Battery pack, battery cabin and fire fighting method

Abstract

Disclosed are a battery pack, a battery cabin, and a fire fighting method. The battery pack comprises: a box body used for placement of battery cells and protecting a battery; a protection module used for discharging smoke out of a battery environment and cooling the battery; a high-temperature early warning module used for decomposing when thermal runaway occurs in the battery, so that a fire extinguishing agent can completely cover the battery; and a battery management apparatus used for monitoring in real time the voltage and temperature of the battery cells and the concentration of the smoke, and giving an early warning about the thermal runaway state of the battery.

Description

Battery pack, battery compartment and fire-fighting method

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese patent application No. 2024101397002 filed in China on January 31, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to the field of new energy design and application technology, and in particular to a battery pack, a battery compartment, and a fire-fighting method. Background Art

[0004] Thermal runaway of lithium batteries often starts with the decomposition of the SEI film (full name: solid electrolyte interface) of the negative electrode in the battery. The connected diaphragm decomposes and melts, causing the negative electrode and the electrolyte to react. Subsequently, the positive electrode and the electrolyte decompose, triggering an internal short circuit in the battery, causing the electrolyte to burn, and then spread to other batteries. After thermal runaway, lithium batteries will produce a large amount of flammable substances and increase the internal pressure of the battery. The increased pressure can cause the battery to explode. In addition, the substances ejected from the battery explosion can easily produce open flames when they come into contact with oxygen in the environment, further generating continuous heat around the battery. Existing fire prevention methods have prominent problems such as insufficient ability to suppress heat expansion, poor anti-reignition performance, and insufficient ability to absorb explosive gases.

[0005] It should be noted that the above description of the technical background is merely for the purpose of providing a clear and complete description of the technical solutions of the present disclosure and facilitating understanding by those skilled in the art. It should not be assumed that the above technical solutions are well known to those skilled in the art simply because they are described in the background technology section of the present disclosure. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a battery pack, a battery compartment, and a fire-fighting method.

[0007] A first embodiment of the present disclosure provides a battery pack, comprising:

[0008] A box body, with multiple through holes arranged around and at the center of the upper surface of the box body, the box body is used to place battery cells and protect the batteries;

[0009] a protection module, the protection module being arranged on the box body and being used to release smoke in the battery environment and cool the battery;

[0010] At least one high-temperature warning module, the high-temperature warning module being disposed through a hole in the upper surface of the housing and configured to decompose when thermal runaway occurs in the battery, allowing the fire extinguishing agent to fully immerse the battery. The material of the high-temperature warning module is determined based on a temperature threshold. If the temperature threshold is set between 180 degrees Celsius and 200 degrees Celsius, the material of the high-temperature warning module includes polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and / or polyvinyl chloride. If the temperature threshold is set between 200 degrees Celsius and 270 degrees Celsius, the material of the high-temperature warning module 22 may include tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer, polyperfluoroethylene propylene, and / or polyvinylidene fluoride.

[0011] A battery management device is provided on the box body and is used to monitor the voltage, temperature and smoke concentration of the battery cells in real time and to issue an early warning of the thermal runaway state of the battery.

[0012] A second embodiment of the present disclosure provides a battery compartment, comprising:

[0013] A battery pack as provided in any embodiment of the first aspect of the present disclosure, for providing electrical energy;

[0014] A fire protection loop, which is used to install the battery pack and perform a full immersion fire extinguishing operation on the battery pack in thermal runaway;

[0015] A sensing module is provided on the fire protection loop, and is used to detect the temperature of the battery pack and the smoke concentration in the environment, and to issue an early warning when the battery pack is in thermal runaway.

[0016] The third embodiment of the present disclosure provides a fire protection method for safely protecting the battery compartment provided in any embodiment of the second aspect of the present disclosure, including:

[0017] Monitor the high temperature warning module in the battery pack based on the battery pack temperature and the smoke concentration in the environment;

[0018] According to the physical status of the high temperature warning module, select corresponding protective measures to protect the battery compartment safely.

[0019] The technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure bring at least the following beneficial effects:

[0020] The battery management device monitors smoke concentration in the battery environment in real time, providing early warning of thermal runaway conditions, significantly improving the accuracy of thermal runaway monitoring. By installing a high-temperature warning module on the battery pack, it rapidly degrades in the event of thermal runaway, allowing the fire extinguishing agent to fully immerse the battery, quickly extinguishing the fire and suppressing re-ignition without compromising the airtightness of the battery pack, preventing the adverse effects of accidental spraying of the fire extinguishing agent on the battery.

[0021] It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent and readily understood from the following description of the embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0023] FIG1 is a schematic structural diagram of a battery management device provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] FIG2 is a schematic structural diagram of a battery pack provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0025] FIG3 is a schematic structural diagram of a battery compartment provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0026] FIG4 is a flow chart of a fire-fighting method provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Exemplary embodiments will be described in detail herein, with examples illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description, when referring to the drawings, identical numerals in different figures represent identical or similar elements, unless otherwise indicated. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments are not intended to represent all possible implementations consistent with the present disclosure. Rather, they are merely examples of devices consistent with certain aspects of the present disclosure, as detailed in the appended claims.

[0028] The terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit the embodiments of the present disclosure. The singular forms "a," "an," and "the" used in the embodiments of the present disclosure and the appended claims are also intended to include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term "and / or" as used herein refers to and includes any or all possible combinations of one or more associated listed items.

[0029] The embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals throughout represent the same or similar elements. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are intended to be used to explain the present disclosure, and should not be understood as limiting the present disclosure.

[0030] The battery pack, battery compartment, and battery management device according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a battery management device provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG1 , the battery management device 10 includes:

[0032] The acquisition module 101 is connected to the battery and is used to acquire the voltage and temperature of the battery. It should be noted that the battery is not shown in FIG1 .

[0033] In some embodiments, as an example, the acquisition module 101 includes a voltage acquisition unit 1011 and a temperature acquisition unit 1012, wherein the voltage acquisition unit 1011 is connected to the battery and is used to acquire the voltage of the battery, wherein the voltage acquisition unit 1011 can be a voltage sensor; the temperature acquisition unit 1012 is connected to the battery and is used to acquire the temperature of the battery, wherein the temperature acquisition unit 1012 can be a temperature sensor.

[0034] It should be noted that the drawback of existing battery management devices is that they can only collect the voltage of the battery cells and the ambient temperature around the battery. Based on the topological architecture, battery management devices are divided into two categories according to project requirements: centralized and distributed. The centralized type uses a single battery management device to collect data for all battery cells. Centralized battery management devices have the advantages of compact structure, low cost, and high reliability. They are often used in scenarios with low capacity, low total voltage, and small battery systems. In addition, centralized battery management devices can be divided into high-voltage and low-voltage areas. The high-voltage area is responsible for collecting battery cell voltage, collecting system total voltage, and monitoring insulation resistance; the low-voltage area includes power supply circuits, central processing unit circuits, communication circuits, control circuits, etc. Furthermore, the ambient temperature around the battery cells will be affected by the superimposed interference of other battery cells, making it difficult for centralized battery management devices to accurately collect the ambient temperature of all battery cells.

[0035] According to the composition relationship of the battery, multiple battery cells constitute a battery cluster, and multiple battery clusters constitute a battery stack. The distributed battery management device usually has a three-layer architecture, including: a slave battery management device, a master battery management device and a master battery management device. Among them, the slave battery management device collects data from the battery cells; the master battery management device collects data from the battery cluster; and the master battery management device collects data from the battery stack (or battery array).

[0036] The slave battery management device is responsible for collecting various cell information (such as voltage and temperature), calculating and analyzing the charge state and health status of the battery cells, achieving active balancing of the battery cells, and uploading cell abnormality information to the master battery management device.

[0037] The master battery management device is responsible for collecting various battery cell information uploaded by the slave battery management device, collecting the voltage and temperature of the battery cluster, as well as the charge and discharge current of the battery cluster, calculating and analyzing the charge state and health status of the battery cluster, and uploading all information to the master battery management device.

[0038] The master battery management unit is responsible for collecting various battery cluster information uploaded by the master battery management unit and uploading all the information to other external devices. Other external devices monitor thermal management, operation management, charge and discharge management, and diagnostic management.

[0039] It should be further explained that the acquisition module may also adopt a data acquisition system (full name Data acquisition, abbreviated as DAQ, the data acquisition system consists of a set of hardware and software, and can use converters to sample physical parameters such as voltage, current, temperature and stress. The system can condition the sample and convert the physical parameters of the sample into digital data for capture, real-time monitoring and analysis), FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array, that is, field programmable gate array, its specific settings are not described here one by one), etc. As long as the voltage and temperature of the battery can be collected, any acquisition module setting is applicable and is not limited to this embodiment.

[0040] As shown in FIG1 , a monitoring module 102 is connected to the battery and is used to monitor the smoke concentration in the battery environment in real time and issue an early warning of the thermal runaway state of the battery.

[0041] In some embodiments, as an example, the monitoring module 102 includes a smoke sensor. It should be noted that the smoke sensor primarily monitors smoke concentration to prevent fires. It utilizes an ionized smoke sensor, which generates positive and negative ions in an ionized environment. These ions migrate toward the positive and negative electrodes, respectively, under the influence of an electric field. Under normal circumstances, the current and voltage in an ionized environment are stable. However, if smoke escapes, disrupting the normal movement of positively and negatively charged particles within the ionized environment, the current and voltage fluctuate, disrupting equilibrium. The smoke sensor then emits a wireless alarm signal, notifying a remote receiving device, which then transmits the alarm signal.

[0042] Another type of smoke sensor uses a photoelectric effect. It consists of an infrared light-emitting tube, an infrared sensor tube, and a dark chamber. In the absence of smoke, the light from the infrared light-emitting tube cannot reach the infrared sensor tube. When smoke enters the dark chamber, the small smoke particles scatter the light from the infrared light-emitting tube, causing some of the light to be received by the infrared sensor tube and converted into an electrical signal. The detection circuit amplifies this signal, and when the alarm threshold is reached, the alarm state is activated.

[0043] It should be further noted that monitoring module 102 can also be configured using a laser device. When the smoke particle concentration and resolution reach a certain threshold, the smoke is monitored using the scattering principle of laser light. The specific operating principle of this device is not detailed here. As long as the smoke concentration in the battery environment can be monitored in real time and a warning of thermal runaway conditions can be issued immediately, any configuration of monitoring module 102 is applicable, and is not limited to this embodiment.

[0044] Through this battery management device, the smoke concentration in the battery environment is monitored in real time, and the thermal runaway state of the battery is warned in the first place, which greatly improves the monitoring accuracy of battery thermal runaway.

[0045] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a battery pack provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG2 , the battery pack 20 includes:

[0046] The box body 21 is used to place the battery and protect the battery.

[0047] In some embodiments, as examples, the materials of the case 21 include: metal materials, carbon fiber composite materials, and glass fiber reinforced composite materials. It should be noted that the molding technology of the battery pack case is mainly determined by the material selected. Currently, aluminum plates and fiber reinforced materials are mostly used as the materials of the battery pack case. The main molding technologies for aluminum plates are stamping aluminum welding, extruded aluminum stir friction and casting; the molding of fiber reinforced materials mostly adopts autoclave, resin transfer molding (RTM), vacuum introduction, injection, extrusion and spraying. During the production and manufacturing process, the most suitable manufacturing process can be selected according to the characteristics of the components, cost and the type of composite material selected. Currently, injection molding is often used to produce fiber reinforced composite battery pack cases. Carbon fiber reinforced composite materials are currently only used in some models. Once the material and manufacturing costs drop to a certain level, carbon fiber composite cases will become the mainstream of battery pack cases for new energy vehicles in the future. However, at present, the battery pack casing is transitioning from a pure metal casing to a metal-composite hybrid casing, with the combination of dissimilar materials as the main form. The biggest advantages of the composite structure formed by dissimilar materials are good fatigue resistance, corrosion resistance and lightweight properties, especially lightweight. The main connection methods between different materials are adhesive bonding, mechanical connection and hybrid connection. At present, the casing of new energy vehicles is mainly made of aluminum or mixed materials, and is mostly fixed in the form of fasteners. The connection between the aluminum casing and the vehicle body has high stability requirements and is mainly connected by bolts, rivets and reinforcement ribs.

[0048] The protection module 23 is provided on the box body 21 and is used to release smoke in the battery environment and cool the battery.

[0049] In some embodiments, as an example, the protection module 23 includes: an explosion-proof valve 231, a liquid cooling inlet interface 232, and a liquid cooling outlet interface 233, wherein:

[0050] The explosion-proof valve 231 is provided on the box body 21 and is used to release smoke in the battery environment to prevent the battery from exploding.

[0051] The liquid cooling inlet port 232 and the liquid cooling outlet port 233 are both provided on the box body 21 , and are used to provide a circulation path for the cooling liquid to cool the battery.

[0052] It should be noted that the purpose of the explosion-proof valve 231 is that when the battery is damaged due to internal or external short circuit, overcharging, or collision, the battery structure is damaged, causing the battery to heat up and expand. The originally sealed PACK package cannot release the pressure and will explode. If the explosion-proof valve works, it will crack and release the gas before the gas reaches the explosion limit to prevent the battery pack from exploding.

[0053] At least one high temperature warning module 22 is provided through the upper surface of the box body 21 and is used to decompose when thermal runaway occurs in the battery so that the fire extinguishing agent can fully immerse the battery.

[0054] In some embodiments, for example, materials for the high-temperature warning module 22 include polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer, polyperfluoroethylene propylene (FEP), and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). It should be noted that the material selection for the high-temperature warning module 22 is based on the temperature threshold. If the temperature threshold is set between 180°C and 200°C, materials for the high-temperature warning module 22 include polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyvinyl chloride. If the temperature threshold is set between 200°C and 270°C, materials for the high-temperature warning module 22 include tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer, FEP, and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). The material selection for the high-temperature warning module 22 should be based on the battery's characteristics and safety level requirements. Multiple through-holes can be provided around the perimeter and center of the upper surface of the housing, with the high-temperature warning module 22 positioned at these holes. The location and number of holes are selected based on the fire safety level, which will not be detailed here.

[0055] The battery management device 10 provided in the embodiment of the present disclosure is mounted on the housing 21 and is configured to monitor the voltage, temperature, and smoke concentration of the battery cells in real time, and to provide an early warning of thermal runaway conditions. For a detailed description of the battery management device 10, please refer to the relevant descriptions in the above embodiment and will not be repeated here.

[0056] In summary, by installing a high-temperature warning module on the battery pack, it can be quickly degraded when thermal runaway occurs, allowing the fire extinguishing agent to fully immerse the battery, quickly extinguish the fire and suppress re-ignition, while not affecting the airtightness of the battery pack, avoiding the adverse effects of accidental spraying of the fire extinguishing agent on the battery.

[0057] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a battery compartment provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3 , the battery compartment 30 includes:

[0058] The battery pack 20 provided in the embodiment of the present disclosure is used to provide electrical energy. For a detailed introduction to the battery pack 20, please refer to the relevant contents of the above embodiment, which will not be repeated here.

[0059] A fire protection circuit is provided for mounting the battery pack and for fully immersing the battery pack in thermal runaway conditions. Specifically, as an example, the fire protection circuit includes: a fire protection pipe cluster, fire protection nozzles, and a fire extinguishing agent. The fire protection pipe cluster is used to mount the battery pack; the fire protection nozzles are positioned on the fire protection pipe cluster, corresponding one-to-one with each battery pack; and the fire extinguishing agent is released through the fire protection nozzles in the event of thermal runaway, fully immersing the battery pack. In some embodiments, the fire extinguishing agent includes an aerosol and a foam.

[0060] It should be noted that the fire extinguishing agent released by the fire sprinklers includes foam. The foam and water are thoroughly mixed and delivered to the battery in the thermal runaway area through the foam transmission pipeline of the fire pipe cluster (the foam transmission pipeline is not shown in Figure 3) to extinguish the fire. The foam adheres to the burning material, forming a uniform and dense foam blanket, isolating oxygen, interrupting the chemical chain reaction, preventing heat radiation, and suffocating the fire. Each bubble of the foam is composed of an outer wall of gas and water. The radial outer surface absorbs heat 360°, rapidly cooling the temperature. The foam can encapsulate the combustible gas, while the water contained in it continuously removes heat through evaporation and liquid precipitation, effectively preventing the battery from re-igniting.

[0061] The electrical area of ​​the battery compartment adopts an aerosol layout. When an electrical fire occurs in the battery compartment, the aerosol fire extinguishing device is activated to extinguish the electrical fire. The specific introduction of the aerosol layout will not be repeated here.

[0062] The battery management device monitors smoke concentration in the battery environment in real time, providing immediate warning of thermal runaway conditions, significantly improving the accuracy of thermal runaway monitoring. By installing a high-temperature warning module on the battery pack, it rapidly degrades in the event of thermal runaway, allowing the fire extinguishing agent to fully immerse the battery, quickly extinguishing the fire and suppressing re-ignition without compromising the airtightness of the battery pack, preventing the adverse effects of accidental spraying of the fire extinguishing agent on the battery.

[0063] FIG4 is a flow chart of a fire protection method provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG4 , the method is used to protect the battery compartment provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure, and the method includes but is not limited to the following steps S401 to S402.

[0064] S401 , monitoring the high temperature warning module in the battery pack based on the temperature of the battery pack and the smoke concentration in the environment.

[0065] In some embodiments, for example, the physical state of the high-temperature warning module in the battery pack is monitored in real time based on the battery pack temperature and the smoke concentration in the environment to obtain the first time point of the high-temperature warning module's thermal runaway. For further details on step S401, please refer to the relevant content of the above embodiment and will not be repeated here.

[0066] S402: Select corresponding protective measures to protect the battery compartment according to the physical state of the high temperature warning module.

[0067] In some embodiments, if the high temperature warning module decomposes during thermal runaway, a full immersion fire extinguishing operation is performed on the battery pack. For further details on step S402, please refer to the relevant contents of the above embodiment and will not be repeated here.

[0068] Other embodiments of the present disclosure will readily occur to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and practicing the invention disclosed herein. This disclosure is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the present disclosure that follow the general principles of the present disclosure and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The description and examples are to be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit of the present disclosure being indicated by the following claims.

[0069] It should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the exact structures that have been described above and shown in the drawings, and that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope thereof. The scope of the present disclosure is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A battery pack, characterized in that: include: A box body, with multiple through holes arranged around and in the center of the upper surface of the box body, the box body is used to place battery cells and protect the batteries; a protection module, the protection module being arranged on the box body and being used to release smoke in the battery environment and cool the battery; At least one high-temperature warning module, the high-temperature warning module being disposed through a hole in the upper surface of the housing and configured to decompose when thermal runaway occurs in the battery, allowing the fire extinguishing agent to fully immerse the battery. The material of the high-temperature warning module is determined based on a temperature threshold. If the temperature threshold is set between 180 degrees Celsius and 200 degrees Celsius, the material of the high-temperature warning module includes polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and / or polyvinyl chloride. If the temperature threshold is set between 200 degrees Celsius and 270 degrees Celsius, the material of the high-temperature warning module 22 may include tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer, polyperfluoroethylene propylene, and / or polyvinylidene fluoride. A battery management device is provided on the box body and is used to monitor the voltage, temperature and smoke concentration of the battery cells in real time and to issue an early warning of the thermal runaway state of the battery.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein: The materials of the box include: metal materials, carbon fiber composite materials, and glass fiber reinforced composite materials.

3. The battery pack according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The protection module includes: an explosion-proof valve, a liquid cooling inlet interface and a liquid cooling outlet interface, wherein: The explosion-proof valve is provided on the box body and is used to release smoke in the battery environment to prevent battery explosion; The liquid cooling inlet interface and the liquid cooling outlet interface are both arranged on the box body, and are used to provide a circulation path for the coolant to cool the battery.

4. A battery compartment, characterized in that: include: The battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 3, used to provide electrical energy; A fire protection loop, which is used to install the battery pack and perform a full immersion fire extinguishing operation on the battery pack in thermal runaway; A sensing module is provided on the fire protection loop, and is used to detect the temperature of the battery pack and the smoke concentration in the environment, and to issue an early warning when the battery pack is in thermal runaway.

5. The battery compartment according to claim 4, characterized in that: The fire protection loop includes: a fire protection pipe cluster, a fire protection nozzle and a fire extinguishing agent, wherein: the fire protection pipe cluster is used to install the battery pack; the fire protection nozzle is arranged on the fire protection pipe cluster and corresponds to the battery pack one by one; the fire extinguishing agent is used to be released through the fire protection nozzle in the event of thermal runaway to fully immerse the battery.

6. The battery compartment according to claim 5, characterized in that: The fire extinguishing agent includes aerosol and foam.

7. A fire-fighting method for protecting the battery compartment according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that: include: Monitor the high temperature warning module in the battery pack based on the battery pack temperature and the smoke concentration in the environment; According to the physical status of the high temperature warning module, select corresponding protective measures to protect the battery compartment safely.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The high temperature warning module in the battery pack is monitored according to the temperature of the battery pack and the smoke concentration in the environment, including: The physical state of the high-temperature warning module in the battery pack is monitored in real time according to the temperature of the battery pack and the smoke concentration in the environment, and the first time node of the high-temperature warning module when thermal runaway occurs is obtained.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that The method of selecting corresponding protective measures to protect the battery compartment according to the physical state of the high temperature warning module includes: If the high temperature warning module decomposes during thermal runaway, the battery pack is fully immersed in fire extinguishing operation.

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