Title of invention: Battery pack including fire extinguishing unit
technical field
[One]
The present invention relates to a battery pack including a fire extinguishing unit, and more particularly, to a battery pack that reduces the risk of secondary ignition or explosion.
[2]
This application is a priority claim application for Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0096939 filed on August 08, 2019, and all contents disclosed in the specification and drawings of the application are incorporated herein by reference.
background
[3]
Currently commercialized secondary batteries include nickel cadmium batteries, nickel hydride batteries, nickel zinc batteries, and lithium secondary batteries. Among them, lithium secondary batteries have almost no memory effect compared to nickel-based secondary batteries, so charging and discharging are free, The self-discharge rate is very low and the energy density is high, attracting attention.
[4]
These lithium secondary batteries mainly use a lithium-based oxide and a carbon material as a positive electrode active material and a negative electrode active material, respectively. A lithium secondary battery includes an electrode assembly in which a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate to which the positive electrode active material and the negative electrode active material are applied, respectively, are disposed with a separator interposed therebetween, and a casing for sealing and housing the electrode assembly together with an electrolyte, that is, a battery pouch casing.
[5]
Recently, secondary batteries have been widely used not only in small devices such as portable electronic devices, but also in medium and large devices such as automobiles and power storage devices. When used in such a medium-large device, a large number of secondary batteries are electrically connected to increase capacity and output. In particular, a pouch-type secondary battery is widely used in such a medium-large device due to the advantage of easy stacking.
[6]
On the other hand, in recent years, as the need for a large-capacity structure including use as an energy storage source increases, a plurality of secondary batteries electrically connected in series and/or parallel, and a battery module and battery management system (BMS) accommodating these secondary batteries therein The demand for battery packs with
[7]
In addition, such a battery pack is generally provided with an external housing made of a metal material in order to protect the plurality of secondary batteries from external impact or to accommodate and store. Meanwhile, demand for high-capacity battery packs is increasing recently.
[8]
However, the battery pack or battery rack of the prior art includes a plurality of battery modules, and when a secondary battery of each battery module causes thermal runaway, ignites or explodes, heat or flame is transferred to an adjacent secondary battery. There are cases where a secondary explosion or the like occurs, and efforts are being made to prevent secondary ignition or explosion.
[9]
Accordingly, when a thermal runaway occurs in some secondary batteries in a battery pack or battery rack, it is necessary to develop a fast and complete fire extinguishing technology so that immediate measures can be taken.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
technical challenge
[10]
Accordingly, the present invention has been devised to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack that reduces the risk of secondary ignition or explosion.
[11]
Other objects and advantages of the present invention may be understood by the following description, and will become more clearly understood by the examples of the present invention. Further, it will be readily apparent that the objects and advantages of the present invention may be realized by the means and combinations thereof indicated in the claims.
means of solving the problem
[12]
The battery pack according to the present invention for achieving the above object,
[13]
at least two or more battery modules arranged in one direction; and
[14]
A linear temperature sensor that a portion linearly extends along the at least two or more battery modules and detects when the temperature of at least one of the at least two or more battery modules is above a predetermined temperature, a fire extinguishing agent accommodated therein, a fire extinguishing tank and a fire extinguishing unit having a pipe connected to supply the fire extinguishing agent to each of the at least two or more battery modules, and a valve opened to supply the fire extinguishing agent from the fire tank to the battery module having a temperature higher than or equal to the predetermined temperature through the pipe.
[15]
In addition, each of the at least two battery modules may be provided with a gas passage configured to discharge gas generated therein to the outside, and a plurality of gas outlets formed at an end of the gas passage and perforated to communicate with the outside.
[16]
The linear temperature sensor may be positioned outside the two or more battery modules so that a part faces the gas outlet provided in each of the at least two or more battery modules.
[17]
Furthermore, the pipe may include a common pipe connected to the discharge port through which the extinguishing agent of the fire extinguishing tank is discharged, and a distribution pipe having a structure distributed from the common pipe to the inlet through which the extinguishing agent of each of the at least two battery modules is inputted. can
[18]
In addition, the valve may include a common valve positioned at any part of the common pipe to open and close the common pipe, and a distribution valve positioned at any part of the distribution pipe to open and close the distribution pipe.
[19]
Further, the distribution valve may be a passive valve configured to open so that the extinguishing agent can be injected into the battery module having a predetermined temperature or higher.
[20]
In addition, the passive valve, at least a portion may be inserted into the inlet configured to communicate with the gas passage provided in the battery module.
[21]
In addition, the common valve may be an active valve configured to be opened when the linear temperature sensor detects the battery module above the predetermined temperature.
[22]
Furthermore, the fire extinguishing unit may further include a position calculating unit configured to receive a signal from the linear temperature sensor and calculate the position of the battery module above the predetermined temperature.
[23]
In addition, the battery module may be provided with two or more said inlet.
[24]
Furthermore, a distribution pipe may be connected to each of the two or more inlets.
[25]
And, any one of the two distribution pipes may be provided with a passive valve configured to be opened when the battery module has a predetermined temperature or higher.
[26]
Furthermore, an active valve configured to be opened when the battery module is above a predetermined temperature may be provided on the other one of the two distribution pipes that is not selected.
[27]
In addition, the fire extinguishing unit may further include a smoke detection sensor for detecting the smoke emitted from the at least two or more battery modules.
[28]
Furthermore, the battery rack according to the present invention for achieving the above object includes a battery pack, and a rack case for accommodating the battery pack.
[29]
And, the power storage device according to the present invention for achieving the above object includes at least two or more battery racks.
Effects of the Invention
[30]
According to one aspect of the present invention, the battery pack according to the present invention includes a linear temperature sensor extending linearly along at least two or more battery modules, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the battery pack.
[31]
That is, in the case of having a plurality of temperature sensors in the prior art, a separate signal wire for connecting the plurality of temperature sensors and the plurality of temperature sensors is required, so that the material cost is large and the installation operation is long, which increases the manufacturing cost. became On the other hand, the battery pack of the present invention uses only one linear temperature sensor to sense the temperature of a plurality of battery modules, does not require a separate signal wire, and is light and flexible, so it is easy to install, so the manufacturing cost of the battery pack can be greatly reduced.
[32]
Moreover, the linear temperature sensor is easy to set multiple points for more accurate temperature sensing even in one battery module. Accordingly, the present invention can significantly reduce the failure rate for detecting the occurrence of fire in the battery module.
[33]
In addition, according to an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, in the present invention, when a portion of the linear temperature sensor is positioned outside of two or more battery modules to face a gas outlet provided in each of at least two or more battery modules, the battery When thermal runaway occurs in the cell assembly of the module, the high-temperature air with increased temperature is discharged to the gas outlet, or the high-temperature gas generated when the cell assembly is ignited is discharged to the gas outlet. can do. Accordingly, the stability of the battery pack according to the present invention can be improved by quickly responding to thermal runaway.
[34]
And, according to one aspect of the present invention, at least a part of the passive valve is configured to be inserted into the perforated inlet to communicate with the gas discharge passage provided in the battery module. Only modules can individually inject extinguishing agents. Moreover, since the extinguishing agent can be directly injected into the inside of the battery module rather than the outside, there is an advantage in that the fire of the battery module in which thermal runaway has occurred can be effectively extinguished and cooled.
Brief description of the drawing
[35]
The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention, and serve to further understand the technical spirit of the present invention together with the detailed description of the present invention to be described later, so that the present invention is a matter described in those drawings should not be construed as being limited to
[36]
1 is a front perspective view schematically showing a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[37]
2 is a rear perspective view schematically illustrating a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[38]
3 is a conceptual diagram schematically illustrating configurations of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[39]
4 is a conceptual diagram schematically illustrating some components of a fire extinguishing unit that is a component of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[40]
5 is a rear perspective view schematically illustrating a partial internal structure of a battery module that is a part of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[41]
6 is a rear perspective view schematically illustrating a battery module that is a part of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[42]
7 is a front perspective view schematically showing a battery module that is a part of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[43]
8 is a partial rear view schematically illustrating a portion of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[44]
9 is a partial perspective view schematically illustrating a portion of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[45]
10 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an internal configuration of a part of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[46]
11 is a partial perspective view schematically illustrating pipes and valves that are part of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[47]
12 is a rear perspective view schematically illustrating a battery module that is a part of a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[48]
13 is a partial perspective view schematically illustrating pipes and valves that are part of a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[49]
14 and 15 are front and plan views schematically illustrating a smoke detection sensor that is a part of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[50]
16 is a front view schematically illustrating a power storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Modes for carrying out the invention
[51]
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Prior to this, the terms or words used in the present specification and claims should not be construed as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, and the inventor should properly understand the concept of the term in order to best describe his invention. Based on the principle that it can be defined, it should be interpreted as meaning and concept consistent with the technical idea of ​​the present invention.
[52]
Therefore, the configuration shown in the embodiments and drawings described in the present specification is only the most preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not represent all of the technical idea of ​​the present invention, so at the time of the present application, various It should be understood that there may be equivalents and variations.
[53]
[54]
1 is a front perspective view schematically showing a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a rear perspective view schematically illustrating a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. And, FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram schematically illustrating configurations of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[55]
1 to 3 , a battery pack 400 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes at least two or more battery modules 200 arranged in one direction, and a fire extinguishing unit configured to extinguish the battery module 200 . (300).
[56]
Specifically, the fire extinguishing unit 300 may include a linear temperature sensor 310 , a fire extinguishing tank 320 , a pipe 330 , and a valve 340 .
[57]
First, the fire extinguishing tank 320 may contain a fire extinguishing agent (not shown) therein. For example, the extinguishing agent may be a concentrated solution of an inorganic salt such as potassium carbonate, chemical foam, air foam, carbon dioxide, or water. In addition, the fire extinguishing tank 320 may have a compressed gas therein in order to spray the fire extinguishing agent at an appropriate pressure or move it along the pipe 330 . For example, the capacity of the fire extinguishing tank 320 may be 59 L, the compressed gas may be 8 bar nitrogen, and the extinguishing agent may be 40 L of water. Here, when water is used as a fire extinguishing agent, when sprayed inside the battery module 200, there is a heat-blocking action along with a fire-extinguishing cooling effect. It is effective in preventing thermal propagation. For this reason, it is possible to effectively prevent a fire or thermal runaway from propagating between the plurality of battery modules 200 .
[58]
The pipe 330 may be configured to be connected to supply the extinguishing agent to each of the at least two or more battery modules 200 . For example, the pipe 330 may be made of a material that is not corroded by water. For example, the pipe 330 may be made of stainless steel. One end of the pipe 330 may be configured to be connected to the discharge port 321 of the fire fighting tank 320 . The other end of the pipe 330 may have a shape extending to the inside of each of the at least two or more battery modules 200 .
[59]
For example, the pipe 330 may include a common pipe 333 connected to a discharge port 321 through which the extinguishing agent of the fire fighting tank 320 is discharged, and the at least two battery modules 200 from the common pipe 333 . ) may be provided with a distribution pipe 336 of a distributed structure to be connected to the inlet 264 provided in each. For example, as shown in FIG. 2 , the pipe 330 includes one common pipe 333 connected to the discharge port 321 of the fire extinguishing tank 320 , and 8 branched from the common pipe 333 . It may be provided with two distribution pipes (336). In addition, the eight distribution pipes 336 may be configured to be connected to the inlets 264 of the eight battery modules 200 .
[60]
In addition, the valve 340 may be configured to be opened to supply the extinguishing agent from the fire fighting tank 320 to the battery module 200 having a predetermined temperature or higher through the pipe 330 . Specifically, the valve 340 may be an active valve capable of controlling the opening and closing of the valve 340 by receiving a signal from the fire extinguishing unit 300 . More specifically, the active valve may be a control valve, an electric valve, a solenoid valve, or a pneumatic valve.
[61]
In addition, the linear temperature sensor 310 may be configured to detect when the temperature of at least one of the at least two or more battery modules 200 is higher than or equal to a predetermined temperature.
[62]
For example, the linear temperature sensor 310 may be configured to melt and cause a short circuit of the two wires when the heat-sensing material coated on the two wires reaches a temperature higher than the reference temperature, thereby generating a fire or overheating signal. there is. For example, the heat-sensing material may be a thermoplastic resin that is melted at 70 degrees Celsius or more to 100 degrees Celsius. For example, the thermoplastic resin may be a polyester resin or an acrylic resin. Additionally, the linear temperature sensing sensor 310 may further include an insulating coating material configured to cover the thermal sensing material. The coating material may include polyvinyl chloride.
[63]
In addition, the linear temperature sensor 310 may have a linearly extending structure along at least two or more battery modules 200 arranged in one direction. For example, as shown in FIG. 2 , the battery pack 400 may include the eight battery modules 200 arranged in the vertical direction. The linear temperature sensor 310 has one end connected to the controller 350, extending downward along the eight battery modules 200 arranged in the vertical direction, and the other end connected to the resistor 315 at the terminal end. can be configured. In this case, a bracket (not shown) and a fixing buckle (not shown) may be used to partially fix the position of the linear temperature sensor 310 .
[64]
Therefore, according to this configuration of the present invention, the battery pack 400 is provided with a linear temperature sensor 310 that is linearly extended along at least two or more battery modules 200, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the battery pack. there is.
[65]
That is, when a plurality of temperature sensors are provided in the prior art, a plurality of temperature sensors and a separate signal wire for connecting the plurality of temperature sensors are required. it became In contrast, the battery pack 400 of the present invention uses only one linear temperature sensor 310 to detect the temperature of a plurality of battery modules 200, and it does not require a separate signal wire and is lightweight and flexible. Since the installation is easy, the manufacturing cost of the battery pack 400 can be greatly reduced.
[66]
Moreover, the linear temperature sensor 310 can easily set multiple points for more accurate temperature sensing even in one battery module 200 . Accordingly, the present invention can greatly reduce the failure rate for detecting the occurrence of fire in the battery module 200 .
[67]
4 is a conceptual diagram schematically illustrating some components of a fire extinguishing unit that is a component of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[68]
Referring to FIG. 4 together with FIG. 3 , the fire extinguishing unit 300 may include a control unit 350 . More specifically, the control unit 350 may include a valve opening/closing unit 353 and a position calculating unit 356 .
[69]
Specifically, the valve opening/closing part 353 may be configured to open the valve 340 when a temperature above a predetermined temperature is sensed by the linear temperature sensor 310 . For example, the valve opening/closing unit 353 may be configured to transmit a signal for controlling the active valve when the valve 340 is an active valve.
[70]
In addition, the position calculating unit 356 may be configured to receive a signal from the linear temperature sensor 310 to calculate the position of the battery module 200 above the predetermined temperature. More specifically, the position estimator 356 may analyze the signal received from the linear temperature sensor 310 . In addition, the location calculating unit 356 may calculate which battery module 200 of the at least two or more battery modules 200 has risen to a predetermined temperature or higher.
[71]
For example, when detecting a temperature above a predetermined temperature in a portion of the entire length of the linear temperature detection sensor 310 , the position calculating unit 356 may determine the detected portion of the linear temperature detection sensor 310 and the By calculating the distance to the fire extinguishing unit 300 , the battery module 200 in which thermal runaway has occurred may be estimated.
[72]
5 is a rear perspective view schematically illustrating a partial internal structure of a battery module that is a part of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[73]
Referring to FIG. 5 , the battery module 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include at least two or more cell assemblies 100 and a module housing 210 .
[74]
Each of the at least two cell assemblies 100 may include a plurality of secondary batteries 110 stacked in a front-rear direction. The secondary battery 110 may be a pouch-type secondary battery 110 . For example, as shown in FIG. 5 , when viewed in the F direction (from the front) of FIG. 1 , each of the two cell assemblies 100 includes a plurality of pouch-type secondary batteries 110 side by side in the front and rear directions. It may be configured in a mutually stacked form.
[75]
Meanwhile, in the present specification, unless otherwise specified, with respect to the up, down, front, rear, left, and right directions, when viewed in the F direction as a reference.
[76]
In particular, the pouch-type secondary battery 110 may include an electrode assembly (not shown), an electrolyte (not shown), and a pouch 116 .
[77]
Moreover, the positive lead 111 and the negative lead (not shown) may be formed at left and right ends in opposite directions with respect to the center of the secondary battery 110 . That is, the positive lead 111 may be provided at one end with respect to the center of the secondary battery 110 . In addition, the negative lead may be provided at the other end with respect to the center of the secondary battery 110 .
[78]
However, the battery module 200 according to the present invention is not limited to the pouch-type secondary battery 110 described above, and various secondary batteries known at the time of the filing of the present invention may be employed.
[79]
Meanwhile, referring back to FIG. 5 , the battery module 200 may further include a bus bar assembly 270 . Specifically, the bus bar assembly 270 includes at least one bus bar 272 configured to electrically interconnect the plurality of secondary batteries 110 and configured to mount the at least one bus bar 272 to the outside. At least two or more bus bar frames 276 may be provided. The at least two bus bar frames 276 may be provided on both sides of the cell assembly 100 in the left and right directions.
[80]
Meanwhile, the module housing 210 may have an internal space to accommodate the cell assembly 100 therein. Specifically, when viewed directly in the F direction of FIG. 1 , the module housing 210 may include an upper cover 220 , a base plate 240 , a front cover 260 , and a rear cover 250 . .
[81]
Specifically, the base plate 240 may have an area larger than the size of the bottom surface of the at least two cell assemblies 100 so as to mount the at least two or more cell assemblies 100 thereon. The base plate 240 may have a plate shape extending in a horizontal direction.
[82]
Here, the horizontal direction may mean a direction parallel to the ground when the battery module 200 is placed on the ground, and may also be referred to as at least one direction on a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction.
[83]
In addition, the upper cover 220 may include an upper wall 224 and a sidewall 226 extending downward from the upper wall 224 . The upper wall 224 may have a plate shape extending in a horizontal direction to cover an upper portion of the cell assembly 100 . The side wall 226 may have a plate shape extending downward from both ends of the upper wall 224 in the left and right directions to cover both sides of the cell assembly 100 in the left and right directions.
[84]
In addition, the sidewall 226 may be coupled to a portion of the base plate 240 . For example, as shown in FIG. 5 , the upper cover 220 may include an upper wall 224 having a plate shape extending in front, rear, left and right directions. The upper cover 220 may include two sidewalls 226 extending downward from both ends of the upper wall 224 in the left and right directions. Furthermore, the lower ends of each of the two sidewalls 226 may be configured to be coupled to both ends of the base plate 240 in the left and right directions. In this case, the coupling method may be a male-female coupling method or a welding coupling method.
[85]
Moreover, the front cover 260 may be configured to cover the front of the plurality of secondary batteries 110 . For example, the front cover 260 may have a plate shape having a size larger than the size of the front surfaces of the plurality of secondary batteries 110 . The plate shape may be erected in a vertical direction.
[86]
In addition, the rear cover 250 may be configured to cover the rear of the cell assembly 100 . For example, the rear cover 250 may have a plate shape having a size larger than that of the rear surfaces of the plurality of secondary batteries 110 .
[87]
Moreover, the module housing 210 may include a gas passage 211 through which the gas generated from the cell assembly 100 flows. Here, the gas passage 211 may be a space elongated in the front-rear direction to communicate with the outside. The gas passage 211 may be provided on one side or both sides of the cell assembly 100 in the left and right direction.
[88]
More specifically, the gas passage 211 may be a space between the upper or lower portion of the cell assembly 100 and the module housing 210 . That is, the gas generated in the cell assembly 100 accommodated in the battery module 200 moves to the left and right sides of the cell assembly 100 through the gas passage 211 located above or below the cell assembly 100 . It can move to both sides of the direction, and again, formed at the end of the gas passage 211 and discharged through a plurality of gas outlets 212 perforated to communicate with the outside of the battery module 200 .
[89]
6 is a rear perspective view schematically illustrating a battery module that is a part of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. And, FIG. 7 is a front perspective view schematically showing a battery module that is a part of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[90]
Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7 together with FIG. 5 , the rear cover 250 located at the rear of each of the at least two or more battery modules 200 may be provided with an inlet 264 configured to input the extinguishing agent. The inlet 264 may be positioned to communicate with the gas passage 211 . That is, the inlet 264 may be configured to communicate with the gas passages 211 located on both sides of the cell assembly 100 in the left and right directions.
[91]
For example, when viewed from the R direction in FIG. 6 , an inlet 264 may be provided on the right side of the rear cover 250 . In addition, the extinguishing agent injected through the inlet 264 may move along the gas passage 211 located on the left side of the cell assembly 100 , and then, the gas passage located above or below the cell assembly 100 ( The extinguishing agent may be moved to the gas passage 211 located on the right side of the cell assembly 100 through the 211 . Through this process, the ignited or overheated cell assembly 100 inside the battery module 200 can be extinguished and cooled.
[92]
8 is a partial perspective view schematically illustrating a portion of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[93]
Referring back to FIG. 8 together with FIG. 5 , a portion of the linear temperature sensor 310 may be positioned to face the gas outlet 212 provided in each of the at least two or more battery modules 200 . For example, as shown in FIG. 8 , a gas outlet 212 may be provided in the rear cover 250 of each of the two or more battery modules 200 stacked in the vertical direction. In addition, the linear temperature sensor 310 may be disposed on the outside of each of the two or more battery modules 200 to face the gas outlet 212 .
[94]
Therefore, according to this configuration of the present invention, the present invention, the two or more battery modules so that a portion of the linear temperature detection sensor 310 faces the gas outlet 212 provided in each of the at least two or more battery modules 200 . When positioned outside the 200 , when thermal runaway occurs in the cell assembly 100 of the battery module 200 , the high-temperature air having an increased temperature is discharged to the gas outlet 212 , or the cell assembly is ignited. Since the high-temperature gas generated during the operation is discharged to the gas outlet 212 , the linear temperature sensor 310 may detect it with a fast response. Accordingly, the stability of the battery pack 400 of the present invention can be improved by quickly responding to thermal runaway.
[95]
9 is a partial perspective view schematically illustrating a portion of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[96]
Referring back to FIG. 9 together with 7 , the valve 340 includes a common valve 343 positioned in any part of the common pipe 333 to open and close the common pipe 333 , and the distribution pipe 336 . A distribution valve 346 located in any part of the distribution pipe 336 may be provided to open and close the distribution pipe 336 .
[97]
For example, the common valve 343 may be an active valve capable of controlling the opening and closing of the valve 340 by receiving a signal from the valve opening and closing part of the fire extinguishing unit 300 . For example, when any one or more of the at least two battery modules 200 is above a predetermined temperature, the position calculating unit 356 of the fire extinguishing unit 300 detects this, and the valve opening and closing unit 353 opens the fire tank By transmitting an open signal to the common valve 343 to discharge the extinguishing agent from the 320, the common valve 343 may be opened. For example, the active valve may be a control valve, an electric valve, a solenoid valve, or a pneumatic valve.
[98]
10 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an internal configuration of a part of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[99]
Referring to FIG. 10 together with FIG. 8 , the distribution valve 346 may be a passive valve 347 configured to open so that the extinguishing agent can be injected into the battery module 200 having a predetermined temperature or higher. For example, the passive valve 347 may be configured to open the valve 340 when the internal temperature of the battery module 200 is greater than or equal to a predetermined temperature. For example, the passive valve 347 may have a glass bulb 347a and a predetermined liquid (not shown) contained within the glass bulb 347a. The glass bulb 347a may be configured to seal the fluid passage 347c of the passive valve 347 .
[100]
In addition, the glass bulb 347a may be configured to be broken by volume expansion of the predetermined liquid at a predetermined temperature, for example, 70 degrees Celsius to 100 degrees Celsius or more. That is, when the passive valve 347 is located inside the battery module 200, when the internal temperature of the battery module 200 rises above a predetermined temperature, the fluid of the valve 340 flows ( 347c) may be configured to open the passage 347c of the valve as the glass bulb 347a is broken. Furthermore, the passive valve 347 may further include a sprinkler head 347b provided with a distribution pin to disperse the discharged fluid in all directions.
[101]
11 is a partial perspective view schematically illustrating pipes and valves that are part of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[102]
Referring back to FIG. 11 together with FIGS. 5 and 8 , the passive valve 347 is inserted into an inlet 264 at least partially configured to communicate with the gas passage 211 provided in the battery module 200 . It can be configured to be For example, the pipe 330 may be provided with a plurality of distribution pipes 336 along the common pipe 333 , and the distribution pipe 336 may be a tee pipe or an elbow pipe. In addition, a distribution valve 346 may be provided at the distal end of the distribution pipe 336 . The dispensing valve 346 may be the passive valve 347 . For example, the passive valve 347 may have a glass bulb and a sprinkler head. In addition, at least a portion of the distribution valve 346 may be inserted into the inlet 264 configured to communicate with the gas passage 211 provided in the battery module 200 .
[103]
Therefore, according to this configuration of the present invention, the present invention is configured such that at least a portion of the passive valve 347 is inserted into the perforated inlet 264 so as to communicate with the gas discharge passage provided in the battery module 200. Accordingly, when thermal runaway occurs, the passive valve 347 is opened and only the battery module 200 in which thermal runaway has occurred can individually inject the extinguishing agent. Moreover, since the extinguishing agent can be directly injected into the inside of the battery module 200 rather than the outside, there is an advantage in that the fire of the battery module 200 in which thermal runaway has occurred can be effectively extinguished and cooled.
[104]
12 is a rear perspective view schematically illustrating a battery module that is a part of a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention. And, FIG. 13 is a partial perspective view schematically showing pipes and valves that are part of a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[105]
Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13 together with FIGS. 3 and 4 , the battery module 200A according to another embodiment may include two or more input ports 264 . A distribution pipe 336A may be connected to each of the two or more inlets 264 . A passive valve 347 that is opened when the battery module 200A is above a predetermined temperature may be provided in any one of the two distribution pipes 336A. The passive valve 347 may be configured to open so that the extinguishing agent can be injected into the battery module 200A having a temperature higher than or equal to a predetermined temperature. For example, the passive valve 347 may be configured to open when the internal temperature of the battery module 200A is higher than or equal to a predetermined temperature. The passive valve 347 may be located at an end of the distribution pipe 336A so that at least a portion of the passive valve 347 is inserted into the inlet 264 .
[106]
In addition, as shown in FIG. 13 of the present invention, the pipe 330A of the battery pack according to another embodiment includes a common pipe 333A and at least two distribution pipes 336A connected to the common pipe 333A. be prepared At this time, one of the two distribution pipes 336A is connected to a passive valve 347, and the other one is connected to an active valve 348 that is opened when the battery module 200A reaches a predetermined temperature or higher. there is.
[107]
The active valve 348 may be configured to open when the linear temperature sensor 310 detects the battery module 200A above the predetermined temperature. For example, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 13 , it may be an active valve 348 configured to operate by receiving an opening/closing signal from the valve opening/closing unit ( 353 in FIG. 4 ) of the control unit 350 of the fire extinguishing unit 300 . there is. The active valve 348 may be, for example, a motor valve or a solenoid valve.
[108]
Accordingly, according to this configuration of the present invention, when the battery module 200A in any one of the two distribution pipes 336A is at a predetermined temperature or higher, a passive valve 347 that is opened is provided and the other one is an active type By providing the valve 348, even when the passive valve 347 is not opened when the thermal runaway of the battery module 200A occurs, the fire extinguishing unit 300 sends a signal to the active valve 348 to open it. Therefore, the safety of the battery pack 400 can be improved more safely.
[109]
14 and 15 are front and plan views schematically illustrating a smoke detection sensor that is a part of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[110]
Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15 together with FIG. 3 , the fire extinguishing unit 300 may further include a smoke detection sensor 370 that detects smoke emitted from the at least two or more battery modules 200 . Specifically, the smoke detection sensor 370 may be located at the uppermost portion (FIG. 1, T) of the at least two or more battery modules 200 stacked in the vertical direction. That is, when a fire of the battery module 200 occurs, the generated gas may be moved upward, so it is preferable to be positioned at the uppermost portion ( FIG. 1 , T) of the at least two battery modules 200 .
[111]
In addition, when the smoke detection sensor 370 detects smoke, the control unit 350 of the fire extinguishing unit 300 may be configured to transmit a signal. The control unit 350 may allow the valve opening/closing unit 353 to open the common valve 343 and/or the distribution valve 346 according to the received signal.
[112]
16 is a front view schematically illustrating a power storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[113]
Referring to FIG. 16 , the battery rack 500 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include the battery pack 400 , and a rack case 510 accommodating the battery pack 400 . The rack case 510 may also be configured to accommodate the battery pack 400 in a vertically stacked form for a plurality of battery modules 200 . Inside the rack case 510, the lower surface of the battery module 200 may be mounted in a form parallel to the horizontal plane.
[114]
Furthermore, at least one side of the rack case 510 is configured to be openable, and the battery module 200 can be introduced into the internal space through the open side. However, the rack case 510 may be configured such that the open side can be closed.
[115]
And, the battery rack 500 may further include a battery management system (BMS, 530) and the like.
[116]
On the other hand, again, the power storage device 600 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include at least two or more of the battery rack 500 . The two or more battery racks 500 may be arranged to be arranged in one direction. For example, as shown in FIG. 16 , the power storage device 600 may be configured such that three battery racks 500 are arranged in one direction. In addition, the power storage device 600 may be provided with a central control unit (not shown) that can control the charging and discharging of the three battery racks (500).
[117]
Meanwhile, in this specification, terms indicating directions such as up, down, left, right, front, and back are used, but these terms are for convenience of explanation only, and may vary depending on the location of the object or the position of the observer. It is apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may
[118]
[119]
As described above, although the present invention has been described with reference to limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the technical idea of ​​the present invention and the following by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. Of course, various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of equivalents of the claims to be described.
[120]
[Explanation of code]
[121]
200: battery module 100: cell assembly
[122]
110: secondary battery 210: module housing
[123]
211: gas passage 212: gas outlet
[124]
264: inlet
[125]
300: fire extinguishing unit 310: linear temperature sensor
[126]
320: extinguishing tank 321: outlet
[127]
330, 333, 336: piping, common piping, distribution piping
[128]
340, 343, 346: valve, common valve, dosing valve
[129]
350, 353, 356: control unit, valve opening/closing unit, position calculating unit
[130]
370: smoke detection sensor
[131]
400: battery pack 500: battery rack
[132]
510: rack case
[133]
600: power storage device
Industrial Applicability
[134]
The present invention relates to a battery pack. In addition, the present invention is applicable to the industry related to a large-scale power storage device including a battery rack and a plurality of battery racks including the battery pack.
Claims
[Claim 1]
at least two or more battery modules arranged in one direction; and a linear temperature sensor that a portion linearly extends along the at least two or more battery modules and detects when the temperature of at least one of the at least two or more battery modules is above a predetermined temperature, a fire extinguishing agent accommodated therein, the fire extinguishing tank A fire extinguishing unit having a pipe connected to supply the fire extinguishing agent to each of the at least two battery modules, and a valve that is opened to supply the fire extinguishing agent from the fire tank to the battery module having a predetermined temperature or higher through the pipe. battery pack with
[Claim 2]
According to claim 1, wherein each of the at least two battery modules is provided with a gas passage configured to discharge the gas generated therein to the outside, and a plurality of gas outlets formed at the end of the gas passage and perforated to communicate with the outside, The linear temperature sensor is a battery pack, characterized in that a portion is located outside the at least two battery modules to face the gas outlet provided in each of the at least two battery modules.
[Claim 3]
The distribution of claim 2, wherein the pipe is a common pipe connected to a discharge port through which the extinguishing agent of the fire fighting tank is discharged, and an inlet through which the extinguishing agent of each of the at least two battery modules is inputted from the common pipe. a pipe, wherein the valve comprises a common valve positioned at any part of the common pipe to open and close the common pipe, and a distribution valve positioned at any part of the distribution pipe to open and close the distribution pipe. battery pack.
[Claim 4]
The battery pack according to claim 3, wherein the distribution valve is a passive valve configured to open so that the extinguishing agent can be injected into the battery module having a predetermined temperature or higher.
[Claim 5]
The battery pack according to claim 4, wherein at least a part of the passive valve is inserted into an inlet configured to communicate with the gas passage provided in the battery module.
[Claim 6]
The battery pack according to claim 3, wherein the common valve is an active valve configured to open when the linear temperature sensor detects a battery module having a temperature higher than or equal to a predetermined temperature.
[Claim 7]
The battery pack according to claim 3, wherein the fire extinguishing unit further comprises a position calculating unit configured to receive a signal from the linear temperature detection sensor and calculate a position of the battery module above the predetermined temperature.
[Claim 8]
According to claim 3, wherein the battery module is provided with two or more inlets, a distribution pipe is connected to each of the two or more inlets, and when the battery module has a predetermined temperature or higher in any one of the two distribution pipes, A battery pack, characterized in that a passive valve configured to be opened is provided, and an active valve configured to be opened when the battery module exceeds a predetermined temperature is provided on the other one of the two distribution pipes that is not selected.
[Claim 9]
The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the fire extinguishing unit further comprises a smoke detection sensor that detects smoke emitted from the at least two or more battery modules.
[Claim 10]
The battery rack according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises a rack case for accommodating the battery pack, and the battery pack.
[Claim 11]
Power storage device comprising at least two or more battery racks according to claim 10.