electric vehicles

Abstract

The present invention aims to easily extinguish battery fires in electric vehicles. [Solution] The electric vehicle of the present invention is an electric vehicle that runs using electricity as its power source, and comprises a battery pack that supplies power to the motor of the electric vehicle, and a fire extinguishing pipe connected to one end of the battery pack, wherein the outer circumference of the other end of the fire extinguishing pipe is exposed and disguised as the tailpipe of a muffler, and when a fire extinguishing agent is supplied from the other end of the fire extinguishing pipe, the fire extinguishing agent is injected into the inside of the battery pack.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric vehicle, which is an automobile that runs using electric power as a power source. [Background Art]

[0002] An electric vehicle is equipped with a large-sized battery. Since a large amount of energy is charged in the battery, when a battery fire occurs in an electric vehicle, it takes time for the fire to extinguish naturally. Further, the battery is mounted inside the electric vehicle, and it is difficult for water to reach the battery even if water is sprayed from the outside. For this reason, incorporating a fire extinguishing device into the battery itself has been studied (Patent Document 1).

[0003] However, with this method, there is a possibility that the fire extinguishing device fails due to a vehicle accident or the like, and fire extinguishing by the fire extinguishing device incorporated in the battery cannot be performed. A battery fire in an electric vehicle can be extinguished almost certainly by submerging the electric vehicle in a simple water tank. However, it is difficult to perform the assembly work of the simple water tank and the work of lifting the electric vehicle on fire and putting it into the simple water tank in a short time. The above points are remarkable for electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV) having large-capacity batteries, but are common to all electric vehicles that run using electric power as a power source, including ordinary hybrid vehicles (HEV). [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-144033 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0005] An object of the present invention is to easily extinguish a battery fire in an electric vehicle. [Means for Solving the Problem]

[0006] An electric vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention is an electric vehicle that runs using electricity as its power source, comprising a battery pack that supplies power to the motor of the electric vehicle, and a fire extinguishing pipe connected to one end of the battery pack, wherein the outer circumference of the other end of the fire extinguishing pipe is exposed and disguised as the tailpipe of a muffler, and when a fire extinguishing agent is supplied from the other end of the fire extinguishing pipe, the fire extinguishing agent is injected into the battery pack. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] This invention makes it possible to easily extinguish battery fires in electric vehicles. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Underside view of a gasoline-powered vehicle. [Figure 2] Rear view of a gasoline-powered vehicle and the vehicle in Example 1. [Figure 3] A bottom view of the electric vehicle in Example 1. [Figure 4] A horizontal cross-sectional view of the battery pack in Example 1. [Figure 5] A horizontal cross-sectional view of the battery pack in Modification 1 of Example 1. [Figure 6] A bottom view of the electric vehicle in Example 2. [Figure 7] A bottom view of the hybrid vehicle in Example 3. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Before describing the embodiments of this invention, a gasoline vehicle will be described. Figure 1 shows a bottom view of a gasoline vehicle 5. The thick arrow indicates the front of the gasoline vehicle 5. In the embodiments described later, the thick arrow will also indicate the front. The gasoline vehicle 5 is equipped with an engine 51, and a muffler 52 is connected to the rear of the engine 51. The muffler 52 has an exhaust pipe 521 connected to the engine 51, a catalytic converter 522, a center pipe 523, two silencers 524, and two tailpipes 525. The center pipe 523 is divided into two at the rear, each connected to a silencer 524, and each silencer 524 is connected to a tailpipe 525. Exhaust gas discharged from the engine 51 passes through the exhaust pipe 521, is purified by the catalytic converter 522, and passes through the center pipe 523. It then divides into two, is silenced by the silencers 524, and is discharged from the tailpipes 525 under the rear bumper 53.

[0010] Figure 2 shows a rear view of the gasoline vehicle 5. Figure 2 is the rear view of the gasoline vehicle 5 shown in Figure 1, but it is also the rear view of the electric vehicle 1 in Embodiment 1 and Modification 1 of Embodiment 1, which will be described later. The tailpipe 525 is open to the rear below the rear bumper 53. The curved outer circumference of the tailpipe 525 is exposed. Note that the gasoline vehicle 5 in Figures 1 and 2 is provided with two tailpipes 525, but there are also many gasoline vehicles that have only one tailpipe. [Examples]

[0011] Figure 3 shows a bottom view of the electric vehicle 1 in Embodiment 1. The electric vehicle 1 is an electric vehicle that runs on electricity. The electric vehicle 1 does not have an engine, but is equipped with a motor for driving (not shown) and a battery pack 11 that supplies power to the motor. The battery pack 11 is located on the bottom panel of the vehicle, and is therefore shown by a dotted line in the bottom view of Figure 3. In the electric vehicle 1 of Embodiment 1, two fire extinguishing pipes are provided, with fire extinguishing pipe 121 connected to the front of the battery pack 11 and fire extinguishing pipe 122 connected to the rear.

[0012] In the electric vehicle 1 of Example 1, one end of the fire extinguishing pipes 121 and 122 is connected to the battery pack 11. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the other ends of the fire extinguishing pipes 121 and 122 are installed under the rear bumper 14. The other ends of the fire extinguishing pipes 121 and 122 have their curved outer circumferences exposed and are disguised as the tailpipes of the muffler. Therefore, as shown in Figure 2, the rear of the electric vehicle 1 appears to have the tailpipe 525 of the muffler 52, similar to the rear of the gasoline vehicle 5.

[0013] In Example 1, the pipes exposed at the rear of the electric vehicle 1 are fire extinguishing pipes 121 and 122. When a battery fire occurs, a nozzle N connected to a fire hose H can be inserted into either fire extinguishing pipe 121 or fire extinguishing pipe 122 to send a fire extinguishing agent into the battery pack 11. In Example 1, the fire extinguishing agent is water. In Figure 3, the nozzle N is inserted into fire extinguishing pipe 121, and the fire extinguishing agent flows in the direction of the arrow shown on fire extinguishing pipe 121. The fire extinguishing agent that has passed through the battery pack 11 then flows out of fire extinguishing pipe 122 in the direction of the arrow and is discharged to the outside.

[0014] Figure 4 shows a horizontal cross-sectional view of the battery pack 11 in Embodiment 1. The battery pack 11 contains multiple battery modules 112 housed in a box-shaped battery box 111. Spaces for fire extinguishing agent channels 113 are provided between the battery modules 112 to serve as flow paths for the fire extinguishing agent. The battery box 111 is provided with openings 114 and 115, which are connected to fire extinguishing pipes 121 and 122, respectively. Under normal circumstances, opening 114 is closed by a retractable closure 131, and opening 115 is closed by a retractable closure 132.

[0015] In Example 1, the closing portions 131 and 132 are formed of a material that melts by the heat of a battery fire. Therefore, the heat of the fire generated in the battery module 112 melts the closing portions 131 and 132, and the interiors of the fire extinguishing pipes 121 and 122 are brought into communication with the fire extinguishing agent flow path 113 through the openings 114 and 115. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, when a nozzle N is inserted into the fire extinguishing pipe 121 and a fire extinguishing agent is injected, the fire extinguishing agent flows into the battery pack 11 through the opening 114, flows through the fire extinguishing agent flow path 113 between the plurality of battery modules 112 as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 4, and is discharged to the outside from the opening 115 via the fire extinguishing pipe 122. When a nozzle N is inserted into the fire extinguishing pipe 122 and a fire extinguishing agent is injected, the fire extinguishing agent flows in a direction opposite to the direction indicated by the arrows of the fire extinguishing agent flow path 113 shown in FIG. 4.

[0016] As the fire extinguishing agent flows through the fire extinguishing agent flow path 113 in the battery pack 11, the battery module 112 where the fire has occurred is immersed and cooled. Since a large amount of fire extinguishing agent can be continuously injected from the fire extinguishing pipes 121 and 122 of Example 1, a battery fire can be extinguished promptly.

[0017] <Modified Example> In Example 1, the fire extinguishing agent is injected from one of the fire extinguishing pipes 121 and 122, and discharged from the other. However, it is not necessary to use a fire extinguishing pipe disguised as a tail pipe for discharge. FIG. 5 shows a horizontal cross-sectional view of a battery pack 17 in Modified Example 1 of Example 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the rear surface of the electric vehicle 1 in Modified Example 1 is the same as that in Example 1. Also in Modified Example 1, in the battery pack 17 that supplies electric power to a motor (not shown), a plurality of battery modules 172 are housed in a box-shaped battery box 171. The fire extinguishing agent is water. A space for a fire extinguishing agent flow path 173, which is a flow path for the fire extinguishing agent, is provided between adjacent battery modules 172. The fire extinguishing pipes 123 and 124 each have one end connected to the battery pack 17, and the curved outer circumference of the other end is exposed, and is disguised so that the tail pipe 525 of the muffler 52 is visually recognized as shown in FIG. 2.

[0018] In Modification 1, two openings 174 and 175 are provided at the rear of the battery pack 17, and two fire extinguishing pipes 123 and 124 are connected thereto. The opening 174 is closed by an openable closing portion 133, and the opening 175 is closed by an openable closing portion 134. Further, an opening 176 is provided in front of the battery pack 17, and is closed by an openable closing portion 135. No fire extinguishing pipe is joined to the opening 176. A check valve 181 is provided in the fire extinguishing pipe 123, and a check valve 182 is provided in the fire extinguishing pipe 124, so that the fire extinguishing agent flows only in the direction toward the battery pack 17.

[0019] Also in Modification 1, the closing portions 133, 134, and 135 are formed of a material that melts by the heat of a battery fire. The heat of the fire generated in the battery module 172 melts the closing portions 133, 134, and 135 to open the openings 174, 175, and 176, thereby allowing conduction of the fire extinguishing agent. When the fire extinguishing agent is injected from the fire extinguishing pipe 123 in a state where the openings 174, 175, and 176 are opened, the fire extinguishing agent passes through the check valve 181 and the opening 174 and enters the fire extinguishing agent flow path 173. Since the fire extinguishing pipe 124 is provided with the check valve 182, the fire extinguishing agent is not discharged from the fire extinguishing pipe 124, but passes through the fire extinguishing agent flow path 173 as indicated by the arrow and is discharged from the opening 176. Even when the fire extinguishing agent is injected from the opposite fire extinguishing pipe 124, the fire extinguishing agent passes through the fire extinguishing agent flow path 173 and is discharged from the opening 176. In Modification 1, when the fire extinguishing agent is supplied to either one of the fire extinguishing pipes 123 and 124, the fire extinguishing agent is directly discharged to the outside from the opening 176 in the battery box 171 of the battery pack 17 without passing through another fire extinguishing pipe.

[0020] In Modification 1, the fire extinguishing agent injected into the battery pack 17 is directly discharged to the outside from the opening 176. The other ends of the fire extinguishing pipes 123 and 124 connected to the openings 174 and 175 in Modification 1, which are not connected to the battery pack 17, are disguised as tail pipes, but a pipe not disguised as a tail pipe may be connected to the outside of the opening 176. For example, the fire extinguishing agent may be discharged toward the lower part of the electric vehicle 1 through a pipe not disguised as a tail pipe, or may be discharged onto the upper surface of the battery pack 17 so as to flow onto the upper surface of the battery pack 17.

[0021] The opening for injecting the fire extinguishing agent into the battery pack and the opening for discharging the fire extinguishing agent from the battery pack can be located anywhere on the battery box, but as shown in Example 1 and its Modification 1, it is desirable to place them far apart from each other on the battery pack. However, by devising the fire extinguishing agent flow path, it is also possible to place the opening for injecting the fire extinguishing agent and the opening for discharging the fire extinguishing agent in close proximity. In Modification 1 of Example 1, two fire extinguishing pipes 123 and 124 were connected to the rear of the battery pack 17, but in Modification 2, one fire extinguishing pipe may be used, and it may be disguised as a muffler with one tailpipe. [Examples]

[0022] In the above modified example 2, there is one fire extinguishing pipe and one tailpipe, but in Example 2, there is one fire extinguishing pipe and two tailpipes. Figure 6 shows a bottom view of the electric vehicle 2 in Example 2. The electric vehicle 2 in Example 2 is also an electric vehicle that runs on electricity. The battery pack 21 is shown in a horizontal cross-sectional view. The battery pack 21 has an opening 214 at the rear of the battery box 211 to which the fire extinguishing pipe 22 is connected, and an opening 215 is provided at the opposite front position. No fire extinguishing pipe is connected to the opening 215. The openings 214 and 215 are closed by openable closures 231 and 232, respectively. The closures 231 and 232 are made of a material that melts due to the heat of a battery fire, similar to the closure 131 etc. in the example.

[0023] In Figure 6, the fire extinguishing pipe 22 is also shown in a horizontal cross-section. The fire extinguishing pipe 22 comprises a manifold fire extinguishing pipe 221, a manifold outer casing 222, a pipe manifold 223, a check valve 224, a first fire extinguishing pipe 225, and a second fire extinguishing pipe 226. One end of the manifold fire extinguishing pipe 221 is connected to an opening 214 provided in the battery box 211, and the other end is connected to the pipe manifold 223. The fire extinguishing pipe 22 branches into two at the pipe manifold 223, connecting to the first fire extinguishing pipe 225 and the second fire extinguishing pipe 226. At one end of the fire extinguishing pipe 222, the manifold fire extinguishing pipe 221 is connected to the battery pack 21, and at the other end are the first fire extinguishing pipe 225 and the second fire extinguishing pipe 226. The first fire extinguishing pipe 225 and the second fire extinguishing pipe 226 merge at the pipe junction 223 to form a combined fire extinguishing pipe 221, which is connected to the battery box 211. The first fire extinguishing pipe 225 and the second fire extinguishing pipe 226 have exposed curved outer circumferences that are disguised as muffler tailpipes, with their ends located below the rear bumper 24.

[0024] A check valve 224 is provided in the pipe manifold 223 to prevent the extinguishing agent injected from the first fire extinguishing pipe 225 from being discharged from the second fire extinguishing pipe 226. The check valve 224 is a plate-shaped body that rotates around an axis 224a, and when the extinguishing agent is injected from either the first fire extinguishing pipe 225 or the second fire extinguishing pipe 226, the plate-shaped body rotates and seals the other. Therefore, the extinguishing agent can also be supplied from the second fire extinguishing pipe 226. When the extinguishing agent is injected from the second fire extinguishing pipe 226, the check valve 224 rotates around the axis 224a and seals the first fire extinguishing pipe 225, so the extinguishing agent is not discharged from the first fire extinguishing pipe 225. In Example 2 as well, the extinguishing agent is water.

[0025] As shown in Figure 6, when the extinguishing agent is supplied from nozzle N to the first extinguishing pipe 225, it passes through the pipe manifold 223 and the manifold extinguishing pipe 221 and is injected into the inside of the battery pack 21 through the opening 214. The extinguishing agent then passes through the extinguishing agent flow path 213 as indicated by the arrow, extinguishing the fire by cooling the battery module 212 where the fire is occurring, and is discharged to the outside through the opening 215. The outside of the pipe manifold 223 is covered with a manifold exterior 222, which is disguised as a muffler silencer.

[0026] In Example 2, the manifold casing 222 is optional. Alternatively, a manifold casing may be attached to a single fire extinguishing pipe that does not have a manifold casing 223, and disguised as a muffler silencer. The manifold casing disguised as a silencer may be given a function. For example, a mixed fire extinguishing agent may be held inside the manifold casing, and when the fire extinguishing agent is injected, it may be mixed and sent into the battery pack. [Examples]

[0027] The vehicles in Examples 1 and 2 are electric vehicles 1 and 2 that do not have engines, but the present invention can also be applied to other electric vehicles such as hybrid vehicles. Figure 7 shows a bottom view of the hybrid vehicle 3 in Example 3. The hybrid vehicle 3 is equipped with an engine 34 and a muffler 35, along with a battery pack 31 that supplies power to a motor (not shown) for driving. The battery pack 31 is located on the bottom panel of the vehicle and is therefore shown by a dotted line in the bottom view of Figure 7. The muffler 35 is located below the bottom panel of the vehicle. The hybrid vehicle 3 in Example 3 is also an electric vehicle that runs on electricity. The hybrid vehicle 3 in Example 3 has a fire extinguishing pipe 32 connected to the battery pack 31.

[0028] Although not shown in Figure 7, the battery pack 31, like the battery pack 21 of the electric vehicle 2 in Embodiment 2, includes a battery box 311 and battery modules 312. The space between the multiple battery modules 312 is a fire extinguishing agent flow path 313. In Embodiment 3, the fire extinguishing agent is also water. As shown in Figure 7, an opening 314 is provided in the battery box 311 on the left side of the rear of the battery pack 31, and it is closed by a closing section 331. An opening 315 is provided on the right side of the front of the battery pack 31, and it is closed by a closing section 332. The closing sections 331 and 332 melt due to the heat of the battery fire. One end of the fire extinguishing pipe 32 is connected to the battery pack 31, and the other end has a curved outer circumference exposed, disguised as a muffler tailpipe. The other end of the fire extinguishing pipe 32 is located under the rear bumper 36.

[0029] The muffler 35 includes an exhaust pipe 351, a catalytic converter 352, a center pipe 353, a silencer 354, and a connecting pipe 355. At one end of the muffler 35, the exhaust pipe 351 is connected to the engine 34, and at the other end, the connecting pipe 355 is connected to the fire extinguishing pipe 32. Exhaust gas from the engine 34 passes through the muffler 35 into the fire extinguishing pipe 32 and is discharged outside from the end of the fire extinguishing pipe 32.

[0030] When a fire breaks out in the battery pack 31 and fire extinguishing agent is injected from the fire extinguishing pipe 32, the fire extinguishing agent is injected into the battery pack 31 through the opening 314 where the closure section 331 has melted, passes through the battery pack 31, and is discharged from the opening 315 where the closure section 332 has melted. As a result, the battery modules 312 inside the battery pack 31 are cooled, and the battery fire is extinguished. Since the muffler 35 is connected to the side of the fire extinguishing pipe 32 by a connecting pipe 355, more of the fire extinguishing agent supplied from the end of the fire extinguishing pipe 32 flows to the battery pack 31 than to the muffler 35.

[0031] The closures in Examples 1-3 melt due to the heat of a battery fire, but other configurations are acceptable as long as they can be opened. For example, the closure may be made of a fragile material and opened by the pressure of the injected fire extinguishing agent, or it may be a valve that opens at a predetermined pressure and is opened by the pressure of the injected fire extinguishing agent. Also, in Examples 1-3, the closure is provided on the battery pack, but the closure does not have to be provided on the battery pack. It is sufficient to have an openable closure in the path from the other end of the fire extinguishing pipe to the inside of the battery pack. If the injected fire extinguishing agent is discharged in the event of a battery fire, an opening for discharging the fire extinguishing agent is not required. For example, if an opening such as a crack occurs in the battery box due to internal pressure during a battery fire, the fire extinguishing agent can be discharged through the crack or opening.

[0032] In Examples 1 to 3, the fire extinguishing agent channel is provided between multiple battery modules. However, the fire extinguishing agent channel may also be provided between the battery modules and the battery boxes above or below them.

[0033] The fire extinguishing agent may be water, or water mixed with a fire extinguishing agent. Alternatively, it may be a fire extinguishing gas, or gas mixed with powder or liquid.

[0034] Electric vehicles powered solely by electricity, such as those in Examples 1 and 2, do not have mufflers, and therefore do not have muffler tailpipes at the rear of the electric vehicle. In such electric vehicles, a fire extinguishing pipe disguised as a tailpipe improves the design of the rear of the electric vehicle and allows for the injection of fire extinguishing agent into the battery pack in the event of a battery fire. On the other hand, even when used in other types of electric vehicles that have mufflers, such as hybrid vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles that also have engines, as in Example 3, the design remains unobtrusive, and the fire extinguishing pipe disguised as a tailpipe allows for the injection of fire extinguishing agent into the battery pack in the event of a battery fire.

[0035] In Examples 1-3, the other end of the fire extinguishing pipe has a curved outer circumference exposed to resemble the tailpipe of a muffler. However, the outer circumference does not have to be curved; for example, it could be a regular hexagon. By making the shape different from a normal tailpipe, it can be made clear that it is the connection port for the nozzle that supplies the fire extinguishing agent. In addition, by making the color near the other end of the fire extinguishing pipe different from that of a typical tailpipe, or by adding a pattern, it can be used as a marker to indicate that it is the supply port for the fire extinguishing agent. As described above, the camouflage to a tailpipe does not need to be in the same shape as a muffler's tailpipe, as long as the design gives the general public the impression of a muffler's tailpipe. It should be noted that even if the other end of the fire extinguishing pipe is disguised to be indistinguishable from a normal muffler's tailpipe, it may still be possible to identify it as a fire extinguishing pipe depending on the vehicle model.

[0036] Furthermore, the specific configuration is not limited to the embodiments, and any design changes, etc., that do not depart from the spirit of the present invention are also included. In addition, the above-described embodiments and modifications can be combined by utilizing each other's technologies, as long as there are no particular contradictions or problems in their purpose and configuration. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] N Nozzle, H Fire hose, 1 Electric vehicle, 11 Battery pack, 111 Battery box, 112 Battery module, 113 Fire extinguishing agent flow path, 114 Opening, 115 Opening, 121 Fire extinguishing pipe, 122 Fire extinguishing pipe, 123 Fire extinguishing pipe, 124 Fire extinguishing pipe, 131 Closure section, 132 Closure section, 133 Closure section, 134 Closure section, 135 Closure section, 14 Rear bumper, 17 Battery pack, 171 Battery box, 172 Battery module, 173 Fire extinguishing agent flow path, 174 Opening, 175 Opening, 176 Opening, 181 Check valve, 182 Check valve, 2 Electric vehicle, 21 Battery pack, 211 Battery box, 212 Battery module, 213 Fire extinguishing agent flow path, 214 Opening, 215 Opening, 22 Fire extinguishing pipe, 221 Manifold fire extinguishing pipe, 222 Manifold exterior, 223 Pipe manifold, 224 Check valve, 224a Shaft, 225 First fire extinguishing pipe, 226 Second fire extinguishing pipe, 231 Closure section, 232 Closure section, 24 Rear bumper, 3 Hybrid vehicle, 31 Battery pack, 311 Battery box, 312 Battery module, 313 Fire extinguishing agent flow path, 314 Opening, 315 Opening, 32 Fire extinguishing pipe, 331 Closure section, 332 Closure section, 34 Engine, 35 Muffler, 351 Exhaust pipe, 352 Catalytic converter, 353 Center pipe, 354 Silencer, 355 Connecting pipe, 36 Rear bumper, 5 Gasoline engine, 51 Engine, 52 Muffler, 521 Exhaust pipe, 522 Catalytic converter, 523 Center pipe, 524 Silencer, 525 Tailpipe, 53 Rear Bumper

Claims

1. An electric vehicle that runs on electricity, A battery pack that supplies power to the motor of the electric vehicle, The battery pack is equipped with a fire extinguishing pipe, one end of which is connected to the battery pack, The aforementioned fire extinguishing pipe has its outer circumference exposed at the other end and is disguised as the tailpipe of a muffler. When the fire extinguishing agent is supplied from the other end of the fire extinguishing pipe, the fire extinguishing agent is injected into the battery pack. An electric vehicle characterized by the following features.

2. A retractable closure is provided in the path from the other end of the fire extinguishing pipe to the inside of the battery pack. The electric vehicle as described in feature 1.

3. The aforementioned closed section melts and opens due to the heat of the fire. The electric vehicle as described in feature 2.

4. The battery pack has a fire extinguishing agent channel formed in it, which is a channel for the fire extinguishing agent. The electric vehicle as described in feature 1.

5. Two fire extinguishing pipes are provided, and when the fire extinguishing agent is supplied to one of the fire extinguishing pipes, the fire extinguishing agent is discharged from the other fire extinguishing pipe. An electric vehicle as described in any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. When the fire extinguishing agent is supplied to the fire extinguishing pipe, the fire extinguishing agent is discharged to the outside from the battery box of the battery pack without passing through other fire extinguishing pipes. An electric vehicle as described in any one of claims 1 to 4.

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