Thermal runaway early warning device for battery cluster

Abstract

The utility model discloses a thermal runaway early warning device for a battery cluster, which relates to the field of energy storage safety monitoring equipment and comprises an early warning module, an air pressure sensor is arranged in the early warning module, and the battery cluster is communicated with the air pressure sensor through a connecting channel to detect air pressure change in the battery cluster. The voiceprint sensor is arranged to judge and recognize the sound of breakage of the safety valve through voiceprint, the air pressure sensor and the voiceprint sensor send detected information to the data processing unit through electric signals, the data processing unit sends out an alarm signal before thermal runaway of the lithium battery occurs, and thermal runaway early warning is performed on the battery cluster. Advanced early warning time of the early warning device is prolonged, and harm caused by thermal runaway of the lithium battery is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of energy storage safety monitoring equipment, and in particular to a thermal runaway early warning device for battery clusters. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of energy storage technology, battery clusters (energy storage battery cabinets) are being used more and more widely in power systems, new energy vehicles, portable electronic devices, and other fields. However, during use, battery clusters may experience problems such as safety valve rupture, overcharging, and over-discharging. These problems can lead to rapid changes in internal gas pressure, potentially causing safety accidents. Therefore, real-time monitoring and early warning of the safety status of battery clusters are particularly important.

[0003] In existing technologies, monitoring the safety status of battery clusters often relies on single monitoring methods, such as temperature monitoring, smoke detection, and voltage monitoring. These methods may not be able to reflect the safety status of the battery in a timely manner in some cases. When an alarm occurs, the battery cell is already in a state of thermal runaway, which may lead to fire or explosion in severe cases. Furthermore, because the battery cell is located inside the battery cluster, it increases the difficulty of extinguishing the fire. Therefore, there is a need for an early warning device that can detect the status of lithium batteries in advance and eliminate potential safety hazards before thermal runaway. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a thermal runaway early warning device for battery clusters to solve the problems existing in the prior art. It can provide an alarm before the lithium battery experiences thermal runaway, promptly handle faulty lithium batteries, and reduce the harm caused by battery spontaneous combustion.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following solution: The present invention provides a thermal runaway early warning device for a battery cluster, including an early warning module. The early warning module includes a pressure sensor for detecting changes in air pressure and an acoustic sensor for judging the sound of a safety valve rupture by acoustic signature. A connection channel is provided between the early warning module and the battery cluster. One end of the connection channel is connected to the inside of the battery cluster, and the other end is connected to the pressure sensor. The early warning module also includes a data processing unit. The pressure sensor and the acoustic sensor are electrically connected to the data processing unit.

[0006] In one embodiment, the data processing unit is further provided with indicator lights, including alarm indicator lights, which are electrically connected to the data processing unit and are located on the outside of the battery cluster.

[0007] In one embodiment, the data processing unit is further provided with an external interface, which includes a communication interface, a first output signal dry contact interface, and a second output signal dry contact interface.

[0008] In one embodiment, the warning module further includes a base plate and a module housing, with the module housing fastened to the base plate, and the data processing unit, the acoustic sensor, and the air pressure sensor all disposed inside the module housing.

[0009] In one embodiment, the base plate or module housing is further provided with a connecting hole for the connection channel to pass through.

[0010] In one embodiment, the battery cluster has at least one cavity, and a drawer is provided in the cavity. The drawer includes a front panel and a shelf for placing the battery pack. A warning module is provided on the outside of the front panel.

[0011] In one embodiment, the connection channel includes a vent hole disposed on the front panel, the vent hole connecting the inside of the drawer to the outside of the battery pack, and the connection hole includes a pressure detection hole, the air inlet of the pressure sensor being connected to the vent hole through the pressure detection hole.

[0012] In one embodiment, a sound hole is also provided on the base plate at the position corresponding to the voiceprint sensor.

[0013] In one embodiment, the base plate extends to both sides of the module housing to form an extension, and the extension is provided with fixing holes for fixing the base plate to the outside of the front plate.

[0014] In one embodiment, the connecting hole includes a through hole disposed on the side of the module housing, through which a connecting channel connects the interior of the battery cluster and the pressure sensor.

[0015] The present invention achieves the following technical advantages over the prior art:

[0016] The barometric pressure sensor monitors changes in air pressure and transmits the resulting electrical signal to the data processing unit. The acoustic sensor acquires external sounds and uses the acoustic signature to determine if the safety valve has ruptured. Once the acoustic signature detects the sound of the safety valve rupture, it generates an electrical signal, which is then transmitted to the data processing unit. Only when the same data processing unit receives both electrical signals simultaneously will it issue an alarm signal, providing early warning before the lithium battery experiences thermal runaway. This enables safety monitoring of the battery cluster, increases the early warning time of the warning device, and reduces the harm caused by battery spontaneous combustion. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1This is a bottom view of the early warning module in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a side view of the warning module in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the working principle of the early warning module in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the drawer structure in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the early warning module installed on the battery cluster in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] The components include: 1. Base plate; 1-1. Air pressure sensor; 1-2. Acoustic sensor; 1-3. Data processing unit; 2. Module housing; 3. Fixing hole; 4. External interface; 5. Reset button; 6. Acoustic hole; 7. Air pressure detection hole; 8. Battery cluster; 9. Front panel; 10. Warning module; 11. Drawer; 12. Battery pack. Detailed Implementation

[0024] 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.

[0025] The purpose of this invention is to provide a thermal runaway early warning device for battery clusters, so as to solve the problems existing in the prior art, realize early warning of thermal runaway of battery clusters, and reduce the harm caused by thermal runaway of lithium batteries.

[0026] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features and advantages of this utility model more apparent and understandable, the utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0027] Please refer to Figure 1-5This embodiment provides a thermal runaway early warning device for a battery cluster, including an early warning module 10. The early warning module 10 includes a pressure sensor 1-1 for detecting pressure changes and a soundprint sensor 1-2 for detecting the sound of a safety valve rupture. A connection channel is provided between the early warning module 10 and the battery cluster 8. One end of the connection channel communicates with the interior of the battery cluster 8, and the other end communicates with the pressure sensor 1-1 in the early warning module 10. The pressure sensor 1-1 detects changes in the internal pressure of the battery cluster 8 through the connection channel. The soundprint sensor 1-2 and the pressure sensor 1-1 are electrically connected to a data processing unit 1-3. When the soundprint sensor 1-2 detects the sound of a safety valve rupture through soundprint, it sends a signal to the data processing unit 1-3. 3. The system transmits an electrical signal indicating that the safety valve has ruptured. Simultaneously, the air pressure inside battery cluster 8 changes. After detecting the change in air pressure inside battery cluster 8 through the connection channel, the air pressure sensor 1-1 also transmits an electrical signal indicating the change in air pressure inside battery cluster 8 to the data processing unit 1-3. Upon receiving both electrical signals simultaneously, the data processing unit 1-3 sends an alarm signal. At this time, the lithium battery inside battery cluster 8 has not yet reached the stage of thermal runaway, alerting the staff that the lithium battery inside battery cluster 8 has become abnormal. This provides the staff with sufficient time to handle the abnormal lithium battery and to properly handle the abnormal lithium battery before it reaches thermal runaway, thus preventing an explosion or fire caused by the lithium battery reaching a state of thermal runaway and ensuring the safety of battery cluster 8.

[0028] The data processing unit 1-3 is also electrically connected to an indicator light, including an alarm indicator light. The alarm indicator light is electrically connected to the data processing unit 1-3. While the data processing unit 1-3 sends an alarm signal to the outside, it controls the alarm indicator light to flash, realizing light alarm and making it easier to determine the location of the abnormal lithium battery.

[0029] The indicator lights also include status indicator lights and power indicator lights;

[0030] The status indicator light is used by the detector to monitor the hardware status of the acoustic sensor 1-2, the barometric pressure sensor 1-1 and other hardware in real time. The status indicator light is lit when the acoustic sensor 1-2, the barometric pressure sensor 1-1 and other hardware are working normally, and is turned off when an abnormality occurs, so that the staff can check the working status of the early warning module 10 in real time.

[0031] The power indicator light is used to indicate whether the power supply of the warning module 10 is normal. It stays lit when the power is normal and turns off when the power supply is abnormal.

[0032] The data processing unit 1-3 is also provided with an external interface 4, which is electrically connected to the data processing unit 1-3. The external interface 4 includes a communication interface, a first output signal dry contact interface, and a second output signal dry contact interface.

[0033] The communication interface includes a TXD (transmit data) interface and an RXD (receive data) interface. The TXD and RXD interfaces in the communication interface, together with the negative terminal of the power interface, form a serial communication interface. Through this interface, it communicates with the barometric pressure sensor 1-1 and the acoustic sensor 1-2, and can configure and read the parameters of the acoustic sensor 1-2 and the barometric pressure sensor 1-1 through the communication interface.

[0034] The first and second output signal dry contact interfaces are used to connect to the fire protection system or local alarm device. Under normal circumstances, the dry contacts in the first and second output signal dry contact interfaces are in the normally open state, the output signal circuit is disconnected, and alarm signals cannot be sent to the fire protection system or local alarm device. When the sound of the gas valve rupture and the pressure simultaneously meet the conditions for early warning of battery thermal runaway, the warning module 10 starts outputting, the two sets of dry contacts close, the alarm indicator light illuminates, the output signal circuit is connected, and the warning module 10 outputs an alarm signal to the fire protection system or local alarm device through the first and second output signal dry contact interfaces.

[0035] The early warning module 10 also includes a base plate 1 and a module housing 2. The module housing 2 is fastened to the base plate 1. The data processing unit 1-3, the acoustic sensor 1-2, and the barometric pressure sensor 1-1 are all located inside the module housing 2. The relatively enclosed space formed by the module housing 2 and the base plate 1 reduces the impact of the external environment on the detection accuracy of the acoustic sensor 1-2 and the barometric pressure sensor 1-1, thereby improving the accuracy of the early warning module 10. At the same time, the module housing 2 protects the data processing unit 1-3, the acoustic sensor 1-2, and the barometric pressure sensor 1-1 from the outside, reducing damage to the electrical components caused by the external environment.

[0036] The module housing 2 is provided with openings corresponding to the indicator lights and the external interface 4. The indicator lights and the external interface 4 extend to the outside of the module housing 2 through the corresponding openings on the module housing 2.

[0037] As a preferred technical solution, the opening on the module housing 2 corresponding to the indicator light is set on the side of the module housing 2 opposite to the base plate 1, so that the indicator light faces outward, making it convenient for the staff to judge the status of the warning module 10 by the changes of the indicator light during use; the opening on the module housing 2 corresponding to the external interface 4 is set on the side of the module housing 2 perpendicular to the base plate 1, which makes it convenient for external devices to make electrical connections with the warning module 10 through the external interface 4, and at the same time can reduce the size of the warning module 10.

[0038] To ensure that the battery cluster 8 is connected to the pressure sensor 1-1, a connecting hole is provided on the base plate 1 or the module housing 2 for the connection channel to pass through. The air inlet of the pressure sensor 1-1 is directly connected to the inside of the battery cluster 8 through the connecting channel, thereby improving the detection accuracy of the pressure sensor 1-1 on the internal pressure of the battery cluster 8.

[0039] The battery cluster 8 has at least one cavity, and a drawer 11 is provided in the cavity. The drawer 11 includes a front panel 9 and a shelf for placing battery packs 12, so that a battery cluster 8 can accommodate multiple battery packs 12 at the same time. Each drawer 11 has a warning module 10 on the outside of the front panel 9. Each warning module 10 detects the status of the battery pack 12 (cell) in the corresponding drawer 11 individually to ensure the accuracy of the detection.

[0040] Furthermore, the side walls on both sides of the cavity are equipped with slide rails that match the left and right sides of drawer 11, making it easy to pull out and push out drawer 11.

[0041] When the connecting hole is located on the base plate 1, the connecting channel includes a vent hole provided on the front plate 9. The vent hole connects the inside of the drawer 11 with the outside of the battery cluster 8, so that the space inside the drawer 11 is connected to the outside. The connecting hole includes a pressure detection hole 7. The air inlet of the pressure sensor 1-1 is connected to the inside of the drawer 11 through the pressure detection hole 7 and the vent hole. The pressure sensor 1-1 detects the change in the internal pressure of the corresponding drawer 11 through the pressure detection hole 7 and the vent hole.

[0042] Meanwhile, to ensure the accuracy of the voiceprint sensor 1-2 in judging the voiceprint, a sound hole 6 is provided on the base plate 1 at the position corresponding to the voiceprint sensor 1-2. The sound hole 6 faces the side of the drawer 11 corresponding to the warning module 10. The sound of the safety valve on the battery pack 12 (or battery cell) in the drawer 11 breaking is transmitted to the inside of the warning module 10 through the sound hole 6, reducing the attenuation of the sound wave by the medium, facilitating the collection and judgment of the voiceprint sensor 1-2, and improving the accuracy of the judgment by the voiceprint sensor 1-2.

[0043] To facilitate the installation of the early warning module 10, the base plate 1 extends to both sides of the module housing 2 to form an extension. The extension is provided with fixing holes 3, and the early warning module 10 is installed and fixed by using nuts or screws through the fixing holes 3.

[0044] In another embodiment, a magnet is provided on the side of the base plate 1 facing the drawer 11. The warning module 10 can also be fixed by being attracted to the outside of the front plate 9 of the drawer 11 by the magnet.

[0045] When the connecting hole is located on the module housing 2, the connecting hole includes a through hole provided on the side of the module housing 2. One end of the connecting channel is connected to the inside of the battery cluster 8, and the other end passes through the through hole and is connected to the air pressure sensor 1-1 in the early warning module 10. The air pressure sensor 1-1 detects the air pressure change in the corresponding battery cluster 8 through the connecting channel.

[0046] To ensure that the fire protection system or local alarm device can continuously receive the alarm signal issued by the early warning module 10 before handling the abnormal lithium battery, a manual reset button 5 is provided in the early warning module 10. The manual reset button 5 is connected to the data processing unit 1-3, and an opening corresponding to the manual reset button 5 is provided on the module housing 2. After the dry contacts in the first output signal dry contact interface and the second output signal dry contact interface close and issue an alarm signal, the early warning module 10 can only be reset by manual intervention through the manual reset button 5. Pressing the manual reset button 5 turns the two sets of dry contacts normally open, the alarm indicator light goes out, and the early warning module 10 returns to the initial working state.

[0047] Any adaptive changes made according to actual needs are within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0048] It should be noted that, for those skilled in the art, it is obvious that this utility model is not limited to the details of the above exemplary embodiments, and that it can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of this utility model. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered exemplary and non-limiting in all respects, and the scope of this utility model is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. Thus, it is intended that all variations falling within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the claims be included within this utility model. No reference numerals in the claims should be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

[0049] This utility model uses specific examples to illustrate its principles and implementation methods. The above description of the embodiments is only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core idea of ​​this utility model. At the same time, for those skilled in the art, there will be changes in the specific implementation methods and application scope based on the idea of ​​this utility model. In summary, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model.

Claims

1. A thermal runaway early warning device for battery clusters, characterized in that, The system includes an early warning module (10), which includes a pressure sensor (1-1) for detecting changes in air pressure and a soundprint sensor (1-2) for determining the sound of a safety valve breaking through soundprint. A connection channel is provided between the early warning module (10) and the battery cluster (8). One end of the connection channel is connected to the inside of the battery cluster (8), and the other end is connected to the pressure sensor (1-1). The early warning module (10) also includes a data processing unit (1-3), and the pressure sensor (1-1) and the soundprint sensor (1-2) are electrically connected to the data processing unit (1-3).

2. The thermal runaway early warning device for battery clusters according to claim 1, characterized in that, The data processing unit (1-3) is also provided with indicator lights, including alarm indicator lights. The indicator lights are electrically connected to the data processing unit (1-3) and the alarm indicator lights are located on the outside of the battery cluster (8).

3. The thermal runaway early warning device for battery clusters according to claim 2, characterized in that, The data processing unit (1-3) is also provided with an external interface (4), which includes a communication interface, a first output signal dry contact interface, and a second output signal dry contact interface.

4. The thermal runaway early warning device for battery clusters according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The early warning module (10) also includes a base plate (1) and a module housing (2). The module housing (2) is fastened to the base plate (1), and the data processing unit (1-3), the acoustic sensor (1-2), and the air pressure sensor (1-1) are all located inside the module housing (2).

5. The thermal runaway early warning device for battery clusters according to claim 4, characterized in that, The base plate (1) or the module housing (2) is also provided with a connecting hole for the connecting channel to pass through.

6. The thermal runaway early warning device for battery clusters according to claim 5, characterized in that, The battery cluster (8) has at least one cavity, and a drawer (11) is provided in the cavity. The drawer (11) includes a front panel (9) and a shelf for placing the battery pack (12). The warning module (10) is provided on the outside of the front panel (9).

7. The thermal runaway early warning device for battery clusters according to claim 6, characterized in that, The connection channel includes a vent hole provided on the front panel (9), the vent hole connecting the inside of the drawer (11) and the outside of the battery cluster (8), the connection hole including a pressure detection hole (7), the air inlet of the pressure sensor (1-1) is connected to the vent hole through the pressure detection hole (7).

8. The thermal runaway early warning device for battery clusters according to claim 7, characterized in that, A sound hole (6) is also provided on the base plate (1) at a position corresponding to the soundprint sensor (1-2).

9. The thermal runaway early warning device for battery clusters according to claim 6, characterized in that, The base plate (1) extends to both sides of the module housing (2) to form an extension, and the extension is provided with fixing holes (3) for fixing the base plate (1) to the outside of the front plate (9).

10. The thermal runaway early warning device for battery clusters according to claim 5, characterized in that, The connecting hole includes a through hole disposed on the side of the module housing (2), and the connecting channel connects the inside of the battery cluster (8) and the pressure sensor (1-1) through the through hole.

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