Battery conveying apparatus
The battery transport device addresses the challenges of fire isolation, agent scattering, and fire suppression by using a carriage with a closable inlet, a fire detection unit, and a fire extinguishing unit, along with smoke-blocking and refractory gaskets, ensuring the stability of the battery cell manufacturing process.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/KR2024/017485
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-11-20
- Filing Date
- 2024-11-07
- Publication Date
- 2025-05-30
AI Technical Summary
The existing battery transport devices face challenges in effectively isolating a battery cell from the outside during a fire, preventing unnecessary scattering of fire extinguishing agents, and suppressing the occurrence and spread of fires during battery cell transportation.
The battery transport device incorporates a carriage with a first inlet and a first barrier screen that can be closed to isolate the battery cell, a fire detection unit to trigger the closure of the inlet, and a fire extinguishing unit to spray agents through a penetration hole, all while using gaskets made of smoke-blocking and refractory materials to enhance sealing and fire resistance.
The device effectively isolates the battery cell from the outside during a fire, prevents the fire extinguishing agent from scattering, and suppresses the fire's occurrence and spread, thereby ensuring the stability of the battery cell manufacturing process and the battery transport device.
Smart Images

Figure KR2024017485_30052025_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
Battery transport device
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a device for transporting battery cells. Specifically, it relates to a device for transporting battery cells used in the battery cell manufacturing process.
[0002] The lithium-ion battery manufacturing process largely consists of electrode manufacturing, battery manufacturing, and formation processes. The formation process involves charging the battery cells to impart electrical properties and testing discharge capacity, an aging process to ensure optimal electrolyte dispersion, and a screening process for defective batteries containing foreign substances. This formation process is carried out over a pre-determined storage period, but fires and explosions can occur during storage during the formation process.
[0003] Meanwhile, battery transport equipment, such as a stacker crane, can be used to transport manufactured battery cells to charging and discharging facilities and / or aging facilities. Therefore, to prevent fires during battery cell transport, the battery transport equipment must isolate the space housing the battery cells from the outside and spray fire extinguishing agents to effectively suppress the occurrence and spread of fire.
[0004] Research is also actively being conducted on structures that can increase durability for protection.
[0005] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the problem is to effectively isolate a battery cell in which a fire has occurred from the outside when a fire occurs during transport of the battery cell.
[0006] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the problem is to prevent the fire extinguishing agent from being unnecessarily scattered to the outside when spraying the fire extinguishing agent.
[0007] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the problem is to effectively suppress the occurrence and spread of fire when a fire occurs during transport of a battery cell.
[0008] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the problem is to ensure the stability of a battery cell manufacturing process and to secure the stability of a battery transport device.
[0009] Meanwhile, the battery cell manufactured using the battery transport device according to the present disclosure can be widely applied in green technology fields such as electric vehicles, battery charging stations, energy storage systems (ESS), and other battery-based photovoltaics and wind power generation. In addition, the battery cell manufactured using the battery transport device according to the present disclosure can be used in eco-friendly mobility, including electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles, to prevent climate change by suppressing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
[0010] A battery transport device according to the present disclosure comprises: a carriage forming a receiving space for receiving a battery cell therein; a carriage front surface forming a front surface of the carriage, the carriage front surface including a first inlet communicating with the receiving space; a first roller positioned above the first inlet in the carriage and rotatably provided; a first screen-shaped barrier that is wound around the first roller and opens and closes the first inlet according to the rotation of the first roller; a front side panel portion positioned on both sides of the first inlet along the height direction of the carriage to guide movement of the first barrier and forming at least a portion of the front surface of the carriage; and a first gasket positioned on the inside of the front side panel portion along the height direction of the carriage, the first gasket contacting the first barrier when the first barrier closes the first inlet, and being expandable toward the first barrier when a fire occurs in the receiving space.
[0011] Meanwhile, the first gasket may include a smoke blocking material.
[0012] Additionally, the first gasket may include a refractory material.
[0013] In addition, the battery transport device may further include a fire detection unit that detects the occurrence of smoke or temperature in the receiving space; and a control unit that closes the first inlet by unrolling the first barrier from the first roller when the occurrence of fire in the receiving space is detected through the fire detection unit.
[0014] In addition, the battery transport device has a through hole formed by penetrating the carriage upper surface forming the upper surface of the carriage or the carriage side forming the side surface of the carriage; and
[0015] It may further include a fire extinguishing unit that sprays a fire extinguishing agent through the above-mentioned through hole.
[0016] Meanwhile, the control unit can control the fire extinguishing unit to spray the fire extinguishing agent when detecting a fire in the receiving space through the fire detection unit.
[0017] Additionally, the fire detection unit may include a smoke detection sensor that detects smoke in the receiving space.
[0018] Meanwhile, the fire detection unit may include a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the receiving space.
[0019] Meanwhile, the fire detection unit may include a camera that photographs the battery cells accommodated in the accommodation space.
[0020] In addition, the battery transport device includes a carriage rear surface that forms a rear surface of the carriage and includes a second inlet communicating with the receiving space; a rear side panel portion located on both sides of the second inlet portion and forming at least a portion of the carriage rear surface; a second roller positioned above the second inlet portion inside the carriage and rotatably provided; a second blocking screen in the form of a screen that is wound around the second roller and opens and closes the second inlet portion according to the rotation of the second roller; a rear side panel portion located on both sides of the second inlet portion along the height direction of the carriage to guide movement of the second blocking screen and forming at least a portion of the carriage rear surface; And the second gasket may further include a second gasket positioned on the inside of the rear side panel portion along the height direction of the carriage, which comes into contact with the second blocking film when the second inlet is closed, and which is expandable toward the second blocking film when a fire occurs in the receiving space.
[0021] The above battery transport device may further include a fire detection unit that detects the occurrence of smoke or temperature in the receiving space; and a control unit that detects the occurrence of fire in the receiving space through the fire detection unit and closes the first inlet and the second inlet by unrolling the first blocking film and the second blocking film from the first roller and the second roller, respectively.
[0022] Additionally, the first gasket and the second gasket may each include a flame retardant material.
[0023] Additionally, the first gasket and the second gasket may each include a flame retardant material.
[0024] Meanwhile, the battery transport device may further include a first driving unit that moves the carriage in a direction parallel to the front of the carriage; a second driving unit that moves the carriage along the height direction of the carriage; and a transfer unit that can move along the front-back direction of the carriage to introduce or withdraw the battery cell into or from the receiving space.
[0025] In addition, the battery transport device may further include a control unit located outside the carriage and controlling the first driving unit, the second driving unit, and the transfer unit.
[0026] In addition, the battery transport device further includes a wire connecting the control unit and the transport unit, and a portion of the wire exposed to the receiving space among the wires may be wrapped with a fire-retardant covering material.
[0027] In addition, the battery transport device further includes a driving rail provided in a direction parallel to the first inlet, and the first driving section can be moved along the driving rail.
[0028] In addition, the battery transport device further includes a mast positioned outside the carriage and extending along the height direction of the carriage, and the second driving unit may be capable of moving the carriage along the mast.
[0029] Meanwhile, the inner surface of the above-mentioned receiving space may be coated with a fire-resistant material.
[0030] Meanwhile, the battery transport device further includes a front lower panel portion that is positioned below the first inlet and forms a portion of the front of the carriage, and the front lower panel portion may include an insertion groove into which one end of the first blocking film is inserted when the first blocking film closes the first inlet.
[0031] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, when a fire occurs during transport of a battery cell, the battery cell in which the fire occurred can be effectively isolated from the outside.
[0032] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, when spraying the fire extinguishing agent, it is possible to prevent the fire extinguishing agent from being unnecessarily scattered to the outside.
[0033] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, when a fire occurs during transport of a battery cell, the occurrence and spread of the fire can be effectively suppressed.
[0034] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the stability of a battery cell manufacturing process can be improved and the stability of a battery transport device can be secured.
[0035] Figure 1 is an example of a battery transport device.
[0036] Figure 2 is another example of a battery transport device.
[0037] Figure 3 is an example of a carriage that accommodates a battery cell.
[0038] Figure 4 is an example of a block diagram related to the control of a battery transport device.
[0039] Figure 5 is an example of a view of the front of the carriage with the first barrier closed at the first inlet.
[0040] Figure 6 is an enlarged cross-section of a portion of the carriage viewed from the CC' direction.
[0041] Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. However, these are merely exemplary and the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments described as examples.
[0042] Certain terms used in this specification are for convenience of explanation only and are not intended to limit the illustrated embodiments.
[0043] For example, expressions such as "same" and "same as" not only indicate a strictly identical state, but also indicate a state in which there is a difference in tolerance, or the degree to which the same function is obtained.
[0044] For example, expressions indicating relative or absolute arrangements such as “in which direction,” “along which direction,” “parallel,” “perpendicular,” “centered,” “concentric,” or “coaxial” not only strictly indicate such arrangements, but also indicate a state of relative displacement with an angle or distance that allows for tolerance, or the degree to which the same function is obtained.
[0045] In order to explain the present disclosure, the following description is based on a spatial orthogonal coordinate system with mutually orthogonal X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis. Each axis direction (X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, Z-axis direction) means both directions in which each axis extends.
[0046] The X-direction, Y-direction, and Z-direction mentioned below are for the purpose of explanation so that the present disclosure can be clearly understood, and it is of course possible to define each direction differently depending on where the standard is set.
[0047] The use of terms such as "first," "second," and "third" before the components mentioned below is intended solely to avoid confusion regarding the components they refer to, and has no bearing on the order, importance, or dominant-subordinate relationship between the components. For example, an invention can be implemented that includes only a second component without a first component.
[0048] As used herein, singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
[0049] Fig. 1 is an example of a battery transport device (1000). Also, Fig. 2 is another example of a battery transport device (1000).
[0050] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the battery transport device (1000) can transport battery cells (not shown) in the charging and discharging process during the chemistry process and load or unload them into the charging and discharging room (910) located in the charging and discharging equipment (900). The battery transport device (1000) can be referred to as a stacker crane.
[0051] The above battery transport device (1000) can transport assembled battery cells to the target charging / discharging room (910) to perform the charging / discharging process, and can also transport battery cells that have completed the charging / discharging process to the next process.
[0052] The above-described battery transport device (1000) can be used not only in the charging / discharging process but also in the aging process. That is, the battery transport device (1000) can be used to transport battery cells to a desired aging room (not shown) for aging and then to the next process.
[0053] Meanwhile, the battery transport device (1000) used in the aging process may have the same operating principle as the battery transport device (1000) used in the charging / discharging process, except that the size is different.
[0054] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the battery transport device (1000) includes a carriage (100) that forms a receiving space (101, see FIG. 2) for receiving a battery cell therein, and a first inlet (111, see FIG. 2) that communicates with the receiving space (101).
[0055] The carriage (100) can form the receiving space (101). The receiving space (101) can accommodate a plurality of battery cells. The plurality of battery cells can be stacked along the height direction of the carriage (100) in the receiving space (101) or can be stacked along the front-back direction of the carriage (100).
[0056] In order to stack the plurality of battery cells along the front-back direction of the carriage (100), the battery transport device (1000) may further include a tray (190) detachably provided in the receiving space (101). The tray (190) may detachably fix the plurality of battery cells therein to transport the plurality of battery cells.
[0057] In addition, in order to stack along the height direction of the carriage (100), the battery transport device (1000) can arrange the tray (190) along the height direction of the carriage (100) in the receiving space (101). The tray (190) is placed in the receiving space (101) by the transfer unit (450) to be described later, and can be moved along the front-back direction of the carriage (100) through the first inlet (111) and the second inlet (112, see FIG. 3) to be described later.
[0058] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the carriage (100) may include a carriage front (110) that includes the first inlet (111) at the front and forms the front of the carriage (100), a carriage rear (170) that is positioned at the rear of the carriage (100) to face the carriage front (110) and includes the second inlet (112), a carriage side (150) that forms both side surfaces of the carriage (100) and connects the carriage front (110) and the carriage rear (170), and a carriage upper surface (130, see FIG. 3) that connects the carriage front (110), the carriage rear (170), and the carriage side (150) and forms the upper surface of the carriage (100).
[0059] As with the carriage front (110) and the carriage rear (170), the first inlet (111) and the second inlet (112) may be provided to face each other. Accordingly, the first inlet (111) and the second inlet (112) may be connected to the receiving space (101). The battery cell may be introduced into or taken out of the receiving space (101) through the first inlet (111). Similarly, the battery cell may be introduced into or taken out of the receiving space (101) through the second inlet (112).
[0060] Meanwhile, the charging / discharging room (910) or aging room may be formed by stacking multiple layers using trays (190). Accordingly, the battery transport device (1000) may require a moving unit for moving battery cells to the target charging / discharging room (910) or aging room, and a moving unit for introducing battery cells into the charging / discharging room (910) or taking them out from the charging / discharging room (910).
[0061] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the battery transport device (1000) may include a first driving unit (410) that moves the carriage (100) in a direction parallel to the front surface (110) of the carriage, a second driving unit (430) that moves the carriage (100) along the height direction of the carriage (100), and a transfer unit (450) that can move along the front-back direction of the carriage (100) to introduce or withdraw a battery cell into or from the receiving space (101).
[0062] That is, the movement directions of the first driving unit (410), the second driving unit (430), and the transfer unit (450) may be different from each other. For example, if the first driving unit (410) moves the carriage (100) in a direction parallel to the first inlet (111) or the second inlet (112), the second driving unit (430) may move the carriage (100) along the height direction of the carriage (100). In addition, the transfer unit (450) may move the battery cell accommodated inside the carriage (100) along the front-back direction of the carriage (100). Through this, the battery transport device (1000) may be able to move to an arbitrary position in three-dimensional space.
[0063] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the battery transport device (1000) further includes a driving rail (415) provided in a direction parallel to the first inlet (111), and the first driving unit (410) can move the carriage (100) along the driving rail (415).
[0064] To this end, the first driving unit (410) may further include a first driving motor (4101) that generates rotational force and a first driving wheel (413) that rotates by the rotation of the first driving motor (4101).
[0065] Likewise, the battery transport device (1000) may further include a mast (435) positioned on the outside of the carriage (100) and extending along the height direction of the carriage (100).
[0066] The second driving unit (430) can move the carriage (100) along the mast (435). The second driving unit (430) may further include a second driving motor (4301) that generates rotational force, a cable (4303) that is connected to the second driving motor (4301) and supported by the mast (435), and a second driving wheel (433, see FIG. 3) that rotates by the second driving motor (4301) and winds or unwinds the cable (4303).
[0067] In contrast, the second driving wheel (433) may be provided in a gear shape, and the cable (4303) may be in the form of a chain wound around gear teeth provided on the outer surface of the second driving wheel (433). That is, regardless of the mechanism by which it operates, the second driving unit (430) can move the carriage (100) along the height direction of the carriage (100) like a kind of hoist.
[0068] The upper limit of movement of the carriage (100) along the height direction of the carriage (100) will be determined according to the height of the mast (435). This may vary depending on the size of the charging / discharging equipment (900) or the aging equipment.
[0069] Meanwhile, the transport unit (450) can move along the forward and backward direction of the carriage (100) to bring in or take out battery cells located in the receiving space (101) from the outside. That is, the transport unit (450) can bring in or take out battery cells into the receiving space (101) through the first inlet (111) or the second inlet (112).
[0070] The above-described transport unit (450) may further include a transport motor (not shown) that generates a rotational force and a fork unit (451, see FIG. 3) that moves along the forward and backward direction of the carriage (100) according to the rotation of the transport motor. The above-described transport unit (450) may further include a transport rail (4501, see FIG. 3) provided inside the carriage (100) to guide the movement of the fork unit (451). The fork unit (451) may move the battery cell or tray (190) along the transport rail (4501) in the forward and backward direction of the carriage (100).
[0071] In general, in order to move multiple battery cells at once, the fork portion (451) may be able to move the tray (190) by contacting the outside of the tray (190).
[0072] If the trays (190) are provided in the receiving space (101) in a plurality along the height direction of the carriage (100), the transfer unit (450) may also be provided in a plurality correspondingly. In this case, the battery transport device (1000) may be able to simultaneously move the battery cells to two different charging and discharging rooms (910) through the transfer unit (450).
[0073] Fig. 3 is an example of a carriage (100) that accommodates a battery cell.
[0074] As described above, the carriage (100) can accommodate a battery cell or a tray (190) on which a battery cell is detachably fixed in the accommodation space (101).
[0075] Meanwhile, a fire may occur in a battery cell during transport. Since a fire in a battery cell can easily spread due to the nature of the battery cell, it is important to quickly extinguish a fire that occurs during transport of the battery cell or prevent the fire from spreading. In order to extinguish a fire that occurs in the receiving space (101) or prevent the fire from spreading to the outside, the battery transport device (1000) may include a fire extinguishing unit (650) located on the upper surface (130) of the carriage, which can spray a fire extinguishing agent (not shown) toward the receiving space in the event of a fire.
[0076] In addition, the battery transport device (1000) includes a first blocking screen (710, see Fig. 5) for closing the first inlet (111) in the event of a fire. The first blocking screen (710) is described later using Fig. 5.
[0077] Specifically, the battery transport device (1000) may include a through hole (not shown) formed by penetrating the carriage top surface (130) or the carriage side surface (150), and a fire extinguishing unit (650) that sprays a fire extinguishing agent through the through hole.
[0078] Referring to Fig. 3, the extinguishing unit (650) is positioned to be sprayed through the carriage upper surface (130), but this is only an example. In addition, the extinguishing unit (650) may be entirely positioned on the carriage upper surface (130), but considering the storage capacity and weight of the tank portion storing the extinguishing agent, the tank portion may be positioned on the outside of the carriage (100), and the receiving space (101) and the tank portion may be connected by a pipe or a hose.
[0079] Referring to FIG. 3, the carriage front (110) may include a front upper panel portion (1101) located above the first inlet (111), a front lower panel portion (1103) located below the first inlet (111), and a front side panel portion (1105) connecting the front upper panel portion (1101) and the front lower panel portion (1103).
[0080] In addition, the same applies to the carriage rear (170, see Fig. 2). That is, the carriage rear (170) may include a rear upper panel portion (not shown) located above the second inlet (112), a rear lower panel portion (not shown) located below the second inlet (112), and rear side panel portions (not shown) located on both sides of the second inlet (112) and connecting the rear upper panel portion and the front lower panel portion.
[0081] Figure 4 is an example of a block diagram related to the control of a battery transport device (1000).
[0082] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, the battery transport device (1000) may include a control unit (600) positioned outside the carriage (100) to control the movement of the battery transport device (1000) and the extinguishing unit (650). However, this is merely an example, and the control unit (600) may be positioned in a different location as long as it can control the movement of the battery transport device (1000) and the extinguishing unit (650).
[0083] In addition, the control unit (600) can control the movement of the first driving unit (410) and the second driving unit (430) for the movement of the carriage (100). That is, the control unit (600) can control the movement of the carriage (100) by controlling the rotation of the first driving motor (4101) and the second driving motor (4301).
[0084] In addition, referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the control unit (600) can control the transport unit (450) to introduce the battery cell into the receiving space (101) or to withdraw the battery cell from the receiving space (101). The transport unit (450) can include a transport motor (not shown) that generates a rotational force, a fork unit (451, see FIG. 5) that moves in the forward and backward direction of the carriage (100) through the first inlet (111) or the second inlet (112) according to the rotation of the transport motor, and a transport rail (4501, see FIG. 5) that is arranged along the forward and backward direction of the receiving space (101) to guide the fork unit (451). The control unit (600) can control the movement of the fork unit (451) by controlling the rotation of the transport motor.
[0085] In addition, the control unit (600) can control the fire extinguishing unit (650). When a fire occurs in the receiving space (101), the control unit (600) can spray a fire extinguishing agent into the receiving space (101) through the fire extinguishing unit (650).
[0086] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the control unit (600) can control a fire detection unit (610) that detects a fire in the receiving space (101) and a shielding unit (700) that blocks the receiving space (101) from the outside when a fire occurs.
[0087] Meanwhile, referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, the control unit (600) is provided on the outside of the carriage (100) and can be protected by a box-shaped housing. In addition, the control unit (600) can control an input / output unit (800) provided in the housing to receive user input and output the status of the battery transport device or the processing result of the input command to the user.
[0088] Figure 5 is an example of a front view of the carriage (100) with the first barrier (710) closing the first inlet (111).
[0089] Referring to FIG. 5, the battery transport device (1000) may include a shielding portion (700) including a first roller (720) that is positioned rotatably above the first inlet (111) inside the carriage (100), and a first blocking film (710) in the form of a screen that is wound around the first roller (720) and opens and closes the first inlet (111) according to the rotation of the first roller (720). The shielding portion (700) may further include a front side panel portion (1105) that forms at least a portion of the carriage (100) and a first gasket (770, see FIG. 6) that is positioned inside the carriage (100).
[0090] In addition, the shielding part (700) is provided with a second roller (not shown) that is rotatably positioned on the upper side of the second inlet (112, see FIG. 3) inside the carriage (100), a screen-shaped second blocking screen (not shown) that is wound around the second roller and opens and closes the second inlet (112) according to the rotation of the second roller, a rear side panel (not shown) that is positioned on both sides of the second inlet (112) along the height direction of the carriage (100) to guide the movement of the second blocking screen and forms at least a part of the rear surface of the carriage, and a second blocking screen that is positioned on the inside of the rear side panel along the height direction of the carriage (100) so that the second blocking screen comes into contact with the second blocking screen when the second inlet (112) is closed, and is expandable toward the second blocking screen when a fire occurs in the receiving space (101). A second gasket (not shown) may be further included.
[0091] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the control unit (600) can control the shielding unit (700) to block the receiving space (101) from the outside.
[0092] Specifically, referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the control unit (600) can detect the occurrence of smoke or temperature in the receiving space (101), and when the occurrence of fire in the receiving space (101) is detected through the fire detection unit (610), the first roller (720) can unroll the first blocking film (710) to close the first inlet (111).
[0093] Likewise, when a fire occurs in the receiving space (101), the control unit (600) can close the second inlet (112) by unscrewing the second blocking film from the second roller. As described above, in this specification, the second blocking film, the second roller, and the second gasket are identical in function and form to the first blocking film (710), the first roller (720), and the first gasket (770), and only differ in position, so a detailed description thereof is omitted.
[0094] That is, the description of the first blocking film (710), the first roller (720), and the first gasket (770) will also apply to the second blocking film, the second roller, and the second gasket unless otherwise specified.
[0095] Meanwhile, the control unit (600) can determine whether a fire has occurred in the receiving space (101) through the fire detection unit (610).
[0096] The above fire detection unit (610) may include a smoke detection sensor (6101) located on the inner side of the receiving space (101) to detect smoke in the receiving space (101).
[0097] When smoke is detected in the above-mentioned receiving space (101), the control unit (600) can operate the shielding unit (700) and the fire extinguishing unit (650).
[0098] In contrast, the fire detection unit (610) may include a temperature sensor (6103) that detects the temperature of the receiving space (101). When the temperature sensor (6103) detects that the temperature of the receiving space (101) rises above a preset temperature gradient per unit time or reaches a temperature higher than an allowable temperature, the control unit (600) may operate the shielding unit (700) and the fire extinguishing unit (650).
[0099] Alternatively, the fire detection unit (610) may include a camera (6105) that photographs the receiving space (101). Specifically, the camera (6105) may photograph the battery cells contained in the receiving space (101). The control unit (600) may determine whether a fire has occurred through the camera (6105). For this purpose, the battery transport device (1000) may utilize a vision method. Alternatively, the camera (6105) may be a camera (6105) that detects infrared rays.
[0100] In addition, the battery transport device (1000) can determine whether a fire has occurred in the receiving space (101) by combining at least two of the smoke detection sensor (6101), the temperature sensor (6103), and the camera (6105).
[0101] Referring to FIG. 5, the shielding member (700) may include a first blocking film (710) that blocks the first inlet (111), a first roller (720) that winds the first blocking film (710), and a rotational support member (721) that rotatably supports the first roller (720).
[0102] When the above battery transport device (1000) operates normally, the first blocking film (710) is wrapped around the first roller (720), so that the first inlet (111) may be open.
[0103] When the battery transport device (1000) transports a battery cell and a fire occurs in the battery cell, the control unit (600) can close the first inlet (111) by unwinding the first blocking film (710) from the first roller (720).
[0104] To this end, the battery transport device (1000) may further include a blocking motor (723) that rotates the first roller (720).
[0105] Meanwhile, the area of the first blocking film (710) may be larger than the area of the first inlet (111) in order to close the first inlet (111). More specifically, the length of the first blocking film (710) along the height direction of the carriage (100) may be larger than the height of the first inlet (111). The width of the first blocking film (710) along the left-right direction of the carriage (100) may be larger than the width of the first inlet (111).
[0106] Meanwhile, the front lower panel portion (1103) may include an insertion groove (1103a) into which one end of the first blocking film (710) is inserted when the first blocking film (710) closes the first inlet (111). This is to ensure that the first blocking film (710) guides the first blocking film (710) to close the first inlet (111) when the first blocking film (710) closes the first inlet.
[0107] Likewise, the front side panel portion (1105) may further include a guide portion (not shown) that guides the first blocking film (710) when the first blocking film (710) is lowered. Alternatively, the front side panel portion (1105) may further include a guide groove in the form of a groove or hole into which both ends of the first blocking film (710) are inserted in the width direction of the first blocking film (710).
[0108] The above guide portion and / or the guide groove may help the first blocking film (710) to adhere to the first inlet (111) when the first inlet (111) is closed. This structure may also be applied to the rear surface (170) of the carriage where the second blocking film is located.
[0109] Meanwhile, the battery transport device (1000) may include other members for protecting the carriage (100) from fire in addition to the fire extinguishing unit (650) and the shielding unit (700).
[0110] For example, referring to FIG. 3, the inner surface of the receiving space (101) may be coated with a fire-resistant material or painted with a fire-resistant material paint.
[0111] As another example, the electrical component (not shown) exposed to the inner surface of the receiving space (101) may include a protective cover (not shown) to protect the electrical component from fire.
[0112] As another example, wires (not shown) exposed to the inner surface of the receiving space (101) may be wrapped with a covering material (wire-covering material) such as a heat-resistant tape (not shown) or a fire-retardant tape (not shown) to protect the wires from fire. As a specific example, the wires connecting the control unit (600) and the transfer unit (450) may be further included, and some of the wires exposed to the receiving space (101) among the wires may be wrapped with a covering material of a fire-retardant material.
[0113] Meanwhile, the first barrier film (710) may be a sheet made of heat-resistant or fire-retardant material.
[0114] Additionally, the first barrier (710) may be a fire screen made of a rollable material.
[0115] That is, the first barrier (710) may be a fire shutter that closes the first inlet (111) when a fire occurs in the receiving space (101).
[0116] The shape and material of the first blocking film (701) as described above will be applied equally to the second blocking film.
[0117] Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of a partial cross-section of the carriage (100) viewed from the CC' direction.
[0118] Specifically, it illustrates a partial cross-section of the first barrier film (710), the front side panel portion (1105), and the carriage side (150).
[0119] When a fire occurs in a battery cell accommodated in the above-mentioned accommodation space (101), and the fire detection unit (610) detects this, the control unit (600) can close the first inlet (111) by unrolling the first blocking film (710) from the first roller (720). This is to prevent the smoke and flames inside from escaping and the fire from spreading.
[0120] At this time, if the first blocking film (710) does not seal the first inlet (111), flames, smoke, or hot air generated in the receiving space (101) may spread to the outside. Therefore, the battery transport device (1000) is positioned on the inside of the front side panel portion (1105) along the height direction of the carriage (100), so that the first blocking film (710) can come into contact with the first blocking film (710) when the first inlet (111) is closed.
[0121] In addition, the battery transport device (1000) includes a first gasket (770) that can expand toward the first blocking film (710) when a fire occurs in the receiving space (101).
[0122] The position of the first gasket (770) may be located on the inside of the carriage (100). Specifically, the first gasket (770) may be located on the front side panel portion (1105).
[0123] The front side panel portion (1105) may further include a flange (1105b) formed by bending toward the receiving space (101) around the first inlet. The flange (1105b) may serve to guide the battery cell or tray (190) when it is introduced into or withdrawn from the receiving space (101).
[0124] The front side panel portion (1105) may further include a rib (1105a) protruding along the front-back direction of the carriage (100) on the inner surface of the front side panel portion (1105).
[0125] The above rib (1105a) not only prevents deformation of the front side panel portion (1105), but also provides a place where the first gasket (770) is installed. That is, the above rib (1105a) is provided in multiple numbers, and the above first gasket (770) can be positioned between the above ribs (1105a).
[0126] Meanwhile, the first gasket (770) may be formed of an expandable material. That is, when the first blocking film (710) opens and closes the first inlet (111), a portion of the first blocking film (710) will be positioned at the rear of the front side panel portion (1105). At this time, the first gasket (770) can minimize or prevent a gap between the first blocking film (710) and the front side panel portion (1105).
[0127] Therefore, the first gasket (770) can improve the sealing power of the first blocking film (710).
[0128] That is, referring to FIG. 6, the air or smoke heated by the fire in the receiving space (101) can escape through the gap between the first blocking film (710) and the front side panel (1105) in the direction of the arrow. If the first gasket (770) is formed of a material that expands as the temperature increases, when a fire occurs in the receiving space (101), the first gasket (770) expands due to the heated air in the receiving space (101), thereby effectively blocking smoke or heated air from escaping through the gap between the first blocking film (710) and the front side panel (1105).
[0129] For this purpose, the first gasket (770) may include a material that expands when heated.
[0130] The first gasket (770) may include a smoke blocking material. In addition, the first gasket (770) may include a flame retardant material.
[0131] The material of the first gasket (770) may be a mixture of a material that expands due to heat, a flame-resistant material, and a flame-retardant material. Alternatively, the material of the first gasket (770) may have all of the properties of heat-expandable material, flame-resistant material, and flame-retardant material.
[0132] The above first gasket (770) may also be located on the inner side of the front upper panel portion (1101) and the inner side of the front lower panel portion (1103).
[0133] Referring to FIG. 6, the first gasket (770) may include a main body (7704) including a hollow portion (7701) formed therein, a protrusion (7702) protruding from the main body (7704) toward the carriage side (150), and a wing portion (7703) extending obliquely from the main body (7704) toward the receiving space (101).
[0134] The hollow portion (7701) structurally reinforces the strength of the first gasket (770), thereby improving the structural resistance of the first gasket (770) to external force. In addition, the hollow portion (7701) can enable the expansion of the first gasket (770) more easily than when the interior of the main body (7704) is filled.
[0135] When the first gasket (770) expands, the wing portion (7703) may come into contact with the first barrier membrane (710) (see area A). Accordingly, the first gasket can minimize or prevent fluid, i.e., smoke or hot air, from leaking out of the receiving space (101) to the outside.
[0136] The above protrusion (7702) can couple the first gasket (770) to the inside of the front side panel (1105). The first gasket (770) can be fitted between the ribs (1105a) by the above protrusion (7702).
[0137] Meanwhile, the control unit (600) can close the second inlet (not shown) by unwinding the second blocking film (not shown) from the second roller (not shown). The battery transport device (1000) can include the second gasket on the inside of the rear side panel (not shown) to ensure close contact between the second inlet (112) and the second blocking film (not shown). The description thereof is the same as that of the first gasket (770). The material of the second gasket will also be the same as that of the first gasket (770).
[0138] The present disclosure may be implemented in various forms and modifications, and the scope of the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Therefore, if a modified embodiment includes elements of the claims of the present disclosure, it should be considered to fall within the scope of the present disclosure.
Claims
1. A carriage that forms a space to accommodate battery cells inside; A carriage front surface including a first inlet communicating with the above-mentioned receiving space and forming a front surface of the carriage; A first roller positioned above the first inlet port inside the carriage and rotatably provided; A screen-shaped first barrier film that is wound around the first roller and opens and closes the first inlet according to the rotation of the first roller; A front side panel portion positioned on both sides of the first inlet along the height direction of the carriage to guide the movement of the first barrier, and forming at least a portion of the front surface of the carriage; and A battery transport device comprising: a first gasket positioned on the inner side of the front side panel portion along the height direction of the carriage, the first gasket contacting the first gasket when the first gasket closes the first inlet, and expandable toward the first gasket when a fire occurs in the receiving space; 2. In paragraph 1, The above first gasket A battery carrier comprising a smoke blocking material.
3. In paragraph 1, The above first gasket A battery transport device containing a flame retardant (refractory) material.
4. In paragraph 1, A fire detection unit that detects smoke generation or temperature in the above-mentioned accommodation space; and A battery transport device further comprising a control unit that closes the first inlet by releasing the first barrier from the first roller when a fire in the receiving space is detected through the fire detection unit.
5. In paragraph 4, A through hole formed by penetrating the carriage upper surface forming the upper surface of the carriage or the carriage side forming the side surface of the carriage; and A battery transport device further comprising a fire extinguishing unit that sprays a fire extinguishing agent through the above-mentioned through-hole.
6. In paragraph 5, The above control unit A battery transport device that detects a fire in the above-mentioned storage space through the above-mentioned fire detection unit and controls the above-mentioned fire extinguishing unit to spray the above-mentioned fire extinguishing agent.
7. In paragraph 4, The above fire detection unit A battery transport device including a smoke detection sensor that detects smoke in the above-mentioned receiving space.
8. In paragraph 4, The above fire detection unit A battery transport device including a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the above-mentioned receiving space.
9. In paragraph 4, The above fire detection unit A battery transport device including a camera that photographs battery cells accommodated in the above-mentioned accommodation space.
10. In paragraph 1, A carriage rear surface forming the rear surface of the carriage, the carriage including a second inlet communicating with the above-mentioned receiving space; A rear side panel portion located on both sides of the second inlet port and forming at least a portion of the rear surface of the carriage; A second roller positioned above the second inlet port inside the carriage and rotatably provided; A second barrier film in the form of a screen that is wound around the second roller and opens and closes the second inlet according to the rotation of the second roller; A rear side panel portion positioned on both sides of the second inlet along the height direction of the carriage to guide the movement of the second blocking film and forming at least a portion of the rear surface of the carriage; and A battery transport device further comprising a second gasket positioned on the inner side of the rear side panel portion along the height direction of the carriage, the second gasket contacting the second gasket when the second blocking film closes the second inlet, and expandable toward the second gasket when a fire occurs in the receiving space.
11. In paragraph 10, A fire detection unit that detects smoke generation or temperature in the above-mentioned accommodation space; and A battery transport device further comprising a control unit that detects a fire in the receiving space through the fire detection unit and closes the first inlet and the second inlet by respectively releasing the first barrier and the second barrier from the first roller and the second roller.
12. In paragraph 10, The above first gasket and the above second gasket are each A battery carrier comprising a flame retardant material.
13. In paragraph 10, The above first gasket and the above second gasket are each A battery carrier comprising a flame retardant material.
14. In paragraph 1, A first driving unit that moves the carriage in a direction parallel to the front of the carriage; A second driving unit for moving the carriage along the height direction of the carriage; and A battery transport device including a transport unit that can move along the forward and backward direction of the carriage to introduce or withdraw the battery cell into or from the receiving space.
15. In paragraph 14, A battery transport device further comprising a control unit positioned outside the carriage and controlling the first driving unit, the second driving unit, and the transfer unit.
16. In paragraph 15, Further comprising a wire connecting the above control unit and the above transport unit, A battery transport device in which a portion of the above-mentioned wires exposed to the above-mentioned receiving space are wrapped with a fire-retardant covering material.
17. In paragraph 14, It further includes a running rail provided in a direction parallel to the first input port, The above first driving unit is a battery transport device that can move along the driving rail.
18. In paragraph 17, Further comprising a mast positioned on the outside of the carriage and extending along the height direction of the carriage, The above second driving section A battery transport device capable of moving the carriage along the above mast.
19. In paragraph 1, The inner side of the above accommodation space is A battery carrier coated with a fire-resistant material.
20. In paragraph 1, Further comprising a front lower panel portion located at the lower portion of the first inlet port and forming a portion of the front surface of the carriage, The above front lower panel part A battery transport device including an insertion groove into which one end of the first blocking film is inserted when the first blocking film closes the first inlet.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Battery pack automatic transfer system
KR102520898B1
Movable chamber for transportation and performance inspection of spent battery
KR102538695B1
Fire mitigation system for energy storage systems
US20220407176A1
KR20200008352A
KR20210015286A