Flame-retardant box for power battery

Abstract

The present invention relates to the technical field of battery flame retardance. Disclosed is a flame-retardant box for a power battery. The flame-retardant box comprises a box body and a box cover which are made of fireproof material layers; a positioning structure for fixing the fireproof material layers is arranged outside the box body; at least one accommodating slot for accommodating a battery is formed in the box body along the horizontal direction; the box cover and the accommodating slot are matched to form an independent flame-retardant chamber for preventing air convection; and a wire passing hole is formed in the side wall of the box body. The present invention aims to provide the flame-retardant box for the power battery, which has a compact structure, is high-temperature-resistant and has a good use effect; and is used for power battery flame retardance.

Description

Flame retardant box for power batteries Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a flame retardant box, and more particularly to a flame retardant box for a power battery. Background Art

[0002] With the increasing popularity of new energy vehicles and energy storage systems powered by power batteries, coupled with the dramatic increase in the number of obsolete power batteries, power battery recycling and disposal has become a pressing issue. The government encourages companies to implement a cascaded reuse strategy for power batteries. In the energy storage sector, obsolete power batteries offer significant cost advantages, but they also suffer from a significant disadvantage: a significantly higher probability of failure and subsequent explosion than new power batteries. Failure to address this safety hazard renders it impossible to safely reuse old or new power batteries.

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to address the deficiencies of the above-mentioned prior art and provide a flame retardant box for a power battery that has a compact structure, is resistant to high temperatures and has good performance.

[0005] The technical solution of the present invention is implemented as follows: a flame retardant box for a power battery, which includes a box body and a box cover made of high-temperature resistant fireproof material layers, and a positioning structure for fixing each fireproof material layer is provided outside the box body; at least one accommodating groove for accommodating a battery is formed in the horizontal direction inside the box body, and the box cover and the accommodating groove cooperate to form an independent flame retardant chamber that prevents air convection; a wire hole is provided on the side wall of the box body.

[0006] In the above-mentioned flame-retardant box for a power battery, the positioning structure includes fastening screws connecting the various fireproof material layers, and a waterproof sticker is circumferentially coated on the outer wall of the box.

[0007] In the flame-retardant box for a power battery, the box body and the box cover are hinged, and a positioning member for fixing the box body and the box cover is provided at one end away from the hinge end. Preferably, the positioning member is a spring buckle assembly.

[0008] In the above-mentioned flame-retardant box for a power battery, the box body includes a plurality of side plates arranged along the circumference to form a closed ring structure and a bottom plate arranged at the bottom of the closed ring structure formed by each side plate;

[0009] Several partitions are arranged at intervals inside the side panels, and the accommodating grooves are formed by the side panels, partitions and bottom panels; the side panels and partitions are both fireproof material layers, and the bottom panel is a fireproof material layer or fireproof cloth; the box cover corresponds to each accommodating groove one by one.

[0010] In the above-mentioned flame retardant box for power batteries, the positioning structure includes a positioning shell, a positioning slot for positioning the fireproof material layer is provided in the positioning shell, the bottom plate is provided at the bottom of the positioning shell, the side plates and the partition are fixed by the positioning slots, and the fireproof material layers cooperate to form a trough body with a single-sided opening; a positioning cover that cooperates with the box cover is hinged at the opening of the positioning shell, and the positioning cover is covered on the outer surface of the box cover.

[0011] In the above-mentioned flame-retardant box for a power battery, the positioning housing is rectangular, and the positioning slots at both ends of the positioning housing are L-shaped, and the L-shaped positioning slots cooperate with the positioning housing to form two mutually perpendicular sockets;

[0012] The positioning slot located in the middle of the positioning shell consists of a "["-shaped slot body and integrally formed vertical flanges at the two free ends of the slot body. The positioning slot cooperates with the positioning shell to form three sockets, and two adjacent sockets are perpendicular to each other; the positioning shell, the positioning slot and the fireproof material layer cooperate to form several independent accommodating grooves.

[0013] In the above-mentioned flame retardant box for a power battery, a heat conducting plate for heating or heat dissipation is provided at the bottom of the positioning shell.

[0014] In the above-mentioned flame-retardant box for a power battery, a mounting notch is provided at the bottom of the side wall of the positioning shell, and a sealing plate covered with a fireproof material layer is provided at the mounting notch.

[0015] In the above-mentioned flame-retardant box for a power battery, the positioning housing and the positioning slot are an integrally formed structure, the positioning slot is L-shaped, and the positioning slots at both ends cooperate with the positioning housing to form two mutually perpendicular sockets;

[0016] The positioning slots located in the middle of the positioning housing are symmetrical and spaced apart in pairs. Two positioning slots cooperate to form three sockets, and two adjacent sockets are perpendicular to each other.

[0017] In the above-mentioned flame-retardant box for power batteries, the openings of two adjacent accommodating grooves are provided with an isolation structure that cooperates with the box cover; the gaps between the two adjacent accommodating grooves and the box cover are separated by the isolation structure or the gaps are not opposite.

[0018] In the above-mentioned flame-retardant box for power batteries, the isolation structure is two isolation planes at different heights on the upper end surface of the partition between two adjacent accommodating grooves; the box covers on the two adjacent accommodating grooves contact the corresponding isolation planes to close the accommodating grooves.

[0019] In the above-mentioned flame-retardant box for a power battery, the isolation structure is a partition plate or a partition groove provided on a partition between two adjacent accommodating grooves, and the partition plate or the partition groove is located between two adjacent box covers.

[0020] In the above-mentioned flame-retardant box for a power battery, the side panels are opposite to the long sides of the batteries in the corresponding accommodating slots.

[0021] In the above-mentioned flame-retardant box for power batteries, the distance between the inner wall of the accommodating tank and the battery module placed inside is 2-20 mm.

[0022] After adopting the above structure, the present invention forms a flame retardant chamber that prevents air convection by cooperating with the box body and the box cover made of a fireproof material layer. When the internal explosion occurs, the internal pressure increases, pushing open the gap between the box cover and the box body, allowing the high temperature generated by the battery to quickly overflow. At the same time, when the internal pressure decreases, the flame retardant chamber is in a closed state, which can also minimize the amount of oxygen entering the box body, thereby preventing further combustion. After testing, it was found that when the battery thermal runaway occurs, the highest temperature point inside the battery reaches about 1300 degrees, and the gas discharged from the box body is not much, so the surrounding temperature will not be too high. When using a flame retardant box to protect various batteries, it can effectively prevent the ignition of surrounding batteries and cause fires when the battery thermal runaway occurs, thereby greatly improving the safe use of new and old power batteries. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the embodiments in the accompanying drawings, but this does not constitute any limitation to the present invention.

[0024] FIG1 is a schematic structural diagram of embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0025] FIG2 is a schematic structural diagram of embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0026] FIG3 is a partial enlarged schematic diagram of point A in FIG2 ;

[0027] FIG4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] FIG5 is a partial enlarged schematic diagram of point B in FIG4 ;

[0029] FIG6 is a schematic structural diagram of Example 3 of the present invention;

[0030] FIG7 is a partial enlarged schematic diagram of point C in FIG6;

[0031] FIG8 is a schematic structural diagram of Example 4 of the present invention;

[0032] FIG9 is a partial enlarged schematic diagram of point D in FIG8;

[0033] FIG10 is a schematic structural diagram of Example 5 of the present invention;

[0034] FIG11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the structure of FIG10;

[0035] FIG12 is a schematic structural diagram of Example 6 of the present invention;

[0036] FIG13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the structure of FIG12 .

[0037] In the figure: 1. Box body; 1a. Side panel; 1c. Partition; 1b. Bottom plate; 2. Box cover; 3. Receiving groove; 4. Wire hole; 5. Waterproof sticker; 6. Spring buckle assembly; 7. Positioning shell; 7a. Positioning cover; 8. Positioning slot; 9. Heat conduction plate; 10. Sealing plate; 11. Isolation plane; 12. Partition plate; 13. Partition groove. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] Referring to FIG1 , a flame retardant box for a power battery of the present invention comprises a box body 1 and a box cover 2 made of a fireproof material layer. The fireproof material layer is made of a refractory material that can withstand a high temperature of 1300 degrees in a short time.

[0039] The housing 1 and lid 2 are hingedly connected. A locating member is provided at one end, distal from the hinge, to secure the housing 1 and lid 2. Preferably, the locating member is a spring latch assembly 6. Of course, the housing and lid assembly can also utilize other conventional connection structures, such as a hook-on-one-side elastic latch. These are equivalent alternatives readily apparent to those skilled in the art. The spring latch assembly can utilize various conventional structures in the art or similar structures with elastic properties, depending on the specific situation. The spring latch assembly allows the lid to be propped open in the event of a battery explosion, relieving pressure. After a brief explosion, when the pressure decreases due to a lack of oxygen, the seal is restored, effectively isolating the lid from outside air and rapidly extinguishing the internal combustion point due to oxygen depletion. Testing has shown that even with conventional locating members, even without elastic structures, there is no problem in the event of a battery explosion. However, adjacent batteries will be subjected to a certain degree of high-temperature shock, with some heat entering the adjacent battery compartments.

[0040] A positioning structure for fixing each layer of fireproof material is provided on the outside of the box body 1; at least one accommodating groove 3 for accommodating batteries is formed in the horizontal direction inside the box body 1, and the box cover 2 and the accommodating groove 3 cooperate to form an independent flame retardant chamber that prevents air convection; a wire hole 4 is provided on the side wall of the box body 1. When threading the wire hole, a T-shaped silicone protective coil is used for sealing. Or other conventional sealing materials in the field can be used, such as rubber or putty. Preferably, it is made of silicone material, which carbonizes on the surface under short-term high-temperature environment but still maintains the characteristics of silicone inside, and still has a sealing effect. It can be sealed when the battery fails and explodes, and at the same time, the wire hole is still sealed after the explosion to prevent air from entering; when installing the terminal, it can also be sealed with a rubber ring, which is also a common technology in this field.

[0041] Preferably, the side panels 1a face the long sides of the batteries within the corresponding compartments 3. In other words, they face the larger end faces of the batteries. For example, in the case of soft-pack batteries or power batteries, these face the larger faces of the internal cells. This ensures that in the event of a battery explosion, the significant impact force will not impact the partitions, but will instead be absorbed by the side panels. The advantage is that even with a powerful battery explosion, the partitions will remain intact, and the explosion will not affect batteries in adjacent compartments.

[0042] Further preferably, the distance between the inner wall of the storage tank 3 and the battery module placed inside is 2-20mm, preferably 5-15mm. The battery module refers to the battery and the accessories connected to the battery, such as a switch, a control panel or a protective plate. With this structure, even when a battery in a storage tank explodes with great force, causing a large impact on the partition, due to the small distance between the storage tank and the battery, the deformation amplitude of the partition is not enough to cause serious damage such as breakage of the partition. When the partition is deformed, a larger gap will be generated between the partition and the box cover, thereby providing an effective pressure release space, further ensuring the safety of the batteries in the adjacent storage tanks.

[0043] In this embodiment, the positioning structure includes fastening screws connecting the fireproof material layers, and the outer wall of the box body 1 is circumferentially covered with a waterproof sticker 5. The waterproof sticker further strengthens the mechanical strength of the box body while protecting it from moisture.

[0044] Example 2

[0045] Referring to Figures 2 to 5 , the present invention discloses a flame-retardant box for a power battery. Its structure is substantially the same as that of Example 1, except that the box body 1 includes a plurality of side panels 1a arranged circumferentially to form a closed annular structure, and a bottom panel 1b disposed at the bottom of the closed annular structure formed by each of the side panels 1a. A plurality of partitions 1c are spaced apart within the side panels 1a, and the accommodating grooves 3 are formed by the side panels 1a, the partitions 1c, and the bottom panel 1b. The side panels 1a and the partitions 1c are each formed of a fireproof material layer, while the bottom panel 1b is a fireproof material layer or fireproof cloth. The box cover 2 corresponds to each of the accommodating grooves 3. In this embodiment, the bottom panel is fireproof cloth. Since the flames rise during combustion, the bottom is minimally affected, and this allows for more space within the accommodating grooves.

[0046] It should be noted that the box in this embodiment is long and narrow and is divided into several compartments by partitions, forming a row and multiple columns. Of course, as a person skilled in the art, according to actual needs, the box can also be enlarged to form multiple rows and columns, or a row and multiple columns of boxes can be combined to form multiple rows and columns. These are all equivalent alternative solutions that can be easily thought of by those skilled in the art.

[0047] In this embodiment, the positioning structure includes a positioning housing 7, within which is disposed a positioning slot 8 for positioning the fireproof material layer. A bottom plate 1b is disposed at the bottom of the positioning housing 7, and the side plates 1a and partitions 1c are secured via the positioning slots 8. The fireproof material layers cooperate to form a single-sided open trough. A positioning cover 7a is hingedly connected to the opening of the positioning housing 7 and mates with the box lid 2. The positioning cover 7a covers the outer surface of the box lid 2, with the side facing the accommodating slot being uncovered and the remaining surfaces being enclosed within the positioning cover. A through hole corresponding to the wire hole is disposed in the positioning housing.

[0048] The fireproof material layer at the bottom can be inserted through the opening of the positioning housing or from the side. Depending on the placement method, the shape of the fireproof material layer can be adaptively modified, as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. When inserted from the side, a mounting notch is provided at the bottom of the side wall of the positioning housing 7, and a sealing plate 10, which is covered with the fireproof material layer, is positioned in the mounting notch.

[0049] Of course, according to the concept of the present invention, the fireproof material layer at the bottom can also be replaced by a fireproof material layer commonly used in the field, such as fireproof cloth. This is also an equivalent alternative solution that can be easily thought of by those skilled in the art.

[0050] Preferably, in this embodiment, the positioning housing 7 is rectangular, and the positioning slots 8 located at both ends of the positioning housing 7 are L-shaped. The L-shaped positioning slots 8 cooperate with the positioning housing 7 to form two mutually perpendicular sockets.

[0051] The positioning slot 8, located in the center of the positioning housing 7, consists of a "["-shaped slot body and integrally formed vertical flanges at its free ends. The positioning slot 8 and the positioning housing 7 form three sockets, with adjacent sockets perpendicular to each other, forming a T-shape. The positioning housing 7, positioning slot 8, and the fireproof material layer cooperate to form a plurality of independent receiving slots 3. The positioning slot can be secured to the positioning housing by welding, riveting, or screwing.

[0052] Furthermore, to prevent flames or high-temperature gases from entering the adjacent compartments when a battery in one compartment explodes, the openings of two adjacent compartments 3 are provided with an isolation structure that cooperates with the box cover 2. The isolation structure separates or separates the gaps between the two adjacent compartments 3 and the box cover 2. In this embodiment, the isolation structure comprises two isolation planes 11 at different heights, located on the upper end surface of the partition 1c between the two adjacent compartments 3. The box cover 2 on the two adjacent compartments 3 contacts the corresponding isolation planes 11, sealing the compartments 3.

[0053] By setting an isolation plane, the gaps between two adjacent accommodating grooves and the box cover are not on the same plane, which can effectively prevent flames or high-temperature gases from entering adjacent accommodating grooves when the battery explodes.

[0054] Example 3

[0055] Referring to Figures 6 and 7, the flame-retardant case for a power battery of the present invention has a structure substantially identical to that of Example 1, differing in that a heat-conducting plate 9 for heating or dissipating heat is installed at the bottom of the positioning housing 7. The heat-conducting plate is installed through the mounting notch in the same manner as the bottom fireproof material layer. This structure is suitable for environments and applications with high temperature requirements, and it provides better temperature control for the battery.

[0056] Meanwhile, in this embodiment, the isolation structure is a partition plate 12 provided on the partition plate 1 c between two adjacent accommodating grooves 3 , and the partition plate 12 is located between two adjacent box covers 2 .

[0057] Example 4

[0058] 8 and 9 , a flame retardant box for a power battery according to the present invention has a structure substantially the same as that of Example 2, except that the positioning housing 7 and the positioning slot 8 are integrally formed as a whole, the positioning slot 8 is L-shaped, and the positioning slots 8 at both ends cooperate with the positioning housing 7 to form two mutually perpendicular sockets.

[0059] The positioning slots 8 located in the middle of the positioning housing 7 are symmetrical and spaced apart, and two positioning slots 8 cooperate to form three sockets, with two adjacent sockets perpendicular to each other. With this structure, the positioning housing can be directly cast, saving assembly costs.

[0060] The isolation structure in this embodiment is the same as that in embodiment 2.

[0061] Example 5

[0062] Referring to Figures 10 and 11 , the structure of a flame-retardant case for a power battery according to the present invention is essentially the same as that of Example 4, except that a heat-conducting plate 9 for heating or dissipating heat is provided at the bottom of the positioning housing 7. This structure is suitable for environments and applications with high temperature requirements, and it provides better temperature control for the battery.

[0063] In this embodiment, the isolation structure is a partition groove 13 provided on the partition plate 1c between two adjacent accommodating slots 3. The partition groove 13 is located between two adjacent box covers 2. The gap formed by the partition groove provides a buffer for the high-speed airflow ejected from the gap between the accommodating slot and the box cover, and creates turbulent flow within the partition groove, effectively preventing flames and high-temperature gases from entering adjacent accommodating slots.

[0064] Example 6

[0065] Referring to Figures 12 and 13, the present invention illustrates a flame-retardant case for a power battery. Its structure is essentially the same as that of Example 5, differing in that the sealing plate 10 here does not require a separate internal coating of fireproof material. Instead, a fireproof seal is formed by cleverly utilizing a combination of a bottom and end fireproof material layer. In this case, the sealing plate is simply a metal plate. Accordingly, a recess is provided at the lower end of the end fireproof material layer to allow for external communication between the cooling plate's circulating water inlet and outlet. The resulting effect is the same as that of Example 5.

[0066] The above embodiments are preferred implementation modes of the present invention and are only used to facilitate the explanation of the present invention. They are not intended to limit the present invention in any form. Any person with ordinary knowledge in the technical field can, without departing from the scope of the technical features of the present invention, make partial changes or modifications to the technical contents disclosed in the present invention and make equivalent embodiments without departing from the technical features of the present invention. Such modifications still fall within the scope of the technical features of the present invention.

Claims

1. A flame retardant box for a power battery, characterized in that: The flame retardant box comprises a box body (1) and a box cover (2) made of high-temperature resistant fireproof material layers, a positioning structure for fixing each fireproof material layer is arranged outside the box body (1); at least one accommodating groove (3) for accommodating a battery is formed inside the box body (1), the box cover (2) and the accommodating groove (3) cooperate to form an independent flame retardant chamber that prevents air convection; and a wire hole (4) is arranged on the side wall of the box body (1).

2. A flame retardant box for a power battery according to claim 1, characterized in that: The box body (1) and the box cover (2) are hinged, and a spring buckle assembly (6) for fixing the box body (1) and the box cover (2) is arranged at an end away from the hinged end.

3. A flame retardant box for a power battery according to claim 1, characterized in that: The box body (1) comprises a plurality of side plates (1a) arranged along the circumference to form a closed ring structure and a bottom plate (1b) arranged at the bottom of the closed ring structure formed by each side plate (1a); the side plates (1a) are opposite to the long sides of the batteries in the corresponding accommodating grooves (3); A plurality of partitions (1c) are arranged at intervals inside the side plate (1a); the accommodating grooves (3) are formed by the side plate (1a), the partitions (1c) and the bottom plate (1b); the side plate (1a) and the partitions (1c) are both fireproof material layers, and the bottom plate (1b) is a fireproof material layer or fireproof cloth; the box cover (2) is matched with each accommodating groove (3) in a one-to-one correspondence.

4. A flame retardant box for a power battery according to claim 3, characterized in that: The positioning structure comprises a positioning shell (7), a positioning slot (8) for positioning the fireproof material layer is arranged in the positioning shell (7), a bottom plate (1b) is arranged at the bottom of the positioning shell (7), a side plate (1a) and a partition plate (1c) are fixed by the positioning slot (8), and each fireproof material layer cooperates to form a groove body with a single side open; A positioning cover (7a) matched with the box cover (2) is hingedly connected to the opening of the positioning shell (7), and the positioning cover (7a) covers the outer surface of the box cover (2).

5. A flame retardant box for a power battery according to claim 4, characterized in that: The positioning housing (7) is rectangular, and the positioning slots (8) located at both ends of the positioning housing (7) are L-shaped, and the L-shaped positioning slots (8) cooperate with the positioning housing (7) to form two mutually perpendicular sockets; The positioning slot (8) located in the middle of the positioning shell (7) is composed of a "["-shaped slot body and vertical flanges at two free ends of the slot body that are integrally formed. The positioning slot (8) cooperates with the positioning shell (7) to form three sockets, and two adjacent sockets are perpendicular to each other. The positioning shell (7), the positioning slot (8) and the fireproof material layer cooperate to form a plurality of mutually independent accommodating grooves (3).

6. A flame retardant box for a power battery according to claim 5, characterized in that: A heat conducting plate (9) for heating or heat dissipation is arranged at the inner bottom of the positioning housing (7).

7. A flame retardant box for a power battery according to claim 3, characterized in that: The openings of two adjacent accommodating grooves (3) are provided with an isolation structure that matches the box cover (2); the gaps between the two adjacent accommodating grooves (3) and the box cover (2) are separated by the isolation structure or the gaps are not opposite.

8. A flame retardant box for a power battery according to claim 3, characterized in that: The isolation structure comprises two isolation planes (11) at different heights arranged on the upper end surface of a partition (1c) between two adjacent accommodating grooves (3); the box covers (2) on the two adjacent accommodating grooves (3) are in contact with the corresponding isolation planes (11) to close the accommodating grooves (3).

9. A flame retardant box for a power battery according to claim 3, characterized in that: The isolation structure is a partition plate (12) or a partition groove (13) arranged on a partition plate (1c) between two adjacent accommodating grooves (3); the partition plate (12) or the partition groove (13) is located between two adjacent box covers (2).

10. A flame retardant box for a power battery according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that: The distance between the inner wall of the containing groove (3) and the battery module placed inside is 2-20 mm.

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