Battery charging station with fire suppression capability

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery charging station capable of rapidly suppressing fires that may occur during battery charging. It is configured with a composite fire suppression structure comprising a power supply unit, a case unit, a variable terminal unit, and a charging unit, and including a fire extinguishing gas unit using carbon dioxide gas and a fire extinguishing liquid supply unit that directly sprays fire extinguishing liquid; thereby effectively suppressing battery fires in the initial stage and preventing the spread of fire, it has the technical effect of significantly improving the safety and reliability of battery charging facilities.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery charging station, and more specifically, to a safety-enhanced battery charging infrastructure technology that can quickly suppress fires caused by overcharging, short circuits, internal defects, etc., that may occur during the process of simultaneously charging multiple batteries, and can effectively suppress flames in the initial stage of a battery fire and prevent the spread of fire and secondary damage by applying a combination of gaseous and liquid fire extinguishing means to the battery charging space itself, and is applicable to the battery charging device manufacturing industry, battery management industry, etc. Background Technology

[0002] In modern society, the number of battery-powered electrical and electronic products, such as smartphones, small mobility devices, and ESS devices, is increasing.

[0003] Therefore, a system for charging multiple batteries is required, but when charging multiple batteries, overcharging or a short circuit caused by a circuit failure causes the batteries to overheat, which leads to explosions or fires.

[0004] Charging multiple batteries increases the risk of fire, and a fire caused by even a single battery can spread to the entire building, which is emerging as a major social issue.

[0005] Many diverse patents regarding the detection and prevention of fire have been registered. For example, Patent No. 10-2027256 discloses a mobile fire alarm system that sends text and / or voice messages to a mobile device when signs of fire occur, and automatically switches between charging and data transmission of the mobile device.

[0006] Patent No. 10-1881137 discloses a fire alarm system comprising a fire alarm that receives a signal from a flame detector, a smoke detector, or a temperature detector and generates an alarm through an alarm lamp, and a microcomputer circuit capable of bidirectional communication with the fire alarm and performing a report to the fire department in the event of a fire.

[0007] Patent No. 10-1868082 discloses a fire detection system for detecting fires occurring in a wide area using an active electronically scanned array (AESA) antenna device for receiving weak electromagnetic waves, a high-performance low-noise amplifier with thermal noise removed to maximize reception sensitivity, a controller, and a closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera.

[0008] However, fire alarm and extinguishing devices for battery charging systems, particularly facilities having multiple battery charging stations, are not disclosed. Patent Publication No. 10-2019-0058240 discloses a fire alarm system for a photovoltaic power generation system, but it detects a fire inside the main enclosure and does not directly detect a fire in the battery.

[0009] Patent No. 10-1795446 discloses a battery protection device interconnected via a communication network with an uninterruptible power supply, a battery box, and management servers; this device monitors multiple batteries collectively and does not mention fire extinguishing equipment in the event of an actual fire.

[0010] Consequently, due to the recent increase in demand for various electric devices and means of transportation, there is a need for charging stations for batteries used for diverse purposes. Furthermore, there is an urgent need for battery charging stations equipped with improved fire suppression capabilities to ensure initial fire suppression and prevent electrical short circuits and the spread of fire in the event of an incident. Prior art literature

[0011] Published Patent No. 10-2025-0173251 / Fire extinguishing device and control method thereof Published Patent No. 10-2021-0060160 / Battery charging system having an automatic fire extinguishing device Published Patent No. 10-2024-0107924 / Battery charging station equipped with an automatic fire extinguishing system Registered Patent No. 10-2732720 / Charging station system using a battery pack The problem to be solved

[0012] The present invention has been devised to solve the above-mentioned problems and aims to provide a battery charging station capable of fire suppression that can quickly and effectively suppress battery fires that may occur in a charging station that charges multiple batteries.

[0013] The present invention aims to ensure electrical safety by inducing thermal runaway or electrical short circuits that occur during battery charging.

[0014] The present invention provides a method for suppressing a fire in its early stages by immediately injecting carbon dioxide gas inside a charging station to cut off the oxygen supply, and simultaneously or optionally injecting a fire extinguishing agent directly into the fire source.

[0015] The present invention aims to prevent a fire in a single battery from spreading to adjacent batteries or the entire building, and to significantly improve the safety and reliability of battery charging facilities. means of solving the problem

[0016] A battery charging station capable of fire suppression according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a power supply unit installed on an installation surface to supply power; a case unit installed on an installation surface to make electrical contact with the power supply unit; a variable terminal unit positioned on the front of the rear wall of the case unit to make contact with the power supply unit; a charging unit positioned in front of the variable terminal unit to make electrical contact and to which a battery is fixedly installed; a fire extinguishing gas unit installed at the bottom of the case unit to spray carbon dioxide in a gaseous manner in the event of a fire; and a fire extinguishing liquid supply unit installed on an installation surface to move to the top of the case unit where a fire has occurred to spray and fill the fire extinguishing liquid.

[0017] The present invention provides a case portion comprising a rectangular box-shaped case installed on an installation surface, an opening door for the entry of a battery formed at the front of the case, a case terminal formed to contact a power supply unit at the center of the rear inner wall, an opening / closing portion formed to open and close an injection hole formed on the upper surface of the case, wherein the opening / closing portion comprises a movable cover formed to open and close the injection hole by moving along a pair of rails installed on both sides of the injection hole, and wherein the movable cover is configured to slide by the operation of a cover actuator installed on one side of the upper surface of the case.

[0018] The present invention The above variable terminal section is a variable terminal plate that makes terminal contacts on the front of a case terminal section installed on the rear wall of the case section. The present invention provides a configuration comprising a plurality of variable actuators installed on the rear inner wall surface of the case to separate the above variable terminal plate from the case terminal.

[0019] The above of the present invention The above charging unit is made to contact the front of the variable terminal plate of the variable terminal unit, which is contacted at the front of the case terminal unit installed on the rear wall of the case of the case unit. The present invention provides a charging terminal plate that slides into the interior of the case of the case portion and is composed of a charging bottom plate that is orthogonal to the charging terminal plate and on which a battery for charging is placed.

[0020] delete

[0021] The present invention provides a gas extinguishing unit comprising a gas tank in which carbon dioxide gas is filled into the bottom surface of a case part, and a gas valve connected to the gas tank and installed through the bottom surface to control the injection of gas.

[0022] The present invention provides a fire extinguishing liquid supply unit comprising a conveying unit installed on an installation surface, a lifting / lowering block that moves horizontally along the conveying unit and is connected to the conveying block, a fire extinguishing liquid tank installed on the upper surface of the lifting / lowering block, a fire extinguishing liquid valve connected to the fire extinguishing liquid tank to control the spraying of the fire extinguishing liquid, and a fire extinguishing liquid nozzle connected to the lower part of the fire extinguishing liquid valve to inject the fire extinguishing liquid into an injection hole of a case unit.

[0023] The present invention provides a bracket installed on a transfer block to enable the lifting and lowering of the lifting and lowering block, and a lifting actuator installed on the bracket to move the lifting and lowering block. Effects of the invention

[0024] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a fire occurring during battery charging can be immediately detected inside the station, and effectively suppressed at an early stage by applying a combination of gaseous and liquid fire extinguishing means.

[0025] In addition, by quickly disconnecting electrical contacts through the variable terminal section in the event of a fire, additional overheating or secondary fires can be prevented, and it is effective in preventing a single battery fire from spreading to adjacent batteries or the entire charging facility.

[0026] In addition, since the fire suppression function is built into the charging station itself, reliance on separate external fire extinguishing equipment can be reduced, and it has the effect of significantly improving safety, reliability, and management efficiency in facilities handling a large number of batteries. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0027] FIG. 1 is an installation configuration diagram of a battery charging station capable of fire suppression according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a battery charging station capable of fire suppression according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the case portion of a battery charging station capable of fire suppression according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a case and an opening / closing part constituting the case of a battery charging station capable of fire suppression according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a front view of a case of a battery charging station capable of fire suppression according to the present invention with the opening door opened. FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the installation of a battery charging station capable of fire suppression according to the present invention. FIG. 7 is an installation diagram of a battery charging station capable of fire suppression according to the present invention. FIG. 8 is an exemplary diagram showing fire extinguishing gas being sprayed into the interior of a case due to a fire in a battery charging station capable of fire suppression according to the present invention. FIG. 9 is an example diagram showing that a fire extinguishing liquid is filled inside the case due to a fire in a battery charging station capable of fire suppression according to the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0028] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the present invention. However, the present invention may be embodied in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. Throughout the specification, similar parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0029] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6, the configuration of the present invention is described below with reference to the attached drawings. The battery charging station is configured with a power supply unit (10) that supplies power, a case unit (20) installed on an installation surface (1) to be connected to the power supply unit (10), a variable terminal unit (30) installed on the rear side inside the case unit (20), a charging unit (40) that contacts the variable terminal unit (30), a fire extinguishing gas unit (50) installed at the bottom of the charging unit (40), and a fire extinguishing liquid supply unit (60) that injects fire extinguishing liquid into the interior of the case unit (20).

[0030] The above charging station (100) is installed on the installation surface (1) and has a power supply unit (10) formed to supply power. The power supply unit (10) is installed on the installation surface (1) and is installed to receive power independently through a separate power supply device, and a power terminal (11) is configured on the front surface.

[0031] The above charging station (100) is configured with a case part (20) installed on an installation surface (1) so as to be electrically connected to a power supply part (10).

[0032] The above case part (20) is formed as a square box-shaped case (21) installed on the installation surface, and may be composed of a metal material capable of withstanding fire or a synthetic resin material of non-combustible material in an opaque or translucent form.

[0033] An opening (22) for the entry of a battery (2) is formed at the front of the case (21), and a case terminal (23) formed to be in contact with a power supply unit (10) is formed at the center of the rear inner wall. The opening (22) is configured to be sealed with the case (21), and a terminal space (23a) is configured at the point where the case terminal (23) is formed so that the power supply unit (10) is inserted.

[0034] An opening / closing part (25) is formed to open / close an injection hole (24) formed on the upper surface of the above case (21).

[0035] The above opening / closing part (25) is formed with a movable cover (27) that moves along a pair of rails (26) installed on both sides of the injection hole (24) to open and close the injection hole (24), and the movable cover (27) is configured to slide by the operation of a cover actuator (28) installed on one side upper surface of the case (21).

[0036] The injection hole (24) can perform the internal ventilation function of the case (21) when opened by the movable cover (27), and the variable actuator (32) may be adopted as a solenoid valve.

[0037] The above charging station (100) is A variable terminal part (30) that is positioned on the front of the rear wall of the above case part (20) and contacts the power supply part (10). It is composed of.

[0038] The above variable terminal section (30) is a variable terminal plate (31) that makes terminal contact with the front of a case terminal section (23) installed on the rear wall of the case (21) of the case section (20). This is composed.

[0039] A plurality of variable actuators (32) are included that are installed on the rear inner wall surface of the case (21) to separate the variable terminal plate (31) from the case terminal (23), and the variable actuators (32) may be adopted in a solenoid valve manner.

[0040] A charging unit (40) that is positioned in front of the variable terminal unit (30) and has an electrical contact, and has a battery (2) fixedly installed thereon. It is composed of.

[0041] The above charging unit (40) is made to contact the front of the variable terminal plate (31) of the variable terminal unit (30), which is connected to the front of the case terminal unit (23) installed on the rear wall of the case (21) of the case unit (20). A charging terminal plate (41) is slidably inserted into the case (21) of the case part (20) and configured.

[0042] It is formed with a charging bottom plate (42) on which a battery (2) for charging is placed, which is perpendicular to the charging terminal plate (41), and the charging bottom plate (42) is configured with a plurality of gas holes (43) for ventilation and gas flow.

[0043] The charging station (100) is installed at the bottom of the case part (20) and is configured with a fire extinguishing gas part (50) that sprays carbon dioxide in a gaseous manner in case of fire.

[0044] The above-mentioned fire extinguishing gas section (50) is configured with a gas tank (51) filled with carbon dioxide gas on the bottom surface of the case (21) of the case section (20).

[0045] A gas valve (52) is configured to control the injection of gas by being connected to the above gas tank (51) and installed through the bottom surface.

[0046] The charging station (100) is installed on the installation surface (1) and includes a fire extinguishing liquid supply unit (60) that moves to the upper part of the case part (20) where a fire has occurred and sprays and fills the fire extinguishing liquid.

[0047] The above-mentioned fire extinguishing liquid supply unit (60) forms a transfer unit (61) installed on the installation surface, and the transfer unit (61) is composed of a transfer shaft (61b) connected to a transfer motor (61a) installed on the installation surface (1) and a guide shaft (61c) installed spaced apart from it.

[0048] A lifting / lowering block (63) is formed that moves horizontally along the above-mentioned transfer section (61) and is connected to the transfer block (62). The transfer block (62) is connected to the transfer shaft (61b) and the guide shaft (61c), and the lifting / lowering block (63) is connected to slide vertically on the front surface of the transfer block (62).

[0049] A bracket (67) is configured to be installed on the transfer block (62) so that the above-mentioned lifting / lowering block (63) can be operated to rise and fall.

[0050] A lifting actuator (68) is formed to move the lifting block (63) by being installed on the bracket (67), and the lifting actuator (68) may be adopted in a solenoid valve manner.

[0051] A fire extinguishing liquid tank (64) is configured to be installed on the upper surface of the above-mentioned lifting block (63).

[0052] A fire extinguishing fluid valve (65) is configured to control the spraying of fire extinguishing fluid connected to the fire extinguishing fluid tank (64).

[0053] A fire extinguishing fluid nozzle (66) is configured to be connected to the lower part of the fire extinguishing fluid valve (65) and to inject fire extinguishing fluid into the injection hole (24) of the case part (20).

[0054] The charging station (100) has a temperature sensor (21a) for detecting temperature changes and a smoke sensor (21b) for detecting smoke installed on one side inside the case (21) of the case part (20), and a control module (21c) including a communication function capable of receiving detection signals from the sensors installed on one side outside the case (21).

[0055] In addition, the control module (21c) is configured to transmit and receive operation control signals via wireless communication with the cover actuator (28) of the opening / closing unit (25), the variable actuator (32) of the variable terminal unit (30), the gas valve (52) of the fire extinguishing gas unit (50), the fire extinguishing liquid valve (65) of the fire extinguishing liquid supply unit (60), the transfer motor (61a) of the transfer unit (61), and the lifting actuator (68), respectively, and simultaneously receive independent power. It is configured to operate electronically by applying a communication module and to control operation based on a set value or detection.

[0056] The usage state of the charging station (100) configured as described above is as follows.

[0057] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 9, the charging station (100) is configured such that the case (21) and the fire extinguishing liquid supply unit (60) are installed separately and spaced apart by a certain distance so as not to cause overall damage due to fire.

[0058] Afterward, the charging station (100) is installed by placing it on the charging base plate (42) and pushing it in so that the terminal of the battery (2) comes into contact with the charging terminal (41a) of the charging unit (40) while the user has the opening door (22) open in order to charge the battery (2), and then closing the opening door (22) to start charging.

[0059] Next, when a fire occurs while charging the battery (2), the temperature detection sensor (21a) detects a change in temperature and the smoke detection sensor (21b) detects smoke, and the fire detection signal is transmitted sequentially or simultaneously to the control module (21c) to the variable terminal unit (30), the fire extinguishing gas unit (50), and the fire extinguishing liquid supply unit (60).

[0060] Next, when a fire signal is transmitted to the variable terminal section (30), the variable actuator (32) operates to prevent additional electrical fire caused by the fire, and the variable terminal plate (31) connected to the case terminal section (23) of the case section (20) is pushed to detach so that the contact is released. At this time, the charging terminal plate (41) and the charging bottom plate (42) of the charging section (40) move and cause an electrical short circuit.

[0061] Additionally, when the control module (21c) transmits an operation signal to the gas valve (52) of the fire extinguishing gas unit (50), the gas valve (52) opens, and carbon dioxide from the gas tank (51) flows into the interior of the case (21). It then moves rapidly to the vicinity of the battery (2) through the gas hole (43) of the charging base plate (42), thereby rapidly increasing the ratio of carbon dioxide to that of air and oxygen present inside the case (21), thereby eliminating combustion conditions.

[0062] At this time, when carbon dioxide is injected by the operation of the above-mentioned fire extinguishing gas unit (50), the injection hole (24) of the opening / closing unit (25) activates the cover actuator (28) so that the movable cover (27) moves along the rail (26) to open, allowing the internal air of the case (21) to be quickly exhausted, and when the injection of carbon dioxide is completed, the injection hole (24) activates the cover actuator (28) in reverse so that the movable cover (27) moves along the rail (26) to close.

[0063] Afterwards, when the transfer motor (61a) forming the transfer section (61) of the fire extinguishing liquid supply section (60) is operated, the transfer block (62) moves along the guide to the upper part of the case section (20) where the fire occurred due to the rotational force of the transfer shaft (61b).

[0064] Next, when the transfer process of the fire extinguishing liquid supply unit (60) is completed, the cover actuator (28) is operated so that the movable cover (27) moves along the rail (26) to open the injection hole (24), and then the lifting block (63) is lowered by the operation of the lifting actuator (68) so that the fire extinguishing liquid nozzle (66) is inserted into the injection hole (24), and the fire extinguishing liquid valve (65) is opened so that the fire extinguishing liquid filled in the fire extinguishing liquid tank (64) is sprayed to completely fill the internal space of the case (21), thereby sealing and surrounding the battery (2) to block the air, thereby performing a secondary process of blocking the air and allowing the fire to be extinguished simply and quickly.

[0065] Afterward, when the fire in the charging station (100) is completely extinguished, the case (21) fixed on the installation surface (1) is dismantled to proceed with the process of identifying the cause of the fire and disposing of it, and the case (21) is installed independently of the unit so that neighboring cases (21) are not affected by the fire. This is a technology characterized by these features.

[0066] In describing the charging station (100) of the present invention with reference to the attached drawings above, the description has focused on specific shapes and directions; however, the present invention is capable of various modifications and changes by those skilled in the art, and such modifications and changes should be interpreted as being included within the scope of the rights of the present invention. Explanation of the symbols

[0067] 1 : Installation surface 2 : Battery 10 : Power supply unit 11 : Power terminal 20 : Case section 21 : Case 21a: Temperature sensor 21b: Smoke sensor 21c : Control module 22 : Open door 23 : Case terminal 23a : Terminal space 24: Injection hole 25: Opening / closing part 26 : Rail 27 : Movable cover 28 : Cover actuator 30 : Variable terminal section 31 : Variable terminal board 31a : Variable terminal 32 : Variable actuator 40 : Charging part 41 : Charging terminal plate 41a : Charging terminal 42 : Charging base plate 43 : Gas hole 50 : Digestion gas section 51 : Gas tank 52 : Gas valve 60: Digestive fluid supply unit 61: Transfer unit 61a: Feed motor 61b: Feed shaft 61c : Guide axis 62 : Transfer block 63 : Lifting / Lowering Block 64 : Fire Extinguishing Liquid Tank 65 : Fire extinguishing fluid valve 66 : Fire extinguishing fluid nozzle 67 : Bracket 68 : Elevator actuator 100 : Charging station

Claims

Claim 1 In a battery charging station, a power supply unit (10) installed on an installation surface (1) to supply power, and a case unit (20) installed on an installation surface (1) to make electrical contact with the power supply unit (10). A variable terminal part (30) positioned on the front of the rear wall of the above case part (20) and in contact with the power supply part (10), A charging unit (40) positioned in front of the variable terminal unit (30) and having an electrical contact, and a battery (2) fixedly installed therein, A battery charging station capable of fire suppression, characterized by comprising a fire extinguishing gas unit (50) installed at the bottom of the case unit (20) and spraying carbon dioxide in a gaseous manner in case of fire, and a fire extinguishing liquid supply unit (60) installed on the installation surface and moving to the top of the case unit (20) where a fire has occurred to spray and fill the fire extinguishing liquid. Claim 2 A battery charging station capable of fire suppression, characterized in that, in the first paragraph, the case part (20) comprises a square box-shaped case (21) installed on the installation surface, an opening door (22) for the entry of a battery (2) is formed at the front of the case (21), a case terminal (23) formed to contact a power supply unit (10) at the center of the rear inner wall, an opening / closing part (25) is formed to open and close an injection hole (24) formed on the upper surface of the case (21), and the opening / closing part (25) has a movable cover (27) formed to move along a pair of rails (26) installed on both sides of the injection hole (24) to open and close the injection hole (24), and the movable cover (27) is configured to slide by the operation of a cover actuator (28) installed on one side of the upper surface of the case (21). Claim 3 In Article 1, The above variable terminal section (30) is a variable terminal plate (31) that makes terminal contact with the front of a case terminal section (23) installed on the rear wall of the case (21) of the case section (20). A battery charging station capable of fire suppression, characterized by comprising a plurality of variable actuators (32) installed on the rear inner wall surface of the case (21) to separate the above variable terminal plate (31) from the case terminal (23). Claim 4 In Article 1, The above charging unit (40) is made to contact the front of the variable terminal plate (31) of the variable terminal unit (30), which is connected to the front of the case terminal unit (23) installed on the rear wall of the case (21) of the case unit (20). A battery charging station capable of fire suppression, characterized by being composed of a charging terminal plate (41) that is slidably inserted into the case (21) of the case part (20) and a charging bottom plate (42) on which a battery (2) for charging is placed, which is orthogonal to the charging terminal plate (41). Claim 5 A battery charging station capable of fire suppression, wherein the fire suppression gas unit (50) comprises a gas tank (51) in which carbon dioxide gas is filled into the bottom surface of the case (21) of the case unit (20), and a gas valve (52) connected to the gas tank (51) and installed through the bottom surface to control the injection of gas. Claim 6 A battery charging station capable of fire suppression, wherein the fire extinguishing liquid supply unit (60) comprises a transfer unit (61) installed on the installation surface, a lifting / lowering block (63) that moves horizontally along the transfer unit (61) and is connected to a transfer block (62), a fire extinguishing liquid tank (64) installed on the upper surface of the lifting / lowering block (63), a fire extinguishing liquid valve (65) connected to the fire extinguishing liquid tank (64) to control the spraying of the fire extinguishing liquid, and a fire extinguishing liquid nozzle (66) connected to the lower part of the fire extinguishing liquid valve (65) to inject the fire extinguishing liquid into an injection hole (24) of the case unit (20). Claim 7 A battery charging station capable of fire suppression, characterized in that, in claim 6, a bracket (67) installed on a transfer block (62) to operate the lifting and lowering block (63) and a lifting actuator (68) installed on the bracket (67) to move the lifting and lowering block (63) are configured.

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