Lithium battery storage device

Abstract

This invention provides a lithium battery storage device that enhances safety in the event of a lithium battery ignition through a simple configuration. [Solution] The lithium battery storage device 20 includes a battery housing section 21 for housing lithium batteries, a water tank section 22 for housing water, and a water inflow mechanism consisting of a fire detection sensor 25 and a pump 24 (and a water supply pipeline 23) configured to allow water to flow into the battery housing section 21 when a lithium battery catches fire. This allows for the rapid supply of fire-extinguishing water when a lithium battery catches fire. This suppresses the spread of fire and re-ignition due to thermal runaway of the battery, and significantly improves safety.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a storage device used for the storage and recovery of lithium batteries, and particularly to a lithium battery storage device capable of automatically activating a fire extinguishing mechanism to safely extinguish a fire when a lithium battery catches fire.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, if a lithium battery is discarded as it is after use, it may cause environmental pollution and fire accidents, so a technology for safely collecting and storing the battery has been demanded. In contrast, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a new lithium battery recovery device equipped with an electric drive mechanism.

[0003] The device described in the publication is composed of a base frame, a pedestal fixed to its bottom, a recovery housing, a recovery box, a screw, an electric roller, a lever body, cooling fins, etc., and is equipped with a mechanism for automatically inserting and transporting the recovery box via a plurality of slide blocks and spline shafts. With this configuration, the purpose is to automate the recovery operation of lithium batteries and improve the processing efficiency.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, the device of Patent Document 1 is only aimed at automating the battery recovery operation, and no means for extinguishing a fire and ensuring safety when a lithium battery catches fire is disclosed at all. Lithium batteries are at risk of easily catching fire and reigniting due to damage or overheating, and it was difficult for the conventional structure to respond quickly, especially when a fire occurred at night or in an unmanned state.

[0006] Furthermore, the device described in Patent Document 1 had a complex internal structure in the collection box, requiring numerous drive components and electric rollers, as well as a power supply. This resulted in a large overall size, leading to problems with high installation costs and maintenance burdens.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a lithium battery storage device that can enhance safety in the event of a lithium battery ignition with a simple configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To achieve the above objective, the lithium battery storage device of the present invention comprises a battery housing section for housing lithium batteries, a water tank section for housing water, and a water inflow mechanism configured to allow water to flow into the battery housing section in the event of a lithium battery fire. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] Thus, the lithium battery storage device of the present invention comprises a battery housing section for housing lithium batteries, a water tank section for housing water, and a water inflow mechanism configured to allow water to flow into the battery housing section in the event of lithium battery ignition. With such a configuration, safety in the event of lithium battery ignition can be enhanced with a simple design. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of the lithium battery storage device of Example 1. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view of the lithium battery storage device of Example 1. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of the lithium battery storage device of Example 2. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view of the lithium battery storage device of Example 2. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the components described in the following embodiments are illustrative and are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention to them alone. [Examples]

[0012] (composition) The lithium battery storage device 20 shown in Figures 1 and 2 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape overall, with a battery insertion port 20a and a water supply hole 20b on its top surface, and a battery removal port 20c on the side that forms the front.

[0013] The battery storage device 20 has a double-box structure, consisting of an inner battery housing section 21 for housing lithium batteries and an outer water tank section 22. Specifically, water is stored in the outer water tank section 22, and the inner battery housing section 21, which is built into the water tank section 22, is the space for housing the batteries. The upper part of the battery housing section 21 is connected to the battery insertion port 20a, and the lower part is connected to the battery removal port 20c.

[0014] Of these, the water tank section 22 is supplied with and stored fire-fighting water from the water inlet 20b on its top surface, and water is supplied (sprayed) from above the battery housing section 21 by a pump 24 via a water supply pipeline 23 connected to the top of the battery housing section 21. Furthermore, the surface of the water tank section 22 (the side facing forward) is equipped with a transparent window 20d for visually checking the internal water level.

[0015] Furthermore, a fire detection sensor 25 is provided inside or near the battery housing 21 to detect ignition. When this sensor 25 detects a rise in temperature or the generation of smoke, it activates the pump 24 via a control circuit.

[0016] When the pump 24 is activated, water from the water tank 22 flows into the battery housing 21, quickly submerging the lithium battery inside. This prevents the spread of fire and suppresses thermal runaway of the battery.

[0017] Furthermore, the battery housing portion 21 and the water tank portion 22 are made of stainless steel or a flame-retardant resin and have a double-wall structure. This structure prevents heat transfer to the outside of the device and has the effect of suppressing the spread of fire to the outside.

[0018] (Effect) Next, the effects of the lithium battery storage device 20 of this embodiment will be described.

[0019] (1) As described above, according to the lithium battery storage device 20 of Embodiment 1, the battery housing portion 21 that houses the lithium battery, the water tank portion 22 that houses water, and a water inflow mechanism configured such that water flows into the battery housing portion 21 when the lithium battery ignites, including the fire detection sensor 25 and the pump 24 (and the water supply pipeline 23), can supply fire extinguishing water quickly when the lithium battery ignites. This suppresses the spread of fire and re-ignition due to thermal runaway of the battery, and it is possible to significantly improve safety.

[0020] (2) In particular, since the water inflow mechanism is configured to include the fire detection sensor 25 and the pump 24 that operates when fire is detected, the process from fire detection to fire extinguishing operation can be automated. With this configuration, fire extinguishing can be reliably performed even at night or in an unmanned environment, eliminating the need for human presence or monitoring, and improving operability and safety.

[0021] (3) Furthermore, a transparent window portion 20d for visually confirming the internal water level is provided on the surface of the water tank portion 22. This allows the user to easily confirm the amount of water in the tank and supply water at the necessary timing, so that the fire extinguishing performance is always maintained. Therefore, maintainability and user-friendliness are improved, and the operational reliability can be enhanced.

Embodiment

[0022] Next, the lithium battery storage device 10, which is a different aspect from Embodiment 1, will be described. Regarding the description of the same or equivalent parts as those described in Embodiment 1, the same reference numerals will be used for explanation.

[0023] (composition) The lithium battery storage device 10 shown in Figures 3 and 4 comprises a box-shaped battery housing 11 and a water tank 12 located above it. The water tank 12 also serves as the lid for the battery housing 11. Between the two, a melting section 13 (for example, a polyvinyl alcohol film or a low-melting-point resin film) that melts upon heat is provided as a water inflow mechanism. In other words, a melting section 13 that easily melts upon ignition is located at the bottom of the water tank 12.

[0024] Therefore, under normal conditions, the water tank section 12 is sealed by the molten section 13, and water does not leak into the battery housing section 11. However, if the lithium battery in the battery housing section 11 ignites, the heat causes the molten section 13 to melt, and the water in the water tank section 12 flows down by gravity and into the battery housing section 11. As a result, the lithium battery is automatically submerged in water, and the flames can be extinguished in a short time.

[0025] The capacity of the water tank section 12 should preferably be at least twice the internal volume of the battery housing section 11, and a transparent window section 14 should preferably be provided on the outer wall to check the water level inside. This configuration allows the user to easily check the water replenishment status and maintain a fire-extinguishing readiness state at all times.

[0026] (effect) Next, the effects of the lithium battery storage device 10 in this embodiment will be explained.

[0027] (1) The lithium battery storage device 10 of Example 2 is equipped with a melting section 13 that melts upon ignition of the lithium battery, which is positioned between the battery housing section 11 and the water tank section 12 as a water inflow mechanism. With this configuration, fire extinguishing can be performed without electrical control or moving parts, so that fire extinguishing can be reliably achieved even if there is a malfunction in the pump or control system or when there is no power supply. In other words, this configuration provides mechanical reliability and redundancy as a passive fire extinguishing mechanism and enhances the reliability of the fire extinguishing function.

[0028] (2) Furthermore, the water tank section 12 is positioned above the battery housing section 11, and the melting section 13 is positioned at the bottom of the water tank section 12, so that when a fire occurs, water flows into the battery housing section 11 by gravity. With this configuration, fire extinguishing is performed by natural flow without requiring pressurized water flow, resulting in a simpler structure and reduced costs. In addition, it operates even during power outages and electronic control failures, significantly improving emergency performance and safety.

[0029] The other components and effects are substantially the same as in Example 1, so their explanation will be omitted.

[0030] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and any design modifications that do not depart from the spirit of the present invention are included in the present invention.

[0031] (A) Change of fire extinguishing agent In the examples, water was used as the fire extinguishing medium contained in the water tank. However, instead of water, or in combination with water, chemically or thermally stable liquids or fluids for lithium batteries can be used, such as foam fire extinguishing liquid, fire extinguishing agent, explosion-proof coolant, electrolyte deactivation solution, flame retardant gel, carbon dioxide, fluorine-based liquid, or fire extinguishing oils. This makes it possible to optimize fire extinguishing performance, re-ignition suppression performance, or long-term storage stability according to the application.

[0032] (B) Variations of water inflow mechanisms The water inflow mechanism in the above embodiment is either a controlled type consisting of an ignition detection sensor and a pump, or a passive type using a melting section, but is not limited to these, and can of course be used in combination with both.

[0033] (C) Changes relating to structure and materials The battery housing or water tank may be made of stainless steel, aluminum alloy, flame-retardant resin, ceramic composite material, heat-insulating multilayer material, or the like.

[0034] (D) Variations in usage and installation methods The present invention can be applied to the following uses, for example: • Portable battery storage case • Collection boxes for home use • Storage racks for warehouse facilities or energy storage systems • Transport safety case (vehicle and air transport certified specifications) • Large-scale commercial recycling system Furthermore, the device shape may be changed to a stationary type, a small portable type, a wall-mounted type, a rack type, or a stationary safety storage type.

[0035] (E) Combined control system It may also be configured as a two-stage control system combining a pump-driven system and a gravity-driven system using a melting section. That is, by configuring the system so that the melting section operates first to perform initial fire suppression, and then an ignition detection sensor supplies additional water or fire extinguishing agent, the reliability of fire suppression can be improved.

[0036] As described above, the components of the present invention can be freely selected and combined according to the application, storage environment, battery type, or safety standards, and any design changes are included within the scope of the present invention as long as they do not deviate from the technical concept of the present invention as described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 10. Lithium battery storage device (portable example) 11 Battery compartment 12 Water Tank Section 13. Molten section (heat-meltable film or fusible plug) 14. Water level confirmation window 20. Lithium Battery Storage System (Example of Pump Control Method) 21 Battery compartment 22 Water Tank Section 23 Water pipeline 24 pumps 25. Fire detection sensors (temperature sensors, smoke sensors, etc.)

Claims

1. A battery housing section for housing lithium batteries, A water tank section for storing water, The lithium battery is equipped with a water inflow mechanism configured to allow water to flow into the battery housing when the lithium battery ignites, The water inflow mechanism includes a pump-driven type having a fire detection sensor that detects the ignition of the lithium battery, and a pump that operates when the fire detection sensor detects ignition. The water inflow mechanism is a gravity-type mechanism that is positioned between the battery housing and the water tank and melts when the lithium battery ignites, A lithium battery storage device configured as a two-stage control system combining the following elements.

2. A lithium battery storage device according to claim 1, wherein the water tank is positioned above the battery housing, and the molten section is positioned at least at the bottom of the water tank, and the device is configured such that water flows into the battery housing by gravity in the event of ignition.

3. The lithium battery storage device according to claim 2, wherein the surface of the water tank section is provided with a transparent window for visually checking the water level contained inside.

Images