Device for detecting hazard during whole process of thermal runaway of lithium battery

Abstract

A device for detecting a hazard during the whole process of the thermal runaway of a lithium battery, comprising: an explosion-proof chamber (10), a test chamber (11) being provided inside the explosion-proof chamber (10) and configured to accommodate a lithium battery; a thermal runaway inducing device (20), the thermal runaway inducing device (20) being arranged in the explosion-proof chamber (10) and configured to induce a thermal runaway phenomenon of the lithium battery; a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor (50) and a data recorder (28), the pressure sensor and the temperature sensor (50) both being arranged in the explosion-proof chamber (10) and electrically connected to the data recorder (28); a gas inlet pipe (60), a gas outlet pipe (70) and an online gas analysis instrument (29), the gas inlet pipe (60) and the gas outlet pipe (70) both leading to the explosion-proof chamber (10) and connecting to the online gas analysis instrument (29); and an ignition apparatus (80), the ignition apparatus (80) being arranged in the explosion-proof chamber (10) and configured to ignite a gas generated by the thermal runaway of the lithium battery in the test chamber (11).

Description

Lithium battery thermal runaway whole process hazard detection device

[0001] The present application claims priority to the Chinese patent application No. 202411320662.7, filed on September 23, 2024, to the Chinese Patent Office, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to the technical field of battery thermal runaway detection, for example to a lithium battery thermal runaway whole process hazard detection device. BACKGROUND

[0003] Nowadays, how to effectively develop clean energy has become a problem to be solved in the world. Green energy such as solar energy, tidal energy and wind energy has environmental friendliness, but the instability of energy restricts its further development. Among them, lithium batteries can meet the demand of energy storage, peak load shifting and other aspects, and have been rapidly developed because of high specific energy and long service life.

[0004] However, with the large-scale application of lithium batteries, electric vehicle fires, energy storage power station fires and other accidents occur more and more frequently. The reason is that when lithium batteries are subjected to electrical abuse, thermal abuse and mechanical abuse, the internal electrode material, separator and electrolyte will react with each other, generating a large amount of heat, causing the lithium battery to undergo thermal runaway. Lithium batteries will produce a large amount of hydrogen, carbon monoxide and other flammable gases and electrolyte vapor during thermal runaway, which are extremely easy to explode under the action of static electricity, electric arc and high temperature objects. At present, there is still a lack of special equipment for detecting the hazards of lithium battery thermal runaway in the whole process, so it is impossible to effectively evaluate the reliability of lithium batteries and provide performance improvement suggestions. SUMMARY

[0005] The present application provides a lithium battery thermal runaway whole process hazard detection device to solve the problem that the hazards of lithium battery thermal runaway in the whole process cannot be effectively detected.

[0006] The present application provides a lithium battery thermal runaway whole process hazard detection device, comprising:

[0007] An explosion-proof chamber, the inside of the explosion-proof chamber has a test cavity, and the test cavity is configured to accommodate a lithium battery;

[0008] A thermal runaway inducing device, the thermal runaway inducing device is arranged in the explosion-proof chamber, and the thermal runaway inducing device is configured to cause the lithium battery to generate a thermal runaway phenomenon;

[0009] A pressure sensor, a temperature sensor and a data recorder, the pressure sensor and the temperature sensor are respectively arranged in the explosion-proof chamber, and are electrically connected with the data recorder;

[0010] An air inlet pipeline and an air outlet pipeline are respectively communicated with the explosion-proof chamber and connected with the gas online analysis instrument.

[0011] An ignition device is arranged in the explosion-proof chamber and arranged to ignite the gas generated in the test chamber due to thermal runaway of the lithium battery.

[0012] In some embodiments, the explosion-proof chamber comprises a chamber body and a chamber door, the chamber body is provided with an inlet and outlet communicated with the test chamber, the chamber door is rotatably arranged on the chamber body and can open or close the inlet and outlet, and an outer surface of the chamber door is provided with a door handle.

[0013] In some embodiments, the thermal runaway inducing device comprises a connecting piece, the connecting piece is arranged on the chamber door, and opposite ends of the connecting piece are arranged to be respectively arranged out of opposite sides of the chamber door, a first end of the connecting piece is arranged to be electrically connected with a power supply device, and a second end of the connecting piece is arranged to be electrically connected with the lithium battery.

[0014] In some embodiments, the thermal runaway inducing device further comprises a needle puncture mechanism, the needle puncture mechanism comprises a retractable power source, a fixed clamp and a puncture needle, the retractable power source is arranged in a side wall of the chamber body, the fixed clamp is mounted on an end of a retractable arm of the retractable power source, and the puncture needle is assembled and connected with the fixed clamp.

[0015] In some embodiments, the pressure sensor comprises a static pressure sensor and a dynamic pressure sensor, and the temperature sensor comprises a bracket and a plurality of thermocouples mounted on the bracket, and the plurality of thermocouples extend into the test chamber.

[0016] In some embodiments, the ignition device comprises an ignition electrode head, and the ignition electrode head extends into a geometric center position of the test chamber.

[0017] In some embodiments, the lithium battery thermal runaway full-process hazard detection device further comprises a heating piece, and the heating piece is arranged on an outer circumferential side of the explosion-proof chamber.

[0018] In some embodiments, a first valve is arranged on the air inlet pipeline, and a second valve is arranged on the air outlet pipeline.

[0019] In some embodiments, a safety valve and an observation window are further arranged on the explosion-proof chamber, respectively.

[0020] In some embodiments, the lithium battery thermal runaway whole process hazard detection device further comprises a fire extinguishing agent sampling pipe, an electronic valve, a manual valve and a nozzle, the fire extinguishing agent sampling pipe is arranged on the sidewall of the explosion-proof chamber, the electronic valve and the manual valve are arranged on the fire extinguishing agent sampling pipe respectively, and the nozzle is installed on the fire extinguishing agent sampling pipe and arranged in the test cavity. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] The drawings needed to be used in the following embodiment description will be introduced as follows, the drawings in the following description are some drawings of the embodiments related to the present application, and other drawings can also be obtained by those skilled in the art without creative labor on the basis of the drawings.

[0022] Fig. 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a lithium battery thermal runaway whole process hazard detection device according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0023] Legend: 100, lithium battery thermal runaway whole process hazard detection device; 10, explosion-proof chamber; 11, test cavity; 12, chamber body; 13, chamber door; 14, door handle; 15, inlet and outlet; 20, thermal runaway induction equipment; 21, wiring part; 22, telescopic power source; 23, fixed clamp; 24, puncture needle; 30, static pressure sensor; 40, dynamic pressure sensor; 50, temperature sensor; 51, bracket; 52, thermocouple; 28, data recorder; 60, air inlet pipeline; 60a, first valve; 70, air outlet pipeline; 29, gas online analysis instrument; 70a, second valve; 80, ignition equipment; 81, ignition electrode head; 90, heating part; 90a, safety valve; 90b, observation window; 90c, fire extinguishing agent sampling pipe; 90d, electronic valve; 90e, manual valve; 90f, nozzle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The specific embodiments of the present application will be described below in conjunction with the drawings. In the following description, many details are set forth in order to fully understand the present application. However, the present application can be implemented in many different ways than described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar improvements without departing from the spirit of the present application.

[0025] In the description of the present application, if these terms "center", "longitudinal", "transverse", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential" and the like appear, the orientation or positional relationship indicated by these terms is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and does not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation.

[0026] In addition, if these terms "first", "second" appear, these terms are only for the purpose of description, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, the features defined as "first", "second" can be explicitly or implicitly included at least one of the features. In the description of the present application, if the term "multiple" appears, the meaning of "multiple" is at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited.

[0027] In the present application, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, if the terms "mounting", "connecting", "connecting", "fixing" and the like appear, these terms should be interpreted broadly. For example, it can be fixedly connected, or it can be detachably connected, or it can be integrated; it can be mechanically connected, or it can be electrically connected; it can be directly connected, or it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium; it can be the internal communication of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements, unless otherwise explicitly limited. For those skilled in the art, the meaning of the above terms in the present application can be understood as appropriate.

[0028] In the present application, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, if the first feature appears "on" or "under" the second feature or similar description, the meaning can be that the first feature and the second feature are in direct contact, or the first feature and the second feature are indirectly in contact through an intermediate medium. Moreover, the first feature "above", "above" and "above" of the second feature can be that the first feature is directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or indicates that the first feature is higher than the second feature in horizontal height. The first feature "below", "below" and "below" of the second feature can be that the first feature is directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or indicates that the first feature is lower than the second feature in horizontal height.

[0029] If an element is referred to as being "on" or "connected to" another element, it can be directly on or connected to the other element or intervening elements can be present. If an element is referred to as being "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or intervening elements can be present. As used herein the terms "vertical", "horizontal", "up", "down", "left", "right", and similar expressions are used for explanation only and are not to be construed as limiting.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 1, a device for detecting the whole process hazard of thermal runaway of a lithium battery 100 according to an embodiment of the present application includes an explosion-proof chamber 10, a thermal runaway inducing device 20, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor 50, a data recorder 28, an air inlet pipeline 60, an air outlet pipeline 70, a gas online analysis instrument 29, and an ignition device 80.

[0031] The explosion-proof chamber 10 has a test cavity 11 inside, which is configured to accommodate a lithium battery. The explosion-proof chamber 10 is a cuboid structure made of explosion-proof material, which is simple in structure, safe and reliable in use, and convenient to place.

[0032] The thermal runaway inducing device 20 is arranged in the explosion-proof chamber 10, and is configured to cause the lithium battery to generate a thermal runaway phenomenon. The pressure sensor and the temperature sensor 50 are arranged in the explosion-proof chamber 10, and are electrically connected to the data recorder 28. The air inlet pipeline 60 and the air outlet pipeline 70 are respectively in communication with the explosion-proof chamber 10, and are connected to the gas online analysis instrument 29. The ignition device 80 is arranged in the explosion-proof chamber 10, and is configured to ignite the gas generated in the test cavity 11 due to the thermal runaway of the lithium battery.

[0033] The lithium battery thermal runaway whole process hazard detection device 100 of the present scheme uses when, the lithium battery to be tested is placed in the test cavity 11, and the lithium battery is assembled and cooperated with the thermal runaway inducing equipment 20, the lithium battery can produce thermal runaway phenomenon when being subjected to electrical abuse, thermal abuse or mechanical abuse according to the test needs by means of the thermal runaway inducing equipment 20, a large amount of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, electrolyte vapor and other gas production are continuously produced in the process of thermal runaway of the lithium battery, through the cooperation of the gas inlet pipeline 60, the gas outlet pipeline 70 and the gas online analysis instrument 29, different pressure and different gas atmosphere lithium battery thermal runaway tests can be carried out according to different experimental needs, and the composition, concentration and other parameters of the gas produced in the process of lithium battery thermal runaway can be quantitatively measured and analyzed. In addition, different energy spark can be provided by means of the ignition equipment 80, the minimum ignition energy of the in-situ gas produced by the lithium battery thermal runaway is realized, and the maximum explosion pressure, the maximum explosion pressure rising rate, the explosion limit, the critical oxygen concentration and other combustion and explosion parameters of the gas produced by the lithium battery thermal runaway are obtained. Based on this, the experimenters can master the related hazard data of lithium battery thermal runaway in the whole process, and provide important technical support for lithium battery safety research. Please continue to refer to FIG. 1, in an embodiment, the explosion-proof bin 10 includes a bin body 12 and a bin door 13, the bin body 12 is provided with an inlet and outlet 15, the inlet and outlet 15 is communicated with the test cavity 11, the bin door 13 is rotatably arranged on the bin body 12 and can open or close the inlet and outlet 15, the outer surface of the bin door 13 is provided with a door handle 14.

[0034] The inlet and outlet 15 is opened by the bin door 13, which facilitates the lithium battery to be placed in the test cavity 11, and then the bin door 13 is closed, so that the test cavity 11 forms a closed cavity, which facilitates the subsequent safe and reliable lithium battery thermal runaway detection, and avoids the leakage of harmful substances such as gas through the inlet and outlet 15. The door handle 14 provided on the outer surface of the bin door 13 serves as a holding part to facilitate the experimenters to rotate and open or close the bin door 13.

[0035] Optionally, the door handle 14 is a structure member with the shape of a ring, a chain or a hook.

[0036] In an embodiment, the thermal runaway inducing equipment 20 includes a wiring member 21, the wiring member 21 is arranged on the bin door 13, and the opposite ends of the wiring member 21 respectively pass through the opposite sides of the bin door 13, the first end of the wiring member 21 is arranged to be electrically connected with the power supply device, and the second end of the wiring member 21 is arranged to be electrically connected with the lithium battery. Thus, during the test, the power supply device is started and the lithium battery is charged through the wiring member 21, the charging amount and time are controlled, the lithium battery is overcharged or overheated, and then the lithium battery is forced to produce thermal runaway phenomenon of electrical abuse or thermal abuse.

[0037] In some embodiments, the power supply device can exist as an external device separate from the lithium battery thermal runaway whole-process hazard detection device 100 in the present application. In other embodiments, the power supply device can be placed inside the lithium battery thermal runaway whole-process hazard detection device 10 involved in the present application. The arrangement of the power supply device can be determined according to the actual situation.

[0038] For example, the connecting piece 21 is a copper column, the number of copper columns is two, the length of the copper column is greater than the thickness of the door 13, and the door 13 is provided with two through holes, and each through hole is provided with a fixed copper column.

[0039] Please continue to refer to Figure 1, in some embodiments, the thermal runaway inducing device 20 further comprises a needle puncture mechanism, the needle puncture mechanism comprises a telescopic power source 22, a fixed clamp 23 and a puncture needle 24, the telescopic power source 22 is arranged in the side wall of the warehouse body 12, the fixed clamp 23 is installed at the end of the telescopic arm of the telescopic power source 22, and the puncture needle 24 is assembled and connected with the fixed clamp 23. During the test, the telescopic power source 22 drives the fixed frame to move towards the lithium battery in the test cavity 11 and close to the lithium battery, so that the puncture needle 24 pierces the lithium battery, thereby inducing the lithium battery to occur thermal runaway phenomenon of mechanical abuse.

[0040] Optionally, the telescopic power source 22 can be any one of a pneumatic cylinder, an electric push rod, an oil cylinder, etc., or can also be a power combination of a motor and a gear rack, a pneumatic cylinder and a sliding block sliding rail, etc.

[0041] Exemplarily, the pressure sensor in the present application can include a static pressure sensor 30 and a dynamic pressure sensor 40, the temperature sensor 50 includes a bracket 51 and a plurality of thermocouples 52 installed on the bracket 51, and the plurality of thermocouples 52 extend into the test cavity 11.

[0042] The static pressure sensor 30, the dynamic pressure sensor 40 and the temperature sensor 50 are all installed on the top of the explosion-proof warehouse 10, and the measurement parts all extend into the test cavity 11. Through the cooperation of the air inlet pipeline 60, the air outlet pipeline 70 and the static pressure sensor 30, different pressure and different gas atmosphere lithium battery thermal runaway experiments can be carried out according to different experimental requirements, and the requirements of different industry standards for lithium battery abuse experiments can be met. After the ignition device 80 ignites and explodes the gas generated in the test cavity 11, the dynamic pressure sensor 40 can record the explosion pressure in real time, and the maximum explosion pressure, the maximum explosion pressure rising rate, the explosion limit, the critical oxygen concentration and other combustion and explosion parameters of the gas generated by the lithium battery thermal runaway can be obtained, so as to realize the in-situ detection of the combustion and explosion characteristics of the gas generated by the lithium battery. The plurality of thermocouples simultaneously measure the temperature data in the test cavity 11, so as to ensure that the measured temperature value is accurate and reliable.

[0043] Please continue to refer to FIG. 1. In yet another embodiment, the ignition device 80 includes an ignition electrode head 81 which extends into the geometric center of the test chamber 11. By energizing the ignition device 80, the ignition electrode head 81 generates an electric spark which in turn ignites the gas to cause an explosion. Considering the different distribution of different types of gas in the test chamber 11, ignition by arranging in the geometric center of the test chamber 11 can more effectively ignite all the gas.

[0044] In some embodiments, the lithium battery thermal runaway full-process hazard detection device 100 further includes a heating member 90 which is arranged on the outer circumferential side of the explosion-proof chamber 10. The heating member 90 can be arranged to heat the gas inside the explosion-proof chamber 10 and the test chamber 11, and before triggering the thermal runaway of the lithium battery, the temperature in the test chamber 11 can reach 120 degrees Celsius by means of the heating effect of the heating member 90, preventing the condensation of the electrolyte vapor spewed by the lithium battery thermal runaway, and affecting the accuracy of subsequent determination of the parameters such as the composition and concentration of the gas.

[0045] In yet another embodiment, a first valve 60a is arranged on the gas inlet pipeline 60, and a second valve 70a is arranged on the gas outlet pipeline 70. By controlling the opening degree of at least one of the first valve 60a and the second valve 70a, the air pressure inside the test chamber 11 can be adjusted to realize lithium battery thermal runaway experiments under different gas pressure conditions; the gas atmosphere inside the test chamber 11 can also be replaced to realize thermal runaway experiments under different gas atmospheres and different oxygen concentrations.

[0046] Optionally, the first valve 60a and the second valve 70a can be one of a manual valve, an electrically controlled valve, etc., which can be flexibly selected according to actual needs. And the types of the first valve 60a and the second valve 70a can be the same or different.

[0047] Please continue to refer to FIG. 1. In some embodiments, the explosion-proof chamber 10 is further provided with a safety valve 90a and an observation window 90b respectively. Exemplarily, the safety valve 90a is arranged at the upper part of the explosion-proof chamber 10, which opens in time when the pressure inside the test chamber 11 is too large, preventing the explosion overpressure from damaging the chamber body and the internal devices. The observation window 90b is made of high-temperature explosion-proof glass material and is fixed to the front of the explosion-proof chamber 10 by bolts. During the test, a camera is arranged in front of the observation window 90b to record the entire test process, so as to be analyzed by reviewing the video later.

[0048] On the basis of any of the above embodiments, the lithium battery thermal runaway whole process hazard detection device 100 further comprises a fire extinguishing agent sampling pipe 90c, an electronic valve 90d, a manual valve 90e and a nozzle 90f, the fire extinguishing agent sampling pipe 90c is provided on the side wall of the explosion-proof bin 10, the electronic valve 90d and the manual valve 90e are respectively arranged on the fire extinguishing agent sampling pipe 90c, and the nozzle 90f is installed on the fire extinguishing agent sampling pipe 90c and arranged in the test cavity 11. After triggering the lithium battery to the thermal runaway state, the combustible gas and electrolyte vapor sprayed thereon can be ignited, and the lithium battery will have a violent explosion phenomenon. At this time, the fire extinguishing agent storage device is connected through the fire extinguishing agent sampling pipe 90c, the manual valve 90e is opened, and the inflow and outflow of the fire extinguishing agent is controlled through the electronic valve 90d. The fire extinguishing agent realizes the inhibition of the lithium battery fire through the nozzle 90f, and after the lithium battery flame is extinguished, a period of time is waited, the gas in the test cavity 11 is electrostatically ignited through the ignition device, and whether the gas atmosphere after extinguishing is still flammable is tested, so as to realize the test of the inhibition effect of different fire extinguishing agents.

Claims

1. A device for detecting the hazard of a lithium battery in a whole thermal runaway process, comprising: an explosion-proof chamber, an inner part of the explosion-proof chamber having a test cavity configured to accommodate a lithium battery; a thermal runaway inducing device disposed in the explosion-proof chamber, the thermal runaway inducing device configured to cause a lithium battery to generate a thermal runaway phenomenon; a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor disposed in the explosion-proof chamber, respectively, and electrically connected to a data logger; an air inlet pipeline and an air outlet pipeline in communication with the explosion-proof chamber, respectively, and connected to a gas online analysis instrument; and an ignition device disposed in the explosion-proof chamber and configured to ignite gas generated in the test cavity due to thermal runaway of a lithium battery. The explosion-proof chamber comprises a chamber body and a chamber door, the chamber body is provided with an inlet and an outlet in communication with the test cavity, the chamber door is rotatably disposed on the chamber body and can open or close the inlet and outlet, and an outer surface of the chamber door is provided with a door handle. The thermal runaway inducing device comprises a wiring member, the wiring member is provided on the chamber door, and opposite ends of the wiring member respectively pass through opposite sides of the chamber door, a first end of the wiring member is configured to be electrically connected to an external power supply device, and a second end of the wiring member is configured to be electrically connected to the lithium battery. The thermal runaway inducing device further comprises a needle puncture mechanism, the needle puncture mechanism comprises a telescopic power source, a fixed clamp and a puncture needle, the telescopic power source is provided in a side wall of the chamber body, the fixed clamp is installed at an end of a telescopic arm of the telescopic power source, and the puncture needle is assembled and connected with the fixed clamp. The pressure sensor comprises a static pressure sensor and a dynamic pressure sensor, the temperature sensor comprises a bracket and a plurality of thermocouples installed on the bracket, and the plurality of thermocouples extend into the test cavity. The ignition device comprises an ignition electrode head, the ignition electrode head extends into a geometric center position of the test cavity. 7.The device for detecting the hazard of a lithium battery in a whole thermal runaway process according to claim 1, further comprising a heating member, the heating member is wrapped around an outer peripheral side of the explosion-proof chamber.

2. The lithium battery thermal runaway full-process hazard detection device according to claim 1, wherein, A first valve is provided on the air inlet pipeline, and a second valve is provided on the air outlet pipeline.

3. The lithium battery thermal runaway full-process hazard detection device according to claim 2, wherein, A safety valve and an observation window are further provided on the explosion-proof chamber, respectively.

4. The lithium battery thermal runaway full-process hazard detection device according to claim 3, wherein, 10.The device for detecting the hazard of a lithium battery in a whole thermal runaway process according to claim 1, further comprising a fire extinguishing agent sampling pipe, an electronic valve, a manual valve and a nozzle, the fire extinguishing agent sampling pipe is provided on a side wall of the explosion-proof chamber, the electronic valve and the manual valve are provided on the fire extinguishing agent sampling pipe, respectively, and the nozzle is installed on the fire extinguishing agent sampling pipe and disposed in the test cavity.

5. The lithium battery thermal runaway full-process hazard detection device according to claim 1, wherein, ​ 6. The lithium battery thermal runaway full-process hazard detection device according to claim 1, wherein, ​ ​ 8. The lithium battery thermal runaway full-process hazard detection device according to claim 1, wherein, ​ 9. The lithium battery thermal runaway full-process hazard detection device according to claim 1, wherein, ​ ​

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