Modular battery fire prevention system and method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a modular battery fire prevention system and method and, more specifically, to a modular battery fire prevention system and method for detecting signs of thermal runaway in battery cells to rapidly lower high temperatures and prevent fires. The modular battery fire prevention system according to the present invention comprises: a plurality of temperature detection units for respectively detecting the temperatures of a plurality of battery cells in a plurality of battery packs in real time; a plurality of nozzles which are connected to a tank storing a cooling material and in which nozzle tips are installed on the upper side or lower side of each of the plurality of battery packs and spray the upper side or lower side of each of the plurality of battery packs with the cooling material supplied from the tank; a plurality of nozzle valves for opening and closing the plurality of nozzles, respectively; and a monitoring module that compares the temperature information collected from the plurality of temperature detection units to a set reference temperature in real time, and, when the temperature of at least one of the plurality of battery cells is higher than the reference temperature, transmits a charge and discharge power supply interruption signal for the battery configuration including the relevant battery cell to a battery charge / discharge control system, and simultaneously transmits a valve opening signal to the nozzle valve corresponding to the relevant battery pack.

Description

Modular battery fire prevention system and method

[0001] The present invention relates to a modular battery fire prevention system and method, and more particularly, to a modular battery fire prevention system and method that detects signs of thermal runaway of a battery cell in advance, rapidly lowers the high temperature, and prevents the occurrence of thermal runaway in advance, thereby preventing fire.

[0002] A modular battery is a battery facility that uses a battery cell, which stores electrical energy as chemical energy, as its basic unit module, and multiple battery cells are connected in series and parallel to form a battery pack unit module, and multiple battery packs are loaded to form a battery rack unit module.

[0003] Modular batteries offer flexibility in expansion and reduction, and the independence of each unit module makes maintenance easy, effectively preventing problems arising from a single module from spreading to the entire facility.

[0004] An example of a modular battery is the energy storage system (ESS). Typically, an ESS is a large-scale battery system comprising tens or hundreds of unit modules that store generated electrical energy in batteries and then supply it when power is needed.

[0005] Another example of a modular battery is the electric vehicle battery (EVB), which includes a variety of other battery systems.

[0006] The battery cells are mainly lithium-ion batteries with high energy density and high efficiency, and are housed inside a metal case to protect against external shocks and moisture.

[0007] However, although lithium-ion batteries have the advantages of high energy density and light weight, they are sensitive to temperature because they use flammable electrolytes, and when over-discharged, their capacity decreases significantly, and when over-charged, they become very unstable, which can lead to fire and explosion due to short-circuiting of internal electrodes or external impact.

[0008] In particular, in lithium-ion batteries, fire and explosion may occur due to thermal runaway, in which the oxidizing positive electrode and reducing negative electrode meet and rapidly generate heat due to the collapse of the polymer separator, and the fire may spread to adjacent battery cells, resulting in continuous re-ignition.

[0009] Accordingly, various management systems such as a power management system (PMS), an energy monitoring system (EMS), a power conditioning system (PCS), and a battery management system (BMS) are being applied to prevent battery abnormalities, and a fire response system to extinguish battery fires early and prevent secondary ignition or explosion.

[0010] However, if a thermal runaway occurs in the battery and the temperature rises rapidly, even if the battery is cooled using a fire response system according to the prior art, the temperature may rise without falling for a certain period of time due to the inertia of the temperature rise, which may result in a fire or explosion.

[0011] In addition, fire response systems based on conventional technology are mainly focused on extinguishing fires in battery packs based on the assumption of fire occurrence, and thus are insufficient to provide fire prevention functions.

[0012] Accordingly, a method to prevent fires by detecting signs of thermal runaway in advance and rapidly lowering the high temperature in the pre-fire stage before the thermal runaway occurs has been sought.

[0013] The present invention relates to a modular battery fire prevention system and method, and aims to provide a system and method capable of preventing fire by detecting signs of thermal runaway in advance at a stage before thermal runaway of a battery cell and rapidly lowering the high temperature to prevent the occurrence of thermal runaway in advance.

[0014] The modular battery fire prevention system of the present invention comprises: a plurality of temperature detection units each detecting the temperature of a plurality of battery cells included in a plurality of battery packs in real time; a plurality of nozzles connected to a tank storing a cooling substance and having nozzle tips installed at an upper or lower side of each of the plurality of battery packs to spray a cooling substance supplied from the tank to an upper or lower side of each of the plurality of battery packs; a plurality of nozzle valves each opening and closing the plurality of nozzles; a monitoring module comparing temperature information collected from the plurality of temperature detection units with a set reference temperature, and determining that a thermal runaway sign has been detected in the corresponding battery cell if the temperature of at least one of the plurality of battery cells is higher than the reference temperature; and a signal generation module transmitting a charge and discharge stop signal for a battery configuration including a battery cell in which a thermal runaway sign has been detected to a battery charge / discharge control system, and simultaneously transmitting a valve opening signal to a nozzle valve corresponding to a battery pack including a battery cell in which a thermal runaway sign has been detected.

[0015] A monitoring module is included that compares the temperature information collected from the plurality of temperature detection units with a set reference temperature in real time, and if the temperature of at least one of the plurality of battery cells is higher than the reference temperature, transmits a charge and discharge power supply interruption signal for a battery configuration including the corresponding battery cell to a battery charge / discharge control system, and simultaneously transmits a valve opening signal to a nozzle valve corresponding to the corresponding battery pack.

[0016] In addition, the plurality of temperature detection units may each include a sensor support inserted between two or more adjacent battery cells among the plurality of battery cells, and at least one temperature sensor installed on at least one surface of the sensor support and configured to measure the temperature of a battery cell in close contact with the surface.

[0017] In addition, the sensor support has a slit structure in which an air purge hole having a predetermined distance is formed between two supporting members facing each other, and a cooling material supplied to the upper side of the battery pack can flow into the air purge hole.

[0018] In addition, the plurality of temperature detection units each include a communication module that supports serial communication with the outside, and the communication module can transmit a unique identification number of the temperature detection unit and temperature information measured from the temperature sensor to the monitoring module.

[0019] Additionally, the monitoring module may transmit a valve opening signal to an exhaust valve that opens and closes at least one exhaust port provided in a housing of a battery rack on which the plurality of battery packs are loaded, when the temperature of at least one of the plurality of battery cells is higher than a reference temperature.

[0020] A modular battery fire prevention method according to the present invention comprises a temperature collection step in which a plurality of temperature detection units detect the temperatures of a plurality of battery cells included in a plurality of battery packs in real time, a temperature abnormality determination step in which temperature information collected from the plurality of temperature detection units is compared in real time with a set reference temperature, and if the temperature of at least one of the plurality of battery cells is higher than the reference temperature, it is determined that a thermal runaway sign has been detected in the corresponding battery cell, a fire prevention signal transmission step in which, if it is determined that a thermal runaway sign has been detected in at least one of the plurality of battery cells, a charge and discharge power supply interruption signal for a battery configuration including the corresponding battery cell is transmitted to a battery charge / discharge control system, and at the same time, a valve opening signal is transmitted to a nozzle valve corresponding to the corresponding battery pack, and a battery pack cooling step in which power for a battery configuration including a battery cell determined by the battery charge / discharge control system to be detected as a thermal runaway sign is cut off, and a nozzle valve corresponding to the battery pack including the corresponding battery cell is opened so that a cooling substance is supplied from an upper side of the corresponding battery pack.

[0021] According to the modular battery fire prevention system and method according to the present invention, by independently cooling each battery pack using a nozzle and nozzle valve corresponding to each battery pack, loss due to cooling material being sprayed on other battery packs can be prevented, unnecessary waste can be reduced, and the cooling speed and cooling efficiency can be increased, thereby increasing the efficiency of fire prevention.

[0022] Additionally, by spraying a cooling material onto the upper side of each battery pack, the cooling efficiency of the battery pack can be increased by allowing the cooling material to flow from the upper side to the lower side by gravity.

[0023] Additionally, by monitoring the temperature of each battery cell in real time, the location of battery cells where signs of thermal runaway are detected can be accurately identified and a focused response can be taken, thereby increasing the effectiveness of fire prevention.

[0024] In addition, when the temperature of at least one battery cell is higher than the reference temperature, power to the battery configuration including the battery cell is cut off, and a cooling substance is concentratedly sprayed on the battery pack including the battery cell, thereby quickly cooling the battery cell and preventing ignition, explosion, and secondary damage.

[0025] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent similar elements, but are not limited thereto.

[0026] Figure 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a modular battery fire prevention system according to the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating a temperature detection unit inserted into a battery pack composed of a plurality of square battery cells according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 3 is a drawing illustrating a temperature detection unit according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 4 is a drawing illustrating a temperature detection unit inserted into a battery pack composed of a plurality of cylindrical battery cells according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating a cooling system installed in an ESS according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 6 is a drawing illustrating a cooling system installed in an electric vehicle battery according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing a modular battery fire prevention method according to the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 8 is a drawing showing a modular battery fire prevention system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Hereinafter, specific details for implementing the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. However, in the following description, specific descriptions of widely known functions or configurations will be omitted if they may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention.

[0035] In the attached drawings, identical or corresponding components are assigned the same reference numerals. Furthermore, in the description of the embodiments below, duplicate descriptions of identical or corresponding components may be omitted. However, even if a description of a component is omitted, it is not intended that such component is not included in any embodiment.

[0036] The advantages and features of the embodiments disclosed herein, and the methods for achieving them, will become clearer with reference to the embodiments described below, along with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and may be implemented in various different forms. These embodiments are provided solely to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention.

[0037] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein may be used in their common sense to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. Furthermore, terms defined in commonly used dictionaries are not to be interpreted ideally or excessively unless explicitly and specifically defined otherwise.

[0038] For example, the term "technology" may refer to systems, methods, computer-readable instructions, modules, algorithms, hardware logic, and / or operations as permitted by the context described above and throughout the document.

[0039] The terms used in this specification will be briefly explained, followed by a detailed description of the disclosed embodiments. The terms used in this specification have been selected from widely used, current terms, taking into account the functions of the present invention. However, these terms may vary depending on the intentions of engineers working in the relevant fields, precedents, or the emergence of new technologies. Furthermore, in certain cases, the applicant may arbitrarily select terms, in which case their meanings will be described in detail in the relevant description of the invention. Therefore, the terms used in this specification should not be defined simply based on their names, but rather based on their meanings and the overall content of the present invention.

[0040] In this specification, singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, plural expressions include singular expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. When a part of the specification is said to include a component, this does not exclude other components, but rather implies that other components may be included, unless otherwise specifically stated.

[0041] In the present invention, terms such as “comprise”, “comprising”, etc. may indicate the presence of features, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but such terms do not exclude the addition of one or more other functions, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0042] In the present invention, when a specific component is referred to as being "coupled," "combined," "connected," "associated," or "reacting" with any other component, the specific component may be directly coupled, combined, connected, and / or associated with, or reacting with, the other component, but is not limited thereto. For example, one or more intermediate components may exist between the specific component and the other component. Furthermore, in the present invention, "and / or" may include each of one or more listed items or a combination of at least some of one or more items.

[0043] In the present invention, terms such as "first," "second," etc. are used to distinguish specific components from other components, and these terms do not limit the components described above. For example, the term "first" component may be used to refer to an element having the same or similar form as the "second" component.

[0044] In this specification, a 'part' or 'module' includes a unit realized by hardware or software, or a unit realized using both, and one unit may be realized using two or more pieces of hardware, or two or more units may be realized by one piece of hardware.

[0045] The system described below constitutes one embodiment and is not intended to limit the claimed scope to any particular operating environment. It may be used in other environments without departing from the technical spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0046] Hereinafter, the modular battery fire prevention system (1) of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.

[0047] FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a modular battery fire prevention system (1) of the present invention.

[0048] The modular battery fire prevention system (1) of the present invention relates to a modular battery including a plurality of battery cells (10), a plurality of battery packs (20) composed of a plurality of battery cells (10), and at least one battery rack (40) on which a plurality of battery packs (30) are loaded.

[0049] The modular battery fire prevention system (1) of the present invention includes a temperature collection system (100) that collects temperature information of a battery cell (10), and a cooling system (200, 200') that cools the battery to relieve high temperatures. In addition, the system includes a monitoring module (410) that determines whether signs of thermal runaway have occurred using the temperature information collected from the temperature collection system (100), and a signal generation module (420) that sends a control signal to the cooling system (200, 200') and the battery charge / discharge control system (300).

[0050] The battery charge / discharge control system (300) is a system that controls charging and discharging of a modular battery, and can be provided to enable charging and discharging control for each battery cell (10), battery pack (20), or battery rack (30).

[0051] The monitoring module (410) compares the temperature information collected through the temperature collection system (100) with a set reference temperature in real time to monitor whether a thermal runaway sign has occurred, and if the temperature of at least one of the plurality of battery cells (10) is higher than the reference temperature, it is determined that a thermal runaway sign has been detected in the corresponding battery cell (10).

[0052] Thermal runaway signs are abnormal signs that usually appear before thermal runaway occurs, and can be considered precursor symptoms, and can be expressed as a certain temperature value.

[0053] The reference temperature can be set to a temperature that can generally be seen as a sign of thermal runaway in a battery cell (10), and can be set differently depending on variables that can define the characteristics and performance of the battery, such as the type and manufacturer of the battery, and the reference.

[0054] For example, in the case of lithium-ion batteries, when thermal runaway occurs, the temperature of the battery cell can surge to 200 to 800 degrees Celsius in a matter of seconds. The threshold temperature at which signs of thermal runaway are detected can be set to 140 degrees Celsius or lower. Furthermore, the threshold temperature is not limited to this and can be set to a variety of temperatures within a temperature range that allows for early detection of thermal runaway, depending on the design objectives of a typical engineer.

[0055] The signal generation module (420) transmits a charge and discharge stop signal to the battery charge / discharge control system (300) when the monitoring module (410) determines that a thermal runaway sign has been detected in at least one battery cell (10), thereby cutting off power to the battery configuration including the battery cell (10) in which a thermal runaway sign has been detected.

[0056] At the same time, a valve opening signal is transmitted to the nozzle valve (230) corresponding to the battery pack (20) including the corresponding battery cell (10) to operate the cooling system (200, 200') and rapidly cool the corresponding battery pack (20).

[0057] At the same time, a valve opening signal can be transmitted to an exhaust valve (33) that controls the opening and closing of at least one exhaust port (32) provided in a housing (31) surrounding the battery rack (30) to ventilate and cool the inside of the housing (31).

[0058] Here, the battery configuration including a battery cell (10) in which a thermal runaway sign is detected may be a single configuration including the battery cell (10), a configuration including the battery cell (10) and a preset number of battery cells adjacent thereto, a battery pack (20) including the battery cell (10), or a battery rack (30) including the battery cell (10).

[0059] In addition, when there are multiple battery packs (20) including battery cells (10) in which signs of thermal runaway are detected, nozzle valves (230) corresponding to the corresponding battery packs (20) can be opened simultaneously to perform rapid cooling on the multiple battery packs (20) simultaneously.

[0060] Additionally, the battery charge / discharge control system (300), the monitoring module (410), and the signal generation module (420) may be configured as part of a battery management system (BMS).

[0061] The temperature collection system (100) includes a plurality of temperature detection units (110) for detecting the temperature of each of a plurality of battery cells (10) included in a plurality of battery packs (20) constituting an ESS.

[0062] The temperature detection unit (110) includes a sensor support (111) inserted between two or more adjacent battery cells (10), and at least one temperature sensor (112) installed on the outer surface of the sensor support (111) and in contact with the battery cell (10) that is in close contact with the outer surface to measure the temperature of the battery cell (10).

[0063] FIG. 2 illustrates a drawing in which a temperature detection unit (110) is inserted into a battery pack (20-1) composed of a plurality of hexahedral battery cells (10), i.e., square battery cells (10), according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0064] The temperature detection unit (110) is inserted between two adjacent battery cells (10) among a plurality of battery cells (10). Accordingly, in the case of a battery pack (20) composed of n battery cells (10), a total of n-1 temperature detection units (110) can be inserted.

[0065] The temperature detection unit (110) may be configured with one temperature sensor (112) installed on one outer surface of the sensor support (111), or may be configured with multiple temperature sensors (112) installed on one outer surface of the sensor support (111). Here, when multiple temperature sensors (112) are installed on one outer surface, the temperature of the battery cell (10) adjacent to the outer surface can be measured at multiple locations, thereby increasing the accuracy of battery temperature monitoring.

[0066] In addition, the temperature detection unit (110) may be configured such that a temperature sensor (112) is installed on one of a plurality of outer surfaces of the sensor support (111) to measure the temperature of one battery cell (10) corresponding to the outer surface, or may be configured such that a temperature sensor (112) is installed on each of a plurality of outer surfaces of the sensor support (111) to measure the temperature of each of a plurality of battery cells (10) corresponding to the plurality of outer surfaces.

[0067] The temperature sensor (112) can be installed in a form that protrudes outward from the outer surface of the sensor support (111), and can be configured to be in closer contact with an adjacent battery cell (10) using an elastic spring.

[0068] In addition, although not shown in the drawing, the temperature detection unit (110) may include a control chip (not shown) that is assigned a unique identification number and receives temperature information measured by the temperature sensor, and a communication module (not shown) that supports serial communication with the outside.

[0069] The control chip and communication module can be installed on the sensor support (111) and connected to the temperature sensor (112) via a wire (140).

[0070] Accordingly, when the temperature information of the battery cell (10) measured from the temperature sensor (112) is transmitted to the control chip, the communication module can transmit the corresponding temperature information together with the identification number of the corresponding temperature detection unit to the monitoring module (410) in real time.

[0071] In addition, a monitoring module (410) and a signal generation module (420) may be installed in each of the plurality of temperature detection units (110). In this case, the monitoring module (410) compares the temperature information measured from the temperature sensor (112) of the temperature detection unit (110) in which the corresponding monitoring module (410) is installed with reference information to determine whether a thermal runaway sign has occurred in the battery cell (10) whose temperature was measured by the corresponding temperature sensor (112). In addition, the signal generation module (420) may transmit a control signal to the battery charge / discharge control system (300) and the nozzle valve (230) corresponding to the battery pack (20) in which the corresponding temperature detection unit (110) is installed.

[0072] In addition, the temperature collection system (100) may further include a jumper cord (JC) that connects the circuits of a plurality of temperature detection units (110) in parallel. The jumper cord (JC) may include a power line and a communication line, and may be connected to the temperature sensor (111) and the control chip and the communication module, respectively, through a conductor (140) installed on the sensor support (111) of the plurality of temperature detection units (110). In addition, the jumper cord (JC) may be connected to the monitoring module (410), and the temperature information of each battery cell (10) measured by the temperature sensor (111) may be transmitted to the monitoring module (410).

[0073] In addition, FIG. 3 shows a drawing that can explain in more detail a temperature detection unit (110) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0074] Referring to FIG. 3, the sensor support (111) of the temperature detection unit (110) may include an air purge hole (h) provided to allow fluid to flow in from the outside.

[0075] The sensor support (111) of the temperature detection unit (110) may be provided in a slit structure, including two plate-shaped support members (111-1, 111-2) facing each other with a predetermined distance apart, and an air purge hole (h) formed between the two support members (111-1, 111-2). In addition, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various types of sensor supports in which an air purge hole (h) is formed may be provided.

[0076] According to the air purge hole (h), cooling of the battery cells (10) can be performed more easily by providing a passage through which a cooling substance can be introduced between two or more adjacent battery cells (10). In addition, since air can move through the air purge hole (h), overheating of the battery cells (10) can be prevented, and cooling can be performed more easily.

[0077] The air purge hole (h) can be formed in the form of a passage that is opened to the upper and lower sides and passes through the temperature detection unit (110) upward and downward, so that the cooling material supplied to the upper side of the battery pack (20) can pass through the battery pack (20) upward and downward through the air purge hole (h) and flow from the upper side to the lower side.

[0078] In this case, heat exchange occurs between the cooling material flowing through the air purge hole (h) and the battery cells (10) on both sides of the temperature detection unit (110), and the cooling speed and cooling effect of not only the outer surface of the battery cell (10) but also the inside can be further improved.

[0079] In addition, at least a part of the sensor support (111) forming the air purge hole (h) is made of thin stainless steel having high thermal conductivity, which can increase the heat exchange rate and further improve the cooling speed and cooling effect of the battery cell (10).

[0080] In addition, the sensor support (111) further includes a fixing member (p) for connecting two support members (111-1, 111-2) to maintain the distance between them and fix the shape.

[0081] The number, size, and shape of the air purge holes (h) can be determined based on the number, size, shape, and position of the fixing members (p). For example, referring to Fig. 3, three air purge holes (h) can be formed as a vertical, curve-free passage by four fixing members (p) aligned vertically.

[0082] That is, by setting the number, size, and shape of air purge holes (h) using a fixed member (p), the flow path of cooling material and air flowing into the air purge holes (h) can be set.

[0083] FIG. 4 illustrates a drawing in which a temperature detection unit (110) is inserted into a battery pack (20) in which four cylindrical battery cells (10) are configured adjacent to each other according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0084] The embodiment of FIG. 4 follows the description of the embodiment of FIG. 3, but differs in that the shape of the temperature detection unit (110) changes according to the shape of the battery cell (10).

[0085] Referring to FIG. 4, a temperature detection unit (110) is inserted into a space (S) between four cylindrical battery cells (10) adjacent to each other, and a plurality of temperature sensors (112) installed on the outer surfaces of the four directions of the sensor support (111) are respectively in contact with the outer surfaces of the four battery cells (10) surrounding the sensor support (111) to measure the temperature of the four battery cells (10).

[0086] Here, a three-dimensional cushion member (113) is installed on the sensor support (111), and a plurality of temperature sensors (112) are installed on the outer surface of the cushion member (113), so that the plurality of temperature sensors (112) can be configured to come into contact with the outer surface of four battery cells (10) surrounding the corresponding temperature detection unit (110).

[0087] The cushion member (123) is for pressing the temperature sensor (112) against the battery cell (10), and may be provided in a semi-cylindrical shape as shown in FIG. 4, or may be provided in a shape that fits the space (S) between four cylindrical battery cells (10-2), but is not limited thereto and may be provided in various shapes.

[0088] Additionally, the cushion member (123) may be made of an elastic and resilient material so that the temperature sensor (122) can be in closer contact with the four cylindrical battery cells (10-2). For example, the cushion member (123) may be made of a rubber material, but is not limited thereto and may be made of various shapes and materials.

[0089] In addition, in FIG. 4, the shape of the support member (121-1, 121-2) constituting the sensor support (121) is illustrated as a plate-shaped shape, but is not limited thereto and may be formed into various shapes that can be inserted into the space (S) between four cylindrical battery cells (10-2).

[0090] In addition, although not shown in the drawing, the same temperature detection unit (110) as the embodiment of FIG. 4 can be applied to a battery pack (20) configured with three cylindrical battery cells (10) or five or more cylindrical battery cells (10) adjacent to each other.

[0091] FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a cooling system (200, 200') of a modular battery fire prevention system according to the present invention.

[0092] FIG. 5 illustrates a case where a modular battery to which the modular battery fire prevention system of the present invention is applied is an energy storage system (ESS).

[0093] Referring to FIG. 5, the cooling system (200) of the present invention applied to an energy storage system (ESS) includes a tank (210) in which a cooling substance is stored, a plurality of nozzles (240) connected to the tank (210) to supply the cooling substance to each of a plurality of battery packs (20), and a plurality of nozzle valves (230) for opening and closing each of the plurality of nozzles (220).

[0094] A plurality of nozzles (220) are each connected to the tank (210) through an integrated pipe (221) and individual pipes (222). Here, the individual pipes (222) are pipes that branch off from the integrated pipe (221) through which the coolant of the tank (210) is discharged and are respectively connected to the plurality of nozzles (220), and each corresponds to a plurality of battery packs (20). In addition, the integrated pipe (221) and the individual pipes (222) may be flexible air tubes. In addition, a tank valve (250) that controls the entire inflow and outflow of the coolant stored in the tank (210) may be provided in the integrated pipe (221).

[0095] The nozzle valve (230) may be designed to open and close the flow paths within a plurality of nozzles (220), or may be designed to open and close individual pipes (222) connected to each of the plurality of nozzles (220). In addition, the nozzle valve (230) may be provided as a solenoid valve, but is not limited thereto and may be a valve provided in various ways.

[0096] The cooling substance may be stored in a tank (210) in the form of a high-pressure gas, and may be liquid carbon dioxide or liquid nitrogen, or may include various other substances that can be expected to have a cooling effect.

[0097] Here, a plurality of nozzles (240) correspond to a plurality of battery packs (20) along with a plurality of nozzle valves (230), and each nozzle tip (241) is installed so that it is positioned on the upper side of each of the plurality of battery packs (20).

[0098] Accordingly, when any one of the plurality of nozzle valves (230) is in an open state, a cooling substance is sprayed to the upper side of the battery pack (20) corresponding to the nozzle valve (230) and the nozzle (240) through the nozzle (240) opened and closed by the nozzle valve (230).

[0099] FIG. 6 illustrates a case where a modular battery to which the modular battery fire prevention system (1) of the present invention is applied is an electric vehicle battery (EVB) installed in an electric vehicle.

[0100] Referring to FIG. 6, the cooling system (200') of the present invention applied to an electric vehicle battery (EVB) may include the same configuration as the cooling system (200) applied to the energy storage system illustrated in FIG. 5. Here, the cooling system (200') of the present invention applied to an electric vehicle battery (EVB) may be formed on a smaller scale compared to the cooling system (200) applied to the energy storage system illustrated in FIG. 5.

[0101] In addition, referring to FIG. 6, the modular battery fire prevention system (1) of the present invention may further include individual detailed pipes (223) branched from a plurality of individual pipes (222) corresponding to a plurality of battery packs (20), and may be provided in such a manner that a plurality of nozzles (240) are provided along each individual detailed pipe (223).

[0102] Here, individual detailed pipes (223) may be installed in a configuration corresponding to each of the plurality of battery cells (10) included in the battery pack (20), and may also be installed in a configuration corresponding to each of the temperature detection units (110) between the battery cells (10). In addition, the present invention is not limited thereto and may be provided in various configurations.

[0103] The individual detailed pipe (223) as described above may be provided in a manner in which it is installed inside the battery pack (20) and connected to the external individual pipe (222) as shown in FIG. 6, but is not limited thereto and may be provided in various configurations.

[0104] According to the individual detailed pipe (223) configuration as described above, cooling material can be supplied more evenly to the upper side of the plurality of battery cells (10) included in the battery pack (20), thereby improving cooling efficiency.

[0105] In addition, the configuration of the individual detailed pipe (223) as described above can be equally applied to the cooling system (200) of the energy storage system (ESS) illustrated in FIG. 5.

[0106] In addition, the modular battery fire prevention system (1) according to the present invention can be applied to various types of modular batteries in addition to the energy storage system (ESS) and electric vehicle battery (EVB) illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, respectively, 200. That is, according to the present invention, independent cooling is performed for each battery pack (20) using a nozzle (240) and a nozzle valve (230) corresponding to each battery pack (20). Accordingly, loss due to cooling material being sprayed on other battery packs can be prevented, unnecessary waste can be reduced, and the cooling speed and cooling efficiency can be increased through the concentrated spraying of the cooling material, thereby increasing the efficiency of fire prevention.

[0107] In addition, by spraying a cooling material onto the upper side of each battery pack (20), the cooling material flows from the upper side to the lower side by gravity, thereby increasing the cooling efficiency of the battery pack (20).

[0108] In addition, by monitoring the temperature of each battery cell (10) in real time, the location where signs of thermal runaway are detected can be accurately identified and a concentrated response can be taken, thereby increasing the efficiency of fire prevention.

[0109] In addition, when the temperature of at least one battery cell (10) is higher than the reference temperature, power to the battery configuration including the battery cell (10) is cut off, and at the same time, a cooling substance is intensively sprayed onto the battery pack (20) including the battery cell (10), thereby quickly cooling the battery cell (10) and preventing ignition, explosion, and secondary damage.

[0110] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing a modular battery fire prevention method according to the present invention.

[0111] Step S10 is a battery cell (10) temperature collection step, in which the temperature collection system (100) measures the temperature of all battery cells (10) included in a plurality of battery packs (20) or at least one battery rack (30) in real time.

[0112] Step S20 is a step for determining an abnormal temperature of a battery cell (10), and is a step for comparing the temperature measured from all battery cells (10) in the monitoring module (410) with the reference temperature.

[0113] Here, if the temperature of at least one battery cell (10) is higher than the reference temperature, it is determined that a sign of thermal runaway has been detected in the corresponding battery cell (10), and step S30 is performed. Otherwise, the process returns to step S10 and steps S10 and S20 are performed again.

[0114] Step S30 is a fire prevention signal transmission step in which the signal generation module (420) simultaneously transmits a control signal to the charge / discharge control system (300) and the cooling system (200).

[0115] The signal generation module (420) transmits a charge and discharge stop signal to cut off power to a battery configuration including a battery cell (10) that is determined to have detected signs of thermal runaway to the battery charge / discharge control system (300). At the same time, it transmits a valve opening signal to a nozzle valve (230) corresponding to the battery pack (20) including the corresponding battery cell (10).

[0116] Additionally, the signal generation module (420) can transmit a valve opening signal to an exhaust valve (33) that controls the opening and closing of at least one exhaust port (32) provided in a housing (31) surrounding the battery rack (30).

[0117] Step S40 is the battery cooling step.

[0118] According to this step S40, power to a battery configuration including a battery cell (10) determined to have a thermal runaway sign detected by the battery charge / discharge control system (300) is cut off, and at the same time, a nozzle valve (230) corresponding to the corresponding battery pack (20) is opened to supply a cooling substance to the corresponding battery pack (20), thereby rapidly cooling the corresponding battery pack (20).

[0119] At this time, the cooling material supplied to the upper side of the battery pack (20) flows into the air purge hole (h) to increase the cooling effect.

[0120] FIG. 8 is a drawing showing a modular battery fire prevention system (2) according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0121] The modular battery fire prevention system (2) according to the present embodiment is similar to the modular battery fire prevention system (1) according to the previous embodiment, so duplicate descriptions of components that are substantially the same or similar to those of the previous embodiment will be omitted, and the following will focus on differences from the previous embodiment.

[0122] Referring to FIG. 8, the cooling system (200) of the modular battery fire prevention system (2) can supply a cooling substance (e.g., liquefied carbon dioxide) to each cooling slit (111a) through the lower portion of each cooling slit (111a) of a plurality of temperature detection units (110).

[0123] At this time, the temperature detection unit (110) may be placed between two adjacent battery cells (10) among the plurality of battery cells (10). In addition, each temperature detection unit (110) may be in surface contact with each of the two adjacent battery cells (10) to more accurately measure the temperature of each individual battery cell (10). By individually measuring the temperature of the battery cells (10), it is possible to accurately recognize and intensively respond to a battery in which signs of thermal runaway are detected, thereby increasing the efficiency of fire prevention.

[0124] Specifically, the individual pipes (222) of the cooling system (200) and the nozzles (240) connected to the individual pipes (222) may be provided in multiple numbers, and may be provided to extend to the lower portion of the battery pack (20) to correspond to the lower portion of each cooling slit (111a). In addition, each nozzle (240) may supply a cooling substance into the cooling slit (111a) through an air purge hole (h) provided at the lower portion of the cooling slit (111a). At this time, the battery pack (20) may be provided with a plurality of cooling substance passage holes (22) corresponding to each nozzle (240). At this time, the cooling substance passage holes (22) may be provided with a width of 0.5 mm to 5 mm.

[0125] The above cooling slit (111a) is in surface contact with the battery cell (10), thereby increasing the area in which the cooling material supplied to the cooling slit (111a) comes into contact with the battery cell (10). Therefore, the cooling material supplied to the cooling slit (111a) can quickly lower the temperature of the battery cell (10) in which signs of thermal runaway are detected.

[0126] Here, the air purge hole (h) may be formed in the form of a passage that vertically penetrates the cooling slit (111a). Accordingly, the cooling material supplied into the cooling slit (111a) through the lower side of the battery pack (20) may vertically penetrate the battery pack (20) through the air purge hole (h) and flow from the lower side to the upper side. At this time, heat exchange occurs between the cooling material flowing inside the cooling slit (111a) and the battery cells (10) arranged on both sides of the cooling slit (111a), so that the cooling of the battery cells (10) can be more easily achieved.

[0127] The support or slit that separates the conventional battery cells (10) lacks a separate free space, so it was difficult to lower the temperature of the battery cells (10) in which signs of thermal runaway were detected even if a cooling substance (e.g., liquefied carbon dioxide) was sprayed.

[0128] According to the present invention, a cooling material (e.g., liquefied carbon dioxide) supplied from an air purge hole (h) is configured to penetrate the cooling slit (111a) upward and downward, thereby enabling rapid cooling of a thermal runaway battery.

[0129] In particular, independent cooling is performed for each battery cell (10) using a nozzle (240) and nozzle valve (230) corresponding to each battery pack (20). Accordingly, loss due to cooling material being sprayed on other battery cells (10) can be prevented, and the cooling speed and cooling efficiency can be increased through concentrated spraying of the cooling material, thereby enhancing the efficiency of fire prevention. If only battery cells (10) in which signs of thermal runaway are detected in advance are replaced, unnecessary waste can be reduced.

[0130] The foregoing description of the present invention is for illustrative purposes only, and those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention can be readily modified into other specific forms without altering the technical spirit or essential characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. For example, each component described as a single entity may be implemented in a distributed manner, and similarly, components described as distributed may be implemented in a combined manner.

[0131] Therefore, the idea of ​​the present invention should not be limited to the embodiments described above, and all things that are modified equally or equivalently to the following claims as well as the claims are considered to fall within the scope of the idea of ​​the present invention.

Claims

1. Multiple temperature detection units each detecting the temperature of multiple battery cells included in multiple battery packs in real time; A plurality of nozzles connected to a tank storing a coolant and having nozzle tips installed at the upper or lower side of each of the plurality of battery packs to spray coolant supplied from the tank to the upper or lower side of each of the plurality of battery packs; A plurality of nozzle valves for opening and closing the plurality of nozzles respectively; A monitoring module that compares temperature information collected from the plurality of temperature detection units with a set reference temperature and determines that a thermal runaway sign has been detected in the battery cell if the temperature of at least one of the plurality of battery cells is higher than the reference temperature; and A battery pack comprising a battery cell having a thermal runaway symptom detected, comprising a signal generation module for transmitting a charge and discharge stop signal to a battery configuration including a battery cell having a thermal runaway symptom detected to a battery charge / discharge control system, and at the same time, transmitting a valve opening signal to a nozzle valve corresponding to a battery pack including a battery cell having a thermal runaway symptom detected. Modular battery fire prevention system.

2. In paragraph 1, The above plurality of temperature detection units each include a sensor support inserted between two or more adjacent battery cells among the plurality of battery cells, and at least one temperature sensor installed on an outer surface of the sensor support and measuring the temperature of a battery cell in close contact with the surface. Modular battery fire prevention system.

3. In paragraph 2, The above sensor support is a slit structure in which an air purge hole is formed between two supporting members facing each other at a certain distance apart. The cooling material supplied to the upper side of the above battery pack flows into the air purge hole. Modular battery fire prevention system.

4. In paragraph 2, The above multiple temperature detection units each include a communication module that supports serial communication with the outside, The above communication module transmits the unique identification number of the temperature detection unit and the temperature information measured from the temperature sensor to the monitoring module. Modular battery fire prevention system.

5. In paragraph 1, The monitoring module transmits a valve opening signal to an exhaust valve that opens and closes at least one exhaust port provided in a housing of a battery rack on which the plurality of battery packs are loaded, when the temperature of at least one of the plurality of battery cells is higher than a reference temperature. Modular battery fire prevention system.

6. A temperature collection step in which a plurality of temperature detection units detect the temperatures of a plurality of battery cells included in a plurality of battery packs in real time; In the monitoring module, a temperature abnormality determination step for comparing temperature information collected from the plurality of temperature detection units with a set reference temperature in real time, and determining that a thermal runaway sign has been detected in the corresponding battery cell if the temperature of at least one of the plurality of battery cells is higher than the reference temperature; A fire prevention signal sending step of transmitting a charge and discharge power supply interruption signal for a battery configuration including the corresponding battery cell to a battery charge / discharge control system when it is determined that a thermal runaway sign is detected in at least one of the plurality of battery cells, and simultaneously transmitting a valve opening signal to a nozzle valve corresponding to the corresponding battery pack; A battery pack cooling step, in which power to a battery configuration including a battery cell determined to have a thermal runaway symptom detected by the battery charge / discharge control system is cut off, and a nozzle valve corresponding to a battery pack including the corresponding battery cell is opened to supply a cooling substance from the upper side of the corresponding battery pack; How to prevent modular battery fires.

7. In paragraph 6, The above plurality of temperature detection units each include a sensor support inserted between two or more adjacent battery cells among the plurality of battery cells, and at least one temperature sensor installed on at least one surface of the sensor support and configured to measure the temperature of a battery cell in close contact with the surface. How to prevent modular battery fires.

8. In paragraph 7, The above sensor support is a slit structure in which an air purge hole having a certain distance is formed between two supporting members facing each other. In the above battery pack cooling step, the cooling material supplied to the upper or lower side of the battery pack flows into the air purge hole. How to prevent modular battery fires.

9. In paragraph 7, The above multiple temperature detection units each include a communication module that supports serial communication with the outside, The above communication module transmits the unique identification number of the temperature detection unit and the temperature information measured from the temperature sensor to the monitoring module. How to prevent modular battery fires.

10. In paragraph 6, The monitoring module transmits a valve opening signal to an exhaust valve that opens and closes at least one exhaust port provided in a housing of a battery rack on which the plurality of battery packs are loaded, when the temperature of at least one of the plurality of battery cells is higher than a reference temperature. How to prevent modular battery fires.

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