Battery cluster and energy storage system

Abstract

The utility model discloses a battery cluster and an energy storage system, and relates to the technical field of energy storage, the battery cluster comprises a battery rack, a plurality of battery boxes and a fusing assembly, the battery rack is provided with a plurality of mounting cavities distributed in a grid shape; wherein a fusing assembly is detachably fixed in one of the mounting cavities, and battery boxes are embedded in at least two of the remaining mounting cavities. The modular layout of each battery box and the fusing assembly is realized; when the fusing assembly is maintained and replaced, only the fusing assembly needs to be detached from the battery rack, independent replacement of the fusing assembly is achieved, the detaching difficulty is low, and maintenance is more convenient. All the battery boxes are sequentially connected in series end to end, the fusing assembly is connected between any two adjacent battery boxes in series, that is, the fusing assembly is directly integrated in a series loop, and once a single battery box is abnormal, the fusing assembly rapidly cuts off the series loop and prevents fault current from diffusing to the whole battery cluster, so that the safety is improved. Therefore, the safety and the maintenance convenience of the battery cluster disclosed by the utility model are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of energy storage technology, and in particular to a battery cluster and energy storage system. Background Technology

[0002] Energy storage systems are energy storage devices that centrally store a large number of lithium batteries in containers or cabinets. They are currently widely used in fields such as peak shaving and valley filling, frequency and voltage regulation, smoothing of new energy grid connection, and emergency backup power. As a key component of energy storage systems, battery modules are responsible for energy storage, while multi-stage fuses provide critical safety protection.

[0003] In practical applications, multiple battery modules are typically integrated in series on a battery rack to form a battery cluster. Existing energy storage systems generally employ centralized fuse protection, where fuses are centrally located on the main circuit of the battery cluster. However, this design has several drawbacks. For example, if a battery module fails due to an internal short circuit, overcurrent, thermal runaway, or external impact, the fuse may fail to disconnect the fault circuit in time due to delayed operation or an excessively high threshold, causing the fault current to rapidly spread throughout the entire battery cluster, triggering a chain reaction. In severe cases, this could lead to the spread of thermal runaway, or even cause a fire or explosion of the entire energy storage system, compromising safety. Furthermore, fuses are usually fixed inside the cabinet; replacement requires specialized tools and the disassembly of numerous cables and structural components, making maintenance inconvenient.

[0004] Therefore, how to improve the safety and ease of maintenance of fuses is a technical problem that needs to be solved by those skilled in the art. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this utility model is to provide a battery cluster and energy storage system in which the fuse component and each battery box are modularly designed in the battery rack, and the fuse component is directly connected in series between the battery boxes, thereby improving the safety and ease of operation of the battery cluster and solving the technical problems of poor safety and inconvenient operation of existing battery clusters.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides a battery cluster, including a battery frame, several battery boxes, and a fuse assembly. The battery frame has several mounting cavities arranged in a grid pattern. A fuse assembly is detachably fixed in one of the mounting cavities, and at least two of the remaining mounting cavities are respectively embedded with battery boxes. All battery boxes are connected in series end to end, and the fuse assembly is connected in series between any two adjacent battery boxes.

[0007] In some embodiments, the mounting cavity includes a fuse mounting cavity, in which a fuse assembly is embedded; limit switches are fixed on two opposite sides of the fuse mounting cavity, the limit switches being used to detect whether the fuse assembly has left the fuse mounting cavity; the limit switches are connected to a controller, the controller being used to control the main circuit switch to open according to the signal fed back by the limit switches when the fuse assembly leaves the fuse mounting cavity.

[0008] In some embodiments, the fuse assembly includes a mounting panel detachably fixed to one end of the fuse mounting cavity and a fuse located within the fuse mounting cavity. The fuse has an input tab and an output tab at its two ends, respectively. The input tab is fixed with an input-side insulating post, and the output tab is fixed with an output-side insulating post. The input-side insulating post and the output-side insulating post are respectively fixedly connected to the mounting panel.

[0009] In some embodiments, the fuse assembly further includes an input-side power connector and an output-side power connector respectively fixed on the side of the mounting panel away from the fuse, with an input copper busbar fixed between the input-side power connector and the input tab, and an output copper busbar fixed between the output-side power connector and the output tab.

[0010] In some embodiments, the input-side power connector is provided with a positive copper busbar, and the output-side power connector is provided with a negative copper busbar; the mounting panel is provided with two through holes for the positive copper busbar and the negative copper busbar to pass through respectively; the positive copper busbar is connected to the input copper busbar and fixedly connected by a locking screw, and the negative copper busbar is connected to the output copper busbar and fixedly connected by a locking screw.

[0011] In some embodiments, the fuse assembly further includes a micro switch fixed to the side of the fuse facing the mounting panel. The micro switch is connected to the fuse to form a linkage. When the fuse blows, the micro switch is in the open state. The mounting panel is provided with a viewing window, which is aligned with the micro switch. The viewing window is covered with a transparent cover.

[0012] In some embodiments, the system further includes an alarm and a status detection device for detecting whether the micro switch is in an open state. Both the alarm and the status detection device are connected to the controller. The controller is used to activate the alarm based on the signal fed back by the status detection device when the micro switch is in an open state.

[0013] In some embodiments, the device further includes a high-voltage box that is connected to the battery boxes located at the beginning and end of the device respectively; the mounting cavity includes a high-voltage mounting cavity and a plurality of battery mounting cavities, the high-voltage box is embedded in the high-voltage mounting cavity, and all the battery boxes are embedded in all the battery mounting cavities in a corresponding manner.

[0014] In some embodiments, the mounting panel is integrally bent at both opposite ends to provide mounting handles; and / or, the mounting panel is integrally bent at both opposite sides to provide limiting flanges, the limiting flanges abutting against the inner wall of the fused mounting cavity.

[0015] This utility model also provides an energy storage system, including the above-mentioned battery cluster.

[0016] Compared to the prior art, the battery rack in this utility model has several grid-distributed mounting cavities; a fuse assembly is detachably fixed in one of the mounting cavities, and at least two of the remaining mounting cavities are respectively embedded with battery boxes, so that each battery box and fuse assembly can achieve a modular layout; when repairing or replacing the fuse assembly, it is only necessary to remove the fuse assembly from the battery rack, so as to achieve independent replacement of the fuse assembly, with lower disassembly and assembly difficulty and more convenient maintenance.

[0017] Furthermore, in this invention, all battery boxes are connected in series to form a complete series circuit, and the fuse is connected in series between any two adjacent battery boxes. That is, the fuse is directly integrated into the series circuit. Once a single battery box malfunctions, the fuse will quickly cut off the series circuit, preventing the fault current from spreading to the entire battery cluster, thus improving safety.

[0018] Therefore, the safety and ease of maintenance of the battery cluster in this invention are both improved. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without creative effort.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a front view of the battery cluster provided in an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0021] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A diagram showing the state of the fuse assembly after it has been disassembled;

[0022] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A magnified view of part A in the image;

[0023] Figure 4 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the fuse assembly;

[0024] Figure 5 for Figure 4 Exploded view;

[0025] Figure 6 for Figure 5 Another view.

[0026] The attached figures are labeled as follows:

[0027] Battery rack 1, battery box 2, fuse assembly 3, limit switch 4, and high voltage box 5;

[0028] Fusible mounting cavity 11;

[0029] Mounting panel 31, fuse 32, input side insulating post 33, output side insulating post 34, input side power connector 35, output side power connector 36, input copper busbar 37, output copper busbar 38, and micro switch 39;

[0030] Through hole 311, through window 312, transparent cover 313, mounting handle 314, limiting flange 315 and U-shaped mounting base 316;

[0031] Input tab 321 and output tab 322;

[0032] Positive electrode copper busbar 351;

[0033] Negative electrode copper busbar 361. Detailed Implementation

[0034] 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.

[0035] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present invention, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0036] This utility model discloses a battery cluster, as shown in the attached figure. Figure 1 and 2 As shown, the device includes a battery rack 1, several battery boxes 2, and a fuse assembly 3. The battery rack 1 has several mounting cavities arranged in a grid pattern. The battery rack 1 includes a support frame, an outer panel fixed to the outside of the support frame, and a partition plate fixed inside the support frame. The support frame is formed by several intersecting longitudinal and transverse beams arranged in a crisscross pattern, dividing the space into several mounting cavities. The partition plate is fixed between adjacent mounting cavities to separate them, ensuring that each mounting cavity is set up independently, thus providing conditions for modular design.

[0037] One of the mounting cavities has a detachable fuse assembly 3, and at least two of the remaining mounting cavities are respectively fitted with battery boxes 2, so that each battery box 2 and fuse assembly 3 can be modularly arranged. When the fuse assembly 3 is to be repaired or replaced, it is only necessary to remove the fuse assembly 3 from the battery rack 1, so that the fuse assembly 3 can be replaced independently. The disassembly and assembly are less difficult and maintenance is more convenient.

[0038] Specifically, the battery rack 1 has 27 mounting cavities arranged in 9 rows and 3 columns, each with the same size. Each of the 25 mounting cavities houses a battery box 2. The mounting cavity in the 5th row and 2nd column houses a fuse assembly 3, and the mounting cavity in the 9th row and 3rd column houses a high-voltage box 5. Preferably, the fuse assembly 3 can be positioned in the middle of the series circuit of multiple battery boxes 2. Of course, the distribution of the battery boxes 2, fuse assemblies 3, and high-voltage boxes 5 is not limited to this and can be adapted to the specific application of the battery pack.

[0039] All battery boxes 2 form a complete series circuit by connecting them end to end, while the fuse component 3 is connected in series between any two adjacent battery boxes 2. That is, the fuse component 3 is directly integrated into the series circuit. Once a single battery box 2 malfunctions, the fuse component 3 will quickly cut off the series circuit, preventing the fault current from spreading to the entire battery cluster, thus improving safety.

[0040] Specifically, the input-side power connector 35 and the output-side power connector 36 of two adjacent battery boxes 2 are electrically connected through a series line, and the input-side power connector 35 and the output-side power connector 36 of the fuse assembly 3 are electrically connected to its upper and lower battery boxes 2 respectively through a series line.

[0041] This invention directly and centrally mounts the fuse assembly 3 on the battery rack 1 and connects the fuse assembly 3 in series between the battery boxes 2, effectively improving the safety and ease of maintenance of the battery cluster.

[0042] In a preferred embodiment, the mounting cavity includes a fuse mounting cavity 11, located in the 5th row and 2nd column, in which the fuse assembly 3 is embedded. Limit switches 4 are fixedly mounted on opposite sides of the fuse mounting cavity 11. Specifically, mounting strips are integrally provided on opposite sides of the opening of the fuse mounting cavity 11, and two limit switches 4 are fixedly mounted on the two mounting strips respectively. The limit switches 4 are used to detect whether the fuse assembly 3 has left the fuse mounting cavity 11, and are connected to a controller. When the fuse assembly 3 leaves the fuse mounting cavity 11, the limit switches 4 are triggered, and the limit switches 4 send a feedback signal to the controller. After processing the signal, the controller controls the main circuit switch to open, cutting off the current in the main circuit, ensuring safer operation during the installation and removal of the fuse assembly 3.

[0043] As a preferred embodiment, as shown in the appendix Figures 4 to 6As shown, the fuse assembly 3 includes a mounting panel 31 and a fuse 32. The mounting panel 31 is detachably fixed at the port of the fuse mounting cavity 11, and the fuse 32 is located inside the fuse mounting cavity 11. The fuse 32 has an input tab 321 and an output tab 322 at its two ends. The input tab 321 is fixed with an input-side insulating post 33, and the output tab 322 is fixed with an output-side insulating post 34. The input-side insulating post 33 and the output-side insulating post 34 are respectively fixed to the mounting panel 31, ensuring reliable fixation of the fuse 32 to the mounting panel 31 and good insulation between the fuse 32 and the mounting panel 31, preventing leakage current from the mounting panel 31 and potential safety hazards. Specifically, two U-shaped mounting bases 316 are fixed to the back of the mounting panel 31, and the input-side insulating post 33 and the output-side insulating post 34 are detachably fixed to the two U-shaped mounting bases 316 by screws.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment, the fuse assembly 3 further includes an input-side power connector 35 and an output-side power connector 36, which are respectively fixed on the side of the mounting panel 31 away from the fuse 32, for connection to the series circuit of the battery box 2. An input copper busbar 37 is fixedly connected between the input-side power connector 35 and the input tab 321, and an output copper busbar 38 is fixedly connected between the output-side power connector 36 and the output tab 322, so that the two ends of the fuse 32 are electrically connected to the input-side power connector 35 and the output-side power connector 36 respectively.

[0045] Specifically, the input-side power connector 35 and the output-side power connector 36 are detachably fixed to the mounting panel 31 by screws. The input-side power connector 35 has a positive copper busbar 351, and the output-side power connector 36 has a negative copper busbar 361. The mounting panel 31 has two through holes 311 for the positive copper busbar 351 and the negative copper busbar 361 to pass through, respectively. The positive copper busbar 351 passes through the through hole 311 and overlaps with the input copper busbar 37, and the positive copper busbar 351 and the input copper busbar 37 are fixed together by locking screws. The negative copper busbar 361 passes through the through hole 311 and overlaps with the output copper busbar 38, and the negative copper busbar 361 and the output copper busbar 38 are fixed together by locking screws.

[0046] As a preferred embodiment, as shown in the appendix Figure 5 As shown, the fuse assembly 3 also includes a micro switch 39 fixed to the side of the fuse 32 facing the mounting panel 31. The micro switch 39 is connected to the fuse 32 to form a linkage. When the fuse 32 blows, the micro switch 39 is in the open state. The mounting panel 31 is provided with a viewing window 312, which is aligned with the micro switch 39. The viewing window 312 is covered with a transparent cover 313, which allows for direct observation of the opening and closing state of the micro switch 39. Specifically, the transparent cover 313 is an acrylic sheet, and it is detachably fixed to the edge of the viewing window 312 by screws.

[0047] In a preferred embodiment, the battery cluster also includes an alarm and a status detection device for detecting whether the micro switch 39 is in the open state. The status detection device can be a camera or a position sensor, etc. Both the alarm and the status detection device are connected to the controller. When the status detection device detects that the micro switch 39 is in the open state, it sends a signal to the controller. After processing, the controller activates the alarm to promptly remind the operator to replace the blown fuse 32.

[0048] It should be noted that the controller should include a signal receiving unit, a signal judging unit, and a signal transmitting unit. The signal receiving unit receives electrical signals sent by detection components such as limit switches 4 or status detection devices. The signal judging unit is electrically connected to the signal receiving unit so that it can determine whether the signal received by the signal receiving unit is a trigger signal. The signal transmitting unit is electrically connected to the signal judging unit so that it can send the judgment signal generated by the signal judging unit to the main circuit switch or alarm and other execution components. The specific arrangement of the signal receiving unit, signal judging unit, and signal transmitting unit can refer to the prior art; in this utility model, only the application scenario of the above three components has been changed, and no substantial improvement has been made. Obviously, controllers with this structure are widely used in existing automatic control equipment, such as MCUs, DSPs, or single-chip microcomputers. The key point of this utility model is that the controller combines each detection component with each execution component in a pairwise correspondence.

[0049] In a preferred embodiment, the battery cluster also includes a high-voltage box 5, which is connected to the battery boxes 2 located at both ends. Specifically, the input-side power connector 35 of the battery box 2 located in the first row and first column and the output-side power connector 36 of the battery box 2 located in the eighth row and third column are respectively connected to the input and output ends of the high-voltage box 5 via a series cable. The mounting cavity includes a high-voltage mounting cavity and several battery mounting cavities. The high-voltage box 5 is embedded in the high-voltage mounting cavity, and all the battery boxes 2 are correspondingly embedded in all the battery mounting cavities, so that the high-voltage box 5, all the battery boxes 2, and the fuse assembly 3 adopt a modular design, making maintenance more convenient.

[0050] In a preferred embodiment, mounting handles 314 are integrally bent at both opposite ends of the mounting panel 31 to facilitate the installation and removal of the mounting panel 31. Alternatively, limiting flanges 315 are integrally bent at both opposite sides of the mounting panel 31, abutting against the inner wall of the fusible mounting cavity 11 to limit the position of the mounting panel 31 within the fusible mounting cavity 11, facilitating quick installation of the fusible assembly 3. Specifically, the mounting handles 314 are symmetrically arranged on the left and right sides of the mounting panel 31, bent away from the fusible mounting cavity 11, and can be L-shaped or C-shaped. The limiting flanges 315 are symmetrically arranged on the upper and lower sides of the mounting panel 31, perpendicular to the mounting panel 31, and bent towards the fusible mounting cavity 11.

[0051] This invention also provides an energy storage system, including the aforementioned battery cluster, which has the same beneficial effects.

[0052] It should be noted that in this specification, relational terms such as first and second are used only to distinguish one entity from several other entities, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities.

[0053] This article uses specific examples to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this utility model. The descriptions of the above embodiments are only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core ideas of this utility model. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made to this utility model without departing from the principles of this utility model, and these improvements and modifications also fall within the protection scope of the claims of this utility model.

Claims

1. A battery cluster, characterized by, The device includes a battery rack (1), several battery boxes (2), and a fuse assembly (3). The battery rack (1) has several mounting cavities arranged in a grid pattern. The fuse assembly (3) is detachably fixed in one of the mounting cavities, and the battery boxes (2) are respectively embedded in at least two of the remaining mounting cavities. All the battery boxes (2) are connected in series from end to end, and the fuse assembly (3) is connected in series between any two adjacent battery boxes (2).

2. The battery cluster of claim 1, wherein, The mounting cavity includes a fuse mounting cavity (11), and the fuse assembly (3) is embedded in the fuse mounting cavity (11). Limit switches (4) are fixed on two opposite sides of the fuse mounting cavity (11). The limit switches (4) are used to detect whether the fuse assembly (3) leaves the fuse mounting cavity (11). The limit switches (4) are connected to a controller. The controller is used to control the main circuit switch to open according to the signal fed back by the limit switches (4) when the fuse assembly (3) leaves the fuse mounting cavity (11).

3. The battery cluster of claim 2, wherein, The fuse assembly (3) includes a mounting panel (31) detachably fixed to one end of the fuse mounting cavity (11) and a fuse (32) located in the fuse mounting cavity (11). The fuse (32) has an input tab (321) and an output tab (322) at its two ends. The input tab (321) is fixed with an input side insulating post (33), and the output tab (322) is fixed with an output side insulating post (34). The input side insulating post (33) and the output side insulating post (34) are respectively fixedly connected to the mounting panel (31).

4. The battery cluster of claim 3, wherein, The fuse assembly (3) further includes an input-side power connector (35) and an output-side power connector (36) respectively fixed on the side of the mounting panel (31) away from the fuse (32). An input copper busbar (37) is fixed between the input-side power connector (35) and the input tab (321), and an output copper busbar (38) is fixed between the output-side power connector (36) and the output tab (322).

5. The battery cluster of claim 4, wherein, The input-side power connector (35) is provided with a positive copper busbar (351), and the output-side power connector (36) is provided with a negative copper busbar (361); the mounting panel (31) is provided with two through holes (311) for the positive copper busbar (351) and the negative copper busbar (361) to pass through respectively; the positive copper busbar (351) overlaps with the input copper busbar (37) and is fixedly connected by a locking screw, and the negative copper busbar (361) overlaps with the output copper busbar (38) and is fixedly connected by a locking screw.

6. The battery cluster of claim 3, wherein, The fuse assembly (3) also includes a micro switch (39) fixed on the side of the fuse (32) facing the mounting panel (31). The micro switch (39) is connected to the fuse (32) to form a linkage. When the fuse (32) melts, the micro switch (39) is in the open state. The mounting panel (31) is provided with a viewing window (312), which is aligned with the micro switch (39). The viewing window (312) is covered with a transparent cover (313).

7. The battery cluster of claim 6, wherein, It also includes an alarm and a status detection device for detecting whether the micro switch (39) is in the open state. The alarm and the status detection device are both connected to the controller. The controller is used to activate the alarm based on the signal fed back by the status detection device when the micro switch (39) is in the open state.

8. The battery cluster of claim 2, wherein, It also includes a high-voltage box (5) connected to the battery box (2) located at the beginning and end respectively; the mounting cavity includes a high-voltage mounting cavity and several battery mounting cavities, the high-voltage box (5) is embedded in the high-voltage mounting cavity, and all the battery boxes (2) are embedded in all the battery mounting cavities in a corresponding manner.

9. The battery cluster according to claim 3, characterized in that, The mounting panel (31) is integrally bent at both opposite ends and provided with mounting handles (314); and / or, the mounting panel (31) is integrally bent at both opposite sides and provided with limiting flanges (315), the limiting flanges (315) abutting against the inner wall of the fused mounting cavity (11).

10. An energy storage system characterized by, Includes the battery cluster as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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