Description:TITLE OF THE INVENTION: AN APPARATUS FOR BANISHING ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS FROM AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present disclosure is generally related to a safety apparatus for electric vehicles. Particularly, the present disclosure is related to an apparatus, for banishing energy storage systems from an electric vehicle automatically, and protecting the driver and/or passengers and/or goods from fire and the electric vehicle from burning out completely during the instance of the battery catching fire
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Better air quality, lower fuel costs, and a developing new market for automakers are all made possible by electric vehicles. However, there is a new difficulty associated with the switch to electric vehicles: vehicles with energy storage systems (i.e. batteries), such as lithium-ion batteries, can be particularly deadly in the event of a fire.
It is significant to remember that battery fires in electric vehicles can be exceedingly challenging to extinguish. This is due to the fact that batteries may still burn even after the electric vehicle has been turned off.
Generally, electric vehicle battery fire can develop very quickly. It is found that a full-scale electric vehicle fire can develop within a timespan between about 3 minutes and about 10 minutes, after the batteries begin to fire.
From the total cost of the electric vehicle, about 40% of the cost is from the energy storage system and the remaining 60% cost is from the rest of the electric vehicle.
There exist some solutions to address the problem, such as passive fire protection paint in battery cover and/or casing to buy time to evacuate, foam Protection inside the battery pack to limit the fire propagate, using auto fire suppressor fumes, and/or the like. Though there are some solutions available, existing solutions are developed only to delay the fire propagation, not to protect the battery and/or the electric vehicle from fire and explosion.
There is, therefore, a need in the art, for: an apparatus, for banishing energy storage systems from an electric vehicle automatically, which overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks and shortcomings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An apparatus, for banishing energy storage systems from an electric vehicle automatically, is disclosed. Said apparatus broadly comprises: a suspending structure; a plurality of C-channel members; an at least a cradle member; an at least a fire/fume detecting member; a plurality of steeking members; an at least a controlling member; and an alerting member.
Said suspending structure broadly comprises: an at least an upper member that facilitates fixing of the apparatus with a chassis of the electric vehicle; and an at least a lower member that is detachably attached with the at least one upper member using an at least one fastening member.
A first end of each C-channel member among the plurality of C-channel members is pivotably associated with the at least one lower member through a respective pivot joint among a plurality of pivot joints. Similarly, a second end of each C-channel member among the plurality of C-channel members is fastened with the help of a respective steeking member among the plurality of steeking members.
The plurality of steeking members facilitates fastening and/or unfastening of the plurality of C-channel members.
In an embodiment, the plurality of steeking members is electronic locks.
The at least a cradle member is configured to be inclined from one end to the other. The at least a cradle member is slidably attached with the plurality of C-channel members, and facilitates holding of an at least an energy storage system of the electric vehicle.
Said at least a cradle member broadly comprises: a plurality of guiding members; a plurality of wheels; and a hook.
Each guiding member among the plurality of guiding members is disposed on the at least one cradle member, and facilitates the at least one cradle member to slide-in or slide-out of the plurality of C-channel members.
The plurality of wheels facilitates moving of the at least one cradle member smoothly on a surface. Each wheel among the plurality of wheels is disposed on the at least one cradle member.
The hook facilitates pulling out of the at least one cradle member from under the electric vehicle.
In an embodiment, the at least one cradle member comprises four wheels, of which, a couple of wheels disposed on one end is bigger than a couple of wheels disposed on the other end, thereby making the at least one cradle member inclined towards the other end.
The at least a fire/fume detecting member is associated with the at least one energy storage system, and facilitates detecting the presence of fire and/or fume in the at least one energy storage system, in real-time, with sensed data being transmitted to a vehicle control unit.
In an embodiment, the least one fire/fume detecting member includes, but is not limited to, volatile organic compounds sensor, photo-ionization detectors, electrochemical gas sensors, resistive sensors, spectroscopic sensors, micro-gas chromatographs, electronic nose sensors, CO2 sensors, chemical sensors, and nondispersive infrared sensors.
The at least a controlling member facilitates monitoring and controlling of the plurality of steeking members, as per instructions from the vehicle control unit.
Said plurality of steeking members is communicatively associated with said at least one controlling member through an at least one harness.
The alerting member facilitates generating an alerting sound, as per instructions from the vehicle control unit.
The method of working of the apparatus is also disclosed.
The disclosed apparatus offers at least the following advantages: is simple in construction, is cost-effective; is reliable; is safe; and protects the driver and/or passengers from fire and the electric vehicle from burning out completely during the instance of the battery catching fire, when all battery protection systems fail, thereby saves costs and lives.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 illustrates an electric vehicle with an apparatus, for banishing energy storage systems from an electric vehicle automatically, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 2 illustrates an apparatus, for banishing energy storage systems from an electric vehicle automatically, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 3 illustrates an apparatus, for banishing energy storage systems from an electric vehicle automatically, with a plurality of steeking members being in latched state, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
Figure 4 illustrates an apparatus, for banishing energy storage systems from an electric vehicle automatically, with plurality of steeking members being in unlatched state, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Throughout this specification, the use of the words “comprise” and “include”, and variations, such as “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes”, and “including”, may imply the inclusion of an element (or elements) not specifically recited. Further, the disclosed embodiments may be embodied, in various other forms, as well.
Throughout this specification, the use of the word “apparatus” is to be construed as: “a set of technical components (also referred to as “members”) that are communicatively and/or operably associated with each other, and function together, as part of a mechanism, to achieve a desired technical result”.
Throughout this specification, the use of the words “communication”, “couple”, and their variations (such as communicatively), is to be construed as being inclusive of: one-way communication (or coupling); and two-way communication (or coupling), as the case may be, irrespective of the directions of arrows, in the drawings.
Throughout this specification, where applicable, the use of the phrase “at least” is to be construed in association with the suffix “one” i.e. it is to be read along with the suffix “one”, as “at least one”, which is used in the meaning of “one or more”. A person skilled in the art will appreciate the fact that the phrase “at least one” is a standard term that is used, in Patent Specifications, to denote any component of a disclosure, which may be present (or disposed) in a single quantity, or more than a single quantity.
Throughout this specification, where applicable, the use of the phrase “at least one” is to be construed in association with a succeeding component name.
Throughout this specification, the use of the word “plurality” is to be construed as being inclusive of: “at least one”.
Throughout this specification, the use of the phrase “electric vehicle”, and its variations, is to be construed as being inclusive of: “a vehicle that can only be powered, by an electric motor, and (or which) draws electricity, from an energy storage system (all-electric vehicle); and a vehicle that can be powered, by: an electric motor, which draws electricity, from an energy storage system; and an internal combustion engine (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle)”.
Throughout this specification, the use of the phrase “energy storage system”, the acronym “ESS”, and variations, is to be construed as being inclusive of: “battery modules; battery packs; battery systems; and/or the like”.
Throughout this specification, the use of the word “battery”, and its variations, is to be construed as being inclusive of: “lithium-ion batteries”.
Throughout this specification, the use of the words “banish”, “banishing”, and their variations, is to be construed as being inclusive of: “ejecting; expelling; evicting; and/or the like”.
Throughout this specification, the words “the” and “said” are used interchangeably.
Throughout this specification, the phrases “at least a”, “at least an”, and “at least one” are used interchangeably.
Throughout this specification, where applicable, the phrase “energy storage system” and the word “battery” are used interchangeably.
Throughout this specification, the disclosure of a range is to be construed as being inclusive of: the lower limit of the range; and the upper limit of the range.
Also, it is to be noted that embodiments may be described as a method. Although the operations, in a method, are described as a sequential process, many of the operations may be performed in parallel, concurrently, or simultaneously. In addition, the order of the operations may be re-arranged. A method may be terminated, when its operations are completed, but may also have additional steps.
An apparatus (01), for banishing energy storage systems from an electric vehicle (10) automatically (also referred to as “apparatus”), is disclosed. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, as illustrated, in Figure 2, Figure 3, and Figure 4, said apparatus (01) broadly comprises: a suspending structure; an at least a cradle member (02); an at least a fire/fume detecting member (04); a plurality of steeking members (12); and an at least a controlling member (16).
In another embodiment of the present disclosure, said suspending structure broadly comprises: an at least an upper member (19); an at least a lower member (20); an at least a fastening member (21); a plurality of C-channel members (13a and 13b); and a plurality of pivot joints (14).
Said at least one upper member (19) facilitates fixing (or coupling, or connecting) of the apparatus (01) with a chassis (11) of the electric vehicle (10).
Said at least one lower member (20) is detachably attached (or connected, or fastened) with the at least one upper member (19) using the at least one fastening member (21).
As illustrated in Figure 3 and Figure 4, a first end of each C-channel member among the plurality of C-channel members (13a and 13b) is pivotably associated (or connected, or fastened) with the at least one lower member (20) through a respective pivot joint among the plurality of pivot joints (14), and a second end of each C-channel member among the plurality of C-channel members (13a and 13b) is fastened with the help of a respective steeking member among the plurality of steeking members (12).
A person skilled in the art will appreciate the fact that the at least one fastening member (20), and the plurality of steeking members (12) may be of any suitable type known in the art.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of steeking members (12) is electronic locks.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of steeking members (12) is communicatively associated with the at least one controlling member (16) through an at least one harness (17).
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, said at least one controlling member (16), said plurality of steeking members (12), and said at least one harness (17) are collectively called as an auto ejecting unit (03; Figure 1).
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one cradle member (02) is configured to be inclined from one end to the other.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one cradle member (02) facilitates holding of (or disposing of) an at least an energy storage system (ESS) of the electric vehicle (10). Said at least one cradle member (02) is slidably attached with (or connected with) the plurality of C-channel members (13a and 13b).
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, said at least one cradle member (02) broadly comprises: a plurality of guiding members (15); a plurality of wheels (22); and a hook (18).
As illustrated in Figure 2, each guiding member among the plurality of guiding members (15) is disposed on the at least one cradle member (02) and facilitates the at least one cradle member (02) to slide-in and/or slide-out of the plurality of C-channel members (13a and 13b). Similarly, each wheel among the plurality of wheels (22) is disposed on the at least one cradle member (02) and facilitates moving of the at least one cradle member (02) smoothly on a surface (or floor, or ground).
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one cradle member (02) comprises four wheels, of which, as illustrated in Figure 4, a couple of wheels disposed on one end is bigger than a couple of wheels disposed on the other end, thereby making the at least one cradle member (02) inclined towards the other end.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, as illustrated in Figure 1, said at least one fire/fume detecting member (04), and said at least one controlling member (16) are communicatively associated with a vehicle control unit (05).
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one controlling member (16) facilitates monitoring and controlling of the plurality of steeking members (12), as per instructions (signals) from the vehicle control unit (05).
Said least one fire/fume detecting member (04) is also associated with the at least one energy storage system of the electric vehicle (10), and facilitates detecting (or sensing) the presence of fire and/or fume in the at least one energy storage system, in real-time, with sensed data (or signal) being transmitted to the vehicle control unit (05).
A person skilled in the art will appreciate the fact that said least one fire/fume detecting member (04) may be of any suitable type known in the art (or industry). For example, the least one fire/fume detecting member (04) includes, but is not limited to, volatile organic compounds sensor, photo-ionization detectors, electrochemical gas sensors, resistive sensors, spectroscopic sensors, micro-gas chromatographs, electronic nose sensors, CO2 sensors, chemical sensors, nondispersive infrared sensors, and/or the like.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the apparatus (01) further comprises an alerting member (09). Said alerting member (09) facilitates generating an alert (for example, sound), as per instructions from the vehicle control unit (05).
The working of the apparatus (01) shall now be explained, as follows.
When the electric vehicle (10) is in an ON state (either idle or on the move), the vehicle control unit (05) continuously receives signals from the least one fire/fume detecting member (04), in real-time.
The detection of presence and/or absence of fire/fume is performed as follows:
Generally, there will be the following stages during battery thermal runaway:
Stage 1: Metal Ion Dissolution;
Stage 2: Solid Electrolyte Interphase Film Decomposition & Reaction between Lithium and Electrolyte;
Stage 3: Separator Melting, Short Circuit, Safety Venting, and Separator Breakup;
Stage 4: Large Scale Inner Short Circuit, Cathode Decomposition, Electrolyte Decomposition, Reaction of Graphite, and Combustion of Electrolyte.
The temperature varies in each of the above stages. When the temperature of the battery reaches about 120 degrees Centigrade, safety venting opens, and allows the excessive gases released by the battery cells to escape. Said gases are detected by the least one fire/fume detecting member (04), and the detected signals are transmitted to the vehicle control unit (05), in real-time.
As per AIS156 standard, a 5 (Five) minutes evacuation window is provided for the battery thermal runaway.
For example, the battery temperature during Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage, 3, and Stage 4 may be: less than about 100 degrees Centigrade, between about 100 degrees Centigrade and about 120 degrees Centigrade, between about 120 degrees Centigrade and about 150 degrees centigrade, and greater than 150 degrees Centigrade, respectively. However, the temperature may vary with respect to cell chemistry, cell type, etc., of the battery.
If the presence of fire and/or fume is detected by the vehicle control unit (05), the vehicle control unit (05) sends a fire notification (06) through a dashboard of the electric vehicle (10) to a driver, and also instructs the alerting member (09) to generate alerting sound to notify the surrounding environment about the fire.
Subsequently, the vehicle control unit (05) keeps watching the state of the vehicle (halt/moving) and the presence of the driver and/or passengers inside the electric vehicle (10). If the vehicle control unit (05) detects that the electric vehicle is halted (07; or stopped; i.e. not on the move), and the driver and/or the passengers are evacuated (08), it sends an instruction to the at least one controlling member (16) to banish the at least one energy storage system from the electric vehicle (10).
A person skilled in the art will appreciate the fact that “halting of vehicle”, and its variations, is to be construed as: “keeping a vehicle ignition OFF, while keeping the electronic system ON”.
A person skilled in the art will appreciate the fact that the status of the driver and/or the passenger evacuation may be determined based on any suitable technology known in the art. For example, this may be performed with the help of: one or more cameras installed within the vehicle, one or more load sensing devices installed in the driver seats, and/or the passenger seats of the vehicle, and/or the like.
Based on the instruction received from the vehicle control unit (05), the at least one controlling member (16) sends an instruction to the plurality of steeking members (12) to switch to unlatch state, thereby unfastening the plurality of C-channel members (13a and 13b). Since the plurality of C-channel members (13a and 13b) is unfastened, as illustrated in Figure 4, the at least one cradle member (02) slides out from the plurality of C-channel members (13a and 13b), and drops down to the ground. Subsequently, due to the inclined configuration of the at least one cradle member (02), the at least one cradle member (02) moves away from under the electric vehicle (10).
If the at least one cradle member (02) gets struck under the electric vehicle (10) without moving, said at least one cradle member (02) can be pulled out using the hook (18).
A person skilled in the art will appreciate the fact that the configurations of the apparatus (10), and its various components, may be varied, based on requirements.
The disclosed apparatus (01) offers at least the following advantages: is simple in construction, is cost-effective; is reliable; is safe; and protects the driver and/or passengers from fire and the electric vehicle from burning out completely during the instance of the battery catching fire, when all battery protection systems fail, thereby saving costs and lives.
Implementation of the disclosure can involve performing or completing selected tasks manually, automatically, or a combination thereof. Further, according to actual instrumentation of the disclosure, several selected tasks could be implemented, by hardware, by software, by firmware, or by a combination thereof, using an operating system. For example, as software, selected tasks according to the disclosure could be implemented, as a plurality of software instructions being executed, by a computing device, using any suitable operating system.
In yet another embodiment of the disclosure, one or more tasks, according to embodiments of the disclosure, is (or are) performed, by a data processor, such as a computing platform, for executing a plurality of instructions. Further, the data processor includes a processor, and/or non-transitory computer-readable medium, for storing instructions and/or data, and/or a non-volatile storage, for storing instructions and/or data. A network connection, a display, and/or a user input device, such as a keyboard (or mouse), are also provided.
It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the above description is for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered as limiting. Various modifications, additions, alterations, and improvements, without deviating from the spirit and the scope of the disclosure, may be made, by a person skilled in the art. Such modifications, additions, alterations, and improvements should be construed as being within the scope of this disclosure.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
01 - Apparatus for banishing energy storage systems from an electric vehicle
02 - At Least One Cradle Member
03 – An Auto Ejecting Unit
04 - At Least One Fire/Fume Detecting Member
05 - Vehicle Control Unit
06 - Fire Notification
07 - Halting Vehicle
08 - Evacuation of Driver and/or Passengers
09 - Alerting Member
10 - Electric Vehicle
11 - Chassis
12 - Plurality of Steeking Member [Lock]
13a, 13b - Plurality of C-Channel Members
14 - Plurality of Pivot Joints
15 - Plurality of Guiding Members
16 - At Least One Controlling Member
17 - Harness
18 - Hook
19 - Upper Member
20 - Lower Member
21 - Fastening Member
22 - Plurality of Wheels
, Claims:1. An apparatus (01), for banishing energy storage systems from an electric vehicle (10) automatically, comprising:
a suspending structure that comprises:
an at least an upper member (19) that facilitates fixing of the apparatus (01) with a chassis (11) of the electric vehicle (10); and
an at least a lower member (20) that is detachably attached with the at least one upper member (19) with an at least one fastening member (21);
a plurality of C-channel members (13a and 13b), with:
a first end of each C-channel member among the plurality of C-channel members (13a and 13b) being pivotably associated with the at least one lower member (20) through a respective pivot joint among a plurality of pivot joints (14), and
a second end of each C-channel member among the plurality of C-channel members (13a and 13b) being fastened with a respective steeking member among a plurality of steeking members (12);
an at least a cradle member (02) that is slidably attached with the plurality of C-channel members (13a and 13b), said at least one cradle member (02) holding of an at least an energy storage system of the electric vehicle (10), with said at least one cradle member (02) being configured to be inclined and comprising:
a plurality of guiding members (15) that is disposed on the at least one cradle member (02), said plurality of guiding members (15) facilitating the at least one cradle member (02) to slide-in or slide-out of the plurality of C-channel members (13a and 13b);
a plurality of wheels (22) that facilitates moving of the at least one cradle member (02) smoothly on a surface, with the plurality of wheels (22) being disposed on the at least one cradle member (02); and
a hook (18) that facilitates pulling out of the at least one cradle member (02) from under the electric vehicle (10);
an at least a fire/fume detecting member (04) that is associated with the at least one energy storage system, said at least one fire/fume detecting member (04) detecting the presence of fire or fume in the at least one energy storage system, in real-time, with sensed data being transmitted to a vehicle control unit (05);
the plurality of steeking members (12) that fastens or unfastens the plurality of C-channel members (13a and 13b);
an at least a controlling member (16) that facilitates monitoring and controlling of the plurality of steeking members (12), as per instructions from the vehicle control unit (05), with: said plurality of steeking members (12) being communicatively associated with said at least one controlling member (16) through an at least one harness (17); and
an alerting member (09) that generates an alert, as per instructions from the vehicle control unit (05).
2. The apparatus (01), for banishing energy storage systems from an electric vehicle (10) automatically, as claimed in Claim 1, wherein: the least one fire/fume detecting member (04) includes, volatile organic compounds sensor, photo-ionization detectors, electrochemical gas sensors, resistive sensors, spectroscopic sensors, micro-gas chromatographs, electronic nose sensors, CO2 sensors, chemical sensors, and nondispersive infrared sensors.
3. The apparatus (01), for banishing energy storage systems from an electric vehicle (10) automatically, as claimed in Claim 1, wherein: the plurality of steeking members (12) is electronic locks.