Title of the invention: Battery rack and power storage device including the same
technical field
[One]
The present invention relates to a battery rack and a power storage device including the same.
[2]
This application is a priority claim application for Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0086397 filed on July 17, 2019, and all contents disclosed in the specification and drawings of the application are incorporated herein by reference.
background
[3]
Secondary batteries that are easy to apply according to product groups and have electrical characteristics such as high energy density are not only portable devices, but also electric vehicles (EVs) or hybrid vehicles (HEVs) driven by an electric drive source. It is universally applied. These secondary batteries are attracting attention as a new energy source for improving eco-friendliness and energy efficiency in that not only the primary advantage of being able to dramatically reduce the use of fossil fuels but also the fact that no by-products are generated from the use of energy.
[4]
The types of secondary batteries currently widely used include a lithium ion battery, a lithium polymer battery, a nickel cadmium battery, a nickel hydride battery, a nickel zinc battery, and the like. The unit secondary battery cell, that is, the operating voltage of the unit battery cell is about 2.5V ~ 4.5V. Accordingly, when a higher output voltage is required, a plurality of battery cells are connected in series to form a battery pack. In addition, a plurality of battery cells may be connected in parallel to form a battery pack according to the charge/discharge capacity required for the battery pack. Accordingly, the number of battery cells included in the battery pack may be variously set according to a required output voltage or charge/discharge capacity.
[5]
On the other hand, when configuring a battery pack by connecting a plurality of battery cells in series/parallel, a battery module including at least one battery cell is first configured, and other components are added using the at least one battery module. It is common to configure battery packs or battery racks. Here, the battery rack including at least one battery module also constitutes a power storage device having at least one such battery rack according to various voltage and capacity requirements.
[6]
In the case of a conventional battery rack, when an abnormal situation occurs in at least one of a plurality of battery modules in the rack case, a fire may occur in the battery module in which the abnormal situation occurs.
[7]
When one of these battery modules ignites, when flame and heat are propagated to adjacent battery modules, it leads to additional ignition, resulting in serious property damage or serious personal injury.
[8]
Therefore, when at least one of the battery modules is ignited, it is required to find a way to provide a battery rack capable of more rapidly preventing the propagation of flame and heat to the adjacent battery module and a power storage device including the same.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
technical challenge
[9]
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a battery rack capable of more rapidly preventing the propagation of flame and heat to an adjacent battery module when at least one of the battery modules ignites, and a power storage device including the same.
means of solving the problem
[10]
In order to solve the above object, the present invention, the battery rack is stacked with each other along the vertical direction of the battery rack, a plurality of battery modules comprising at least one battery cell; a rack case accommodating the plurality of battery modules; a coolant tank provided on the upper side of the rack case and having a predetermined refrigerant; a piping unit connecting the coolant tank and the plurality of battery modules; and provided between the pipe unit and the coolant tank, when the temperature of at least one of the plurality of battery modules is higher than or equal to a predetermined temperature, the coolant is opened to supply the refrigerant to the battery module having a temperature higher than or equal to a predetermined temperature. It provides a battery rack comprising; a valve unit for discharging the refrigerant in the tank to the piping unit.
[11]
The battery rack is provided in the rack case, at least one temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the plurality of battery modules; may include.
[12]
The valve unit may include: a valve body connecting the coolant tank and the piping unit and having a valve flow path for the flow of the refrigerant therein; and openable and openable in the valve body, closing the valve passage when the temperature of the plurality of battery modules is less than a predetermined temperature, and closing the valve passage when the temperature of at least one of the plurality of battery modules is greater than or equal to a predetermined temperature an on/off valve for opening the flow path; may include.
[13]
The battery rack is electrically connected to the at least one temperature sensor and the valve unit, the control unit for controlling the operation of the valve unit; may include.
[14]
The pipe unit may include a main pipe connected to the valve unit; and a plurality of module pipes connected to the main pipe and connected to each battery module.
[15]
The main pipe may be formed to have a predetermined length along the vertical direction of the rack case.
[16]
The plurality of module pipes may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance along the vertical direction of the rack case.
[17]
The main pipe may include a water pressure adjusting unit for adjusting water pressure according to a height of the main pipe.
[18]
The water pressure control unit may be provided on an inner wall of the main pipe, and may be disposed between the plurality of module pipes in a vertical direction of the main pipe.
[19]
The refrigerant may be provided with water.
[20]
And, the present invention, as a power storage device, at least one battery rack according to the above-described embodiments; provides a power storage device comprising a.
Effects of the Invention
[21]
According to various embodiments as described above, it is possible to provide a battery rack capable of more rapidly preventing the propagation of flame and heat to the adjacent battery module side when at least one of the battery modules ignites, and a power storage device including the same.
Brief description of the drawing
[22]
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 such drawings should not be construed as being limited only to
[23]
1 is a view for explaining a battery rack according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[24]
Figure 2 is a view for explaining the piping unit of the battery rack of Figure 1.
[25]
Figure 3 is a partial cut-away view of the piping unit of Figure 2;
[26]
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portion AA′ of the piping unit of FIG. 2 .
[27]
5 and 6 are views for explaining water pressure adjusting units according to various embodiments of the piping unit of FIG. 2 .
[28]
Figure 7 is a view for explaining the valve unit of the battery rack of Figure 1.
[29]
8 to 10 are views for explaining the operation of the battery rack when the abnormal heat generation of at least one battery module of the battery rack of FIG.
[30]
11 is a diagram for explaining a power storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Modes for carrying out the invention
[31]
The present invention will become more apparent by describing preferred embodiments of the present invention in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the embodiments described herein are illustratively shown to aid understanding of the invention, and the present invention may be implemented with various modifications different from the embodiments described herein. In addition, in order to help the understanding of the invention, the accompanying drawings are not drawn to scale, but dimensions of some components may be exaggerated.
[32]
Figure 1 is a view for explaining a battery rack according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a view for explaining the piping unit of the battery rack of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a partial cut-away view of the piping unit of Figure 2 4 is a cross-sectional view of part AA' of the piping unit of FIG. 2 , FIGS. 5 and 6 are views for explaining water pressure control units according to various embodiments of the piping unit of FIG. 2 , and FIG. 7 is FIG. 1 It is a view for explaining the valve unit of the battery rack.
[33]
1 to 7, the battery rack 10 is a battery module 100, a rack case 200, a coolant tank 300, a piping unit 400, a valve unit 500, a temperature sensor ( 600 ) and a control unit 700 .
[34]
The battery module 100 may be provided in plurality. The plurality of battery modules 100 may be mutually stacked along the vertical direction of the battery rack 10 . Each of the plurality of battery modules 100 may include at least one battery cell 110 . Hereinafter, in the present embodiment, the plurality of battery modules 100 will be described by limiting each including a plurality of battery cells 110 .
[35]
Each of the plurality of battery cells 110 may be provided as a secondary battery. Specifically, the plurality of battery cells 110 may include at least one of a pouch-type secondary battery, a prismatic secondary battery, and a cylindrical secondary battery. Hereinafter, in the present embodiment, the plurality of battery cells 110 will be described by limiting the pouch-type secondary battery.
[36]
The rack case 200 may accommodate the plurality of battery modules 100 . The rack case 200 may accommodate the plurality of battery modules 100 to be stacked on each other in the vertical direction.
[37]
The coolant tank 300 may be provided on the upper side of the rack case 200 . The coolant tank 300 may have a predetermined refrigerant therein. Accordingly, an accommodating space for accommodating the refrigerant may be provided in the coolant tank 300 . Here, the refrigerant may be provided as a liquid refrigerant. For example, the refrigerant may be provided with water. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, the refrigerant is limited to being provided with water will be described.
[38]
The piping unit 400 may connect the coolant tank 300 and the plurality of battery modules 100 to each other. The piping unit 400 may guide the refrigerant of the coolant tank 300 , that is, the water to be supplied to the plurality of battery modules 100 .
[39]
The pipe unit 400 may include a main pipe 410 , a module pipe 430 , and a water pressure control unit 450 .
[40]
The main pipe 410 is connected to a valve unit 500 to be described later, and may be formed to have a predetermined length along the vertical direction of the rack case 200 . The main pipe 200 may be spaced apart from the rack case 200 at a predetermined interval.
[41]
The module pipe 430 is connected to the main pipe 410 , and may be disposed in a horizontal direction from the main pipe 410 . The module pipe 430 is provided in plurality, and may be connected to each battery module 100 .
[42]
The plurality of module pipes 430 may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance along the vertical direction of the rack case 200 . The plurality of module pipes 430 may interconnect the main pipe 410 and the plurality of battery modules 100 .
[43]
The plurality of module pipes 430 may each include a module valve 435 .
[44]
The module valve 435 may be opened and closed in the inner flow path of each module pipe 430 . The module valve 435 may be electrically connected to a control unit 700 to be described later. Each of the module valves 435 may operate to open or close the internal flow path of the module pipe 430 under the control of the control unit 700 to be described later.
[45]
On the other hand, the module valve 435 may be provided so as to be open or closed by a method other than the control of the control unit 700 . For example, when the module valve 435 is mounted inside the module pipe 430 to close the internal flow path of the module pipe 430 , when the battery module 100 generates abnormal heat, the It may also be possible to be provided as a member of a method that melts or breaks above the predetermined temperature so as to open the internal flow path of the module pipe 430 .
[46]
The water pressure control unit 450 is for adjusting the water pressure according to the height of the main pipe 410 , and may be provided on the inner wall of the main pipe 410 . Specifically, the water pressure control unit 450 may be provided in plurality, and may be disposed between the plurality of module pipes 430 in the vertical direction of the main pipe 410 .
[47]
The plurality of water pressure control units 450 may be formed to protrude a predetermined length from the inner wall of the main pipe 410 toward the central portion of the main pipe 410 . The inner diameter of the main pipe 410 provided with the plurality of water pressure control units 450 may be relatively smaller than that of a portion where the plurality of water pressure control units 450 are not provided. there is. Accordingly, pipe loss may occur in a space of the main pipe 410 in which the plurality of water pressure control units 450 are provided between the plurality of module pipes 430 . When the water flows through the main pipe 410 due to this pipe loss, the pressure increased by gravity is offset, so that the water more uniformly regardless of height anywhere on the side of the plurality of module pipes 430 . This can be supplied.
[48]
That is, by adjusting the water pressure according to the height of the main pipe 410 through the plurality of water pressure control units 450 , the upper, lower, and central sides of the plurality of battery modules 100 are adjusted when the water is supplied. The water may be uniformly injected anywhere in the plurality of battery modules 100 including. As a result, the plurality of water pressure control units 450 may guide the uniform flow rate regardless of the height of the battery modules 100 .
[49]
On the other hand, the plurality of water pressure control units 450 may be provided in other structures that can give pipe loss of the main pipe 410 . That is, as shown in FIG. 5 , the plurality of water pressure control units 450 protrude from the inner wall of the main pipe 410 and are provided in a radial shape with respect to the central side of the main pipe 410 . It may be possible to be provided with, and as shown in FIG. 6 , the plurality of water pressure control units 470 may also be rolled into a disk shape in which a plurality of through holes are provided.
[50]
The valve unit 500 is provided between the piping unit 400 and the coolant tank 300 , and the temperature of at least one battery module 100 among the plurality of battery modules 100 is greater than or equal to a predetermined temperature. When the water is opened to supply the water to the battery module 100 above the predetermined temperature, the water in the coolant tank 300 may be discharged to the piping unit 400 .
[51]
The valve unit 500 may include a valve body 510 and an on/off valve 530 .
[52]
The valve body 510 may connect the coolant tank 300 and the piping unit 400 . A valve passage 515 for the flow of water may be provided inside the valve body 510 .
[53]
The opening/closing valve 530 may be opened and closed in the valve body 510 and disposed near the coolant tank 300 . The opening/closing valve 530 closes the valve flow path 515 when the temperature of the plurality of battery modules 100 is less than a predetermined temperature, and at least one battery module 100 among the plurality of battery modules 100 . ) may open the valve passage 515 when the temperature is equal to or greater than a predetermined temperature.
[54]
The temperature sensor 600 is provided in the rack case 200 , and may detect the temperature of the plurality of battery modules 100 . The temperature sensor 600 may be provided in plurality. The plurality of temperature sensors 600 may be disposed close to each battery module 100 , respectively.
[55]
The control unit 700 includes the plurality of battery modules 100 , the plurality of temperature sensors 600 , the module valve 435 , the valve unit 500 and various electrical components of the battery rack 10 . It is electrically connected to the back, and it is possible to control the operation of the battery rack 10 and the like. For example, the control unit 700 is configured to control the opening/closing valve 530 of the valve unit 500 when a fire or the like occurs due to abnormal heat generation of at least one battery module 100 among the plurality of battery modules 100 . ) and the operation of the module valve 435 of the module pipe 430 connected to the at least one battery module 100 in which the abnormal heat is generated.
[56]
Hereinafter, the specific operation of the battery rack 10 when abnormal heat generation of at least one battery module 100 of the battery rack 10 according to this embodiment will be looked at in detail.
[57]
8 to 10 are views for explaining the operation of the battery rack when the abnormal heat generation of at least one battery module of the battery rack of FIG.
[58]
Referring to FIGS. 8 to 10 , the temperature may rise rapidly due to abnormal heat generation in at least one of the plurality of battery modules 100 of the battery rack 10 . In this case, if a fire or the like occurs in the battery module 100 that has generated abnormal heat, if such a fire leads to an adjacent battery module 100, a greater risk such as an explosion of the entire battery rack 10 may occur, so this It is necessary to block it quickly in advance. That is, when at least one of the battery modules 100 is ignited, it is necessary to more quickly block the propagation of flame and heat toward the adjacent battery module 100 .
[59]
In the case of this embodiment, when the temperature rises due to abnormal heat generation in at least one battery module 100 among the plurality of battery modules 100 of the battery rack 10, first, the battery whose temperature is increased due to abnormal heat generation, etc. This may be detected by the temperature sensor 600 near the module 100 . Then, the control unit 700, when the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 600 is equal to or higher than a preset temperature, the on-off valve 530 of the valve unit 500 and the preset temperature or higher The module valve 435 of the module pipe 430 connected to the heated battery module 100 may be opened.
[60]
As the opening/closing valve 530 of the valve unit 500 is opened, the water W accommodated in the coolant tank 300 is transferred to the valve body 510 of the valve unit 500 . It may be supplied to the piping unit 400 side along the valve flow path 515 .
[61]
Thereafter, the water W supplied to the main pipe 410 of the pipe unit 400 flows toward the module pipe 430 in which the module valve 435 is opened among the plurality of module pipes 430 . It may be supplied to the battery module 100 that is overheated when the temperature rises above the preset predetermined temperature.
[62]
Accordingly, the water is supplied to the battery module 100 in which the abnormal heat is generated, and the battery module 100 in which the abnormal heat is generated can be cooled more quickly. That is, in this embodiment, when a situation such as abnormal heat generation occurs through the water in the coolant tank 300, emergency cooling through the water can be implemented toward the battery module 100 in which the abnormal heat is generated. When at least one of the battery modules 100 is ignited, the propagation of flame and heat to the adjacent battery module 100 can be prevented more quickly.
[63]
On the other hand, the plurality of water pressure control unit 450 provided in the main pipe 410 adjusts the water pressure according to the height of the main pipe 410 when the water is supplied to the plurality of battery modules 100 . ) can guide the same flow rate input everywhere. That is, in the present embodiment, through the plurality of water pressure adjusting units 450 , the uniform input of water W may be guided regardless of the height of the stacked battery modules 100 .
[64]
In other words, when abnormal heat occurs in the upper battery module 100 among the stacked battery modules 100 , when abnormal heat occurs in the lower battery module 100 , abnormal heat occurs in the central battery module 100 . Even when the stacking heights are different, such as when heat is generated, when water is supplied for cooling the abnormally heated battery module 100, a uniform flow rate input is guided through the water pressure control unit 450 regardless of the stacking height. can do.
[65]
As described above, through the plurality of water pressure control unit 450, the flow rate supplied when the battery module 100 stacked on the upper side generates abnormal heat, the flow rate supplied when the battery module 100 stacked on the lower side generates abnormal heat, Alternatively, the flow rate, etc. supplied when abnormal heat generation of the battery module 100 stacked on the central side may be uniform.
[66]
11 is a diagram for explaining a power storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[67]
Referring to FIG. 11 , the power storage device 1 may be used as an energy source for home or industrial use. The power storage device 1 may include at least one of the preceding embodiments, in the case of this embodiment, a plurality of battery racks 10 and a rack container 50 for accommodating the plurality of battery racks 10 . .
[68]
On the other hand, between the plurality of battery racks 10 may be provided with a flow rate supplemental unit 800 for connecting the mutual coolant tank. The flow rate replenishment unit 800, when the water in the coolant tank of any one of the battery racks 10 decreases, the water of the coolant tank relatively filled with water may be supplied to the coolant tank side in which the water is reduced.
[69]
The power storage device 1 according to this embodiment, including the battery rack 10 of the previous embodiment, the power storage device 1 including all the advantages of the battery rack 10 of the previous embodiment can provide
[70]
According to various embodiments as described above, when at least one of the battery modules 100 is ignited, the battery rack 10 that can more quickly prevent the propagation of flame and heat to the adjacent battery module 100 side and the It is possible to provide the power storage device (1) including.
[71]
In the above, preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, but the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and it is common in the technical field to which the present invention pertains without departing from the gist of the present invention as claimed in the claims. Various modifications may be made by those having the knowledge of, of course, and these modifications should not be individually understood from the technical spirit or perspective of the present invention.
Claims
[Claim 1]
A battery rack comprising: a plurality of battery modules stacked together along the vertical direction of the battery rack and including at least one battery cell; a rack case accommodating the plurality of battery modules; a coolant tank provided on the upper side of the rack case and having a predetermined refrigerant; a piping unit connecting the coolant tank and the plurality of battery modules; and provided between the piping unit and the coolant tank, when the temperature of at least one of the plurality of battery modules is higher than or equal to a predetermined temperature, the coolant is opened to supply the refrigerant to the battery module having a temperature higher than or equal to a predetermined temperature. Battery rack comprising a; valve unit for discharging the refrigerant in the tank to the piping unit.
[Claim 2]
According to claim 1, It is provided in the rack case, at least one temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the plurality of battery modules; Battery rack comprising a.
[Claim 3]
The system of claim 2, wherein the valve unit comprises: a valve body connecting the coolant tank and the piping unit and having a valve flow path for the flow of the refrigerant therein; and openable and openable in the valve body, closing the valve passage when the temperature of the plurality of battery modules is less than a predetermined temperature, and closing the valve passage when the temperature of at least one of the plurality of battery modules is greater than or equal to a predetermined temperature Battery rack comprising a; on-off valve for opening the flow path.
[Claim 4]
The battery rack according to claim 3, comprising: a control unit electrically connected to the at least one temperature sensor and the valve unit, and controlling the operation of the valve unit.
[Claim 5]
According to claim 1, wherein the pipe unit, The main pipe connected to the valve unit; and a plurality of module pipes connected to the main pipe and connected to each battery module.
[Claim 6]
The battery rack according to claim 5, wherein the main pipe is formed to have a predetermined length along the vertical direction of the rack case.
[Claim 7]
The battery rack according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of module pipes are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance along the vertical direction of the rack case.
[Claim 8]
The battery rack according to claim 7, wherein the main pipe is provided with a water pressure adjusting unit for adjusting the water pressure according to the height of the main pipe.
[Claim 9]
The battery rack according to claim 8, wherein the water pressure control unit is provided on an inner wall of the main pipe and is disposed between the plurality of module pipes in a vertical direction of the main pipe.
[Claim 10]
The battery rack according to claim 1, wherein the refrigerant is provided with water.
[Claim 11]
The power storage device comprising a; at least one battery rack according to claim 1 .