Fire monitoring device and method

Abstract

To provide a fire monitoring device and method for monitoring a fire inside an energy storage device and enabling the fire to be extinguished early.SOLUTION: A fire monitoring device according to an embodiment of the present invention is a device for monitoring a fire in an energy storage device provided with a plurality of battery modules and includes: a fire level determination unit configured to receive smoke detection signals from smoke sensors provided inside the energy storage device and determine a level of the fire in accordance with the number of the smoke sensors having detected the smoke; and a control unit configured to control, as a fire extinguishing action corresponding to the determined level of the fire, an operation of at least one of an air conditioning unit, a hydrant unit, a water injection unit, and a ventilation unit for the energy storage device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application claims priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0008139, filed on January 19, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety in the specification and drawings thereof.

[0002] The present invention relates to a fire monitoring device and method, and more particularly to a fire monitoring device and method that can monitor whether a battery has a fire and take relevant measures when a fire occurs. [Background technology]

[0003] In recent years, as the demand for portable electronic products such as laptops, video cameras, and mobile phones has grown rapidly and the commercialization of robots, electric vehicles, and the like has progressed in earnest, active research has been conducted into high-performance secondary batteries that can be repeatedly charged and discharged.

[0004] Currently, commercially available batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, and lithium secondary batteries. Of these, lithium secondary batteries are attracting attention due to their advantages of being able to be freely charged and discharged since they have almost no memory effect compared to nickel-based secondary batteries, as well as their extremely low self-discharge rate and high energy density.

[0005] However, these batteries have the disadvantage of being vulnerable to external surges and high temperatures, so energy storage systems (ESS) that store batteries in a concentrated manner are at constant risk of fire.

[0006] Generally, fires in energy storage devices start in individual battery cells and then spread to battery racks. In this case, there is a risk that a fire that starts in a battery cell may spread to the entire energy storage device, so it is necessary to monitor for fires and take prompt action to deal with them in the early stages of a fire. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The present invention has been devised to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a fire monitoring device and method that can monitor fires inside energy storage devices and extinguish fires early.

[0008] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a semiconductor device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A fire monitoring device according to one aspect of the present invention may be a device for monitoring a fire in an energy storage device provided with a plurality of battery modules.

[0010] The fire monitoring device may include a fire level determination unit configured to receive at least one smoke detection signal from a plurality of smoke sensors provided inside the energy storage device and determine the level of the fire according to the number of the smoke sensors that detect smoke, and a control unit configured to control the operation of at least one of an air conditioning unit, a fire extinguishing unit, a water injection unit, and a ventilation unit for the energy storage device as a fire suppression measure corresponding to the determined level of the fire.

[0011] The fire level determination unit may be configured to determine the level of the fire as a first level when the smoke is detected by only one of the plurality of smoke sensors.

[0012] The fire level determiner may be configured to determine the level of the fire as a second level if the smoke is detected by more than one of the plurality of smoke sensors.

[0013] The control unit may be configured to interrupt operation of the air conditioning unit provided inside the energy storage device when the level of the fire is determined to be the first level or the second level.

[0014] The control unit may be configured to drive the fire extinguishing unit provided inside the energy storage device to inject the fire extinguishing agent contained inside the fire extinguishing unit into the interior of the energy storage device when the level of the fire is determined to be the second level.

[0015] The water injection units may be configured to be connected to each battery module provided in the energy storage device via a pipeline provided with a valve that can be broken depending on the temperature of the corresponding battery module, and the control unit may be configured to drive the water injection units to cause the fire extinguishing liquid provided in the water injection units to flow into the pipeline when the level of the fire is determined to be the second level.

[0016] The fire-extinguishing liquid may be configured to flow into the pipeline by the water injection unit and into a battery module of the plurality of battery modules whose corresponding pipeline valve is damaged.

[0017] The control unit may be configured to determine a water level of the fire-extinguishing liquid provided in the water injection unit, and if the determined water level is equal to or lower than a preset threshold water level, to drive the ventilation unit to ventilate the energy storage device using outside air.

[0018] The control unit may be configured to determine the water level of the fire-extinguishing liquid provided in the water injection unit, and if the determined water level is equal to or lower than a preset threshold water level, determine that a battery fire has occurred in the energy storage device, and if the determined water level exceeds the threshold water level, determine that an electrical fire has occurred in the energy storage device.

[0019] The control unit may be configured to receive a gas concentration measured from a gas sensor provided in the energy storage device, and if the measured gas concentration is equal to or greater than a preset threshold concentration, to interrupt operation of the air conditioning unit provided inside the energy storage device and drive the ventilation unit to ventilate the energy storage device with outside air.

[0020] A fire detection system according to another aspect of the present invention may include a fire monitoring device according to an aspect of the present invention and an energy storage device.

[0021] A fire monitoring method according to yet another aspect of the present invention may be a method for monitoring a fire in an energy storage device provided with a plurality of battery modules.

[0022] The fire monitoring method may include a smoke detection signal receiving step of receiving smoke detection signals from a plurality of smoke sensors provided inside the energy storage device; a fire level determination step of determining the level of the fire depending on the number of the smoke sensors that detected the smoke when smoke is detected; and a fire control step of controlling the operation of at least one of an air conditioning unit, a fire extinguishing unit, a water injection unit, and a ventilation unit for the energy storage device as a fire suppression measure corresponding to the determined fire level.

[0023] The fire monitoring method may further include a ventilation control step of receiving a measured gas concentration from a gas sensor provided in the energy storage device in parallel with the smoke detection signal receiving step, and controlling the operation of the air conditioning unit and the ventilation unit based on the result of comparing the measured gas concentration with a preset threshold concentration. [Effects of the Invention]

[0024] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to determine the level of a fire based on smoke generated inside an energy storage device, and to take appropriate fire suppression measures according to the determined level of the fire, thereby enabling the fire to be suppressed quickly even if a fire breaks out inside the energy storage device.

[0025] Furthermore, according to one aspect of the present invention, fire suppression measures can be taken based on the concentration of gas contained inside the energy storage device, thereby preventing accidents such as explosions of the energy storage device.

[0026] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects described above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

[0027] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and serve to further understand the technical concepts of the present invention as well as the content of the invention, and therefore the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to only the matters depicted in the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a fire monitoring device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a fire monitoring system according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3]FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a fire monitoring method according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the fire monitoring method of FIG. 3 in more detail. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a fire monitoring method according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] The terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted in a limited way to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted in a way that corresponds to the technical idea of ​​the present invention, in accordance with the principle that the inventor himself can appropriately define the concept of the terms in order to best explain the invention.

[0030] Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical idea of ​​the present invention, and that there may be various equivalents and modifications that can be substituted therefor at the time of this application.

[0031] Furthermore, in describing the present invention, if it is recognized that a specific description of known techniques related to the present invention may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted.

[0032] Phrases including ordinal numbers such as first and second are used to distinguish one of various components from the other components, and do not limit the components.

[0033] Throughout this specification, when a part is said to "comprise" a certain element, this does not mean that it may further include other elements, unless otherwise specified.

[0034] Incidentally, throughout the specification, when a part is said to be "connected (coupled)" to another part, this includes not only the case where it is "directly connected (coupled)" but also the case where it is "indirectly connected (coupled)" with another element in between.

[0035] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0036] Fig. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a fire monitoring device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a fire monitoring system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] The fire monitoring device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention may be a device for monitoring a fire in an energy storage device 200 provided with a plurality of battery modules.

[0038] 2, a fire monitoring system may include a fire monitoring device 100, an energy storage device 200, and a water injection unit 300. In the non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 2, the water injection unit 300 is shown external to the fire monitoring device 100 and the energy storage device 200, but it should be noted that the water injection unit 300 may also be provided inside the energy storage device 200.

[0039] The energy storage device 200 may include a plurality of battery racks R1 to R5, a smoke sensor 210, a gas sensor 220, an air conditioning unit 230, a fire extinguishing unit 240, and a ventilation unit 250.

[0040] The plurality of battery racks R1 to R5 may be cell assemblies provided in the energy storage device 200.

[0041] For example, the battery rack may be formed as a frame structure on which the battery modules can be mounted, and each battery rack may include a plurality of battery modules, and each battery module may include a plurality of battery cells.

[0042] Here, a battery cell refers to a single, independent cell that has a negative terminal and a positive terminal and can be physically separated. For example, a lithium-ion battery or a lithium polymer battery may be considered a battery cell. While the non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment in which the energy storage device 200 is provided with five battery racks R1-R5, it should be noted that the number of battery racks that can be included in the energy storage device 200 is not limited.

[0043] The smoke sensor 210 is a sensor that can detect smoke generated inside the energy storage device 200. Preferably, a plurality of smoke sensors 210 can be provided inside the energy storage device 200.

[0044] Gas sensor 220 is a sensor capable of sensing gases generated inside energy storage device 200. For example, gas sensor 220 may sense H2.

[0045] The air conditioning unit 230 may be provided inside the energy storage device 200. The air conditioning unit 230 may be configured to circulate the air inside the energy storage device 200. That is, the air conditioning unit 230 performs heat exchange between the air inside the energy storage device 200 and the air outside, thereby lowering the temperature of the air inside the energy storage device 200 and circulating the lowered temperature air inside the energy storage device 200. For example, HVAC (Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) may be applied to the air conditioning unit 230.

[0046] The fire extinguishing unit 240 may be provided inside the energy storage device 200. When the fire extinguishing unit 240 is driven, the fire extinguishing agent stored in the fire extinguishing unit 240 may be sprayed into the energy storage device 200. For example, NOVEC (trade name) 1230 may be applied to the fire extinguishing unit 240.

[0047] The ventilation unit 250 may be provided in the energy storage device 200. When the ventilation unit 250 is driven, outside air may flow into the inside of the energy storage device 200. That is, the ventilation unit 250 may be configured to ventilate the energy storage device 200. For example, an active ventilation system (AVS) may be applied to the ventilation unit 250.

[0048] The water injection unit 300 may be configured to store a fire-extinguishing liquid. The water injection unit 300 may be configured to be connected to each battery module provided in the energy storage device 200 via a pipeline PL provided with a valve that can be broken depending on the temperature of the corresponding battery module. For example, the pipeline PL may be connected to each of the battery modules included in each battery rack.

[0049] A valve may be provided at the end of the pipeline PL connected to the battery module. The valve may be damaged if the temperature of the corresponding battery module rises above a certain temperature. That is, when the water injection unit 300 is activated and fire extinguishing liquid flows into the pipeline PL, the fire extinguishing liquid may be sprayed into the corresponding battery module through the pipeline PL with the damaged valve. In other words, the fire extinguishing liquid may flow into the pipeline PL by the water injection unit 300 and then into the battery module with the damaged valve among the multiple battery modules. For example, the fire extinguishing liquid may be applied without restriction as long as it is used to extinguish a fire that has broken out in a battery module. In one embodiment, the fire extinguishing liquid may be water.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 1, a fire monitoring device 100 may include a fire level determination unit 110 and a control unit 120.

[0051] The fire level determiner 110 may be configured to receive a smoke detection signal from a smoke sensor 210 disposed within the energy storage device 200 .

[0052] Specifically, the fire level determination unit 110 may be connected to a smoke sensor 210 provided inside the energy storage device 200 via wired and / or wireless communication.

[0053] The following description will be given assuming that a plurality of smoke sensors 210 are provided inside the energy storage device 200. The fire level determination unit 110 may be connected to each of the plurality of smoke sensors 210 and may receive a smoke detection signal from each of the smoke sensors 210.

[0054] The fire level determination unit 110 may be configured to determine the level of the fire depending on the number of smoke sensors 210 that detect smoke.

[0055] Specifically, the fire level determination unit 110 may be configured to determine the level of the fire as a first level when smoke is detected by only one of the plurality of smoke sensors 210. Conversely, the fire level determination unit 110 may be configured to determine the level of the fire as a second level when smoke is detected by more than one of the plurality of smoke sensors 210.

[0056] For example, the fire level determination unit 110 may receive a smoke detection signal from a smoke sensor 210 that detects smoke generated inside the energy storage device 200. The fire level determination unit 110 is connected to each of the plurality of smoke sensors 210, and therefore may determine the number of smoke detection signals received from each smoke sensor 210. Therefore, the fire level determination unit 110 may determine the level of the fire as a first level or a second level depending on the number of received smoke detection signals.

[0057] The control unit 120 may be configured to control the operation of at least one of the air conditioning unit 230, the fire extinguishing unit 240, the water injection unit 300, and the ventilation unit 250 for the energy storage device 200 as a fire suppression measure corresponding to the determined fire level.

[0058] Specifically, the control unit 120 may take fire suppression measures corresponding to the determined fire level. That is, the fire suppression measures taken when the fire level is the first level may be partially different from the fire suppression measures taken when the fire level is the second level.

[0059] Such fire suppression measures, which vary depending on the level of the fire, may depend on the number of smoke sensors 210 that detect smoke. If a fire extinguishing agent is sprayed or a fire extinguishing liquid flows into a battery module, the battery module and / or the battery modules provided in the energy storage device 200 may become unusable. Therefore, it is preferable to perform fire suppression measures after accurately determining whether or not a fire has actually occurred in the energy storage device 200.

[0060] For example, in general, the energy storage device 200 is sealed from the outside, and internal air is circulated by the air conditioning unit 230. In this case, if smoke is detected by only one smoke sensor 210, there is a greater possibility that the smoke is caused by a sensing error of the smoke sensor 210 that detected the smoke than that the smoke is caused by a fire. Conversely, if smoke is detected by multiple smoke sensors 210, there is a greater possibility that the smoke is caused by a fire than that the multiple smoke sensors 210 are causing a sensing error. Therefore, the control unit 120 may be configured to perform fire suppression measures according to the fire level determined based on the number of smoke sensors 210 that detected smoke.

[0061] Therefore, the fire monitoring device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention can monitor whether a fire has occurred in the energy storage device 200, taking into account the possibility of a sensing error by the smoke sensor 210, and can take appropriate fire suppression measures in response to the monitoring results. For example, in the case of a sensing error by the smoke sensor 210, only minimal measures can be taken, which is an advantage, allowing the energy storage device 200 to be protected. Conversely, in the case of a fire, fire suppression measures can be taken early, allowing the fire to be quickly suppressed.

[0062] Meanwhile, the control unit 120 provided in the fire monitoring device 100 may optionally include a processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), other chipsets, logic circuits, registers, a communication modem, a data processing device, etc., known in the art, to execute various control logics implemented in the present invention. Furthermore, when the control logic is implemented by software, the control unit 120 may be implemented by a collection of program modules. In this case, the program modules are stored in memory and can be executed by the control unit 120. The memory may be internal or external to the control unit 120 and may be connected to the control unit 120 by various well-known means.

[0063] The fire monitoring device 100 may further include a memory unit 130. The memory unit 130 may store data and programs required for each component of the fire monitoring device 100 to operate and function, or data generated during the operation and function. The memory unit 130 may be any known information storage means capable of recording, erasing, updating, and reading data. For example, the information storage means may include random access memory (RAM), flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), registers, etc. The memory unit 130 may also store program code defining processes that can be activated by the control unit 120.

[0064] The following describes in detail the fire suppression measures according to the determined fire level.

[0065] If the fire level is determined to be the first level or the second level, the control unit 120 may be configured to interrupt the operation of the air conditioning unit 230 provided inside the energy storage device 200.

[0066] Specifically, the control unit 120 may be connected to an air conditioning unit 230 provided in the energy storage device 200. The control unit 120 may then control the operation of the air conditioning unit 230.

[0067] Generally, under normal circumstances when there is no fire in energy storage device 200, air conditioning unit 230 may be constantly operated to circulate air inside energy storage device 200.

[0068] However, if the fire level is determined to be the first level or the second level, i.e., if smoke is detected by one or more smoke sensors 210, the smoke or fire is likely to spread or ignite inside the energy storage device 200 if the air conditioning unit 230 continues to be activated.

[0069] When the fire level is at the first level, although there is a possibility of a sensing error by the smoke sensor 210, it cannot be ruled out that smoke is actually detected by only one smoke sensor 210. If smoke is actually detected by one smoke sensor 210, continuing to operate the air conditioning unit 230 poses a risk of smoke and / or fire spreading or catching fire in the energy storage device 200. Therefore, the control unit 120 may be configured to suspend operation of the air conditioning unit 230 even when the fire level is at the first level.

[0070] Furthermore, if the fire level is at the second level, there is a very high possibility that smoke has been generated inside the energy storage device 200, and therefore the control unit 120 may be configured to interrupt operation of the air conditioning unit 230.

[0071] Therefore, if the fire level is determined to be the first level or the second level, the control unit 120 can interrupt the operation of the air conditioning unit 230, thereby interrupting the circulation of air inside the energy storage device 200.

[0072] Furthermore, when the fire level is determined to be the second level, the control unit 120 may be configured to drive the fire extinguishing unit 240 provided inside the energy storage device 200. Here, when the fire extinguishing unit 240 is driven by the control unit 120, the fire extinguishing agent contained inside the fire extinguishing unit 240 may be sprayed into the energy storage device 200.

[0073] Specifically, the control unit 120 may be connected to a fire extinguishing unit 240 provided inside the energy storage device 200. The operation of the fire extinguishing unit 240 may be controlled by the control unit 120.

[0074] For example, if the fire level is determined to be the second level, control unit 120 may first suspend operation of air conditioning unit 230 to prevent smoke and / or fire from circulating inside energy storage device 200. Then, control unit 120 may activate fire extinguishing unit 240 to inject a fire extinguishing agent into the inside of energy storage device 200.

[0075] Fires that can occur in the energy storage device 200 can be broadly divided into electrical fires and battery fires.

[0076] An electrical fire refers to a fire that may occur due to electrical causes such as an overcurrent flowing through the energy storage device 200.

[0077] A battery fire refers to a fire that can occur due to problems inside the battery cell, such as contact between the positive and negative electrode active materials due to lithium plating (internal short circuit) and venting of the battery cell due to swelling.

[0078] To extinguish an electrical fire, the injection of fire extinguishing agents is required, and to extinguish a battery fire, the injection of water into the battery module is required. However, the smoke detected alone cannot accurately distinguish between an electrical fire and a battery fire.

[0079] Therefore, when the fire level is determined to be the second level, the control unit 120 may first drive the fire extinguishing unit 240 to inject a fire extinguishing agent into the energy storage device 200 to extinguish the electrical fire.

[0080] Then, when the level of the fire is determined to be the second level, the control unit 120 can be configured to drive the water injection unit 300 to cause the fire extinguishing liquid provided in the water injection unit 300 to flow into the pipeline PL.

[0081] Specifically, the control unit 120 is connected to the water injection unit 300 and can control the operation of the water injection unit 300 .

[0082] If the fire level is determined to be the second level, the control unit 120 may drive the fire extinguishing unit 240 to inject fire extinguishing agent into the inside of the energy storage device 200 and drive the water injection unit 300 to flow fire extinguishing liquid into the pipeline PL.

[0083] For example, if a fire in the energy storage device 200 is an electrical fire, the temperature of the battery modules included in the battery rack may not rise. Therefore, even if fire extinguishing fluid flows into the pipeline PL, the valves installed in the pipeline PL may not be damaged, and the fire extinguishing fluid may not flow into the battery modules. In contrast, an electrical fire can be extinguished by spraying the extinguishing agent.

[0084] For another example, if a fire occurs in the energy storage device 200 due to a battery fire, the temperature of the battery module where the fire occurred may rise rapidly. In this case, the valve corresponding to the battery module may be damaged, causing the fire-extinguishing liquid to flow into the battery module through the pipeline PL. Therefore, the battery fire can be extinguished by the fire-extinguishing liquid.

[0085] In this way, when the determined fire level is the second level, the control unit 120 can control the operation of the fire extinguishing unit 240 and the water injection unit 300 to extinguish both the electrical fire and the battery fire. Therefore, fires that may be caused by different causes can be effectively extinguished.

[0086] The control unit 120 may be configured to determine the level of the fire-extinguishing liquid provided in the water injection unit 300 .

[0087] Specifically, the control unit 120 can determine the water level of the fire-extinguishing liquid stored in the water injection unit 300 after driving the water injection unit 300 to cause the fire-extinguishing liquid to flow into the pipeline PL.

[0088] For example, the water injection unit 300 may include a water level sensor that measures the water level of the extinguishing liquid. The water level sensor is communicatively connected to the control unit 120 and may transmit information about the measured water level at preset intervals to the control unit 120. The control unit 120 may then determine the water level of the extinguishing liquid based on the information about the water level received from the water level sensor.

[0089] The control unit 120 may be configured to drive the ventilation unit 250 to ventilate the energy storage device 200 with outside air if the determined water level is equal to or lower than a preset threshold water level.

[0090] Specifically, when the water level of the extinguishing liquid is below the threshold level, it may be that the extinguishing liquid contained in the water injection unit 300 has flowed into at least one battery module. As described above, even if the extinguishing liquid has flowed into the pipeline PL, the extinguishing liquid cannot flow into the battery module unless the valve is damaged. Therefore, when the water level of the extinguishing liquid drops below the threshold level, it means that at least one of the valves installed in the pipeline PL has been damaged, and may indicate that the extinguishing liquid has flowed into one or more battery modules.

[0091] If the fire extinguishing liquid flows directly into the battery module to extinguish the battery fire, a large amount of fire extinguishing agent (sprayed by driving the fire extinguishing unit 240), water vapor, H2, etc. may be contained inside the energy storage device 200. Therefore, the control unit 120 can prevent the energy storage device 200 from exploding by driving the ventilation unit 250 to ventilate the energy storage device 200.

[0092] The fire monitoring device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention has an advantage in that it can take appropriate fire suppression measures for each case by considering various conditions under which an electrical fire, a battery fire, and an explosion may occur. Therefore, even if a fire occurs in the energy storage device 200, not only can it be suppressed early, but it can also prevent a more serious accident from occurring.

[0093] Meanwhile, the control unit 120 may be configured to determine that a battery fire has occurred in the energy storage device 200 if the determined water level is equal to or less than a preset threshold water level. Conversely, the control unit 120 may be configured to determine that an electrical fire has occurred in the energy storage device 200 if the determined water level exceeds the threshold water level.

[0094] Specifically, if the determined fire level is the second level, it may be that a fire has occurred inside the energy storage device 200. However, it is not easy to determine whether the cause of the fire is an electrical fire or a battery fire based only on the smoke detection signal from the smoke sensor 210.

[0095] As described above, in the event of a battery fire, the temperature of the battery module rises rapidly, which may cause the corresponding valve to break and the extinguishing liquid to flow into the pipeline and into the battery module, causing the water level of the extinguishing liquid contained in the water injection unit 300 to fall below the threshold level.

[0096] In contrast, in the case of an electrical fire, the valve is not damaged, so although smoke is detected, the extinguishing fluid level does not fall below the threshold level.

[0097] That is, after driving the fire extinguishing unit 240 and the water injection unit 300, the control unit 120 can specifically distinguish and diagnose the cause of the fire as either an electrical fire or a battery fire based on the results of comparing the water level of the fire extinguishing liquid with a preset threshold water level.

[0098] Therefore, the fire monitoring device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention can not only quickly extinguish a fire occurring in the energy storage device 200 but also specifically analyze the cause of the fire. In addition, the fire monitoring device 100 has an advantage of being able to provide information required for analyzing the cause of the fire by notifying the user or the outside of the specific cause of the fire.

[0099] The control unit 120 may be configured to receive the measured gas concentration from a gas sensor 220 provided in the energy storage device 200.

[0100] Specifically, the control unit 120 may be communicatively connected to a gas sensor 220 provided in the energy storage device 200. The control unit 120 may then receive information regarding the concentration of the gas measured by the gas sensor 220.

[0101] For example, the gas measured by the gas sensor 220 may be a flammable gas or an explosive gas. More specifically, the gas measured by the gas sensor 220 may be H. That is, the gas sensor 220 may be configured to measure the concentration of H.

[0102] The control unit 120 may be configured to interrupt the operation of the air conditioning unit 230 provided inside the energy storage device 200 if the measured gas concentration is equal to or greater than a preset threshold concentration.

[0103] For example, if the concentration of the gas is equal to or greater than the threshold concentration, there is a risk of the energy storage device 200 exploding, so the control unit 120 may interrupt the operation of the air conditioning unit 230 for circulating air inside the energy storage device 200.

[0104] The control unit 120 may be configured to drive the ventilation unit 250 to ventilate the energy storage device 200 with outside air. That is, the control unit 120 may drive the ventilation unit 250 to exhaust gas contained in the sealed interior of the energy storage device 200 to the outside. Therefore, the concentration of gas contained in the energy storage device 200 gradually decreases, thereby reducing the risk of explosion of the energy storage device 200.

[0105] The fire monitoring device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention can take fire suppression measures by taking into consideration not only the smoke generated inside the energy storage device 200 but also the concentration of gas contained inside the energy storage device 200.

[0106] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a fire monitoring method according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

[0107] Preferably, each step of the fire monitoring method can be performed by the fire monitoring device 100. In the following, for ease of explanation, the contents that overlap with the contents described above will be omitted or explained briefly.

[0108] The fire monitoring method may be a method for monitoring a fire in an energy storage device 200 provided with a plurality of battery modules.

[0109] Referring to FIG. 3, the fire monitoring method may include a smoke detection signal receiving step (S100), a fire level determining step (S200), and a fire control step (S300).

[0110] The smoke detection signal receiving step (S100) is a step of receiving a smoke detection signal from the smoke sensor 210 installed inside the energy storage device 200, and may be performed by the fire level determining unit 110.

[0111] For example, the fire level determining unit 110 may be connected to a plurality of smoke sensors 210 and receive smoke detection signals from each of the smoke sensors 210 .

[0112] The fire level determination step (S200) is a step of determining the fire level according to the number of smoke sensors 210 that detect smoke when smoke is detected, and can be performed by the fire level determination unit 110.

[0113] For example, the fire level determination unit 110 may determine the fire level as a first level if it receives a smoke detection signal from one smoke sensor 210. As another example, the fire level determination unit 110 may determine the fire level as a second level if it receives smoke detection signals from multiple smoke sensors 210. If the fire level determination unit 110 does not receive a smoke detection signal, the fire level may be determined as level 0 or NULL.

[0114] The fire control step (S300) is a step of controlling the operation of at least one of the air conditioning unit 230, the fire extinguishing unit 240, the water injection unit 300, and the ventilation unit 250 for the energy storage device 200 as a fire suppression measure corresponding to the determined fire level, and can be performed by the control unit 120.

[0115] The fire control step (S300) will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0116] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the fire monitoring method of FIG. 3 in more detail.

[0117] Referring to FIG. 4, the fire control step (S300) may include steps (S310) to (S370).

[0118] In step (S310), it may be determined whether the fire level determined in the fire level determination step (S200) is the first level or the second level. If the determined fire level is the first level or the second level, step (S320) may be performed, and if not, the smoke detection signal receiving step (S100) may be performed.

[0119] In step S320, the control unit 120 may suspend the operation of the air conditioning unit 230 provided in the energy storage device 200. Therefore, the circulation of the inside air of the energy storage device 200 may be suspended.

[0120] In step (S330), it may be determined whether the fire level determined in the fire level determination step (S200) is the second level. If the determined fire level is the second level, step (S330) may be performed, and if not, the smoke detection signal receiving step (S100) may be performed.

[0121] In step (S340), control unit 120 may drive fire extinguishing unit 240. Specifically, control unit 120 may drive fire extinguishing unit 240 to extinguish an electrical fire that may occur at the second fire level. In this case, the fire extinguishing agent stored in fire extinguishing unit 240 may be sprayed into the inside of energy storage device 200.

[0122] In step (S350), the control unit 120 may drive the water injection unit 300. Specifically, the control unit 120 may drive the water injection unit 300 to extinguish a battery fire that may occur at the second fire level. In this case, the fire extinguishing liquid stored in the water injection unit 300 may flow into the pipeline PL.

[0123] In step (S360), it may be determined whether the water level of the water injection unit 300 (the water level of the fire-extinguishing liquid contained in the water injection unit 300) is equal to or lower than a threshold water level. If the water level of the water injection unit 300 is equal to or lower than the threshold water level, step (S370) may be performed; if not, step (S350) may be performed.

[0124] Here, the fact that the water level in the water injection unit 300 is below the threshold level means that at least one of the valves installed in the pipeline PL is damaged, and the fire extinguishing liquid has flowed into the battery module through the damaged valve, causing the water level in the water injection unit 300 to drop below the threshold level.

[0125] On the other hand, if a predetermined time has passed since step S350 was performed but the water level in water injection unit 300 has not fallen below the threshold level, this means that none of the valves installed in pipeline PL have been damaged. In this case, the smoke detected by the smoke sensors 210 may be smoke caused by an electrical fire, which may have been extinguished by operating fire extinguishing unit 240 in step S340. Therefore, since the valves were not damaged, the water level in water injection unit 300 may not fall below the threshold level. Although not shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, control unit 120 may perform the start step again if the water level in water injection unit 300 has not fallen below the threshold level until a predetermined time has passed since step S350 was first performed.

[0126] In step S370, the control unit 120 may drive the ventilation unit 250. Specifically, when the fire in the battery is extinguished by the inflow of fire-extinguishing liquid into the battery module, the control unit 120 may drive the ventilation unit 250 to treat the fire-extinguishing agent, water vapor, H2, and the like contained in the energy storage device 200. In this case, outside air flows into the energy storage device 200, and the energy storage device 200 may be ventilated. Therefore, gas contained inside the energy storage device 200 can escape, thereby reducing the possibility of the energy storage device 200 exploding.

[0127] The fire monitoring method according to an embodiment of the present invention can take fire suppression measures by appropriately controlling the air conditioning unit 230, the fire extinguishing unit 240, the water injection unit 300, and the ventilation unit 250 based on the number of sensors that detect smoke. Therefore, the fire monitoring method has the advantage of being able to identify when the smoke sensor 210 malfunctions, and even if a fire does break out, being able to take appropriate fire suppression measures depending on the type of fire (electrical fire or battery fire).

[0128] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a fire monitoring method according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

[0129] Referring to FIG. 5, the fire monitoring method may further include a ventilation control step (S400).

[0130] The ventilation control step (S400) is a step that can be performed in parallel with the smoke detection signal receiving step (S100).

[0131] The ventilation control step (S400) is a step of receiving the measured gas concentration from the gas sensor 220 provided in the energy storage device 200 and controlling the operation of the air conditioning unit 230 and the ventilation unit 250 based on the result of comparing the measured gas concentration with a preset threshold concentration, and can be performed by the control unit 120.

[0132] Specifically, in step (S410), the control unit 120 may receive information about the concentration of gas from the gas sensor 220 provided in the energy storage device 200.

[0133] In step S420, it may be determined whether the concentration of the gas is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold concentration. If the concentration of the gas is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold concentration, step S430 may be performed; if not, step S410 may be performed.

[0134] In step S430, the control unit 120 may suspend the operation of the air conditioning unit 230 provided in the energy storage device 200. Therefore, the circulation of the inside air of the energy storage device 200 may be suspended.

[0135] In step (S440), the control unit 120 may drive the ventilation unit 250. Specifically, when gas having a concentration equal to or greater than a threshold is contained inside the energy storage device 200, the control unit 120 may drive the ventilation unit 250 to prevent the energy storage device 200 from exploding.

[0136] For example, the gas whose concentration is measured by the gas sensor 220 may be a flammable or explosive gas. More specifically, the gas may be H2.

[0137] If H2 is distributed in the sealed energy storage device 200 at a concentration equal to or greater than the threshold concentration, an explosion may occur if H2 comes into contact with a spark, etc. Therefore, if the gas concentration is equal to or greater than the threshold concentration, the control unit 120 drives the ventilation unit 250 to exhaust the gas to the outside of the energy storage device 200, thereby significantly reducing the possibility of the energy storage device 200 exploding.

[0138] The above-described embodiments of the present invention may be realized not only by the apparatus and method but also by a program that realizes the functions corresponding to the configurations of the embodiments of the present invention or a recording medium on which the program is recorded. Such realization can be easily achieved by a person skilled in the technical field to which the present invention pertains, based on the description of the above-described embodiments.

[0139] Although the present invention has been described above using limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited to these, and it goes without saying that various modifications and variations can be made by a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains within the technical spirit of the present invention and the scope of equivalents of the claims.

[0140] Furthermore, the present invention described above is susceptible to various substitutions, modifications, and alterations by a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains, within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and the accompanying drawings, and may be configured by selectively combining all or part of each embodiment for various modifications. [Explanation of symbols]

[0141] 100 Fire monitoring equipment 110 Fire Level Determination Unit 120 control section 130 Storage section 200 Energy Storage Device 210 Smoke Sensor 220 Gas Sensor 230 Air Conditioning Unit 240 Fire Extinguishing Unit 250 ventilation unit 300 Water Injection Unit

Claims

1. 1. An apparatus for monitoring a fire in an energy storage device provided with a plurality of battery modules, comprising: a fire level determination unit configured to receive at least one smoke detection signal from a plurality of smoke sensors provided inside the energy storage device and determine a fire level according to the number of the smoke sensors that detect smoke; a control unit configured to control operation of at least one of an air conditioning unit, a fire extinguishing unit, a water injection unit, and a ventilation unit for the energy storage device as a fire suppression measure corresponding to the determined fire level; Fire monitoring equipment, including:

2. The fire level determination unit If the smoke is detected by only one of the plurality of smoke sensors, the level of the fire is determined to be a first level; The fire monitoring device according to claim 1 , configured to determine the level of the fire as a second level when the smoke is detected by more than one of the plurality of smoke sensors.

3. The control unit 3. The fire monitoring device of claim 2, configured to interrupt operation of the air conditioning unit provided inside the energy storage device when the level of the fire is determined to be the first level or the second level.

4. The control unit 3. The fire monitoring device of claim 2, wherein when the level of the fire is determined to be the second level, the fire extinguishing unit provided inside the energy storage device is driven to inject the fire extinguishing agent contained inside the fire extinguishing unit into the inside of the energy storage device.

5. The water injection unit is The battery modules are connected to the energy storage device via pipelines each having a valve that can be broken depending on the temperature of the corresponding battery module; The control unit 3. The fire monitoring device according to claim 2, configured to drive the water injection unit to cause the fire extinguishing liquid provided in the water injection unit to flow into the pipeline when the level of the fire is determined to be the second level.

6. The fire extinguishing liquid is 6. The fire monitoring device according to claim 5, wherein the water injection unit is configured to cause the water to flow into the pipeline and into the inside of a battery module whose corresponding pipeline valve is damaged among the plurality of battery modules.

7. The control unit determining the water level of the fire extinguishing liquid provided in the water injection unit; 6. The fire monitoring device of claim 5, configured to drive the ventilation unit to ventilate the energy storage device with outside air if the determined water level is equal to or less than a preset threshold water level.

8. The control unit determining the water level of the fire extinguishing liquid provided in the water injection unit; If the determined water level is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold water level, it is determined that a battery fire has occurred in the energy storage device; The fire monitoring device of claim 5 , configured to determine that an electrical fire has occurred in the energy storage device when the determined water level exceeds the threshold water level.

9. The control unit 2. The fire monitoring device of claim 1, configured to receive a measured gas concentration from a gas sensor provided in the energy storage device, and if the measured gas concentration is equal to or greater than a preset threshold concentration, to interrupt operation of the air conditioning unit provided inside the energy storage device and to drive the ventilation unit to ventilate the energy storage device with outside air.

10. A fire monitoring system comprising a fire monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and an energy storage device.

11. 1. A method for fire monitoring of an energy storage device provided with a plurality of battery modules, comprising: a smoke detection signal receiving step of receiving at least one smoke detection signal from a plurality of smoke sensors provided inside the energy storage device; a fire level determination step of determining a fire level according to the number of smoke sensors that detect the smoke when the smoke is detected; a fire control step of controlling the operation of at least one of an air conditioning unit, a fire extinguishing unit, a water injection unit, and a ventilation unit for the energy storage device as a fire suppression measure corresponding to the determined fire level; A fire monitoring method, including:

12. 12. The fire monitoring method according to claim 11, further comprising a ventilation control step of receiving a measured gas concentration from a gas sensor provided in the energy storage device in parallel with the smoke detection signal receiving step, and controlling the operation of the air conditioning unit and the ventilation unit based on a result of comparing the measured gas concentration with a preset threshold concentration.

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