Fire-detecting smoke control apparatus for charger / discharger, and smoke control method using same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fire-detecting smoke control apparatus for a charger / discharger, the apparatus comprising: a battery pack receiving space in which a battery pack is charged / discharged; a fire detector which is provided on one side of the battery pack receiving space; and a plurality of fans which draw or expel air into or from the battery pack receiving space, wherein when the fire detector detects a fire, some or all of the fans are switched to expelling air.

Description

Fire detection type re-ignition device for charging and discharging electric appliances and re-ignition method using the same

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0001056, filed January 3, 2024, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0188562, filed December 17, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a fire detection type re-ignition device for a charger and a re-ignition method using the same.

[0003] Recently, as the demand for portable electronic products such as laptops, video cameras, and mobile phones has rapidly increased, and the development of electric vehicles, energy storage batteries, robots, and satellites has been in full swing, research into high-performance batteries capable of repeated charging and discharging is actively being conducted.

[0004] Currently commercially available batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-hydrogen batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, and lithium secondary batteries. Among these, lithium secondary batteries are attracting attention due to their advantages of free charging and discharging, very low self-discharge rate, and high energy density.

[0005] For these lithium secondary batteries, the battery undergoes sequential assembly and activation processes before being shipped as a finished product. During the assembly process, the stack of positive electrode, negative electrode, and separator is housed and sealed in an outer case along with the electrolyte. During the activation process, the assembled battery undergoes an initial charge / discharge event. This activation process activates the battery's electrode materials.

[0006] Conventional chargers are designed to charge and discharge multiple cells simultaneously, and therefore require care to detect temperature changes during battery charging and discharging to ensure they operate within a safe temperature range.

[0007] Despite these precautions, if a fire occurs in the charger / discharger, smoke is removed using exhaust facilities throughout the factory that houses the charger / discharger, and smoke re-exhaust equipment is used for the entire room.

[0008] However, when using re-extinguishing equipment for the entire factory in this way, there are problems such as it being difficult to use the re-extinguishing equipment immediately in the early stages of a fire, the problem of not being able to re-extinguish a local fire in the event of a local fire, and the problem of the entire factory being contaminated during the re-extinguishing process due to a partial fire.

[0009] Therefore, in order to solve the above problem, research is needed on a fire-detecting charger / discharger re-extinguishing device that can re-extinguish a local fire in the event of a local fire.

[0010] (Patent Document 1) Korean Patent Publication No. KR 2016-0082102

[0011] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a fire detection type charger / discharger re-extinguishing device and a re-extinguishing method using the same, which, when a fire occurs in a charger / discharger that charges / discharges a secondary battery, can immediately re-extinguish the fire to enable rapid access to the scene, and in the case of a local fire, can re-extinguish the fire by re-extinguishing it locally.

[0012] To achieve the above purpose,

[0013] The present invention provides a fire detection type charger / discharger re-extinguishing device comprising: a battery pack storage space for charging and discharging a battery pack; a fire detector provided on one side of the battery pack storage space; and a plurality of fans for drawing air into the battery pack storage space, wherein when the fire detector detects a fire, some or all of the plurality of fans are switched to exhaust air.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, the fire detection type charger / discharger re-ignition device may have some of the plurality of fans that normally draw in air for cooling, but exhaust air when the fire detector detects a fire.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, the fans may have a rotational direction that is switched according to an electric polarity change, thereby controlling intake and exhaust of air.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, the change in the rotation direction of the fans may be in accordance with an instruction from a control device that has received a fire occurrence notification from the fire detector.

[0017] In one embodiment of the present invention, the re-enactment device may further include an exhaust duct.

[0018] In one embodiment of the present invention, after the fire detector detects a fire, the exhaust duct may be opened and some or all of the fans may exhaust air to re-ignite the fire.

[0019] In one embodiment of the present invention, a damper is installed in the exhaust duct to control the flow of air.

[0020] In addition, the present invention provides a method for recharging a battery pack with a fire detection type, including: a step of detecting a fire from a fire detector provided on one side of a battery pack storage space; and a step of converting some or all of a plurality of fans that draw air into the battery pack storage space to exhaust air after the fire detection.

[0021] The fire detection type re-smoke device of the present invention can, in the event of a fire, immediately re-smoke the smoke to enable rapid access to the scene, thereby extinguishing the initial fire and minimizing fire damage to the entire re-smoke room.

[0022] In addition, in the event of a local fire, it is possible to re-enact the fire locally, so that the entire room does not have to be shut down. Therefore, the facility immobilization period, which took about 5 months to restore the entire damage as in the conventional technology, is reduced to 2 months by performing local restoration.

[0023] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a rechargeable battery regeneration device according to a prior art invention.

[0024] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing a fire detection type re-charging device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily practice the present invention. However, the present invention may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0026] In order to clearly explain the present invention, parts that are not related to the description are omitted, and the same reference numerals are used for identical or similar components throughout the specification.

[0027] In addition, terms or words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted as limited to their usual or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted as meanings and concepts that conform to the technical idea of ​​the present invention based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the term to explain his or her own invention in the best way.

[0028] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. However, the present invention may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0029]

[0030] In the event of a fire in a charger / discharger, smoke is removed by using exhaust facilities throughout the factory that have chargers / dischargers, and by using smoke extinguishing equipment for the entire room. However, when using smoke extinguishing equipment for the entire factory, there are problems such as difficulty in using the smoke extinguishing equipment immediately in the early stages of a fire, difficulty in localizing the fire, and the possibility of contaminating the entire factory during the smoke extinguishing process due to a partial fire.

[0031] In the event of a local fire, there is a need for research on a fire detection-type re-extinguishing device that can re-extinguish the fire locally and immediately re-extinguish the smoke, enabling rapid access to the scene and extinguishing the initial fire.

[0032] Accordingly, the inventors of the present invention have discovered that the above problem can be solved by using a fire detection type re-exhaust device that exhausts air from some or all of the plurality of fans when the fire detector detects a fire, thereby completing the present invention.

[0033] The present invention relates to a fire detection type re-ignition device for a rechargeable battery.

[0034] Specifically, a fire detection type charger / discharger re-extinguishing device is provided, comprising: a battery pack storage space for charging / discharging a battery pack; a fire detector provided on one side of the battery pack storage space; and a plurality of fans (FANs) for drawing in or exhausting air into the battery pack storage space, wherein when the fire detector detects a fire, some or all of the plurality of fans exhaust air.

[0035] A conventional charger / discharger re-extinguishing device is shown in Fig. 1. The conventional charger / discharger re-extinguishing device is equipped with a fire detector (not shown), and when the fire detector detects a fire, the cooling fan (Fan, 200) provided within the charger / discharger re-extinguishing device is used to unilaterally supply outside air into the inside of the equipment where the fire occurred, and is used only for cooling purposes. As a result, there was a problem that the extinguishing of a fire occurring inside the charger / discharger or the removal of smoke was insufficient.

[0036] The fire detection type charger / discharger re-smoke device of the present invention utilizes a fan that is normally used for cooling, and in the event of a fire, changes the wind direction of the fan to the opposite direction and uses it for exhaust, so that even if a fire occurs in the charger / discharger, smoke can be efficiently removed.

[0037] To this end, the fire detection type charger / discharger re-storage device of the present invention can have the plurality of fans (200) normally intake air for cooling, but when a fire detector (not shown) detects a fire, some or all of them can exhaust air.

[0038] Specifically, the plurality of fans (200) are rotated by a motor (not shown) connected to the fans, and air generated by the rotation of the fans (200) can be transported in the axial direction.

[0039] An air guide (not shown) may be provided on the outside of the above plurality of fans (200) to guide the flow of air, and if necessary, this air guide may be formed in a curved shape to minimize resistance to the flow of air and induce smooth flow of air.

[0040] The air guide portions provided on the outside of the plurality of fans (200) are provided so as to correspond to each other on both sides, so that the air flow can be made equal in both directions. In this way, if the fan motor rotates forward to achieve cooling in the intake mode, the opposite air flow can be induced and exhausted with the same efficiency as the air flow in the intake mode when the fan motor rotates backward.

[0041] In the fire detection type re-charging / discharging device of the present invention, the rotation direction of the fans can be changed according to the change in electrical polarity, thereby controlling the intake and exhaust of air. That is, the direction of the fan can be changed according to the change in the electrical polarity of the motor connected to the fan, thereby causing the fan motor to rotate forward or reverse, thereby enabling the fans to perform the intake or exhaust of air.

[0042]

[0043] Additionally, the change in the rotation direction of the above fans may be in accordance with the instructions of a control device (not shown) that has received a fire occurrence notification from the fire detector.

[0044] In the fire detection type re-discharger of the present invention, when the control device receives a notification of a fire occurrence from the fire detector, it can instruct a change in the electrical polarity of the motor of the fan being sucked in. For example, if the fan motor is rotated forward to achieve cooling in the suction mode, the opposite air flow can be induced and exhausted with the same efficiency as the air flow in the suction mode when the fan motor is rotated in the reverse direction.

[0045]

[0046] The fire detection type charger / discharger reactivation device of the present invention includes a battery pack storage space (100) for charging and discharging a battery pack. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the battery pack storage space (100) included in the fire detection type charger / discharger reactivation device of the present invention.

[0047] The battery pack storage space (100) stores a battery pack and charges and discharges the battery pack. The storage space may be provided with a charge and discharge terminal on the side wall thereof, and may be configured to apply current by contacting a battery pack loaded on a tray or the like. At least two sides of the battery pack storage space may be open. Some of the open portions may serve as passages for inserting or removing battery packs into or out of the tray, and other open portions may serve as work passages for workers when necessary.

[0048]

[0049] The fire-detecting recharge / discharge device of the present invention includes a fire detector (not shown) provided on one side of the battery pack storage space. The fire detector may include a sensor provided on one side of the storage space to detect fire. The fire detector can detect a fire early by using heat or smoke generated during a fire and sound an alarm or notify a control device of the fire. The fire detector may use various types of fire detectors, such as a heat detector, a smoke detector, or a combination detector, and is not limited to any one of them.

[0050]

[0051] The fire detection type re-extinguishing device of the present invention includes a plurality of fans (200) that draw in or exhaust air into the battery pack storage space. The plurality of fans (200) are installed in the battery pack storage space to cool the generated heat.

[0052] Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a fire detection type charger / discharger reactivation device according to the present invention. Fig. 1 shows a conventional fire detection type charger / discharger, where a bold arrow indicates the air flow (Air Flow) when a fan (200) is used for cooling when no fire has occurred. In this way, when a fire detector detects the occurrence of a fire, the fan (200), which was used for cooling by supplying external air to the inside, can be exhausted by changing the electrical polarity of a plurality of fans (200) to change the rotation direction, as shown by the bold arrow in Fig. 2. That is, the bold arrow in Fig. 2 indicates the air flow (Air Flow) when all of the fans (200) used for cooling are converted and used for exhaust when a fire has occurred.

[0053] Accordingly, the plurality of fans (200) can normally intake air for cooling purposes, and exhaust air when a fire detector detects a fire. In addition, the fans (200) can control the intake and exhaust of air by switching the rotation direction according to the change of electrical polarity. In addition, the switching of the rotation direction of the fans can be in accordance with the instructions of a control device that has received the information of a fire occurrence from the fire detector.

[0054]

[0055] The fire detection type charger / discharger reactivation device of the present invention may further include a control device (not shown) that can receive a fire occurrence notification from the fire detector (not shown) and instruct the fans to change the rotation direction. The control device may be one that adjusts the polarity of a DC FAN or an AC FAN, so that it normally operates in the forward direction, but when a fire is detected, changes the DC polarity or the AC phase through a PLC or a digital In / Out control device to operate the FAN in the reverse direction.

[0056]

[0057] The fire detection type re-extinguishing device of the present invention may further include an exhaust duct (Duct, 300). After the fire detector detects a fire, the exhaust duct (300) opens and fans exhaust air to re-extinguish. As illustrated in Fig. 2, when the fire detector detects a fire, the damper-type exhaust duct (300) opens and, as described above, switches to exhaust mode according to the polarity change of the fan, thereby enabling efficient re-extinguishing. The exhaust duct (300) may be of a damper type, but is not necessarily limited thereto.

[0058] In the fire detection type re-discharge device of the present invention, a damper (not shown) is installed in the exhaust duct to control the air flow between the plurality of fans and the exhaust duct (300). The main functions of the damper include preventing external air from flowing back when the fan is turned off, controlling the exhaust volume as needed, and preventing the inflow of other air currents.

[0059] Through these dampers, the direction of air flow can be controlled by selectively performing opening and closing operations for intake and exhaust.

[0060] The above exhaust duct (300) may be installed in a plurality of the fire detection type charger / discharger smoke re-extinguishing devices of the present invention. The exhaust duct (300) may serve as a passage for discharging smoke generated by a fire to the outside. Since the plurality of exhaust ducts (300) are located in various parts of the charger / discharger smoke re-extinguishing devices, smoke generated locally due to a locally generated fire can be selectively discharged to the outside as needed. For example, exhaust ducts (300) may be provided at the top, bottom, left, right, or each corner of the charger / discharger smoke re-extinguishing devices, and the generated smoke can be efficiently discharged by opening or closing the exhaust ducts (300) as needed. At this time, the fan near the area where the fire occurred can be switched to exhaust mode, and the exhaust duct (300) near the area where the fire occurred can be opened to efficiently discharge the smoke.

[0061] In addition, the present invention provides a method for recharging a battery pack with a fire detection type, including: a step of detecting a fire from a fire detector provided on one side of a battery pack storage space; and a step of converting some or all of a plurality of fans that draw air into the battery pack storage space to exhaust air after the fire detection.

[0062] In the above fire detection type charger / discharger reactivation method, the battery pack storage space, the fire detector, and the plurality of fans are the same as those described in the fire detection type charger / discharger reactivation device described above.

[0063]

[0064] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be implemented in modified forms without departing from the essential characteristics of the above-described description. Therefore, the disclosed methods should be considered illustrative rather than restrictive. The scope of the present invention is set forth in the claims, not the foregoing description, and all differences within the scope equivalent thereto should be construed as being encompassed by the present invention.

[0065] [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] Battery pack storage space: 100

[0067] Fans: 200

[0068] Exhaust duct: 300

Claims

1. Battery pack storage space for charging and discharging the battery pack; A fire detector provided on one side of the above battery pack storage space; and Includes multiple fans (FANs) for drawing air into the battery pack storage space, A fire detection type discharge re-ignition device that switches on some or all of the plurality of fans to exhaust air when the fire detector detects a fire.

2. In paragraph 1, A fire detection type re-burning device characterized in that the above plurality of fans normally draw in air for cooling, and exhaust air when the fire detector detects a fire.

3. In paragraph 2, A fire-detecting rechargeable battery re-ignition device characterized in that the above fans change their rotation direction according to the change of electric polarity, thereby controlling the intake and exhaust of air.

4. In paragraph 3, A fire detection type re-extinguishing device characterized in that the rotation direction of the above fans is changed according to the instruction of a control device that receives a fire occurrence notification from the fire detector.

5. In paragraph 1, A fire detection type charger / discharger re-extinguishing device characterized in that the re-extinguishing device further includes an exhaust duct.

6. In paragraph 5, A fire detection type re-extinguishing device characterized in that after the above fire detector detects a fire, the exhaust duct is opened and some or all of the fans exhaust air to re-extinguish.

7. In paragraph 5, A fire detection type re-extinguishing device characterized in that a damper is installed in the above exhaust duct to control the flow of air.

8. A step of detecting a fire from a fire detector installed on one side of the battery pack storage space; and A method for re-igniting a fire-detecting charger / discharger, comprising: a step of switching some or all of a plurality of fans that draw air into the battery pack storage space to exhaust air after detecting the fire;

Images