Device for a battery housing

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for a battery housing (1) comprising an air conditioning unit, wherein the air conditioning unit is arranged in a housing (13), wherein the air conditioning unit has a first fan (4) which is designed to suck in ambient air (3) via an inflow (2) into the housing (13), wherein the device is designed such that the ambient air (3) flows through a first heat exchanger (5) by means of the first fan (4) and then out of the housing (13) via an outflow (6), further comprising a second fan (7) which is designed to flow heated internal air (8) to a second heat exchanger (9) of the air conditioning unit, wherein a switching device (12) is provided which is designed such that the ambient air (3) is separated from the internal air (8), wherein the switching device (12) is further designed such that in the event of a fault, the internal air (8) is connected to the outflow (6) in such a way thatthat the internal air (8) flows out of the battery housing (1).

Description

The invention relates to a device for a battery housing, comprising an air conditioning unit, wherein the air conditioning unit is arranged in a housing, wherein the air conditioning unit has a first fan which is designed to suck in ambient air via an inflow into the battery housing, wherein the device is designed such that the ambient air flows by means of the first fan through a first heat exchanger and then exits via an outflow from the battery housing, further comprising a second fan which is designed to flow in a warmed-up internal air to an evaporator of the air conditioning unit, wherein a changeover device is provided which is designed such that the ambient air is separated from the internal air.The invention further relates to a method for operating a battery housing, wherein an air conditioning device is arranged in the battery housing, wherein the air conditioning device is arranged in a housing, wherein an internal air heated in the interior of the battery housing can be cooled by the air conditioning device, wherein the air conditioning device is formed with a first fan, with which the ambient air is supplied through a first heat exchanger and as a result the temperature of the ambient air rises and flows out of the housing via an outflow.Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are becoming increasingly important in electrical energy systems. This is becoming increasingly important as the integration of fluctuating renewable energy sources such as solar and wind energy increases. In the generation of electricity, it must be taken into account that these renewable sources fluctuate over time. Indeed, with the ability to provide or draw large amounts of current in milliseconds, batteries are very well suited for ramp rate control or limiting as well as frequency regulation, load balancing, etc. However, since the energy capacity is still an important cost factor, it is critical to properly dimension the battery size for the application.Battery energy storage systems (BESS) on a grid scale generally consist of a plurality of battery modules operating in parallel and / or in series. During normal operation of the BESS, a possible difference in the charge and / or discharge of different BESS units may result in an imbalance between them; i.e., they would have different state-of-charges (SoCs). An asymmetry of the state of charge may also occur when a BESS or a series of BESSs are disconnected, for example due to a fault or normal maintenance, and then reconnected.The battery modules usually comprise lithium ion cells. Such lithium-ion cells, which are formed with liquid electrolyte or solid electrolytes, or also conventional lithium-ion batteries, which are formed as solid-state batteries, reach their end of life after a certain calendaric and cyclic load, which is frequently also referred to as the end of life (EoL). The lithium ion cells are assembled by serial as well as by parallel connection to the battery module. Such an interconnection is used, on the one hand, to increase the voltage and, on the other hand, to increase the maximum current. Such battery modules are used within a large stationary energy store. However, in this case, a serial connection usually takes place in order to increase the total voltage, but in some cases also a parallel connection in order to further increase the capacitance without exceeding the maximum voltage.The battery modules are arranged in a battery housing, wherein an air conditioning unit is also accommodated. In the event of a fault, electrolyte hydrogen gases can escape from a battery. These gases can form an explosive atmosphere and become very hazardous in combination with closed battery housings. It may lead to battery fires, which pose a risk to the environment.In order to avoid an explosive atmosphere in a battery compartment, an escape of combustible gases such as, for example, hydrogen gas H 2, methane CH 4 and long-chain hydrocarbons or electrolyte gas is detected by means of sensors or detectors and a device for extraction is activated. The suction device consists essentially of a fan and an interface to the outside air, which is protected by a weather protection grille.As a result of the extraction of the emerging gases and the inflow of fresh outside air, the concentration of the combustible gases in the interior of the battery housing remains so low that no explosive atmosphere can arise.In CN114512763A a lithium battery cabinet fire fighting and smoke extraction device is disclosed which is based on a universal energy storage system of the base station consisting of a battery box, a lithium battery, a battery system power supply, a heat dissipation unit and a fire extinguishing and smoke extraction installation. The heat dissipation unit includes a heat dissipation fan disposed on the battery box and a ventilation valve disposed on the battery box, and the fire extinguishing smoke extraction system includes a central processing unit disposed in the battery. The communication unit, the temperature detection unit, the smoke detection unit, the blower control unit, and the air valve controller are sequentially connected to the central processing unit. The fan control unit is connected to the heat dissipation fan, and the air valve control unit is connected to the ventilation air valve to control heat dissipation and ventilation in the battery box.In KR100810092B1, a temperature and humidity controller for a manifold is disclosed to reduce power consumption by efficiently controlling internal heat and humidity caused by driving heat of the manifold. The temperature and humidity control device for a manifold includes a temperature and humidity sensor, an automatic control unit, a vent, and a ventilation fan. The temperature and humidity sensor detects the abnormality of the preset temperature and humidity values inside the manifold. The automatic control unit controls the temperature and humidity information received from the temperature and humidity sensor. The vent and the vent fan are controlled by interlocking with the automatic control unit.JP2003338270A discloses a one-way valve that can function sufficiently as a pressure release valve in a battery compartment.It is desirable to have a simple device for preventing accumulation of noxious gases in the event of a fault.At this point, the invention starts, the object of which is to offer an apparatus and a method with which accumulation of disruptive gases in a battery housing can be at least reduced.This object is achieved by a device for a battery housing, comprising an air conditioning unit, wherein the air conditioning unit is arranged in a housing, wherein the air conditioning unit has a first fan which is designed to suck in ambient air via an inflow into the housing, wherein the device is designed such that the ambient air flows by means of the first fan through a first heat exchanger and then via an outflow from the housing, further comprising a second fan which is designed to flow a warmed-up internal air to a second heat exchanger of the air conditioning unit, wherein a switching device is provided which is designed such that the ambient air is separated from the internal air, wherein the switching device is furthermore designed such that, in the event of a fault, the internal air is connected to the outflow such that the internal air flows out of the battery housing.The object is also achieved by a method for operating a battery housing, wherein an air conditioning unit is arranged in the battery housing, wherein the air conditioning unit is arranged in a housing, wherein an internal air heated in the interior of the battery housing can be cooled by the air conditioning unit, wherein the air conditioning unit is formed with a first fan, with which the ambient air is supplied by a first heat exchanger and as a result the temperature of the ambient air rises and flows out of the battery housing via an outflow, wherein in the event of a fault a switching device connects the internal air to the outflow, such that the internal air flows out of the housing.The invention is based on the idea that an existing fan or a blower of the air conditioning unit can be used to convey the disruptive gases from the interior of the battery housing.The housing can also be referred to as an air conditioner housing and is arranged inside the battery housing.A condition is referred to as an accident in which gases are produced in the interior of the battery housing, which gases are to be referred to as disruptive and in any case accumulation of these gases within the battery housing is undesirable. Such interfering gases are, for example, hydrogen gas, methane or long-chain hydrocarbons.In an operating state starting from normal operation, the outside air is drawn by a first fan through a first heat exchanger. The cooling medium in the heat exchanger is thereby liquefied and reaches a throttle valve. By means of a switching device, spatially separated therefrom, an evaporator with a second fan is arranged, which is used for the internal cooling. As soon as an interfering gas is detected in the event of a fault, the changeover device is activated, so that the internal air with the interfering gas is sucked out of the battery housing with the aid of the first fan. With the aid of the second fan, fresh ambient air is supplied.An advantage of the invention is that the already present air conditioning device is used for the function of extracting the disruptive gases.A further advantage is that it is more space-saving and allows a more compact housing construction.Advantageous refinements are specified in the dependent claims.In a first advantageous development, in the event of a fault, the device is designed in such a way that the ambient air flows via the inflow into the battery housing interior.In a further advantageous development, the switchover device is designed as a pivotable flap.In a further advantageous development, a sensor is provided which detects the malfunction and transmits a malfunction signal, so that the changeover device connects the internal air to the outflow in the malfunction in such a way that the internal air flows out of the battery housing and fresh air flows into the battery housing.In a further advantageous development, the device is designed in such a way that the internal air is used to cool the interior of the battery housing.In a further advantageous refinement, the sensor is designed for detecting hydrogen.An exemplary embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the following figures.The above-described characteristics, features and advantages of this invention and the manner in which these are achieved become clearer and more clearly comprehensible in conjunction with the following description of the exemplary embodiments, which are explained in more detail in conjunction with the drawings.Identical components or components with the same function are identified with the same reference numerals.Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the drawings. These are not intended to represent the exemplary embodiments to scale; rather, the drawing is, where appropriate for explanation, embodied in schematic and / or slightly distorted form. With regard to additions to the teachings that can be directly recognized in the drawing, reference is made to the relevant prior art.The following are shown: FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of the apparatus FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of the device in the event of a fault.FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of the device according to the invention.The device comprises a battery housing 1, in which an air conditioning unit is arranged. The mode of operation of the air conditioning unit is outlined briefly below. As is known, a refrigerant is used in an air conditioner, which is pumped through a closed circuit of tubes (not shown) and is in the liquid or gaseous state alternately. In the region to be cooled, liquid refrigerant flows through a heat exchanger or evaporator. In the way to this, the pressure is reduced by means of a throttle valve (not shown) or the like. The evaporating process of the refrigerant lowers the temperature of the heat exchanger. With the aid of a second fan 7 or blower 7, heat exchange with the internal air 8 from the battery housing 1 takes place in the second heat exchanger 9 or evaporator 9, and in this way the internal air 8 cools down in the interior of the battery housing 1. The now gaseous refrigerant then flows to a compressor (not shown) where it is highly compressed and thereby heated. The temperature of the gaseous refrigerant rises significantly above the temperature of the ambient air 3. Via a first heat exchanger 5 or condenser 5, the refrigerant then releases the absorbed heat to the ambient air 3. As a result, the refrigerant cools down and liquifies again.Inside the battery housing 1 is arranged a housing 13 in which the air conditioning device is arranged. Ambient air 3 flows into the interior of the housing 13 via an inflow 2, and a first fan 4 is arranged inside the housing 13, which fan is designed to suck in the ambient air 3 via the inflow 2 into the housing 13. The ambient air 3 flows by means of the first fan 4 through a first heat exchanger 5.The second fan 7 is configured to flow a warmed-up internal air 8 to the second heat exchanger 9 or evaporator 9, where the refrigerant evaporates and cools the internal air 8. The cooled internal air 10 is then used to cool the power losses occurring in the interior of the battery housing 1.The flowing ambient air 3 and the flowing internal air 8 are separated from one another by channels 11 and a changeover device 12.In the event of a malfunction, disruptive gases develop in the battery housing 1. these can be caused by defective battery modules and are detected by sensors (not shown). In order to prevent these disruptive or combustible gases from accumulating in the inner air 8, the changeover device 12 is designed in such a way that the inner air 8 is connected to the outflow 6 in such a way that the inner air 8 flows out of the battery housing 1. This fault case is illustrated in FIG. 2.The housing 13 can also be referred to as an air conditioning unit housing and is arranged inside the battery housing 1.A condition is referred to as an accident in which gases are produced in the interior of the battery housing 1, which gases are to be referred to as disruptive and in any case accumulation of these gases within the battery housing 1 is undesirable. Such interfering gases are, for example, hydrogen gas, methane or long-chain hydrocarbons.The changeover device 12 has the result that the warmed-up internal air 8 is connected to the outflow 6 by flow technology via the second fan 4 and flows out of the battery housing 1. This effectively prevents accumulation of noxious or combustible gases in the battery case 1.The inflow 2 should be such that the disruptive gases are not drawn in again. The second fan 4 must be designed for the disruptive or combustible gases.As can be seen in FIG. 2, the ambient air 3 is flown through the first fan 7 via the inflow 2. The changeover device 12 is designed as a pivotable flap. The rotating mechanism is not shown in detail here.Although the invention has been illustrated and described in more detail by the preferred exemplary embodiment, the invention is not restricted by the disclosed examples and other variants can be derived from the person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.References included in the specificationThis list of documents cited by the applicant has been produced in an automated manner and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent application or utility model application. The DPMA does not take any adhesion for any faults or omissions.Patent Literature citedCN 114512763A

[0009] KR 100810092B1

[0010] JP 2003338270A

[0011]

Claims

Device for a battery housing (1), comprising an air conditioning unit, wherein the air conditioning unit is arranged in a housing (13), wherein the air conditioning unit has a first fan (4) which is designed to suck in ambient air (3) via an inflow (2) into the housing (13), wherein the device is designed such that the ambient air (3) flows by means of the first fan (4) through a first heat exchanger (5) and then via an outflow (6) out of the housing (13), further comprising a second fan (7) which is designed to flow a warmed internal air (8) to a second heat exchanger (9) of the air conditioning unit, wherein a switching device (12) is provided which is designed such that the ambient air (3) is separated from the internal air (8), characterized in that the switching device (12) is furthermore designed such that, In the event of a fault, the internal air (8) is connected to the outflow (6) in such a way that the internal air (8) flows out of the battery housing (1).Device according to claim 1, wherein in the event of a fault the device is designed such that the ambient air (3) flows via the inflow (2) into the battery housing interior.Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the switching device (12) is designed as a pivotable flap.Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a sensor is provided which detects the fault and transmits a fault signal, so that the switchover device (12) connects the inflow (2) to the internal air in the fault such that the ambient air (3) flows into the battery housing (1) via the inflow (2).Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device is designed such that the internal air (8) is designed to cool the battery housing interior.The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the sensor is configured to detect hydrogen.Method for operating a battery housing (1), wherein an air conditioning device is arranged in the battery housing (1), wherein the air conditioning device is arranged in a housing (13), wherein an inner air (8) heated in the interior of the battery housing (1) can be cooled by means of the air conditioning device, wherein the air conditioning device is formed with a first fan (4) with which the ambient air (3) is supplied by a first heat exchanger (5) and as a result the temperature of the ambient air (3) rises and flows out of the battery housing (1) via an outflow (6), wherein in the event of a fault a switching device (12) connects the inner air (8) to the outflow (6), such that the inner air (8) flows out of the housing (13).Method according to claim 7, wherein the switching device (12) is formed with a pivotable flap.Method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the internal air (8) flows for cooling the battery housing interior.Method according to one of Claims 7 to 9, wherein a sensor is installed which detects the fault event, in particular is designed such that the sensor can detect hydrogen.

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