the housing (11) is provided inside the housing (11); A first liquid inlet (12) is provided at one end of the housing (11) inside the battery pack, and the first liquid inlet (12) penetrates the housing (11); A second liquid inlet (13) is provided inside the battery pack in the housing (11), and this second liquid inlet (13) is able to communicate with the outside; and The liquid outlet is provided at one end of the housing (11) facing the outside. The liquid outlet penetrates the housing (11). The second liquid inlet (13), the interior of the housing (11) and the liquid outlet form the channel.

4. The draining device for a battery pack according to claim 3, characterized in that: The opening and closing component (2) also includes: A valve (22) is provided at the outlet, which, together with the outlet, controls the flow rate of the channel; and A spring (23) is disposed inside the housing (11) in the axial region of the expansion member (21), and the axial direction of the spring (23) is the same as the expansion direction of the expansion member (21).

5. The draining device for a battery pack according to claim 4, characterized in that: The expansion member (21) is divided into two sections and disposed inside the housing (11). The expansion member (21) expands along the axial direction of the housing (11). The pressure applied by the expansion member (21) to the pressure sensor (3) is the axial direction of the housing (11).

6. The draining device for a battery pack according to claim 1, characterized in that: The expansion member (21) is a flexible material that absorbs the volume expansion of the coolant.

7. The draining device for a battery pack according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a host computer (4), which is electrically connected to the pressure sensor (3) and can display the pressure signal emitted by the pressure sensor (3).

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