Fire damage reduction system for electric vehicle with separable battery

Abstract

Provided is a fire damage reduction system for an electric vehicle, the system comprising: a body frame constituting the body of the electric vehicle; a plurality of battery module housings respectively coupled and fixed to a lower portion of the body frame; a plurality of battery modules inserted and embedded in the plurality of battery module housings, respectively, and provided to be connected to each other; an upper cover coupled and fixed to an upper surface of each battery module housing to cover and conceal the battery module; an automatic separation device provided on the body frame along an outer circumferential portion of each battery module housing to couple and fix each battery module housing to the body frame, and in the event of a fire problem in a battery module, separating a battery module housing in which the battery module with the fire problem is installed from the body frame; and a removal device provided between the upper cover and the body frame to remove the upper cover of the battery module housing separated from the body frame and exposing the battery module with the fire problem to the outside.

Description

Fire damage reduction system for detachable battery electric vehicles

[0001] The present invention relates to a fire damage reduction system for a battery-removable electric vehicle, and more specifically, to a fire damage reduction system for a battery-removable electric vehicle that allows charging and discharging to be performed simultaneously by dividing the battery module, and enables the battery module to be separated from the vehicle body in the event of a fire in the divided battery module.

[0002] Recently, attempts are being made to use alternative power sources other than traditional internal combustion engines (hereinafter referred to as "engines") as power sources for automobiles in order to reduce environmental pollution caused by automobile exhaust gases and to cope with limited petroleum resources.

[0003] A representative example is the electric vehicle, which is a car that uses electrical energy stored in a battery to drive a motor and utilizes the motor's driving force as the vehicle's entire or partial power source.

[0004] These electric vehicles are broadly classified into pure electric vehicles, which use only electrical energy from a battery as a power source, and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), which are equipped with an internal combustion engine and use the power generated from the engine to charge the battery or drive the vehicle.

[0005] In a narrow sense, the term "electric vehicle" may refer exclusively to pure electric vehicles to distinguish them from hybrid electric vehicles; however, in this invention, the term "electric vehicle" is used in a broad sense encompassing both pure electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles, referring to any vehicle equipped with one or more batteries in which the electrical energy stored in the batteries is used as the driving force.

[0006] However, while these electric vehicles have the advantage of being eco-friendly, they have the disadvantage that if a fire occurs due to external impact or internal short circuits, the battery will burn up completely.

[0007] In other words, once the battery catches fire, not only does the flame not go out until it is completely burned, but because the battery has a considerably large capacity and volume, there is a disadvantage that it continues to burn until the vehicle is completely incinerated.

[0008]

[0009] (Prior Art Literature)

[0010] (Patent Literature)

[0011] Republic of Korea Registered Patent No. 10-2711740

[0012] Accordingly, the present invention has been devised to solve the problems of the prior art as described above, and aims to provide a fire damage reduction system for a battery-separable electric vehicle that can perform charging and discharging simultaneously by dividing the battery module, and can prevent the total combustion of the electric vehicle by immediately separating the battery module from the vehicle body before a fire occurs when a risk of fire is detected in the divided battery module.

[0013]

[0014] A fire damage reduction system for a battery-separable electric vehicle according to the present invention for achieving the above-mentioned purpose comprises: a body frame forming the vehicle body of the electric vehicle; a plurality of battery module housings each coupled and fixed to the lower part of the body frame; a plurality of battery modules each inserted and embedded in the plurality of battery module housings, while being interconnected and configured to allow for independent charging and discharging operations; an upper cover coupled and fixed to the upper surface of each battery module housing to cover and conceal the battery module; and an automatic separation device provided on the body frame along the outer periphery of each battery module housing, which couples and fixes each battery module housing to the body frame, and detaches and separates the battery module housing in which the battery module with the fire problem is installed from the body frame in the event of a fire problem in the battery module. A connector and coupling device that connects the power and cooling lines of each battery module to a control module and a cooling module provided in a body frame, and automatically disconnects the power and cooling lines when each battery module is separated from the body frame; a removal device provided between the upper cover and the body frame that removes the upper cover of a battery module housing separated from the body frame to expose the battery module with a fire problem to the outside; and a control system that, when a fire problem occurs in a battery module, disconnects the battery module with the fire problem and automatically connects the remaining normal battery modules to execute autonomous evacuation driving.

[0015] In addition, a split panel portion is provided that is formed to be removable on the upper cover and has one side connected to the body frame, so that when the battery module housing is separated from the body frame, the split panel portion connected to the body frame is removed from the upper cover, thereby exposing the battery module where the fire problem occurred.

[0016] In addition, a removal line may be formed in the upper cover so that the fractured panel section can be removed.

[0017] Additionally, the removal device may be configured to include: a breakage hook hinged to the breakage panel portion of the upper cover by a hinge pin between the upper cover and the body frame; a connecting ring portion provided at one end of the breakage hook and fixed to the body frame; and a breakage projection provided at the other end of the breakage hook and protruding toward a removal line, so that when the battery module housing is separated from the body frame, the breakage projection of the breakage hook rotates around the hinge pin as an axis and presses the removal line to remove the breakage panel portion from the upper cover.

[0018] In addition, the removal device may be equipped with a pair of automatic separation devices, and the removal device may be provided on the front and rear sides of the breaking panel section, respectively, so that the automatic separation device of the front or rear removal device is selectively operated to separate the front or rear part of the breaking panel section from the body frame depending on the forward or reverse driving of the electric vehicle.

[0019] In addition, the automatic separation device may be configured to include: a hollow case provided in the body frame; a hollow folder inserted into the case and configured to be movable up and down; a piston inserted into the folder and configured to be movable up and down; a split nut inserted into the folder below the piston; a fastening bolt that penetrates the battery module housing and is fastened to the split nut; and a power cartridge provided in the case that ignites upon the occurrence of a fire in the battery module to provide explosive force into the folder, thereby moving the folder and the piston in opposite directions. When a risk of fire in the battery module is detected, the power cartridge ignites and explodes within the folder prior to the occurrence of the fire, causing the folder and the piston to move in opposite directions, thereby forcibly separating the fastening bolt and the split nut and separating the battery module housing from the body frame.

[0020] According to the fire damage reduction system for a battery-separable electric vehicle of the present invention, the battery module is configured to be divided into multiple parts to perform charging and discharging simultaneously, and when a risk of fire is detected in a specific divided battery module, the battery module is immediately separated from the vehicle body before a fire occurs, thereby preventing the total burning of the electric vehicle and enabling the rapid suppression of the fire in the battery module.

[0021] FIG. 1 is an exploded view illustrating the configuration of a battery module assembly provided in the body frame of an electric vehicle according to the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a planar configuration diagram illustrating a body frame of an electric vehicle equipped with a plurality of battery modules divided according to the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a body frame according to the present invention, where FIG. 3a is a cross-sectional view along line AA of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3b is a cross-sectional view along line BB.

[0024] FIG. 4 is a drawing showing the separation structure of a split battery module and a body frame according to the present invention in a lateral direction (cross-sectional direction of line AA in FIG. 2).

[0025] FIG. 5 is a drawing showing the separation structure of a split battery module and a body frame according to the present invention in the forward direction (the cross-sectional direction of line BB in FIG. 2).

[0026] FIG. 6 is a diagram of an automatic separation nut device configured for joining each broken panel part of a split battery module housing and an upper cover mounted on a body frame according to the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a fracture line formed in the fracture panel portion of an upper cover according to the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 8 is a drawing illustrating the connection means of the power supply module and the cooling module according to the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 9 is an operation diagram illustrating the disconnected state of the battery module when a fire problem occurs in an electric vehicle according to the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view showing a battery module separated from the body frame of an electric vehicle according to the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 11 is a drawing of a state in which a battery module in a fire state is exposed to the outside by forcibly opening an upper cover separated from an electric vehicle according to the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the circuit configuration of a split battery module according to the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating the separation process of a split battery module that has caught fire in a fire damage reduction system for electric vehicles according to the present invention.

[0034]

[0035] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0036] The terms used in this invention are defined considering their functions within the invention; however, since these may vary depending on the intentions or practices of the user or operator, the definitions of these terms should be interpreted in a meaning and concept consistent with the technical details of this invention.

[0037] In addition, the embodiments of the present invention are not intended to limit the scope of the rights of the present invention, but are merely exemplary details of the components presented in the claims of the present invention, and are embodiments that include components that are included in the technical concept throughout the specification of the present invention and can be substituted as equivalents for the components of the claims.

[0038] Additionally, optional terms in the following examples are used to distinguish one component from another, and the components are not limited by said terms.

[0039] Accordingly, in describing the present invention, detailed descriptions of related prior art that may unnecessarily obscure the essence of the invention are omitted.

[0040]

[0041] The attached drawings, FIGS. 1 to 13, are drawings illustrating specific embodiments of a fire damage reduction system for electric vehicles according to the present invention.

[0042] Here, in this embodiment, a fire damage reduction system applying battery module splitting and separation technology and automatic breaking and removal technology of an upper cover provided in a battery module housing is described as being applied to an electric vehicle as an example; however, it should be noted in advance that it can be applied not only to electric vehicles but also to hybrid electric vehicles.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 1, the fire damage reduction system for an electric vehicle according to the present invention comprises a body frame (100) forming the body of an electric vehicle, a plurality of battery module housings (200)(210)(220) each coupled and fixed to the lower part of the body frame (100), a plurality of battery modules (300)(310)(320) each inserted and embedded in the plurality of battery module housings (200)(210)(220) and interconnected so as to be independently capable of charging and discharging, and an upper cover (400)(410)(420) coupled and fixed to the upper surface of each battery module housing (200)(210)(220) to cover the battery modules (300)(310)(320).

[0044] In addition, there is an automatic separation device (500) provided along the outer periphery of each battery module housing (200)(210)(220) to securely attach each battery module housing (200)(210)(220) to the body frame (100), and when a fire risk is detected in the battery module (300)(310)(320), the battery module housing (200)(210)(220) on which the battery module (300)(310)(320) with a fire risk (hereinafter referred to as "fire problem") is installed is detached and separated from the body frame (100), and an upper cover (400)(410)(420) of the battery module housing (200)(210)(220) separated from the body frame (100) is provided between the upper cover (400)(410)(420) and the body frame (100) A removal device (600) is further included to remove and expose the battery module (300) (310) (320) that has a fire problem to the outside.

[0045] The body frame (100) consists of a front section of the front wheel, a rear section of the rear wheel, and a central section forming the floor surface of the passenger space.

[0046] In particular, the central part of the body frame (100) includes a front part (100a) formed in a trapezoidal shape at the front end as shown in FIG. 2, in which a control module and a cooling module, etc., are arranged and installed to control and cool the operation of the battery modules (300)(310)(320), respectively connected to the battery modules (300)(310)(320), and a mounting part (100b) formed in a rectangular shape at the rear of the front part (100a), in which a plurality of divided battery modules (300)(310)(320) are arranged and installed in a partitioned manner.

[0047] Also, the hatched portion of the mounting portion (100b) in FIG. 2 indicates each area of ​​a plurality of battery module housings (200) (210) (220) mounted on the lower surface of the mounting portion (100b). In this embodiment, the plurality of battery module housings (200) (210) (220) are exemplified as being divided into three parts, but the number of battery module housings (200) (210) (220) can be increased or decreased as needed.

[0048] Here, since the multiple battery module housings (200)(210)(220), in which multiple battery modules (300)(310)(320) are each accommodated and installed, are all configured with the same structure, the multiple battery module housings (200)(210)(220) will be described together.

[0049]

[0050] Meanwhile, the battery module housing (200)(210)(220) is formed long along the front-to-rear length direction of the electric vehicle as shown in FIG. 2, and a plurality of battery module housings (200)(210)(220) are arranged in the width direction on the lower surface of the mounting portion (100b) of the body frame (100).

[0051] The battery module housing (200)(210)(220) can have a cooling function in which cooling water flows into the interior to cool the battery module (300)(310)(320) provided in the battery module housing (200)(210)(220).

[0052] As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the upper surface of the battery module housing (200)(210)(220) is open toward the body frame (100) so that each battery module (300)(310)(320) can be inserted and accommodated, and the open upper surface is provided in a closed state by the upper cover (400)(410)(420) to be described later.

[0053] Also, the rim portion of the battery module housing (200)(210)(220) is coupled and fixed to the mounting portion (100b) of the body frame (100) through an automatic separation device (500) to be described later, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 3b.

[0054] In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, a protrusion (230) and a groove (231) are formed on the edges of two adjacent battery module housings (200) (210) (220) among a plurality of battery module housings (200) (210) (220), and the protrusion (230) of one battery module housing (200) (210) (220) is inserted into the groove (231) of the adjacent other battery module housing (200) (210) (220), thereby enabling the installation area of ​​the battery module housings (200) (210) (220) to be minimized.

[0055] In addition, the battery module housing (200)(210)(220) is provided with a control module housing (240) that is fixedly coupled to the lower surface of the front part (100a) of the body frame (100) as in FIG. 3a, and the control module housing (240) is provided with a control module and a cooling module connected to the battery module (300)(310)(320).

[0056] In particular, the control module housing (240) is fixed by being fastened with a conventional bolt and nut to the lower surface of the front part (100a) of the body frame (100), so that when a fire occurs in the battery module (300)(310)(320), the battery module housing (200)(210)(220) is separated and detached from the body frame (100), but the control module housing (240) remains fixedly connected to the lower surface of the front part (100a) of the body frame (100) to protect the control module and cooling module, etc.

[0057]

[0058] Meanwhile, each battery module housing (200)(210)(220) is provided with a plurality of modularized battery modules (300)(310)(320) inserted therein, and as shown in FIG. 12, each of the plurality of battery modules (300)(310)(320) is provided with a switching unit (340)(350) connected thereto, and each of the switching units (340)(350) is provided with an inverter (360)(370) that connects a power generation device and a regenerative braking device, respectively, so as to be configured to simultaneously perform charging and discharging on the plurality of battery modules (300)(310)(320).

[0059] Here, a plurality of battery modules (300)(310)(320) may be divided and configured without limit in number, but in this embodiment, three battery modules divided into a first battery module (300), a second battery module (310), and a third battery module (320) are described as examples.

[0060] In such first, second, and third battery modules (300)(310)(320), a plurality of unit battery cells are arranged and provided. For example, a plurality of unit battery cells may be provided in series and parallel connections in 3 vertical columns and 16 horizontal columns. In the event of a malfunction in any of the battery modules (300)(310)(320), only the problematic battery module (300)(310)(320) and unit battery cell that caused the malfunction can be replaced, so overall maintenance of the battery modules (300)(310)(320) is easily performed.

[0061] Additionally, the switching unit is exemplified as two switching units consisting of a first switching unit (340) and a second switching unit (350), and the first and second switching units (340) and (350) may each be configured with three switches (340a) (340b) (340c) (350a) (350b) (350c) installed independently.

[0062] In particular, each switch configured in the first and second switching units (340) (350) is provided as a first switch (340a) (350a), a second switch (340b) (350b), and a third switch (340c) (350c) as shown in FIG. 12, and is connected in a one-to-one correspondence with each divided battery module (300) (310) (320).

[0063] That is, the first switch (340a)(350a) of each switching unit (340)(350) is connected to the first battery module (300), the second switch (340b)(350b) is connected to the second battery module (310), and the third switch (340c)(350c) is connected to the third battery module (320), and the first, second, and third battery modules (300)(310)(320) are each grounded.

[0064] And, as an example, the inverter is exemplified as two inverters consisting of a first inverter (360) and a second inverter (370), the first inverter (360) may be configured to connect the regenerative braking device and the first switching unit (340), and the second inverter (370) may be configured to connect the power generation device and the second switching unit (350).

[0065] These first and second inverters (360) (370) are power conversion devices that can convert the DC power of each battery module (300) (310) (320) into AC power and supply it as power to the regenerative braking device and power generation device, respectively, or convert the AC power generated from each regenerative braking device and power generation device into DC power and supply it to each battery module (300) (310) (320) for storage.

[0066] That is, the first and second inverters (360) (370) are each connected to the regenerative braking device and the power generation device by multiple cables, and are each connected to the first and second switching units (340) (350) by a single cable, and the first and second switching units (340) (350) are separately grounded.

[0067] In addition, the divided battery modules (300)(310)(320) configured as described above are configured so that charging and discharging are controlled by a control module.

[0068] To this end, the divided battery modules (300)(310)(320) are arranged and connected in a directional manner from the first battery module (300) to the last third battery module (320), and the divided battery modules (300)(310)(320) by the control system are used and discharged in order from the first battery module (300) to the second battery module (310) and the third battery module (320), and are configured to be charged in order from the third battery module (320) to the first battery module (300) and the second battery module (310).

[0069] In this way, by allowing one battery module to be discharged and charged continuously with a time difference in the sequence between the discharge and charge of the divided battery modules (300) (310) (320), the discharge and charge can be performed simultaneously, and depending on the purpose of operation, the divided battery modules (300) (310) (320) can be used individually or combined sequentially.

[0070] In particular, when a fire occurs in a battery module (300)(310)(320) currently in use, the battery module can be detached and the power supply can be quickly switched to the next battery module.

[0071] In addition, when the divided battery modules (300) (310) (320) are first charged, the third battery module (320) may be designed and provided to be charged only up to 50-70%, but more preferably, it may be designed and provided to be charged only up to 50%. This is because, due to the characteristics of the electric vehicle, power generation (charging) by repeated regenerative braking is always performed, so by providing a spare space for charging to the third battery module (320) that is charged first during charging, it is possible to maintain a state where charging is possible at all times.

[0072] In addition, the control module for controlling the discharge and charging of the divided battery modules (300) (310) (320) as described above further includes a Battery Management System (BMS) that manages the divided battery modules (300) (310) (320) and a Vehicle Control Unit (VCU) that controls the Battery Management System, as shown in FIG. 13.

[0073] The above-described battery management system (BMS) is configured to control the first and second switching units (340)(350) and the driving discharge and charging sequence of the first, second, and third battery modules (300)(310)(320), and to disconnect the battery module (300)(310)(320) that has a fire problem depending on whether there is a fire problem in the battery module (300)(310)(320).

[0074] In addition, the vehicle control unit (VCU) receives input values ​​such as the accelerator pedal, brake pedal, GPS, inclination sensor, torque sensor, and vehicle speed sensor, and controls the regenerative braking device and generator through the transmission and power unit control unit, and can select the use of the battery module (300)(310)(320), and controls the driving discharge and charging of the first, second, and third battery modules (300)(310)(320) through the battery management system (BMS), and also performs the separation of the battery module (300)(310)(320) that has a fire problem according to the fire problem of the battery module (300)(310)(320).

[0075]

[0076] Meanwhile, the rim portion of each battery module housing (200)(210)(220) that accommodates the battery module (300)(310)(320) as described above is fixedly connected to the body frame (100) by an automatic separation device (500), and the automatic separation device (500) is automatically released by a control module in the event of a fire problem in the battery module (300)(310)(320), thereby detaching and separating the battery module housing (200)(210)(220) in which the battery module (300)(310)(320) that has a fire problem is installed from the body frame (100).

[0077] Here, the occurrence of a fire problem in the battery module (300)(310)(320) refers to the time when the possibility of a fire is detected, and the time when the temperature of the battery module (300)(310)(320) exceeds, for example, 80 to 90°C, that is, the time when abnormal signs are detected, until the fire occurs.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 6, this automatic separation device (500) includes a hollow case (510) fixed to a body frame (100), a hollow folder (540) inserted into the case (510) and configured to move up and down, a piston (550) inserted into the folder (540) and configured to move up and down, a split nut (560) inserted into the folder (540) below the piston (550), a fastening bolt (570) that penetrates the battery module housing (200)(210)(220) and is fastened to the split nut (560), and a power cartridge (520) provided in the case (510) that is ignited when a fire occurs in the battery module (300)(310)(320) to provide explosive force into the folder (540) and move the folder (540) and the piston (550) in opposite directions.

[0079] Thus, when a fire occurs in the battery module (300)(310)(320), the power cartridge (520) ignites and explodes within the folder (540), causing the folder (540) and the piston (550) to move in opposite directions, thereby forcibly separating the fastening bolt (570) and the split nut (560) from the body frame (100) and separating the battery module housing (200)(210)(220) from the body frame (100), thereby separating and removing the battery module (300)(310)(320) that is likely to cause fire from the vehicle body, thereby safely protecting the electric vehicle from fire.

[0080] For this purpose, a hollow case (510) is fixedly provided on the upper surface of the body frame (100) as in FIG. 3a and FIG. 3b, but if necessary, it may also be provided on both side panels of the body frame (100) as in FIG. 3b, and the case (510) installed on the side panel is provided at a lower position than the case (510) installed on the body frame (100).

[0081] In the upper part of such a case (510), a plurality of through holes corresponding to a power cartridge (520) to be described later are formed, and in the lower part, a single through hole is formed through which a fastening bolt (570) to be described later passes.

[0082] A plurality of power cartridges (520) are provided on the upper surface of such a case (510), and a chemical agent capable of providing explosive force upon ignition is provided inside the power cartridge (520). At this time, the chemical agent is controlled to be ignited by a control module, and it is preferable that the explosive force is designed to provide only enough explosive force to push the folder (540) and the piston (550) up and down.

[0083] Thus, when the power cartridge (520) is operated, the power cartridge (520) is ignited by the control module, and the chemical of the ignited power cartridge (520) flows out of the power cartridge (520) and is guided into the folder (540) through the open through hole at the top of the case (510) as shown in the right drawing of FIG. 6, and explodes inside the folder (540).

[0084] At this time, a funnel or hopper-shaped guiding member (530) is provided between the case (510) and the folder (540) to guide the explosion of the power cartridge (520) into the folder (540).

[0085] These guiding members (530) are fixed within the case (510), with an opening on the upper surface provided to cover and accommodate the upper through hole of the case (510), and a hollow tube portion on the lower surface provided to be positioned within the folder (540) while penetrating the upper surface of the folder (540).

[0086] Additionally, the hollow folder (540) has a through hole formed in the center of its upper surface through which the hollow tube portion of the guiding member (530) passes, and its lower surface is formed so that its front surface is open. At this time, the space between the folder (540) and the hollow tube portion of the guiding member (530) is sealed so that the explosive force of the power cartridge (520) does not leak upward.

[0087] In addition, the piston (550) inserted into the folder (540) is also provided to be sealed between the folder (540) and the piston (550) to prevent the explosive force of the power cartridge (520) from leaking downward.

[0088] In this manner, the folder (540) and piston (550) are guided by the explosive force of the power cartridge (520) that explodes inside the folder (540) so that the folder (540) moves straight upward and the piston (550) moves straight downward within the folder (540), causing the gap of the folder (540) to widen.

[0089] The split nut (560) is provided in a state where it is inserted into the folder (540) at the bottom of the piston (550). As shown in the middle drawing of FIG. 6, this split nut (560) is configured to be divided into two or more pieces. In this embodiment, a structure divided into three pieces is exemplified, but it is not limited to or restricted thereto.

[0090] These split nuts (560) are configured so that three split pieces are temporarily fixed together by means such as adhesive, and then the temporarily fixed parts break due to an external force, causing them to be split into three pieces.

[0091] Thus, as shown in FIG. 6, the split nut (560) is provided in a state of being in contact with the folder (540), and when the folder (540) and the piston (550) are moved up and down respectively by the explosive force of the power cartridge (520), the folder (540) moves upward and the piston (550) moves downward at the same time, and as the piston (550) forcibly pushes the fastening bolt (570) fastened to the split nut (560) downward, the temporary fixing state of the split nut (560) is broken and split into the interior of the case (510) and scattered.

[0092] Accordingly, the fastening bolt (570) that was fastened to the split nut (560) before the split nut (560) was split is separated downward and detached at the same time as the split nut (560) is split by the forced downward movement of the piston (550), and the battery module housing (200)(210)(220) that is coupled and fixed to the body frame (100) is detached downward and separated by the detached fastening bolt (570).

[0093] At this time, the battery module (300)(310)(320) separated from the body frame (100) is connected to the control module and cooling module mounted in the control module housing (240), respectively. The connection structure is connected to the control module and cooling module as shown in FIG. 8, so that the control module and cooling module can be easily separated and disconnected. Therefore, when the battery module (300)(310)(320) is detached from the body frame (100), the control module and cooling module connected to the battery module (300)(310)(320) are also quickly and automatically separated, thereby avoiding interference.

[0094]

[0095] Meanwhile, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, each upper cover (400)(410)(420) is fixed on the upper surface of each battery module housing (200)(210)(220) that accommodates the battery module (300)(310)(320) as described above, so as to seal the battery module (300)(310)(320).

[0096] As shown in FIG. 7, these upper covers (400)(410)(420) are provided with a breakable panel part (430) that is formed to be removable, while one side thereof is connected to and restrained by the body frame (100).

[0097] These broken panel sections (430) are provided so that when the battery module housing (200)(210)(220) is separated from the body frame (100), the broken panel section (430) that is restrained to the body frame (100) is forcibly torn off and removed in one direction from the upper cover (400)(410)(420), thereby exposing the battery module (300)(310)(320) that has a fire problem.

[0098] Additionally, a removal line (431) is formed in the upper cover (400)(410)(420) so that the broken panel part (430) can be removed, and this removal line (431) can be formed by engraving along the outer boundary line of the broken panel part (430) as shown in FIG. 7.

[0099] In particular, the removal device (600) is configured to be provided between the upper cover (400)(410)(420) and the body frame (100) to remove the broken panel portion (430) of the upper cover (400)(410)(420) provided in the battery module housing (200)(210)(220) separated from the body frame (100) from the upper cover (400)(410)(420) and expose the battery module (300)(310)(320) that has a fire problem to the outside.

[0100] As shown in FIG. 7, this removal device (600) includes a breakage hook (610) hinge-coupled to the breakage panel portion (430) of the upper cover (400)(410)(420) by a hinge pin (620) between the upper cover (400)(410)(420) and the body frame (100), a connecting hook portion (611) provided at one end of the breakage hook (610) and connected to the body frame (100), and a breakage projection (612) provided at the other end of the breakage hook (610) and protruding toward the removal line (431).

[0101] The removal device (600) configured in this way allows the battery module housing (200)(210)(220) to be easily removed from the upper cover (400)(410)(420) by the removal line (431) being pressed and separated as the breakage projection (612) of the breakage hook (610) rotates around the hinge pin (620) as an axis when the battery module housing (200)(210)(220) is separated from the body frame (100).

[0102] Such removal devices (600) may be provided at the front or rear end or at both the front and rear ends of a single broken panel section (430), and in this embodiment, the removal devices (600) are provided at the front and rear sides of the broken panel section (430) as an example.

[0103] In particular, when the removal device (600) is provided on the front and rear sides of the break panel part (430), the front break hook (610) is provided such that the break projection (612) is positioned forward relative to the hinge pin (620) and the connecting link part (611) is positioned rearward, and the rear break hook (610) is provided such that the connecting link part (611) is positioned forward relative to the hinge pin (620) and the break projection (612) is positioned rearward.

[0104] In addition, the removal device (600) on the front and rear sides is equipped with a pair of respective breaking hooks (610) and automatic separation devices (500).

[0105] Thus, the removal device (600) is provided on the front and rear sides of the break panel section (430), respectively, so that when the electric vehicle is moving forward in a state where a fire problem has occurred in the battery module (300)(310)(320), the automatic separation device (500) of the front removal device (600) operates to separate the front break hook (610) from the body frame (100) as shown in FIGS. 9 and FIGS. 10, and when the electric vehicle is moving backward, although not shown in the drawings, the automatic separation device (500) of the rear removal device (600) operates to separate the rear break hook (610) from the body frame (100).

[0106] At this time, the operation of the front automatic separation device (500) or the rear automatic separation device (500) according to the forward or reverse driving of the electric vehicle is controlled by a control module.

[0107]

[0108] The operational relationship of the fire damage reduction system for electric vehicles according to the present invention as described above is explained.

[0109] When a fire occurs in a battery module (300)(310)(320) while the electric vehicle is in motion, stopped, or parked, the battery management system (BMS) detects the battery module (300)(310)(320) where the fire occurred and outputs the detection signal to the vehicle control unit (VCU).

[0110] Then, the vehicle control unit (VCU) activates an automatic separation device (500) attached to the edge of the battery module housing (200)(210)(220) on which the battery module (300)(310)(320) that has a fire problem is installed, through a control module mounted on the front part (100a) of the body frame (100), and as the battery module housing (200)(210)(220) on which the battery module (300)(310)(320) that has a fire problem is installed is detached and separated from the body frame (100) by the activated automatic separation device (500), the battery module (300)(310)(320) that has a fire problem can be separated from the electric vehicle.

[0111] At this time, the automatic separation device (500) provided in the removal device (600) on the front and rear sides of the upper cover (400)(410)(420) coupled to the separated battery module housing (200)(210)(220) is also selectively operated through a control module by the vehicle control unit.

[0112] That is, when a fire occurs in a specific battery module (300) (310) (320) while the electric vehicle is in motion, the automatic separation device (500) of the front or rear removal device (600) is operated by the control module according to the driving direction of the electric vehicle. When the electric vehicle is moving forward, the automatic separation device (500) of the front removal device (600) is operated as shown in FIGS. 9 and FIGS. 10 to separate the front break hook (610) from the body frame (100), and when the electric vehicle is moving backward, although not shown in the drawings, the automatic separation device (500) of the rear removal device (600) is operated to separate the rear break hook (610) from the body frame (100).

[0113] In addition, when a fire occurs in the battery module (300)(310)(320) while the electric vehicle is stopped or parked, the electric vehicle is moved to autonomous driving mode by the vehicle control unit to evacuate, and in this case, the automatic separation device (500) of the front or rear removal device (600) is selectively operated by the same control method as the driving mode described above.

[0114] Meanwhile, when the automatic separation device (500) is activated, the power cartridge (520) is ignited by the control module as shown in the right drawing of FIG. 6, and the chemical of the ignited power cartridge (520) is guided into the folder (540) through the through hole at the top of the case (510) and the guiding member (530) and explodes inside the folder (540).

[0115] Then, due to the explosive force of the power cartridge (520), the folder (540) and the piston (550) that were in close proximity are moved in a straight line in the up and down directions, respectively, and the fastening bolt (570) that was fastened to the split nut (560) is pushed downward and forcibly separated by the piston (550) moving in a straight line downward, and at the same time, as the folder (540) moves in a straight line upward, the split nut (560) that was inserted into and connected to the folder (540) is split into three pieces in its original state and scattered into the case (510).

[0116] Thus, the battery module housing (200)(210)(220) on which the battery module (300)(310)(320) that has a fire problem is installed is detached downward from the body frame (100) as shown in the upper drawing of FIG. 9, and at the same time, the automatic separation device (500) of the front removal device (600) of the upper cover (400)(410)(420) that was connected to the battery module housing (200)(210)(220) that was separated by the electric vehicle driving forward is also activated, so that the front removal device (600) is separated from the body frame (100) and the forward driving is carried out while only the rear removal device (600) remains connected to the body frame (100).

[0117] In addition, the battery module (300)(310)(320) separated from the body frame (100) as described above is detached from the body frame (100), and at the same time, the connection structure connected to the control module and cooling module of the control module housing (240) is forcibly separated and released.

[0118] Afterwards, as shown in the middle and lower drawings of FIG. 9, when the electric vehicle continues to drive forward, the heavy battery module (300)(310)(320) remains in a state where it is placed on the ground, and the broken panel part (430) is torn off and separated from the upper cover (400)(410)(420) of the battery module housing (200)(210)(220) that is separated along with the battery module (300)(310)(320).

[0119] At this time, since the front removal device (600) is fixed to the break panel section (430) and the rear removal device (600) is fixed to the body frame (100), when the electric vehicle continues to drive forward as shown in the middle drawing of FIG. 9, the rear end of the break panel section (430) is torn forward along the direction of movement of the electric vehicle and is completely separated from the upper cover (400)(410)(420) as shown in the lower drawing of FIG. 9.

[0120] In particular, the breaking hook (610) provided in the front removal device (600) of the breaking panel part (430) is separated from the body frame (100) as in FIG. 9 to 11, and the breaking protrusion (612) of the breaking hook (610) is rotated around the hinge pin (620) as an axis as in FIG. 7, thereby pressing and separating the removal line (431) of the upper cover (400) (410) (420) by the breaking panel part (430) that is peeled off from the rear to the front of the upper cover (400) (410) (420) by the breaking panel part (430) that is detached from the body frame (100) and fell to the ground.

[0121] Accordingly, the battery module (300)(310)(320) that has a fire problem is quickly detached and separated from the body frame (100) of the electric vehicle while being housed in the battery module housing (200)(210)(220), thereby safely protecting most of the electric vehicle from the fire problem of the battery module (300)(310)(320), and the fire of the battery module (300)(310)(320) that has a fire problem can be easily and quickly extinguished by quickly removing the broken panel part (430) from the upper cover (400)(410)(420) of the battery module housing (200)(210)(220) that has fallen to the ground and exposing the battery module (300)(310)(320) that has a fire problem to the outside.

[0122] And, after the battery module (300)(310)(320) that caused the fire problem is removed, another battery module (300)(310)(320) is automatically selected by the vehicle control unit (VCU) and battery management system (BMS) to ensure a stable power supply to the electric vehicle.

[0123]

[0124] Although the present invention has been described in detail through specific embodiments, this is for the purpose of specifically explaining the invention, and the invention is not limited thereto. It is evident that modifications or improvements can be made by those skilled in the art within the technical scope of the invention.

[0125] All simple variations or modifications of the present invention fall within the scope of the present invention, and the specific scope of protection of the present invention will be clarified by the appended claims.

[0126]

[0127] (Explanation of symbols)

[0128] 100 : Body frame 100a : Front section

[0129] 100b : Mounting part

[0130] 200,210,220 : Battery module housing

[0131] 230 : Protrusion 231 : Groove

[0132] 240: Control module housing 300, 310, 320: Battery module

[0133] 340,350 : Switching Unit 360,370 : Inverter

[0134] 400, 410, 420 : Upper cover 430 : Broken panel section

[0135] 431 : Removal line 500 : Automatic separation device

[0136] 510 : Case 520 : Power Cartridge

[0137] 530 : Guiding element 540 : Folder

[0138] 550 : Piston 560 : Split nut

[0139] 570 : Fastening bolt 600 : Removal device

[0140] 610 : Breaking hook 611 : Connecting link part

[0141] 612 : Fracture projection 620 : Hinge pin

Claims

Body frame forming the body of an electric vehicle; A plurality of battery module housings, each coupled and fixed to the lower part of the body frame; A plurality of battery modules, each inserted and embedded in a plurality of battery module housings and configured to be interconnected; An upper cover that is coupled and fixed to the upper surface of each battery module housing to cover and conceal the battery module; An automatic separation device provided on a body frame along the outer periphery of each battery module housing, which securely fastens each battery module housing to the body frame, and detaches the battery module housing in which the battery module with the fire problem is installed from the body frame in the event of a fire problem in the battery module; A fire damage reduction system for an electric vehicle comprising: a removal device provided between the upper cover and the body frame to remove the upper cover of a battery module housing separated from the body frame and expose the battery module with a fire problem to the outside. In claim 1, A fire damage reduction system for an electric vehicle, wherein a split panel portion is formed to be detachably on the upper cover and one side thereof is connected to the body frame, and when the battery module housing is separated from the body frame, the split panel portion connected to the body frame is detached from the upper cover, thereby exposing the battery module that has a fire problem. In claim 2, A fire damage reduction system for electric vehicles in which a removal line is formed in the upper cover so that the fractured panel section can be removed. In claim 2, The removal device comprises a breaking hook hinge-coupled to the breaking panel portion of the upper cover by a hinge pin between the upper cover and the body frame; A connecting hook portion provided at one end of the breaking hook and connected and fixed to the body frame; A breaking projection provided at the other end of the breaking hook and protruding toward the removal line; including A fire damage reduction system for electric vehicles in which, when the battery module housing is separated from the body frame, the breaking projection of the breaking hook rotates around the hinge pin as an axis and presses the removal line to remove the breaking panel portion from the upper cover. In claim 4, A fire damage reduction system for an electric vehicle, wherein a pair of automatic separation devices are provided in the removal device, and the removal device is provided on the front and rear sides of the fracture panel section, respectively, so that the automatic separation device of the front or rear removal device is selectively operated to separate the front or rear part of the fracture panel section from the body frame depending on the forward or reverse driving of the electric vehicle. In claim 1, The automatic separation device is a hollow case provided in the body frame; A hollow folder inserted into a case and configured to move up and down; A piston inserted into a folder and configured to move up and down; A split nut inserted and provided within the folder at the bottom of the piston; A fastening bolt that penetrates the battery module housing and is fastened to a split nut; A power cartridge provided in a case that ignites upon fire in the battery module to provide explosive force into the folder, thereby moving the folder and the piston in opposite directions; A fire damage reduction system for electric vehicles that separates the battery module housing from the body frame by forcibly separating the fastening bolt and split nut as the power cartridge ignites and explodes inside the folder in the event of a fire in the battery module.

Images