JP2017189068A - Storage battery unit for electric vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a storage battery unit for an electric vehicle capable of reducing the cost of the whole device.SOLUTION: A storage battery unit for an electric vehicle according to one embodiment includes one or more power storage sections, a temperature detection section, a fire extinguisher and a control section. The power storage sections are mounted on the electric vehicle and store electric power. The temperature detection section is attached to the power storage sections and detects a temperature of the power storage sections. The fire extinguisher injects a fire extinguishing agent toward the power storage sections. The control section performs control for causing the fire extinguisher to inject the fire extinguishing agent while controlling charging/discharging of the power storage sections on the basis of a detection result of the temperature detection section.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to an electric vehicle storage battery unit.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a battery device including a battery storage container that stores one or a plurality of batteries including a safety valve, a temperature sensor, and a fire extinguishing device is known. In this battery device, the periphery of the battery is set to be a nonflammable atmosphere based on a temperature detected by a temperature sensor attached to the outside of the battery storage container. In the conventional technique, the cost of the entire apparatus may increase.

JP 2001-257006 A

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a storage battery unit for an electric vehicle that can reduce the cost of the entire apparatus.

  The storage battery unit for an electric vehicle according to the embodiment includes one or more power storage units, a temperature detection unit, a fire extinguisher, and a control unit. The power storage unit is mounted on the electric vehicle and stores electric power. The temperature detection unit is attached to the power storage unit and detects the temperature of the power storage unit. The fire extinguisher injects a fire extinguishing agent toward the power storage unit. The control unit controls charging / discharging of the power storage unit and causing the fire extinguisher to inject a fire extinguisher based on the detection result of the temperature detection unit.

The outline block diagram of the electric vehicle system 1 carrying the power conversion unit 20 of embodiment. The figure which shows an example of a function structure of the storage battery unit. The figure which shows an example of arrangement | positioning of the tube 94. FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing an example of a temporal change between the state of each device of the power conversion unit 20 and the control state of the control device 100. The figure which shows an example of the interface image IM displayed on the display board 130. FIG. The figure which shows an example of arrangement | positioning of the tubes 94-1 to 94-3 of the modification 1 of 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows an example of arrangement | positioning of the fire extinguisher 82 and the tubes 94-1 to 94-5 of the modification 2 of 1st Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, the storage battery unit for electric vehicles of embodiment is demonstrated with reference to drawings.

(First embodiment)
[overall structure]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an electric vehicle system 1 in which the power conversion unit 20 of the embodiment is mounted. The electric vehicle on which the power conversion unit 20 is mounted travels by receiving power supply from the overhead line P when the current collector 10 comes into contact with the overhead line P that is a supply source of AC power.

  The electric vehicle system 1 includes a current collector 10, a transformer 12, wheels W, a power conversion unit 20, a motor Ma, a load L, and a control device 100 as main components.

  AC power is supplied to the current collector 10 from the overhead line P. The transformer 12 converts the voltage of the AC power output from the current collector 10 into a desired voltage. The AC power converted into a desired voltage is output to the power conversion unit 20.

  The power conversion unit 20 includes a first converter 30, a filter capacitor 32, an inverter 34, a first converter control unit 40, and an inverter control unit 42.

  The first converter 30 converts the single-phase AC voltage supplied from the transformer 12 into a DC voltage. The first converter 30 is, for example, a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) converter. First converter control unit 40 outputs a control signal for converting AC voltage to a desired DC voltage to first converter 30 based on the control signal acquired from control device 100. The filter capacitor 32 smoothes the pulsating component of the DC voltage output from the first converter 30.

  The inverter 34 generates a three-phase AC voltage using the DC voltage supplied from the first converter 30 side, and supplies electric power corresponding to the generated AC voltage to the motor M. Further, the inverter 34 converts the electric power generated by the regenerative operation of the motor Ma into DC regenerative electric power. The inverter control unit 42 outputs a control signal for converting the DC voltage into a desired AC voltage to the inverter 34 based on the control signal acquired from the control device 100. Further, based on the control signal acquired from the control device 100, the inverter control unit 42 outputs a control signal for converting the power generated by the motor Ma into DC regenerative power to the inverter 34.

  The motor M rotates the rotor by three-phase alternating current and outputs driving force. The driving force output from the motor M is transmitted to the wheels W via a coupling mechanism such as a gear (not shown), and the electric vehicle is caused to travel. The motor M is, for example, a cage type three-phase induction motor. The wheel W is grounded via the track R.

  The power conversion unit 20 includes a second converter 50, a second converter control unit 52, and a storage battery unit 60. Second converter 50 converts the single-phase AC voltage supplied from transformer 12 into a DC voltage. Second converter control unit 52 outputs a control signal for converting AC voltage to a desired DC voltage to second converter 50 based on the control signal acquired from control device 100.

  The storage battery unit 60 acquires the power output by the second converter 50 and stores the acquired power. The storage battery unit 60 is connected to the contact A of the first electric line and the contact B of the second electric line on the output side of the first converter 30. The storage battery unit 60 acquires the regenerative power output by the inverter 34 and stores the acquired power. The functional configuration of the storage battery unit 60 will be described later.

  The load L consumes the electric power stored by the storage battery unit 60.

  The control device 100 includes a monitoring control unit 110, an operation panel 120, and a display panel 130. The monitoring control unit 110 is a software function unit that functions when a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) included in the control device 100 executes a program stored in a program memory. The monitoring control unit 110 may be a hardware function unit such as an LSI (Large Scale Integration), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array).

  The monitoring control unit 110 communicates with the first converter control unit 40, the inverter control unit 42, the second converter control unit 52, and the storage battery unit 60 via a communication line. A dotted line shown in FIG. 1 indicates a communication line. The monitoring control unit 110 generates a control signal for controlling the power conversion unit 20 based on the state of the electric vehicle, a signal (such as the number of notches) input from the operation panel 120, and the like. Output a control signal.

  The operation panel 120 includes, for example, a master switch that is a main power source of the electric vehicle, a master controller that performs various operations by the driver, and the like. A signal indicating the amount of operation performed on the master controller or a control signal determined based on the operation is input to the monitoring control unit 110. The display panel 130 displays various types of information related to the vehicle including abnormality of the storage battery unit 60, vehicle speed, and the like based on an instruction from the monitoring control unit 110.

[Functional configuration of storage battery unit]
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the storage battery unit 60. The storage battery unit 60 includes storage battery modules 62-1 to 62-n, a BMU (Battery Management Unit; control unit) 70, an actuator 80, and a fire extinguishing device 82. Hereinafter, the storage battery modules 62-1 to 62-n are referred to as storage battery modules 62 when they are not distinguished. In addition, since the configurations included in the storage battery modules 62-1 to 62-n are the same, the description after the hyphen (-) is omitted.

  Each storage battery module 62 includes a plurality of battery cells 64 (for example, 64-1-1 to 64-1-1-m) and a temperature sensor 66 (for example, 66-1 to 66-n). “M” and “n” are integers of 2 or more. The battery cell 64 is, for example, a lithium ion battery. The power storage module 62 includes a voltage detection unit, a current detection unit, and the like (not shown). The battery cell 64, the temperature sensor 66, the voltage detection unit, and the current detection unit included in the storage battery module 62 are housed in, for example, a common housing. That is, the temperature sensor 66 is attached to the storage battery module 62. The temperature sensor 66 is attached to the electrode part of the battery cell 64, for example.

  For example, a positive terminal, a negative terminal, and a signal terminal (not shown) are provided in the housing. The positive terminal is connected to the positive side of each battery cell 64, and the negative terminal is connected to the negative side of each battery cell 64. The positive terminal and the negative terminal are connected to, for example, the load L and the output side of the regenerative power of the first converter 30 (contacts A and B in FIG. 1). The signal terminal is connected to the control device 100, for example.

  The temperature sensor 66 detects the temperature of the battery cell 64 and outputs the detection result to the BMU 70.

  The BMU 70 is realized by a processor such as a CPU. The BMU 70 may be a hardware function unit such as an LSI, ASIC, or FPGA. The BMU 70 controls the storage battery module 62 based on the detection result of the voltage detection unit or the current detection unit. The BMU 70 controls charging / discharging of the storage battery modules 62 and controls a discharge circuit (not shown) provided in each storage battery module 62 to adjust the voltage balance. Further, the BMU 70 determines the abnormality of the storage battery module 62 based on the detection result of the temperature sensor 66. Further, the BMU 70 causes the fire extinguisher 82 to inject a fire extinguishing agent based on the detection result of the temperature sensor 66. In this case, the BMU 70 outputs an ON signal for the actuator 80. When the actuator 80 acquires the ON signal, the actuator 86 opens the valve 86 provided in the fire extinguishing device 82.

  The fire extinguisher 82 includes a casing 84 that is a storage part for a fire extinguisher, an internal pipe 85, a valve 86, and a pressure sensor 88. For example, a fire extinguishing agent and gas (for example, nitrogen gas) are stored in the housing 84. The fire extinguishing agent may be an aqueous fire extinguishing agent or a powder extinguishing agent. In addition, an inner tube 85 partially protruding outside the housing 84 is provided in the housing 84. A valve 86 is connected to the inner pipe 85 that protrudes outside the housing 84.

  Further, one end of a discharge pipe 90 is connected to the valve 86. An ejection port 92 for injecting a fire extinguishing agent is provided at the other end opposite to one end of the discharge pipe 90 (the end opposite to the connection side with the valve 86). The injection direction of the injection port 92 is the direction in which the storage battery module 62 is disposed.

  The valve 86 is provided between the inner pipe 85 and the discharge pipe 90. By closing the valve 86, the communication between the inside of the housing 84 and the atmosphere is blocked, and the housing 84 is sealed. Since gas is stored in the housing 84, a predetermined pressure (pressure higher than atmospheric pressure) is maintained in the housing 84 when the valve 86 is closed. The valve 86 is opened by the actuator 80. When the valve 86 is opened, the gas and the extinguishing agent stored in the housing 84 are supplied to the injection port 92 through the internal pipe 85 and the discharge pipe 90, and the extinguishing agent is supplied from the injection port 92. Be injected. For example, the fire extinguishing agent injected from the injection port 92 is foamed and falls on the storage battery module 62.

  The pressure sensor 88 communicates with the control device 100 via a communication line. The pressure sensor 88 detects the pressure in the housing 84.

  Further, in the storage battery unit 60, a tube 94 (cylindrical member) is connected to the fire extinguishing device 82. One end of the tube 94 communicates with the internal pipe 85 protruding outside from the housing 84 of the fire extinguishing device 82. The other end opposite to one end of the tube 94 is closed. The tube 94 only needs to be branched from the supply path of the fire extinguishing agent. For example, the inside of the tube 94 may be communicated with the discharge pipe 90.

  The tube 94 is arrange | positioned so that the upper direction (vertically upward side) of each storage battery module 62 may pass, for example. The tube 94 is made of a synthetic resin such as polyamide. The tube 94 has such flexibility that it can be easily bent, for example. Thereby, the tube 94 can be easily disposed in the storage battery unit 60.

  The tube 94 is dissolved at a predetermined temperature or higher. Thereby, the tube 94 is ruptured by the internal pressure of the tube 94, and the extinguishing agent stored inside is diffused toward the storage battery module 62. For example, when a certain storage battery module 62 reaches a predetermined temperature, the tube 94 disposed above it melts. Then, the fire extinguishing agent is diffused toward the storage battery module 62.

[Tube arrangement]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the arrangement of the tubes 94. Hereinafter, description will be made using XYZ coordinates. In FIG. 3, the configuration of the discharge pipe 90, the injection port 92, and the like is omitted. In the illustrated example, n × m storage battery modules 62 are arranged in a matrix. In the illustrated example, m = 5. The tube 94 is repeatedly stretched over the storage battery module 62 in a certain row, then folded in the negative Y direction, and then spanned over the storage battery module 62 in the next row. It arrange | positions so that a part may exist above the module 62. FIG.

  Further, for example, the storage battery unit 60 may be provided with support members 65-1 to 65-12. Hereinafter, when the support members 65-1 to 65-12 are not distinguished, they are referred to as support members 65. The support member 65 is provided between the storage battery modules 62, for example. The support member 65 is fixed to the ceiling part of the housing | casing in which the storage battery module 62 is arrange | positioned, for example. The support member 65 supports the tube 94 and suppresses the tube 94 from being displaced from a desired position due to vibration or the like.

[Operation of storage battery unit]
FIG. 4 is a timing chart illustrating an example of a temporal change between the state of each device of the power conversion unit 20 and the control state of the control device 100. In this timing chart, it is assumed that the temperature in a certain storage battery module 62 is equal to or higher than the threshold Th1 at time t1, and the temperature around the certain storage battery module 62 is equal to or higher than the threshold Th2 at time t2.

  When the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 66 becomes equal to or higher than the threshold Th1 at time t1, the BMU 70 outputs an ON signal to the actuator 80 and outputs a cutoff signal to a relay circuit or the like provided in the electric vehicle. One end of this relay circuit is electrically connected to the storage battery unit 60, and the other end is connected to a load and various devices.

  The actuator 80 that has acquired the ON signal opens the valve 86 of the fire extinguishing device 82. Thereby, the fire extinguishing apparatus 82 injects a fire extinguishing agent toward the storage battery module 62. Each relay circuit to which the cutoff signal is input controls the storage battery unit 60 and various devices from the conduction state to the cutoff state.

  As described above, when the temperature of any one of the storage battery modules 62 included in the storage battery unit 60 rises, the fire extinguishing device 82 injects a fire extinguishing agent into the storage battery module 62, so that the temperature of the storage battery unit 60 decreases or the temperature The rise can be suppressed. Further, it is possible to prevent various devices from being affected by overvoltage or the like due to the operation of the relay circuit.

  When the temperature around the storage battery module 62 becomes equal to or higher than the threshold value Th2 at time t2, the tube 94 is melted and broken, thereby rupturing due to internal pressure. The fire extinguishing agent is diffused from the ruptured portion to the storage battery module 62 whose temperature has increased. At this time, since the fire extinguishing agent stored in the casing 84 of the fire extinguishing device 82 flows into the tube 94, the spray port 92 of the fire extinguishing device 82 and the storage battery module 62 whose temperature has risen from the ruptured portion of the tube 94. Fire extinguishing agent is applied. As a result, the temperature of the storage battery unit 60 can be reduced or the temperature increase can be suppressed more effectively.

  The temperature at which the tube 94 melts is not limited to the threshold value Th2 described above, and may be the threshold value Th1 or the threshold value Th1 or less. Further, the cutoff signal may be output by the control device 100. In this case, when the control device 100 acquires information indicating that the ON signal is output or information indicating that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 66 is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature from the BMU 70, the control device 100 Outputs a cut-off signal.

[Operation of pressure sensor]
Further, the detection result of the pressure sensor 88 is transmitted to the control device 100. For example, when the pressure sensor 88 detects that the pressure in the casing 84 of the fire extinguishing device 82 has become equal to or lower than a predetermined pressure, the pressure sensor 88 transmits a pressure drop signal to the control device 100. The predetermined pressure is a pressure at which, for example, when the valve 86 is opened, the fire extinguishing agent in the housing 84 cannot be sufficiently injected from the injection port 92 toward the storage battery module 62.

  When the monitoring control unit 110 of the control device 100 acquires the pressure decrease signal, the monitor control unit 110 displays information indicating that the pressure in the casing 84 of the fire extinguishing device 82 has decreased on the display panel 130. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the interface image IM displayed on the display panel 130. In the interface image IM, for example, information indicating that the pressure in the casing 84 of the fire extinguishing device 82 has decreased, and information indicating that the fire extinguishing device 82 needs to be inspected are displayed. Thereby, the user can recognize the abnormality of the fire extinguishing apparatus 82 before the fire extinguishing apparatus 82 is used.

  In addition, when the fire extinguishing device 82 is driven and the fire extinguishing agent in the housing 84 is ejected from the ejection port 92, the pressure of the pressure sensor 88 is lowered, so that the pressure is reduced on the display panel 130 as described above. Information indicating that is displayed. Thereby, the user can estimate the degree of diffusion of the fire extinguishing agent.

  The display panel 130 may display information indicating that when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 66 exceeds a predetermined value or when the fire extinguisher 82 or the actuator 80 is driven. In this case, the BMU 70 transmits information to that effect to the control device 100.

  The BMU 70 according to the first embodiment described above controls charging / discharging of the storage battery module 62, and further, based on the detection result of the temperature sensor 66, causes the fire extinguisher 82 to inject a fire extinguishing agent, thereby reducing the cost of the entire apparatus. Can be reduced.

(Modification 1 of the first embodiment)
Hereinafter, Modification 1 of the first embodiment will be described. The tube 94 according to the first modification of the first embodiment branches into a plurality from the vicinity of the upstream side (valve 86 side) of the fire extinguishing device 82.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the arrangement of the tubes 94-1 to 94-3 according to the first modification of the first embodiment. Storage battery unit 60 includes tubes 94-2 and 94-3 branched from tube 94-1. The tube 94-1 is bridged above the storage battery module 62 in the first row (minus Z direction), bent in the minus Y direction, and bridged above the storage battery module 62 in the second row. Similarly, the tubes 94-2 are bridged over the storage battery modules 62 in the third and fourth rows. The tube 94-3 is bridged over the storage battery module 62 in the fifth row.

(Modification 2 of the first embodiment)
Hereinafter, Modification 2 of the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the arrangement of the fire extinguishing device 82 and tubes 94-1 to 94-5 according to the second modification of the first embodiment. In the second modification, the fire extinguishing device 82 is provided corresponding to a part of the plurality of storage battery modules 62, the tubes 94 extend from the respective fire extinguishing devices 82, and the storage battery modules 62 in the row corresponding to the fire extinguishing device 82 are provided. It is arranged above a part.

  Further, the storage battery unit 60 may be provided with an actuator 80 for driving a part or all of the fire extinguishing devices 82-1 to 82-5, and an actuator for each of the fire extinguishing devices 82-1 to 82-5. 80 may be provided. Further, the BMU 70 may control the actuator 80 so as to drive a part or all of the fire extinguishing devices 82-1 to 82-5. For example, the BMU 70 may drive a fire extinguishing device 82 that injects a fire extinguishing agent to the storage battery module 62 provided with the temperature sensor 66 that detects a temperature equal to or higher than the threshold Th1, or in addition to the fire extinguishing device 82, Another fire extinguishing device 82 may be driven.

  According to Modification 2 of the first embodiment described above, the fire extinguishing agent 82 can be applied to the desired storage battery module 62 more reliably by providing the storage battery unit 60 with the plurality of fire extinguishing devices 82.

  According to at least one embodiment described above, one or more power storage units that are mounted on an electric vehicle and store electric power, a temperature detection unit that is attached to the power storage unit and detects the temperature of the power storage unit, and toward the power storage unit By having a fire extinguisher that injects a fire extinguisher and a control unit that controls charging / discharging of the power storage unit and injecting the fire extinguisher into the fire extinguisher based on the detection result of the temperature detection unit, Cost can be reduced.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Electric vehicle system, 20 ... Power conversion unit, 30 ... 1st converter, 34 ... Inverter, 50 ... 2nd converter, 40 ... 1st converter control part, 42 ... Inverter control part, 52 ... 2nd converter control part, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 60 ... Storage battery unit, 62 ... Storage battery module, 64 ... Battery cell, 66 ... Temperature sensor, 82 ... Fire extinguishing device, 86 ... Valve, 88 ... Pressure sensor, 90 ... Discharge pipe, 92 ... Injection port, 100 ... Control device, 110 ... Monitoring control unit 120 ... Operation panel 130 ... Display panel

Claims (7)

One or more power storage units that are mounted on electric vehicles and store electric power;
A temperature detection unit that is attached to the power storage unit and detects a temperature of the power storage unit;
A fire extinguisher that injects a fire extinguishing agent toward the power storage unit;
Based on the detection result of the temperature detection unit, a control unit that controls charging / discharging of the power storage unit and controls the fire extinguisher to inject a fire extinguishing agent;
A storage battery unit for an electric vehicle. The fire extinguisher supply path in the fire extinguisher at one end communicates with the inside, and further includes a cylindrical member in which the internal fire extinguishing agent is diffused to the power storage unit by bursting at a temperature equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature.
The electric vehicle storage battery unit according to claim 1. The predetermined temperature is a temperature equal to or higher than a temperature at which the control unit injects a fire extinguisher into the fire extinguisher.
The electric vehicle storage battery unit according to claim 2. The tubular member is closed at the other end opposite to the one end.
The storage battery unit for electric vehicles of Claim 2 or 3. The cylindrical member is provided on the upper side with respect to the power storage unit.
The storage battery unit for an electric vehicle according to any one of claims 2 to 4. A plurality of the cylindrical members that communicate with the supply path of the extinguishing agent at one end;
The storage battery unit for an electric vehicle according to any one of claims 2 to 5. A pressure sensor that detects a pressure inside the extinguishing agent reservoir in the fire extinguisher and outputs a detection result of the internal pressure to another device;
The storage battery unit for an electric vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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