JP2014036713A - Fire-extinguishing system for electric vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To extinguish and suppress a fire by automatically detecting an electric fire caused by abnormality of a plurality of electric cells disposed in an electric storage device.SOLUTION: A plurality of electric cells 26 with a cylindrical shape are aligned and stored in a battery storage part 11a in a body storage container 11 of an electric storage device 10, and a smoking-fire extinguishing device 16 having a cylindrical shape with a same size as that of the electric cell 26 is disposed at an empty space of the battery storage part. The smoking-fire extinguishing device 16 has a heat detection cable functioned as a fire detection section laid in the storage container. When the heat detection cable receives heat by a fire and detects short circuit of a pair of signal lines due to melting of insulation coating, or an ignition control signal is input from the outside, an ignition circuit section energizes and heats a heater to ignite and burn a solid fire-extinguishing agent and to jet fire-extinguishing aerosol to the inside of the storage container and extinguish the fire.

Description

The present invention relates to a fire extinguishing system for an electric vehicle in which a smoke-extinguishing device is provided in a case in which a plurality of unit cells each having a cylindrical shape are arranged and stored, and a fire associated with a unit cell abnormality is detected and extinguished.

In recent years, hybrid vehicles equipped with engines and motors are rapidly increasing in addition to vehicles powered by engines powered by gasoline or light oil. This is due to the increase in demand for fuel-efficient vehicles due to the rise in crude oil prices and the increase in demand for hybrid vehicles with low CO ₂ emissions due to the increased awareness of reducing environmental impact. Furthermore, in addition to such hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles that use only electric motors as the power source and have zero CO ₂ emissions during travel are gradually becoming popular.

  A high-voltage and large-capacity power storage device in which a plurality of single cells are arranged and connected in series and in parallel is mounted on the body of a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle (hereinafter collectively referred to as an “electric vehicle”). The power storage device is composed of an assembled battery in which a plurality of unit cells called cells are connected. In addition, the cells installed in power storage devices have shifted from conventional nickel / hydrogen cells to lithium-ion cells that can be recharged at ordinary homes. . Utilizing the characteristics of such a high-performance, large-capacity power storage device, the electric vehicle is charged at night when electricity charges are low, and used as a power source for electric vehicles and a power source for daily use during the day. In the event of a power outage due to, there are cases where the power storage device of an electric vehicle is used as an alternative to a household power source.

JP 2012-129209 A JP 2011-254906 A JP 2009-142419 A JP 2009-142420 A

  Such an electric vehicle is assumed to have a vehicle fire that cannot be seen in a conventional engine vehicle. Engine cars are equipped with gasoline and light oil in their fuel tanks. If a vehicle fire breaks out, it is handled as an oil fire and fire extinguishing is performed using a fire extinguishing system that can handle the oil fire. Specifically, water-based fire extinguishing equipment such as foam aqueous solution fire extinguishing equipment and water spraying equipment is mainstream, and in addition, powder fire extinguishing equipment such as fire extinguishers and gas fire extinguishing equipment are used as fire extinguishing equipment corresponding to vehicle fires. However, electric vehicles that are currently spreading are equipped with a high-voltage, large-capacity power storage device composed of a battery pack in which a plurality of single cells are connected. Thermal runaway due to various causes such as overcharging, battery temperature rises significantly, reaching several hundred degrees. When the battery temperature rises, the internal pressure of the battery rises, and as a result, the cells may rupture or ignite, resulting in a vehicle fire with the power storage device as the source of fire, which may cause an electrical fire that is different from the engine car. is there.

  On the other hand, the parking lots attached to buildings are mainly water-based fire extinguishing equipment such as foam aqueous fire extinguishing equipment and water spray equipment, and are not compatible with extinguishing electric fires generated from electric vehicles. There are few parking lots that limit the entry of electric vehicles. In addition, when a general house is used for charging an electric vehicle or as an alternative to a power supply for daily life, no equipment corresponding to an electric fire is provided as a housing equipment. In the event of an electrical fire, the fire fighting activities by conventional water-based fire extinguishing equipment have a high risk of causing secondary disasters such as electric shock accidents as well as fire extinguishing or suppression.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a battery case for storing a lithium ion battery pack packed with a laminate film. In order to pressurize the lithium ion battery pack, a pressure bag enclosing a liquid fire extinguisher is provided in the battery case. Is disclosed. In the case of abnormal heating of the lithium ion battery, the lithium ion battery pack expands and bursts the pressurized bag, and the liquid extinguishing agent in the pressurized bag is dispersed in the battery case, thereby suppressing ignition It is. In this case, it is possible to suppress the ignition of the battery pack, but if abnormal heating of the battery pack continues to ignite, it is considered that the fire extinguisher dispersed in the battery case has already evaporated, Can not be carried out, and there is a high possibility of developing into a large vehicle fire.

An object of the present invention is to provide a fire extinguishing system for an electric vehicle that automatically detects and suppresses a fire caused by an abnormality of a plurality of cells arranged in a power storage device.

(Fire extinguishing system for electric vehicles)
The present invention relates to a fire extinguishing system for an electric vehicle.
A power storage device in which a plurality of single cells having a cylindrical shape are arranged and stored in a battery storage section in a storage container;
A smoke-extinguishing device that has the same cylindrical shape as the unit cell and is disposed in a vacant position in the battery storage unit, and when a fire associated with the abnormality of the unit cell is detected, fire-extinguishing aerosol is ejected to extinguish the fire.
Is provided.

(Battery storage area and fire extinguishing device storage area)
The battery storage unit of the power storage device includes a battery storage section for storing a predetermined number of cells arranged and stored, and at least one fire extinguishing apparatus storage section for storing the smoke-extinguishing device adjacent to the battery storage section.

(Details of smoke extinguishers)
Smoke-extinguishing equipment
A cylindrical housing provided with a spout for ejecting fire-extinguishing aerosol in the storage container;
A solid fire extinguisher housed in a housing and generating a fire extinguishing aerosol by combustion;
A fire detection unit that detects a fire associated with an abnormality of the cell,
When a fire is detected by the fire detection unit or when an ignition control signal is input from the outside, an ignition circuit unit that ignites and burns the solid fire extinguisher by energizing heating of the heater, and
A connector provided in the housing and connected to the ignition circuit portion by a signal line;
A plug that is detachably attached to the connector, and that connects the signal line from the fire detection unit and the signal line drawn out of the storage container to the connector;
A battery power supply for supplying power to the ignition circuit;
Is provided.

(Thermal sensing cable)
The fire detection unit is a heat-sensing cable that lays in the storage container from the housing and contacts the pair of signal wires in a short-circuited state by melting the insulation coating when receiving heat from the fire.
When the short circuit of the heat sensing cable is detected, the ignition circuit unit ignites and burns the solid fire extinguisher by energization heating of the heater.

(Laying a thermal sensing cable)
The heat sensing cable is laid so as to cross the vicinity of all the cells arranged in the storage container.

(External output of fire extinguishing start signal)
The ignition circuit part of the smoke-extinguishing device outputs a fire extinguishing start signal to the outside through a connector and a plug when the solid fire extinguisher is ignited and burned by energization heating of the heater.

(Housing structure of smoke-extinguishing device)
The smoke-extinguishing device housing is
A cylindrical housing body having an opening at one end in the longitudinal direction and an opening at the other end;
A lid member for closing the other end opening of the housing body;
A fire extinguisher storage case that is placed in a floating state inside the housing body via a support member and stores a solid fire extinguisher,
A flue structure that forms a flue that guides the fire-extinguishing aerosol spouted from the extinguishing agent storage case to the spout, and
A flame ejection preventing member disposed in the flue;
Is provided.

(Basic effect)
The fire extinguishing system for an electric vehicle according to the present invention includes a smoke-extinguishing device having the same cylindrical shape as the unit cell in a storage container of a power storage device in which a plurality of unit cells having a cylindrical shape are arranged and stored. The smoke-extinguishing device is designed to blow out fire-extinguishing aerosol when a fire due to cell abnormality is detected. If a battery runs out of heat due to various causes such as charging or damage caused by an electric vehicle crash, the battery temperature rises significantly, and as a result, the battery breaks or ignites, the electric power associated with the battery malfunction Detects fire and emits fire-fighting aerosol from the smoke-extinguishing device, suppresses fires in the storage container of the power storage device, and prevents the power storage device from spreading into a large automobile fire Can To.

  In addition, the fire extinguishing system for an electric vehicle of the present invention has a smoke-extinguishing device that has the same cylindrical shape as the unit cell, and can be housed and disposed in the storage container of the power storage device in the same manner as the unit cell. The unit includes a battery storage section for arranging and storing a predetermined number of single cells, and at least one fire extinguishing apparatus storage section for storing the smoke-extinguishing device adjacent to the battery storage section, and storing the single cells in the storage container. It is only necessary to secure one more section to store and store the smoke-extinguishing device in it, minimizing the space for arranging the smoke-extinguishing device, making it easy and easy to install in the storage container. To do. Even if a smoke-extinguishing device is provided, this is not hindered when the power storage device is mounted on an electric vehicle alone, or when a plurality of power storage devices are mounted side by side or stacked on an electric vehicle.

  In addition, the fire-extinguishing aerosol that is emitted from the smoke-extinguishing device into the storage container of the power storage device is generated by igniting and burning a solid fire extinguisher, and the fire-extinguishing aerosol is fine particles of about 2 μm, the main component of which is metal. Contains oxides, carbonates or phosphates or mixtures thereof. Specifically, the main component is potassium chloride, sodium chloride, sodium carbonate, sodium sulfate, etc., which contains nitrogen, carbon dioxide, water vapor, etc., and can suppress fire extinguishing suitable for electric fires that cannot use water-based extinguishing agents. .

  In addition, the storage container of the power storage device is a sealed space that is shielded from the outside air, and the fire extinguishing aerosol ejected from the smoke-extinguishing device reliably stays in the storage container and does not leak outside. An electric fire in the storage container caused by an abnormality can be surely suppressed.

(Effects of smoke extinguishers)
In addition, the smoke-extinguishing device is equipped with a cylindrical housing, solid fire extinguisher, fire detection unit, ignition circuit unit, connector, plug, and battery power supply, so the smoke-extinguishing device is completely in the storage container of the power storage device. Can be built in as an independent device, and the storage device side can be changed by simply changing the battery storage compartment, and the smoke-extinguishing device can be easily installed in the storage container of the storage device. And it arranges easily and enables extinction suppression of the electric fire accompanying abnormality of a cell.

  In addition, the detection of an electric fire due to an abnormality of a unit cell stored in the storage container of the power storage device is performed by, for example, a pair of signal lines due to melting of the insulation coating when the heat sensing cable receives heat due to the explosion or ignition of the unit cell. It is detected by bringing the sensor into contact with a short circuit, and it is not necessary to set a threshold temperature for detecting a fire that is necessary when using a temperature sensor, etc., and to compare and judge the threshold value and the detected temperature. It is possible to suppress fire extinguishing by detecting an electric fire associated with battery abnormality and ejecting fire extinguishing aerosol into the storage container.

(Effects of laying heat sensing cable)
In addition, since the heat sensing cable is laid so as to cross the vicinity of all the cells arranged and accommodated in the storage container of the power storage device, the simple construction of laying the heat sensing cable enables the For each of them, it is possible to reliably detect fires due to ignition or rupture associated with abnormalities individually, and to suppress the fire extinguishing due to the ejection of the fire-extinguishing aerosol in the storage container.

(External output of fire extinguishing start signal)
In addition, the ignition circuit part of the smoke-extinguishing device outputs a fire extinguishing start signal to the outside via a connector and a plug when the solid fire extinguisher is ignited and burned by energization heating of the heater. Based on this, it is possible to display and notify the start of fire extinguishing on the operation display panel.

(Effect of housing structure of smoke-extinguishing device)
The housing of the smoke-extinguishing device is composed of a housing body, a lid member with an injection port, a fire extinguisher storage case, a flue structure, a flame ejection prevention member, and an ignition circuit unit, compared to a water-based fire extinguishing device. A fire extinguishing device that is as compact and light as the cylindrical shape of the unit cell can be obtained, and even if it is built in the storage container of the power storage device, the mounting space of the power storage device on the electric vehicle is not greatly affected.

  Moreover, it is known that the weight of the solid fire extinguishing agent for obtaining the fire extinguishing aerosol necessary for fire extinguishing is, for example, about 80 to 200 grams per cubic meter. Even a large-sized electric vehicle such as this is about 0.25 cubic meters, and the solid fire extinguisher necessary for this is about 20 grams to 50 grams. Actually, a plurality of single cells are arranged in a storage container. Therefore, the substantial empty space in the storage container is even smaller than that, and less solid fire extinguishing agent is required. It is possible to ensure fire suppression performance.

In addition, since the amount of solid fire extinguisher required is small, even if the fire extinguishing aerosol is generated by burning the solid fire extinguisher, the flame and heat generated by the burning of the solid fire extinguisher can be reduced. There will be no problems that would cause a battery fire.

Explanatory drawing which showed embodiment of the fire extinguishing system for electric vehicles by this invention Explanatory drawing which showed the decomposition | disassembly assembly state of the electrical storage apparatus of FIG. The top view which removed the storage container cover of FIG. 1, and showed the inside of a storage container main body The circuit diagram which showed the electrical connection of the cell of FIG. Sectional drawing which showed the cross section of the axial direction of a fume extinguishing device Explanatory drawing which showed the end surface of the ejection side of FIG. Circuit diagram showing an embodiment of the ignition circuit unit built in the smoke-extinguishing device Explanatory drawing which showed the state which starts smoke generation fire extinguisher and generates aerosol for fire extinguishing Block diagram showing an electric vehicle system including a power storage device provided with a smoke-extinguishing device

[Configuration of fire extinguishing system for electric vehicles]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a power storage device with a built-in smoke-extinguishing device in a fire extinguishing system for an electric vehicle according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing an exploded state of the power storage device, and FIG. FIG.

(Outline of power storage device)
As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the power storage device 10 includes a box-shaped storage container body 11 that opens to the top, and a storage container lid 12 that is attached to the opening of the storage container body 11 and fixed with bolts 13. The storage container body 11 and the storage container lid 12 constitute a storage container for the power storage device 10. The power storage device 10 is also called a battery module or a battery pack. In addition, a plurality of power storage devices 14 are mounted on the electric vehicle as necessary.

  A positive output terminal 14 a and a negative output terminal 14 b of the power storage device 10 are attached to the front side wall located at one end in the longitudinal direction of the storage container body 11.

  An assembled battery 25 is stored in the battery storage portion 11 a of the storage container body 11. In the assembled battery 25, a plurality of single cells 26 having a cylindrical shape are arranged in a battery storage box 15 having a plurality of battery storage sections 15a. The unit cell 26 is a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery known as a battery cell, and includes, for example, an electrode body together with a non-aqueous electrolyte in a cylindrical outer container formed of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. ing. The electrode body of the unit cell 26 is formed in a cylindrical shape, for example, by winding a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate in a spiral shape with a separator interposed therebetween. The upper end of the outer casing of the single battery cell 26 is a positive electrode terminal, and the lower end is a negative electrode terminal.

  Here, the size of the unit cell 26 in the case of a lithium ion battery is, for example, about (diameter R = 80 mm to 120 mm) × (height H = 80 mm to 120 mm).

  The assembled battery 25 uses, for example, 23 sections of the battery storage box 15 divided into 24 sections as the battery storage section 15a, and arranges 23 unit cells 26 in series. Here, if the average cell voltage of the lithium ion battery is 3.6 volts, for example, the voltage of the assembled battery 25 becomes 82.8 volts due to the serial connection of the 23 unit cells 26 shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. The voltage at the positive output terminal 14a and the negative output terminal 14b of the device 10 is also 82.8 volts. In addition, the number of the single cells 26 is a number corresponding to the required voltage of the required assembled battery. Further, the plurality of unit cells 26 may be connected to each other by using a battery pack in which a predetermined number of battery cells are connected in parallel, and a plurality of the battery packs may be connected in series.

(Outline of smoke-extinguishing equipment)
As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the storage container body 11 side of the power storage device 10 has the same cylindrical shape as the unit cell 26, that is, the cylindrical shape having the same diameter R and height H as the unit cell 26. The smoke extinguishing device 16 is housed in the battery housing box 15 together with the plurality of single cells 26 constituting the assembled battery 25.

  That is, the battery storage box 15 stores 23 unit cells 26 with 23 out of 24 sections being battery storage sections 15a, the remaining one section is allocated to the fire extinguishing apparatus storage section 15b, and the smoke extinguishing apparatus 16 is placed there. Stored.

  When detecting the fire accompanying the abnormality of the unit cell 26 stored in the storage container of the power storage device 10, the smoke-extinguishing / extinguishing apparatus 16 jets out the fire-extinguishing aerosol generated by the combustion of the solid fire extinguishing agent into the storage container to extinguish the fire. To do.

  In the present embodiment, the smoke-extinguishing device 16 is stored as a fire extinguishing device storage partition 15b in a corner section that is the back left corner of the battery storage box 15, but any one of the 24 sections is a fire extinguishing device storage section. The smoke-extinguishing device 16 may be accommodated as 15b. For example, in order to efficiently eject and diffuse the fire-extinguishing aerosol inside the storage container, the section located substantially in the center of the storage container is assigned to the fire-extinguishing apparatus storage section 15b and the smoke-extinguishing / extinguishing apparatus 16 is stored.

  The smoke-extinguishing device 16 has a cylindrical shape that is the same size as the unit cell 26, is stored in the fire-extinguishing device storage section 15 b of the battery storage box 15, and the battery storage box 15 is incorporated in the battery storage portion 11 a of the main body storage container 11. Thus, the fire-extinguishing aerosol can be ejected from the ejection port 28 formed on the upper end surface provided with the connector 30 into the storage container. Further, by attaching the plug 52 to the connector 30 of the smoke-extinguishing device 16, the heat sensing cable 32 functioning as a fire detection unit and the signal lines 33, 34 are connected to the smoke-extinguishing device 16.

  The heat sensing cable 32 is two twisted signal wires insulated with a resin such as vinyl, and a voltage is applied from the smoke-extinguishing device 16 between the two signal wires to receive heat from the fire. When the insulation coating melts, the pair of signal wires come into contact with the short circuit state, and a fire is detected when a sensing current flows.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the heat sensing cable 32 drawn into the storage container through the connector 30 and the plug 52 passes directly above all the cells 26 stored in the storage container body 11. It lays down and can detect the heat caused by the fire associated with each abnormality of the unit cell 26.

  The signal lines 33 and 34 drawn out via the connector 30 and the plug 52 are connected to the connector 24 provided on the side surface of one end in the longitudinal direction of the storage container body 11. The signal line 33 inputs an ignition control signal from the outside, and operates the smoke-extinguishing device 16 remotely. The signal line 34 outputs a fire extinguishing activation signal when the solid fire extinguisher is ignited and burned by the smoke extinguishing device 16. For this reason, the signal cable from the vehicle control device side is plugged to the connector 24, so that the smoke-extinguishing device 16 can be operated by the ignition control signal from the vehicle control device side. The activation of the smoke-extinguishing device 16 can be displayed.

[Configuration of smoke-extinguishing device]
(Structure of smoke-extinguishing device)
FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing an axial section of the smoke-extinguishing device, and FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing an upper end surface of the smoke-extinguishing device.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the smoke-extinguishing / extinguishing device 16 of the present embodiment is fitted in a casing main body 18 having a cylindrical shape of the same size as the unit cell opened in the upper part, and the upper opening of the casing main body 18. The lid member 20 is fixed together.

  A connector 30 is attached to the center of the lid member 20, and jet nozzles 28 are formed radially around the connector 30 so that the fire-extinguishing aerosol can be jetted from the jet nozzle 28 to the outside. The connector 30 can be connected to a heat sensing cable 32 and a plug 52 from which signal lines 33 and 34 are drawn.

  A fire extinguishing agent storage case 36 is incorporated in the smoke generation device 16. The extinguishing agent storage case 36 is a cylindrical case member that opens downward. The support member 50 is fixed to the upper part of the case by welding or the like, and both sides of the support member 50 are welded to predetermined positions in the housing body 18 by welding or the like. The fire extinguisher storage case 36 is positioned and supported so as to come into contact with the fixed support member 48, be fixed by screws 51, and be in a floating state inside the housing body 18.

  In the lower part of the extinguishing agent storage case 36, a pair of support pieces 46 bent in the left-right direction of the lower opening 44 and a pair of extension pieces 56 extending sideways downward are formed in the housing body 18. The fire extinguisher storage case 36 is positioned and supported so that it floats inside the housing body 18 in the stored state.

  The support structure of the extinguishing agent storage case 36 is a heat insulating structure that interposes an air layer that minimizes contact with the housing body 18 and heat due to combustion of the solid fire extinguishing agent 38 is not easily transmitted to the outer housing body 18 side. Yes.

  Here, the casing body 18, the lid member 20, the extinguishing agent storage case 36, and the support members 48 and 50 generate a fire extinguishing aerosol by the combustion of the solid fire extinguishing agent 38. Made of metal material to withstand the structure.

  A solid fire extinguishing agent 38 is accommodated in the extinguishing agent storage case 36, and a heater 40 is attached to the solid extinguishing agent 38.

  In addition, an ignition circuit portion 42 is supported on the upper part of the extinguishing agent storage case 36 via a support member 50 so as to be floated inside the housing body 18. The ignition circuit unit 42 has a built-in battery power source (primary battery), and outputs a heat sensing cable 32, a signal line 33 for inputting an ignition control signal, and a fire extinguishing start signal via a plug 52 to and from the connector 30. A signal line for connecting the signal line 34 to be connected is connected, and a signal line for the heater 40 is also connected.

  The ignition circuit unit 42 ignites and burns the solid fire extinguisher 38 by energizing and heating the heater 40 when a fire associated with the abnormality of the unit cell is detected by a short circuit of the heat sensing cable 32. Even when an ignition control signal is input from the outside via the signal line 33, the solid fire extinguisher 38 is ignited and burned by energizing and heating the heater 40.

  The solid fire extinguisher 38 used in the present embodiment generates a fire extinguishing aerosol by combustion. The fire-fighting aerosol is ultrafine particles of about 2 μm, and the main component thereof contains a metal oxide, carbonate or phosphate or a mixture thereof.

  Specifically, potassium chloride, sodium chloride, sodium carbonate, sodium sulfate and the like are the main components, and nitrogen, carbon dioxide, water vapor and the like are contained therein. In the fire extinguishing aerosol having such a main component, the fire extinguishing aerosol itself is not toxic and can be said to be an environmentally friendly generated gas.

  The fire extinguishing action by the fire extinguishing aerosol generated by the combustion of the solid fire extinguishing agent 38 is the action of extinguishing and suppressing the active center of combustion burning by the occurrence of fire by filling the inside of the storage container of the power storage device with the fire extinguishing aerosol. The fire extinguishing action suitable for an electric fire which cannot use a water-based fire extinguisher is obtained.

  The amount of the solid fire extinguishing agent 38 is determined according to the volume in the storage container of the power storage device. The weight of the solid fire extinguishing agent 38 for generating a fire extinguishing aerosol necessary for extinguishing per cubic meter of fire extinguishing target area that becomes a closed space is about 80 g to 200 g, and based on this, power storage to be extinguished An amount of solid fire extinguisher 38 corresponding to the volume in the storage container of the apparatus is stored in the fire extinguisher storage case 36.

  The storage container internal volume of the power storage device for automobiles to be extinguished by the smoke-extinguishing device 16 of the present embodiment is, for example, about 0.1 cubic meter to 0.25 cubic meter, and an assembled battery composed of a plurality of single cells is used. Since it is stored, the volume of the actual empty space is further reduced. For example, the weight of the solid fire extinguisher required when the internal volume of the storage container of the power storage device is 0.1 cubic meter is 8 to 20 grams, and the weight of the solid fire extinguisher required when it is 0.25 cubic meter is 20 Gram to 50 grams.

  The size of the smoke-extinguishing device 16 is determined by the weight of the solid fire extinguisher 38 that is required and can be 50 g or less at the maximum. The size can be reduced to about the size of the outer container.

  Inside the smoke-extinguishing device 16 containing the solid fire extinguishing agent 38, a flue 45 is formed from the lower side of the fire extinguishing agent storage case 36 through the periphery thereof to the upper jet port 28. In this way, the formation of the flue 45 that wraps around from the bottom to the top is formed by bending the flue 45 so that the solid fire extinguishing agent 38 and the spout 28 are separated from each other, and the direction in which the flame comes out and the spout 28 are not in a straight line direction. In this configuration, the flame caused by the combustion of the solid fire extinguishing agent 38 is prevented from blowing out from the ejection port 28 into the storage container of the power storage device.

  Further, in order to more effectively prevent flame ejection by the solid fire extinguishing agent 38, a flame ejection preventing member 54 that passes only an aerosol such as a wire mesh is disposed in the middle of the flue 45 as necessary. Is desirable. In the present embodiment, the flame ejection preventing member 54 is disposed inside the extended piece 56 extending from the lower opening 44 of the extinguishing agent storage case 36.

  Specific examples of the flame ejection preventing member 54 include a structure in which a plurality of small-diameter pipes such as glass and porcelain are arranged to suppress the ejection of flame, a structure in which a plurality of wire meshes are arranged separately to suppress the ejection of flame, glass, There are a structure in which a plurality of balls such as porcelain are arranged to suppress the ejection of flame, and a structure in which a plurality of balls such as glass and porcelain are arranged between a plurality of wire nets to suppress the ejection of flame.

(Configuration of ignition circuit)
FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing an embodiment of an ignition circuit unit arranged inside the smoke-extinguishing device of FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the ignition circuit unit 42 includes a heat sensing cable 32 wired in a storage container of the power storage device via a plug 52 and a connector 30, a signal line 33 for inputting an ignition control signal, and a fire extinguishing start signal. Is connected to the signal line. Note that the signal line 33 for inputting the ignition control signal is in an open state in the normal monitoring state, and when the ignition control signal is input, it is in a short circuit state.

  The ignition circuit unit 32 is provided with a heater drive circuit including a transistor 68, a relay 70, and resistors 62, 64, 66 and a battery power source 60. The battery power source 60 is a primary battery such as a button battery and does not require external power supply.

  The transistor 68 applies the divided voltage of the resistors 62 and 64 to the base via the resistor 66, and constantly applies the power supply voltage from the battery power source 60 to the heat sensing cable 32 via the resistors 62 and 64. doing. Here, in the normal monitoring state, the transistor 68 is off, and only the power supply voltage is applied to one of the signal lines of the heat sensing cable 32 and no current flows, and the power consumption of the ignition circuit unit 42 is as follows. Only a very small amount of current consumption is caused by leakage current or the like, and even if a primary battery is used as the battery power source 60, a sufficient battery life can be secured if necessary.

  The transistor 68 is a PNP transistor, and a relay 70 is connected as a load on the collector side. In the normal monitoring state, the heat sensing cable 32 is in an open state with an insulating coating of two signal lines such as vinyl. Therefore, no current flows from the battery power source 60, and the transistor 68 is in the off state because the voltage between the emitter and the base is 0 volts.

  The relay 70 is connected to the heater 40 via the normally open relay contact 74. A normally open relay contact 72 of the relay 70 is connected between the emitter and collector of the transistor 68 to form a latch circuit. Further, a relay contact 76 for outputting a fire extinguishing start signal is connected to a terminal of the connector 30.

  When the vinyl, which is the insulation coating of the heat sensing cable 32, melts due to the heat of the fire accompanying the abnormal heat generation of the single cell housed in the power storage device, and the two signal lines come into contact with each other, heat is passed through the resistors 62 and 64. A current flows through the sensing cable 32. For this reason, a bias voltage is applied between the emitter and base of the transistor 68 by the voltage generated in the resistor 62, whereby the transistor 68 is turned on and the relay 70 is operated.

  When the relay 70 is operated, the normally open relay contact 74 is closed, the heater 40 is energized, the solid fire extinguisher 38 is ignited by heating due to the energization of the heater 40, and the fire extinguishing aerosol is generated by the combustion of the solid fire extinguisher 38. The fire-extinguishing aerosol is ejected from the outlet 28 into the storage container.

  Further, the relay contact 72 is closed by the operation of the relay 70, so that the relay 70 is latched in the operation state, thereby preventing a malfunction due to a change in the short-circuit state of the heat sensing cable 32.

  Further, when the relay contact 76 is closed, a fire extinguishing start signal indicating that a fire extinguishing operation has been performed to the outside is output via the signal line 34. The fire extinguishing start signal from the smoke extinguishing and extinguishing device 16 of the present embodiment is sent to the vehicle control device to display and inform the operation display panel of the start of the fire extinguishing device for a battery fire.

  On the other hand, for example, when an ignition control signal is input from the vehicle control device side based on the driver's operation or collision accident detection, the signal line 33 is short-circuited, and as in the case where a fire is detected by the heat sensing cable 32, A current flows through the signal line 33 through the resistors 62 and 64, the transistor 68 is turned on, the normally open relay contact 74 is closed by the operation of the relay 70, the heater 40 is energized, and the solid fire extinguisher 38 is ignited by heating, The fire-extinguishing aerosol is generated by the combustion of the solid fire extinguishing agent 38, and the fire-extinguishing aerosol is ejected from the ejection port 28 into the storage container.

(Operation of smoke-extinguishing device)
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the smoke-extinguishing device. In FIG. 8, the smoke-extinguishing device 16 is stored in a fire-extinguishing device storage section 15b of a battery storage box 15 incorporated in the storage container body 11, and a cell 26 is stored in each adjacent battery storage section 15a. Yes. When the ignition circuit unit 42 accommodated in the smoke-extinguishing / extinguishing device 16 detects a short-circuit state due to a fire of the heat sensing cable 32 installed in the storage container of the power storage device, or when an ignition control signal is input from the outside, the heater 40 is energized. The solid fire extinguishing agent 38 is ignited by heating, and the solid extinguishing agent 38 burns to generate a fire extinguishing aerosol.

  The fire-extinguishing aerosol generated by the combustion of the solid fire-extinguishing agent 38 is ejected from the lower opening of the fire-extinguishing agent storage case 36 through the flame ejection preventing member 54, and then moves upward through the flue 45 which is a surrounding cavity. The fire-extinguishing aerosol 78 is ejected from the spout 28 formed in the lid member 20 into the space in the storage container, the interior of the storage container is filled with the fire-extinguishing aerosol 78, and the electric fire due to the abnormality of the unit cell 26 is suppressed.

  In this case, the flame of combustion by the solid fire extinguishing agent 38 is ejected downward, and the flame ejection preventing member 54 suppresses the blowing of the flame, bypassing the flue 45 where the flame is folded upward, and the storage container of the power storage device There is no such thing as erupting inside. The extinguishing agent storage case 36 is heated by the combustion of the solid extinguishing agent 38, but the contact with the housing body 18 and the lid member 20 is brought into a substantially floating state by the support piece 46, the support members 48, 50 and the extending piece 56. Since it supports and has a heat insulating structure with few contact parts, the temperature rise of the outer casing body 18 and the lid member 20 due to heat conduction is suppressed, and overheating of the smoke-extinguishing device 16 is prevented from causing a fire.

(Outline of electric vehicle system)
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an outline of an electric vehicle system including a power storage device in which a smoke-extinguishing device having the same cylindrical shape as that of a single battery is stored in a storage container, taking a hybrid vehicle as an example. In FIG. 9, the electric vehicle system includes a motor generator 80, an inverter device 82, a vehicle control device 90, and a power storage device 10.

  The motor generator 80 is, for example, a three-phase AC machine. The motor generator 80 is driven by a motor in an operation mode that requires rotational power, such as when the vehicle is powered (driving) and when an engine that is an internal combustion engine is started, and the generated rotational power is applied to the wheels and the engine. Supply to the driver. In this case, the DC power is converted into three-phase AC power and supplied from the power storage device 10 to the motor generator 80 via the inverter device 82.

  Further, the motor generator 80 is driven by a driving force from a wheel or an engine in a driving mode that requires power generation, such as when the vehicle is decelerated, regenerated such as braking, and the power storage device 16 needs to be charged. Generate three-phase AC power. In this case, the three-phase AC power from motor generator 80 is converted to DC power via inverter device 82 and supplied to power storage device 10 to store the power.

  The power storage device 10 includes, for example, an assembled battery 25, and a plurality of single cells 26 are housed in the battery storage box 15 constituting the assembled battery 25 as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4. Connected in series.

  The power storage device 10 includes a battery control unit 88 and a cell control unit 86. The battery control unit 88 manages and controls the state of the power storage device 10, and controls the control unit of the vehicle control device 90 or the inverter device 82, which is a host control device, for charge / discharge control such as the state of the power storage device 10 and allowable charge / discharge power. Notify the command. For the management and control of the state of the power storage device 10 by the battery control unit 88, measurement of the battery voltage and current, calculation of the storage state and deterioration state, measurement of the temperature of each assembled battery 25, cell voltage for the cell control unit 86 There are outputs such as a command for measuring and a command for adjusting the amount of stored cell power.

  The cell control unit 86 is configured by a plurality of integrated circuits provided for each unit cell that manages and controls the state of a plurality of unit cells (cell batteries) according to a command from the battery control unit 88. The management and control of the state of a plurality of unit cells include measurement of the voltage of each unit cell, adjustment of the amount of electricity stored in each unit cell, and the like.

  The connecting / disconnecting portion 84 includes a relay mechanism, and conducts between the power storage device 10 and the inverter device 82 when the electric vehicle system is started, and between the power storage device 10 and the inverter device 82 when the electric vehicle system is stopped or abnormal. Shut off.

  Here, the connecting / disconnecting portion 84, the cell control portion 86, and the battery control portion 88 of the power storage device 10 are arranged in a storage container of a control device provided separately from the power storage device 10 shown in FIG. It is arranged at the battery mounting location of the electric vehicle together with the power storage device 10.

  In the storage container of the power storage device 10, as shown in the assembled battery 25, the smoke-extinguishing device 16 having the same cylindrical shape as the unit cell is accommodated, and the assembled battery 25 is connected to the heat sensing cable 32 drawn from the smoke-extinguishing device 16. The vehicle is installed in the storage container, and the control line 33 for inputting the ignition control signal and the signal line 34 for outputting the fire extinguishing start signal are connected to the battery control unit 88, and the vehicle is operated based on the driver's operation or collision detection. The ignition control signal output by the control device 90 is input via the battery control device 88, and a fire extinguishing start signal is transmitted to the vehicle control device 90 via the battery control unit 88, and the fire extinguishing start is displayed on the operation display panel. It is possible. In addition, the battery control unit can monitor the voltage of the battery power source 60 mounted as a primary battery in the ignition circuit unit 42 of the smoke extinguishing device 16 from the control line 33 for inputting the ignition control signal. When the voltage drops, it is possible to notify the user of the replacement of the primary battery.

[Modification of the present invention]
In the above embodiment, the battery storage box constituting the assembled battery is divided into, for example, 24 sections, one of which is allocated to the fire extinguishing apparatus storage section to store the smoke-extinguishing device 16, and the remaining sections are stored in the battery. Although the unit cells are stored allocated to the sections, if necessary, a plurality of fire extinguishing apparatus storage sections may be allocated, and the smoke-extinguishing apparatus 16 may be stored in each of the sections to enhance the fire extinguishing capability.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, a battery power source using a primary battery is built in the smoke-extinguishing device and the ignition circuit unit is operated, but the single cell ( A power source may be supplied from the secondary battery.

  In addition, the ignition circuit unit is not limited to the above embodiment, a circuit function for detecting a short circuit of the heat sensing cable due to a fire and igniting the fixed extinguisher, and by inputting an ignition control signal from the outside to ignite the solid extinguisher If a circuit function to output and a circuit function to output a fire extinguishing start signal to the outside are provided, an appropriate circuit can be obtained.

  In the above-described embodiment, a heat detection cable is provided as a fire detection unit that detects a fire due to abnormality of a single cell. In addition to this, a temperature sensor such as a thermocouple or a thermistor, laser pulse light is incident. An appropriate fire detection unit such as an optical fiber sensor for measuring the temperature from the intensity of the backscattered light may be provided.

  In addition, the unit cell incorporated in the power storage device of the present embodiment may be provided with a gas discharge valve that discharges gas by operating due to a gas pressure abnormality in the battery container. In some cases, an exhaust gas mechanism that exhausts toxic gas such as carbon monoxide gas that is ejected along with, for example, a check valve that opens when the internal pressure of the storage container is a predetermined value or more may be provided. Even if the fire-extinguishing aerosol is ejected into the storage container, the internal pressure in the storage container does not rise to the pressure at which the exhaust gas mechanism is operated, and the fire-extinguishing aerosol does not leak to the outside and the fire-extinguishing effect is not reduced.

  In addition, the ignition circuit unit provided in the smoke-extinguishing apparatus in the above embodiment ignites the solid fire extinguishing agent by an ignition control signal from the outside to generate a fire extinguishing aerosol. The fire extinguishing aerosol may be generated by igniting the solid fire extinguisher only by the fire detection by the fire detection unit.

  In addition, the above-described embodiment is an example of an electric vehicle system of a hybrid vehicle, but can be similarly applied to an electric vehicle system of an electric vehicle using only an electric motor as a power source.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, includes appropriate modifications without impairing the object and advantages thereof, and is not limited by the numerical values shown in the above-described embodiment.

10: Power storage device 11: Storage container body 12: Storage container lid 14a: Positive electrode output terminal 14b: Negative electrode output terminal 15: Battery storage box 15a: Battery storage section 15b: Fire extinguishing apparatus storage section 16: Smoke extinguishing apparatus 18: Housing main body 20: Lid member 24, 30: Connector 25: Battery 26: Cell 28: Jet port 32: Heat sensing cable 34: Signal line 36: Fire extinguisher storage case 38: Solid fire extinguisher 40: Heater 42: Ignition circuit section 44 : Rear opening 45: flue 46: support member 48: support piece 52: plug 54: flame prevention member 56: extension 60: battery power supply 68: transistor 70: relay

Moreover, fire extinguishing aerosol smoke fire extinguishing device is ejected into the container of the power storage device is generated by ignition and combustion of the solid extinguishing agent, a fire-extinguishing aerosol is fine particles of about 2 [mu] m, the main component is, for example, metal oxides, containing a carbonate or phosphate, or mixtures thereof, and the like. As an example , the main component is potassium chloride, sodium chloride, sodium carbonate, sodium sulfate, etc., which contains nitrogen, carbon dioxide, water vapor, etc., and can suppress fire extinguishing suitable for electric fires that cannot use water-based fire extinguishing agents.

The solid fire extinguisher 38 used in the present embodiment generates a fire extinguishing aerosol by combustion. Extinguishing aerosol is ultrafine particles of about 2 [mu] m, its main component, for example, oxides of metals, containing and carbonates or phosphates or mixtures thereof.

As a specific example , potassium chloride, sodium chloride, sodium carbonate, sodium sulfate and the like are the main components, and nitrogen, carbon dioxide, water vapor and the like are contained therein. In the fire extinguishing aerosol having such a main component, the fire extinguishing aerosol itself is not toxic and can be said to be an environmentally friendly generated gas. In addition, the component of the solid fire extinguisher 138 is not limited to the above, It can be set as the solid fire extinguisher containing the appropriate component effective for fire extinguishing suppression of a lithium ion battery fire.

Claims (7)

A power storage device in which a plurality of single cells having a cylindrical shape are arranged and stored in a battery storage section in a storage container;
A smoke-extinguishing device that has the same cylindrical shape as the unit cell and is disposed in an empty position of the battery storage position, and when a fire associated with an abnormality of the unit cell is detected, emits a fire extinguishing aerosol and extinguishes.
Fire extinguishing system for electric vehicles characterized by providing
2. The fire extinguishing system for an electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the battery storage unit of the power storage device includes a battery storage section that stores a predetermined number of the unit cells in an array, and the smoke generation adjacent to the battery storage section. A fire extinguishing system for an electric vehicle, comprising at least one fire extinguishing device storage section for storing a fire extinguishing device.
The fire extinguishing system for an electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the smoke-extinguishing device is
A cylindrical housing provided with a spout for ejecting fire-extinguishing aerosol in the storage container;
A solid fire extinguisher that is housed in the housing and generates the fire-fighting aerosol by combustion; and
A fire detection unit for detecting a fire associated with the abnormality of the unit cell;
When a fire is detected by the fire detection unit or when an ignition control signal is input from the outside, an ignition circuit unit that ignites and burns the solid fire extinguisher by energization heating of a heater;
A connector provided in the housing and connected to the ignition circuit portion by a signal line;
A plug that is detachably provided on the connector, and that connects the signal line from the fire detection unit and the signal line drawn out of the storage container to the connector;
A battery power supply for supplying power to the ignition circuit unit;
A fire extinguishing system for an electric vehicle characterized by comprising:
In the fire extinguishing system for electric vehicles according to claim 3,
The fire detection unit is a heat sensing cable that lays in the storage container from the housing and contacts the pair of signal wires in a short-circuited state by melting the insulating coating when receiving heat from the fire,
The fire extinguishing system for an electric vehicle, wherein the ignition circuit unit ignites and burns the solid fire extinguisher by energization heating of a heater when detecting a short circuit of the heat sensing cable.
4. The fire extinguishing system for an electric vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the heat sensing cable is laid so as to traverse the vicinity of all the cells stored and arranged in the storage container. Fire extinguishing system.
4. The fire extinguishing system for an electric vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the ignition circuit portion of the smoke-extinguishing device transmits a fire extinguishing start signal when the solid fire extinguisher is ignited and burned by energization heating of the heater. And the fire extinguishing system for electric vehicles characterized by outputting to the outside through a plug.
In the fire extinguishing system for electric vehicles according to claim 3,
The housing of the smoke-extinguishing device is
A cylindrical housing body having an opening at one end in the longitudinal direction and an opening at the other end;
A lid member for closing the other end opening of the housing body;
A fire extinguishing agent storage case that is placed in a floating state via a support member inside the housing body, and stores the solid fire extinguisher,
A flue structure that forms a flue that guides the fire-extinguishing aerosol spouted from the fire-extinguishing agent storage case to the spout, and
A flame ejection preventing member disposed in the flue;
A fire extinguishing system for electric vehicles characterized by comprising

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