Fire prevention apparatus for vehicle and vehicle comprising same

Abstract

A fire prevention apparatus for a vehicle, according to the present invention, comprises: a tubular structure that delivers a fire extinguishing agent to a battery pack of a vehicle; an accommodation unit having an accommodation space that accommodates the tubular structure and an opening that communicates with the accommodation space; and an opening / closing device configured to open or close the opening, wherein the opening / closing device is configured to automatically open the opening when a predetermined control signal is received in a state in which the opening is closed or when the temperature of the battery pack exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

Description

Vehicle fire prevention device and vehicle including the same

[0001] The present application carries a claim of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0126885 filed on September 19, 2024 and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2025-0013308 filed on February 3, 2025, and all contents disclosed in the specifications and drawings of said patent applications are incorporated into the present application.

[0002] The present invention relates to a vehicle fire prevention device and a vehicle including the same, and more specifically, to a vehicle fire prevention device provided in a vehicle equipped with a rechargeable battery pack to prevent a fire caused by a thermal event of said battery pack, and to a vehicle including said vehicle fire prevention device.

[0003] Generally, a secondary battery refers to a battery capable of repeated charging and discharging, such as lithium-ion batteries, lithium-polymer batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-hydrogen batteries, and nickel-zinc batteries. A battery cell, which is the most basic type of secondary battery, can provide an output voltage of approximately 2.5V to 4.2V.

[0004] Recently, as battery packs containing multiple secondary batteries connected in series and / or parallel are being used as power sources for vehicles, interest and research on technologies to prevent fires in vehicle battery packs are increasing.

[0005] However, existing technology has the problem of being unable to adequately respond to thermal runaway or fire because it cools the vehicle's battery pack using a limited amount of coolant stored inside the vehicle. To address this, storing large amounts of coolant or fire extinguishing agents inside the vehicle leads to problems such as degrading vehicle performance and causing energy inefficiency.

[0006] Furthermore, existing technology has a problem in that if the power supply within the vehicle is cut off due to a thermal event occurring in the vehicle's battery pack, the operation of the cooling system installed in the vehicle also stops, leaving vehicle users directly exposed to risks such as thermal runaway, fire, and explosion of the battery pack.

[0007] The technical problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a vehicle fire prevention device that eliminates the need to load a large amount of fire extinguishing agent in the vehicle in preparation for a fire in a battery pack applied to the vehicle, and can prevent thermal runaway or fire of the battery pack even when the power supply within the vehicle is interrupted due to a thermal event occurring in the battery pack, and to provide a vehicle including such a vehicle fire prevention device.

[0008] A fire prevention device for a vehicle according to one aspect of the present invention is a device configured to provide a fire extinguishing agent to a battery pack of a vehicle, comprising: a tubular structure for delivering the fire extinguishing agent to the battery pack; a receiving unit having a receiving space for receiving the tubular structure and an opening communicating with the receiving space; and an opening / closing device configured to open or close the opening, wherein the opening / closing device is configured to automatically open the opening when a predetermined control signal is received while the opening is closed or when the temperature of the battery pack exceeds a predetermined threshold.

[0009] In one embodiment, the tubular structure may include a coupler configured to be connectable to a corresponding coupler of a supply device that supplies the fire extinguishing agent from outside the vehicle; and a connecting pipe, one end of which is connected to the coupler and the other end of which is connected to the battery pack or to a nozzle configured to spray the fire extinguishing agent onto the battery pack.

[0010] In one embodiment, at least one part of the connecting tube may have a bellows structure capable of extending or retracting in length.

[0011] In one embodiment, the receiving unit may be configured to withdraw at least one part of the tubular structure received in the receiving space to the outside of the receiving unit through the opening when the opening is opened by the opening / closing device.

[0012] In one embodiment, the receiving unit may include an elastic structure disposed in the receiving space and configured to extend at least one part of the tubular structure to the outside of the receiving unit.

[0013] In one embodiment, the tubular structure includes a flange protruding from the outer surface of at least one portion, and the elastic structure may include a compression spring, one end of which is fixed inside the receiving space and the other end of which contacts the flange.

[0014] In another embodiment, the receiving unit may include a support frame disposed in the receiving space and supporting the tubular structure; and an actuator that moves the support frame toward the opening when the opening is opened, thereby pulling the at least one part of the tubular structure out of the receiving unit.

[0015] In one embodiment, the opening and closing device includes a door configured to close or open the opening; and a locking unit that locks the door by engaging with the door that has closed the opening, and the locking unit may be configured to release the engagement with the door when the control signal is received or when the temperature of the battery pack exceeds a predetermined threshold.

[0016] In one embodiment, the vehicle fire prevention device may further include a temperature measuring unit configured to measure the temperature of the battery pack; and an alarm output unit configured to output a predetermined alarm signal when the temperature measured by the temperature measuring unit exceeds the threshold.

[0017] In one embodiment, the vehicle fire prevention device may further include a communication unit that communicates with a communication terminal configured to transmit the control signal; and a control unit that controls the opening / closing device to open the opening when the communication unit receives the control signal from the communication terminal.

[0018] In one embodiment, the communication unit may be configured to perform wireless communication with the communication terminal.

[0019] In one embodiment, the vehicle fire prevention device may further include an auxiliary battery configured to discharge independently of the battery pack to provide power to the switching device.

[0020] A vehicle according to another aspect of the present invention includes the above-described fire prevention device for a vehicle.

[0021] According to the present invention, a tubular structure provided in a vehicle is configured to deliver a fire extinguishing agent supplied from the outside to the battery pack of the vehicle, thereby eliminating the need to load a large amount of fire extinguishing agent in the vehicle to prepare for a fire in the battery pack applied to the vehicle, and preventing thermal runaway or fire of the battery pack even when the power supply inside the vehicle is interrupted due to a thermal event occurring in the battery pack.

[0022] In addition, the opening of the receiving unit accommodating the tubular structure is configured to open automatically according to a predetermined control signal or the temperature of the battery pack, thereby facilitating the use of the tubular structure and reducing the response time of the vehicle user in the event of thermal runaway or fire of the battery pack.

[0023] In addition, when the opening of the receiving unit is opened, at least one part of the tubular structure is configured to be drawn out to the outside of the receiving unit through the opening, thereby avoiding the risk of a vehicle user or worker having to approach the vehicle to respond to thermal runaway or fire of the battery pack, and improving the safety of cooling or extinguishing operations of the battery pack.

[0024] Furthermore, a person skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains will readily understand from the following description that various embodiments according to the present invention can solve various technical problems not mentioned above.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a vehicle fire prevention device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a vehicle fire prevention device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 3 is a drawing showing the end portion of a tubular structure that is received in the receiving unit of the vehicle fire prevention device shown in Figure 2.

[0028] Figure 4 is a drawing showing the extended length of the tubular structure illustrated in Figure 3.

[0029] Figure 5 is a drawing showing a part of the tubular structure illustrated in Figure 2.

[0030] FIG. 6 is a drawing showing a part of a tubular structure according to a modified embodiment.

[0031] FIG. 7 is a drawing showing a tubular structure accommodated in a receiving unit of a vehicle fire prevention device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 8 is a drawing showing the state in which a tubular structure is withdrawn from the receiving unit illustrated in Figure 7.

[0033] FIG. 9 is a drawing showing a tubular structure accommodated in a receiving unit according to a modified embodiment.

[0034] FIG. 10 is a drawing showing the state in which a tubular structure is withdrawn from the receiving unit shown in FIG. 9.

[0035] FIG. 11 is a drawing showing a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the connection state between a vehicle and a fire extinguishing agent supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings to clarify solutions corresponding to the technical problems of the present invention. However, in describing the present invention, if a description of related prior art would obscure the gist of the present invention, such description may be omitted.

[0038] Furthermore, the terms used in this specification are defined in consideration of their functions in the present invention, and they may vary depending on the intentions or practices of the designer, manufacturer, etc. Therefore, the definitions of the terms described below should be based on the content throughout this specification.

[0039] In addition, it should be noted in advance that, unless otherwise stated, various embodiments related to different components of the present invention may be combined with one another depending on the circumstances, provided that there is no technical conflict.

[0040] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a vehicle fire prevention device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a vehicle fire prevention device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a tubular structure (110), a receiving unit (120), and an opening and closing device (130).

[0042] The above tubular structure (110) is connected to a fire extinguishing agent supply device located outside the vehicle and is configured to deliver a fire extinguishing agent supplied from the fire extinguishing agent supply device to the battery pack of the vehicle.

[0043] As will be explained again below, this tubular structure (110) may include a coupler configured to be connected to a corresponding coupler of a fire extinguishing agent supply device, and a connecting pipe having one end connected to said coupler and the other end connected to said battery pack or a nozzle configured to spray said fire extinguishing agent onto said battery pack.

[0044] The above-mentioned receiving unit (120) is configured to receive at least a portion of the tubular structure (110). The receiving unit (120) has a receiving space for receiving the tubular structure and an opening communicating with the receiving space.

[0045] The above opening / closing device (130) is configured to open / close the opening of the receiving unit (120). In particular, when a predetermined control signal is received or when the temperature of the battery pack exceeds a predetermined threshold, the opening / closing device (130) is configured to automatically open the opening of the receiving unit (120).

[0046] In one embodiment, the vehicle fire prevention device (100) according to the present invention may include a temperature measuring unit (140). The temperature measuring unit (140) may be configured to measure the temperature of the battery pack.

[0047] For example, the temperature measuring unit (140) may be configured to measure the temperature of a plurality of batteries included in the battery pack for each battery individually or for a predetermined group of batteries. To this end, the temperature measuring unit (140) may include a plurality of temperature sensors.

[0048] In this case, the vehicle fire prevention device (100) may further include a control unit (150). The control unit (150) may be configured to detect a thermal event of the battery pack based on the temperature measured by the temperature measuring unit (140). To this end, the control unit (150) may include at least one general-purpose processor or an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit) for executing control logic, and may optionally include hardware such as memory, registers, etc., depending on the embodiment.

[0049] In one embodiment, the vehicle fire prevention device (100) according to the present invention may include an alarm output unit (160). The alarm output unit (160) may be configured to output a predetermined alarm signal when the temperature measured by the temperature measuring unit (140) exceeds a predetermined threshold. To this end, the alarm output unit (160) may include at least one of a visual output device such as a light-emitting diode, a monitor, a display panel or a touch screen, and a sound generating device such as a speaker.

[0050] For example, if the temperature measured by the temperature measuring unit (140) exceeds the threshold, the control unit (150) determines that a thermal event has occurred in the battery pack and controls the alarm output unit (160) to output an alarm signal in a manner recognizable by the user of the vehicle. For reference, the threshold may be determined in advance by considering the temperature of the battery pack or the temperature of the unit battery included in the battery pack at which thermal runaway of the battery pack occurs.

[0051] In one embodiment, the vehicle fire prevention device (100) according to the present invention may include a communication unit (170). The communication unit (170) may be configured to communicate with a predetermined communication terminal configured to transmit a control signal related to the operation of the opening and closing device (130).

[0052] In this case, the communication terminal may be a wireless communication terminal, such as a smart key or mobile phone carried by the user of the vehicle. That is, the communication unit (170) may be configured to perform wireless communication with the communication terminal.

[0053] For example, when the communication unit (170) receives a control signal from the communication terminal that includes a command to open the opening of the receiving unit (120), the control unit (150) can control the opening / closing device (130) to open the opening of the receiving unit (120).

[0054] In one embodiment, the vehicle fire prevention device (100) according to the present invention may include an auxiliary battery (180) configured to discharge independently of the battery pack and to provide power to the switching device (130) described above. In this case, the auxiliary battery (180) may be positioned at a location spaced apart from the battery pack.

[0055] In this way, the vehicle fire prevention device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention can open the opening of the receiving unit (120) using the power of the auxiliary battery (180) even when the power of the battery pack providing driving power for the vehicle is cut off.

[0056] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a vehicle fire prevention device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] As illustrated in FIG. 2, a vehicle fire prevention device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention is configured to be provided in a vehicle and to provide a fire extinguishing agent to the battery pack (12) of the vehicle. To this end, the vehicle fire prevention device (100) includes a tubular structure (110), a receiving unit (120), and an opening / closing device (130).

[0058] The tubular structure (110) is configured to deliver a fire extinguishing agent supplied from a fire extinguishing agent supply device located outside the vehicle to the battery pack (12). To this end, the tubular structure (110) is configured such that at least one part, including its end portion, can be withdrawn outside the vehicle.

[0059] The receiving unit (120) is configured to receive at least a portion of the tubular structure (110). As will be explained again below, the receiving unit (120) has a receiving space for receiving the tubular structure (110) and an opening communicating with said receiving space.

[0060] In one embodiment, the vehicle fire prevention device (100) may further include a support structure (190) that supports at least a portion of the tubular structure (110). In this case, the support structure (190) may include a stopper (192) that contacts the tubular structure (110) and restricts the movement of the tubular structure (110), and a fixing frame (194) that fixes the stopper (192) at a predetermined position.

[0061] The above opening / closing device (130) is configured to open / close the opening of the receiving unit (120). In particular, when a predetermined control signal is received or when the temperature of the battery pack (12) exceeds a predetermined threshold, the above opening / closing device (130) is configured to automatically open the opening of the receiving unit (120).

[0062] FIG. 3 is a drawing showing one end of a tubular structure (110) housed in a housing unit (120) of a vehicle fire prevention device shown in FIG. 2.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 3, the tubular structure (110) may include a coupler (112) and a connecting tube (114).

[0064] The above coupler (112) may be configured to be connectable to a corresponding coupler of a fire extinguishing agent supply device located outside the vehicle. This coupler (112) may be manufactured from a metal material or synthetic resin having rigidity that does not undergo deformation during the connection process with the corresponding coupler or during the fire extinguishing agent supply process.

[0065] The above connecting pipe (114) may be configured such that one end is connected to a coupler (112) and the other end is connected to a battery pack (12) or a nozzle (not shown) configured to spray a fire extinguishing agent onto the battery pack (12). This connecting pipe (114) may be manufactured to be flexible.

[0066] In one embodiment, at least one portion of the connecting pipe (114) may have a bellows structure capable of extending or retracting in length. Thus, by having the connecting pipe (114) have a bellows structure, the space required to install the connecting pipe (114) inside the vehicle can be reduced.

[0067] In one embodiment, the tubular structure (110) may include a flange (116) protruding from the outer surface of its end portion. As will be explained again below, the flange (116) may be used to extend the tubular structure (110) out of the vehicle through an opening in the receiving unit (120).

[0068] FIG. 4 is a drawing showing the extended length of the tubular structure (110) illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 4, the tubular structure (110) can be drawn out of the vehicle through the opening of the receiving unit (120) as the length of the connecting pipe (114) is extended.

[0070] The coupler (112) of the tubular structure (110) drawn out in this way can be connected to a corresponding coupler of a fire extinguishing agent supply device located outside the vehicle.

[0071] FIG. 5 is a drawing showing a part of the tubular structure (110) illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0072] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the connecting tube (114) of the tubular structure (110) may extend from the receiving unit (120) into the interior of the vehicle and be connected to the battery pack (12) of the vehicle. This connecting tube (114) may include a curved portion (114A) configured to be concavely curved downward toward the vehicle to prevent foreign matter from entering the battery pack (12). For example, the curved portion (114A) may be curved in a U-shape or an S-shape.

[0073] In one embodiment, the curved portion (114A) of the connecting pipe (114) may be flexible. In this case, the vehicle fire prevention device (100) may include a support structure (190) configured to support the curved portion (114A) so as to maintain the shape of the curved portion (114A). To this end, the support structure (190) may include a stopper (192) that restricts the movement of the curved portion (114A) and a fixing frame (194) that fixes the stopper (192) at a predetermined position.

[0074] FIG. 6 is a drawing showing a part of a tubular structure (110) according to a modified embodiment.

[0075] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the connecting tube (114) of the tubular structure (110) may include a curved portion (114B) configured to be concavely curved downward toward the vehicle to block foreign matter from entering the battery pack (12).

[0076] For example, the curved portion (114B) may be curved in a U-shape or an S-shape. This curved portion (114B) may be manufactured to have a fixed shape. In this case, the rest of the connecting pipe (114), excluding the curved portion (114B), may be manufactured from a flexible material.

[0077] In one embodiment, the curved portion (114B) may include a valve (118) that opens or closes an outlet (114C) for discharging foreign matter.

[0078] For example, the valve (118) may be configured to close the discharge port (114C) when no foreign matter is collected in the curved portion (114B) or when the amount of collected foreign matter is less than a predetermined standard amount, and to open the discharge port (114C) when more than a predetermined standard amount of foreign matter is collected in the curved portion (114B). To this end, the vehicle fire prevention device (100) may further include a sensor (not shown) for detecting foreign matter collected in the curved portion (114B).

[0079] FIG. 7 is a drawing showing a tubular structure (110) being received in a receiving unit (120) of a vehicle fire prevention device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0080] As illustrated in FIG. 7, the receiving unit (120) is provided inside the vehicle body and can accommodate at least a part of the tubular structure (110). In this case, the receiving unit (120) can accommodate a part of the coupler (112) and the connecting pipe (114) among the components of the tubular structure (110).

[0081] In one embodiment, the connecting tube (114) of the tubular structure (110) may have a bellows structure capable of extending or retracting its length. In this case, the connecting tube (114) may be received in the receiving unit (120) in a contracted state.

[0082] The above receiving unit (120) may have a receiving space (S1) for receiving a tubular structure (110) and an opening (H1) communicating with the receiving space (S1). In this case, a vehicle fire prevention device according to one embodiment of the present invention may include an opening / closing device (130) configured to open or close the opening (H1) of the receiving unit (120).

[0083] The above opening / closing device (130) may be configured to automatically open the opening (H1) when a predetermined control signal is received while the opening (H1) of the receiving unit (120) is closed, or when the temperature of the battery pack (12) exceeds a predetermined threshold.

[0084] To this end, the opening and closing device (130) may include a door (132) configured to close or open the opening (H1) of the receiving unit (120), and a locking unit (134) that locks the door (132) by combining with the door (132) that has closed the opening (H1).

[0085] In one embodiment, the door (132) may be implemented as a swing door having a hinge. Additionally, the locking unit (134) may be configured to release the connection with the door (132) when the control signal is received or when the temperature of the battery pack (12) exceeds the predetermined threshold.

[0086] In one embodiment, the receiving unit (120) may be configured to withdraw at least one part of the tubular structure (110) received in the receiving unit (120) to the outside of the receiving unit (120) through the opening (H1) when the opening (H1) is opened by the opening / closing device (130).

[0087] To this end, the receiving unit (120) may include an elastic structure (122). This elastic structure (122) may be configured to be placed in the receiving space (S1) to extend at least a portion of the tubular structure (110) to the outside of the receiving unit (120).

[0088] In one embodiment, the elastic structure (122) may include a compression spring. In this case, the compression spring may be configured such that one end thereof is fixed inside the receiving space (S1). For example, the one end thereof of the compression spring may be fixed to the inner surface of the receiving unit (120) forming the receiving space (S1). The other end thereof of the compression spring may be configured to contact the flange (116) of the tubular structure (110).

[0089] FIG. 8 is a drawing showing the tubular structure (110) withdrawn from the receiving unit (120) shown in FIG. 7.

[0090] As illustrated in FIG. 8, when the connection between the door (132) of the opening / closing device (130) and the locking unit (134) is released, the door (132) is opened by the elastic force of the elastic structure (122), and the tubular structure (110) can be pulled out to the outside of the receiving unit (120) through the opening (H1) of the receiving unit (120).

[0091] As a result, the risk of vehicle users or workers having to approach the vehicle closely to respond to thermal runaway or fire occurring in the vehicle's battery pack can be avoided, and the safety of cooling or extinguishing operations for the battery pack can be improved.

[0092] FIG. 9 is a drawing showing a tubular structure (110) received in a receiving unit (120') according to a modified embodiment.

[0093] As illustrated in FIG. 9, a receiving unit (120') according to a modified embodiment is provided inside the vehicle body and can receive at least a portion of a tubular structure (110). In this case, the receiving unit (120') can receive a portion of the coupler (112) and the connecting pipe (114) among the components of the tubular structure (110).

[0094] Additionally, the receiving unit (120') may have a receiving space (S2) for receiving a tubular structure (110) and an opening (H2) communicating with the receiving space (S2). In this case, a vehicle fire prevention device according to one embodiment of the present invention may include an opening / closing device (130) configured to open or close the opening (H2) of the receiving unit (120').

[0095] The above opening / closing device (130) may be configured to automatically open the opening (H2) when a predetermined control signal is received while the opening (H2) of the receiving unit (120') is closed, or when the temperature of the battery pack (12) exceeds a predetermined threshold.

[0096] To this end, the opening and closing device (130) may include a door (132) configured to close or open the opening (H2) of the receiving unit (120'), and a locking unit (134) that locks the door (132) by combining with the door (132) that has closed the opening (H2).

[0097] The locking unit (134) may be configured to release the connection with the door (132) when the control signal is received or when the temperature of the battery pack (12) exceeds the predetermined threshold.

[0098] In one embodiment, the receiving unit (120') may be configured to withdraw at least one part of the tubular structure (110) received in the receiving unit (120') to the outside of the receiving unit (120') through the opening (H2) when the opening (H2) is opened by the opening / closing device (130).

[0099] To this end, the receiving unit (120') may include a support frame (124) and an actuator (126).

[0100] The support frame (124) may be configured to be placed in the receiving space (S2) of the receiving unit (120') to support the tubular structure (110). For example, the support frame (124) may be configured to support the coupler (112) of the tubular structure (110).

[0101] The actuator (126) may be configured to move the support frame (124) toward the opening (H2) when the opening (H2) of the receiving unit (120') is opened, thereby pulling out at least one part of the tubular structure (110) to the outside of the receiving unit (120').

[0102] FIG. 10 is a drawing showing the tubular structure (110) withdrawn from the receiving unit (120') shown in FIG. 9.

[0103] As illustrated in FIG. 10, when the connection between the door (132) of the opening / closing device (130) and the locking unit (134) is released, the actuator (126) moves the support frame (124) toward the opening (H2) of the receiving unit (120'), thereby allowing the coupler (112) of the tubular structure (110) supported by the support frame (124) to be pulled out to the outside of the receiving unit (120').

[0104] As a result, the risk of vehicle users or workers having to approach the vehicle closely to respond to thermal runaway or fire occurring in the vehicle's battery pack can be avoided, and the safety of cooling or extinguishing operations for the battery pack can be improved.

[0105] FIG. 11 is a drawing showing a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0106] As illustrated in FIG. 11, a vehicle (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a battery pack (12) that provides electrical energy required for various operations of the vehicle (10), and a vehicle fire prevention device (100) described above.

[0107] As described with reference to FIG. 1, the vehicle fire prevention device (100) can detect the temperature of the battery pack (12) and output a visual, auditory, or audiovisual alarm signal when the temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold. According to an embodiment, the vehicle fire prevention device (100) may be configured to transmit the alarm signal to a communication terminal (20) of a vehicle user.

[0108] In addition, the vehicle fire prevention device (100) can extend a tubular structure (110) that delivers a fire extinguishing agent to a battery pack (12) to the outside of the vehicle (10) according to a control signal received from a predetermined communication terminal (20).

[0109] In one embodiment, the communication terminal (20) may be integrated into a smart key used for controlling the operation of the vehicle (10), or integrated into a wireless communication terminal such as a mobile phone of the vehicle user.

[0110] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the connection state between a vehicle (10) and a fire extinguishing agent supply device (30) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0111] As illustrated in FIG. 12, the coupler (112) of the tubular structure (110) drawn out to the outside of the vehicle (10) can be connected to the corresponding coupler (32) of the fire extinguishing agent supply device (30) located outside the vehicle (10). The fire extinguishing agent supplied from the fire extinguishing agent supply device (30) can be delivered to the battery pack of the vehicle (10) through the connecting pipe (114) of the tubular structure (110).

[0112] In FIG. 12, the tubular structure (110) of the vehicle fire prevention device is shown being pulled out from the bottom of the vehicle (10), but the position of the tubular structure (110) being pulled out can be varied in consideration of the structure and shape of the vehicle or battery pack, safety, ease of use, etc. For example, the tubular structure (110) may be configured to be pulled out through the trunk or bonnet of the vehicle.

[0113] Meanwhile, the above-mentioned fire extinguishing agent supply device (30) can be implemented as a fixed device such as a fire hydrant or as a mobile device such as a fire truck.

[0114] As described above, according to the present invention, a tubular structure provided in a vehicle is configured to deliver a fire extinguishing agent supplied from the outside to the battery pack of the vehicle, thereby eliminating the need to load a large amount of fire extinguishing agent in the vehicle to prepare for a fire in the battery pack applied to the vehicle, and preventing thermal runaway or fire of the battery pack even when the power supply inside the vehicle is interrupted due to a thermal event occurring in the battery pack.

[0115] In addition, the opening of the receiving unit accommodating the tubular structure is configured to open automatically according to a predetermined control signal or the temperature of the battery pack, thereby facilitating the use of the tubular structure and reducing the response time of the vehicle user in the event of thermal runaway or fire of the battery pack.

[0116] In addition, when the opening of the receiving unit is opened, at least one part of the tubular structure is configured to be drawn out to the outside of the receiving unit through the opening, thereby avoiding the risk of having to approach the vehicle closely to respond to thermal runaway or fire of the battery pack, and improving the safety of cooling or extinguishing operations of the battery pack.

[0117] Furthermore, it is obvious that the embodiments according to the present invention can solve various other technical problems in the relevant technical field as well as related technical fields other than those mentioned in this specification.

[0118] The present invention has been described above with reference to specific embodiments. However, those skilled in the art will clearly understand that various modified embodiments may be implemented within the technical scope of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed above should be considered in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. That is, the true technical scope of the present invention is set forth in the claims, and all variations within the scope of equivalents should be interpreted as being included in the present invention.

[0119] [Explanation of the symbol]

[0120] 10: Vehicle

[0121] 12: Battery pack

[0122] 100: Vehicle fire prevention device

[0123] 110: Tubular structure

[0124] 112: Coupler

[0125] 114: Connecting pipe

[0126] 120, 120': Capacity Unit

[0127] 130: Switching device

[0128] 140: Temperature measuring unit

[0129] 150: Control unit

[0130] 160: Alarm output section

[0131] 170: Communications Department

[0132] 180: Power Bank

[0133] 190: Support structure

Claims

1. A vehicle fire prevention device configured to provide a fire extinguishing agent to a vehicle's battery pack, A tubular structure for delivering a fire extinguishing agent to the above battery pack; A receiving unit having a receiving space for receiving the above tubular structure and an opening communicating with the receiving space; and It includes an opening and closing device configured to open or close the above opening, and The above opening / closing device is a vehicle fire prevention device configured to automatically open the opening when a predetermined control signal is received while the opening is closed or when the temperature of the battery pack exceeds a predetermined threshold.

2. In Paragraph 1, The above tubular structure is, A coupler configured to be connectable to a corresponding coupler of a supply device that supplies the fire extinguishing agent from outside the vehicle; and A fire prevention device for a vehicle, characterized by including a connecting pipe having one end connected to the coupler and the other end connected to the battery pack or to a nozzle configured to spray the fire extinguishing agent onto the battery pack.

3. In Paragraph 2, A fire prevention device for a vehicle, characterized in that at least one part of the above-mentioned connecting pipe has a bellows structure capable of extending or contracting in length.

4. In Paragraph 1, A fire prevention device for a vehicle, characterized in that the above-described receiving unit is configured to withdraw at least one part of the tubular structure received in the receiving space to the outside of the receiving unit through the opening when the opening is opened by the above-described opening / closing device.

5. In Paragraph 4, The above receiving unit is, A fire prevention device for a vehicle characterized by including an elastic structure disposed in the above-mentioned receiving space and configured to extend at least one part of the tubular structure to the outside of the receiving unit.

6. In Paragraph 5, The above tubular structure is, It includes a flange protruding from the outer surface of at least one portion of the above, The above elastic structure is, A fire prevention device for a vehicle characterized by including a compression spring, one end of which is fixed inside the receiving space and the other end of which contacts the flange.

7. In Paragraph 4, The above receiving unit is, A support frame disposed in the above receiving space and supporting the tubular structure; and A fire prevention device for a vehicle characterized by including an actuator that, when the opening is opened, moves the support frame toward the opening to pull out at least one part of the tubular structure to the outside of the receiving unit.

8. In Paragraph 1, The above-mentioned opening and closing device is, A door configured to close or open the above opening; and It includes a locking unit that locks the door by combining with the door that closes the opening, and A fire prevention device for a vehicle, characterized in that the locking unit is configured to release the connection with the door when the control signal is received or when the temperature of the battery pack exceeds a predetermined threshold.

9. In Paragraph 1, A temperature measuring unit configured to measure the temperature of the battery pack; and A fire prevention device for a vehicle, characterized by further including an alarm output unit configured to output a predetermined alarm signal when the temperature measured by the temperature measuring unit exceeds the threshold value.

10. In Paragraph 1, A communication unit that performs communication with a communication terminal configured to transmit the above control signal; and A fire prevention device for a vehicle, characterized by further including a control unit that controls the opening / closing device to open the opening when the communication unit receives the control signal from the communication terminal.

11. In Paragraph 10, A fire prevention device for a vehicle characterized in that the communication unit is configured to perform wireless communication with the communication terminal.

12. In Paragraph 1, A vehicle fire prevention device characterized by further including an auxiliary battery configured to discharge independently of the battery pack to provide power to the switching device.

13. The vehicle comprising a vehicle fire prevention device according to paragraphs 1 through 12.

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