KR102336358B1 - Fire extinguisher for battery module - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fire extinguisher for a battery module, in which a fire detection member made of a shape memory alloy is transformed when a fire occurs a battery module of an energy storage system (ESS) or the like, so that an outlet is opened to discharge a fire extinguishing agent, thereby efficiently extinguishing the fire. The fire extinguisher for a battery module of the present invention includes a pouch body; a fixed body part having an inlet and the outlet; a sealing part; and a fire extinguishing operation part including the fire detection member made of the shape memory alloy.

Description

Fire Extinguisher for Battery Module {FIRE EXTINGUISHER FOR BATTERY MODULE}

The present invention relates to a fire extinguishing device for a battery module capable of releasing a fire extinguishing agent while a discharge port is opened due to deformation of a shape memory alloy when a fire occurs in a battery module such as an energy storage system (ESS).

In general, energy storage refers to the storage of energy using a device or a physical medium. The device used for this is called an accumulator, and the entire system in a wider range is called an Energy Storage System (ESS).

Even small batteries used in households or small batteries used in electronic products can convert electrical energy into other energy types and store them, but such a small-scale power storage device is not called an ESS. is called ESS.

Energy storage can be largely divided into physical energy storage and chemical energy storage according to the storage method. Representative physical energy storage includes pumped water power generation, compressed air storage, and flywheel, and chemical energy storage includes lithium-ion batteries, lead-acid batteries, and NaS batteries. A battery-type ESS is called BESS (Battery Energy Storage System), and in general, ESS refers to BESS.

These ESSs are in the spotlight due to their high operating voltage and exceptionally high energy density, and installation of ESSs is required in industrial facilities and apartments that consume a lot of power.

However, in the case of a lithium-ion battery using an organic electrolyte, overcharging may cause overcurrent and overheating, and in severe cases, an explosion or fire may occur due to ignition. In the event of a fire, ESS can spread to a large fire due to the rapid fire spread rate.

Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2020-0118280 (published date: 2020.10.15.)

The present invention has been devised to solve the above problems, and when a fire occurs in a battery module such as an energy storage system (ESS), the discharge port is opened due to the deformation of the shape of the fire detection member formed of a shape memory alloy material. An object of the present invention is to provide a fire extinguishing device for a battery module that emits a fire extinguishing agent and can effectively suppress a fire.

A fire extinguishing device for a battery module according to the present invention for realizing the object as described above, includes a pouch body having an accommodation space for storing a fire extinguishing agent therein, and having at least one discharge hole on one surface; a fixed body portion fixedly installed in the discharge hole and provided with an inlet and an outlet; a sealing part provided with a sealing member movably coupled to the discharge port in an axial direction so as to seal the inlet; and pressurizing the sealing member toward the inlet to seal it, and when a fire occurs, the pressing force is released by the fire detection member that is restored to its original shape by a change in temperature, so that the inlet is opened and the extinguishing agent is supplied through the outlet It may include; a fire extinguishing operation unit for discharging to the outside.

In this case, the fire-extinguishing unit may include: a pressing member disposed so that one surface abuts the sealing member, the other surface is formed to protrude along the axial direction of the discharge port and is provided with a fastening rod having a screw thread formed on its outer circumferential surface; a fixing ring disposed on the edge of the other surface of the pressing member; The fire detection member is fitted to the fastening rod and formed of a shape memory alloy material; And when screwing the fastening rod, the fire detection member presses the sealing member to seal the inlet, and the fire detection member presses and expands the fixing ring so that the fixing ring is caught on the inner circumferential surface of the discharge port. It may include; a nut member that is fixed to the jaw to fix the position of the pressing member in the outlet.

In addition, the inner diameter of the outlet may be formed to be larger than the inner diameter of the inlet.

In addition, the fixing ring may be formed of a synthetic resin or rubber material so that it can be expanded or contracted according to whether the fire detection member is pressed.

In addition, when the fire detection member is heated to a predetermined temperature when a fire occurs, the radial rim shape around the fitting hole in the center of the fire detection member is turned toward the nut member and restored, and at the same time, the pressing force of the fixing ring is removed. As the lock of the locking jaw is released, the sealing member and the fire extinguishing operation part may be separated to the outside of the discharge port so that the inlet port is opened.

In addition, the rim of the fire detection member in contact with the fixing ring may be formed round or inclined at a predetermined angle.

In addition, a spacer provided on the other surface of the pressing member may further include a spacer to limit the degree to which the fire detection member presses the fixing ring when the nut member is screwed together.

In addition, in the inlet, the injection nozzle formed with a plurality of injection holes so that the fire extinguishing agent can be rotated and discharged; it may further include a coupled one.

The present invention according to the above configuration can be installed in various forms in a battery module such as an energy storage system, and when a fire occurs, the shape of the fire detection member formed of a shape memory alloy material is restored and deformed and sealed The pressing force that pressurized the member is removed, the inlet is opened, and the extinguishing agent stored in the pouch body can be quickly discharged through the outlet. Accordingly, there is an advantage in that the fire can be effectively extinguished at an early stage.

1 is a schematic plan view showing an installation state of a fire extinguishing device for a battery module according to the present invention;
2 is a perspective view of a fire extinguishing device for a battery module according to the present invention;
3 is an exploded perspective view of a fire extinguishing device for a battery module according to the present invention;
4A to 4C are a side cross-sectional view and an operating state diagram showing the internal configuration of a fire extinguishing device for a battery module according to the present invention;
5 is a perspective view of a fire extinguishing device for a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention;
6 is an exploded perspective view of the main part of FIG. 5;
7A and 7B are side cross-sectional views and operational state diagrams showing the internal configuration of FIG. 5 .

Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Here, in adding reference numerals to the components of each drawing, it should be noted that only the same components are marked with the same reference numerals as much as possible even though they are displayed on different drawings.

1 is a schematic plan view showing an installation state of a fire extinguishing device for a battery module according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a fire extinguishing device for a battery module according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a fire extinguishing device for a battery module according to the present invention is an exploded perspective view of

1 to 3 , the fire extinguishing device 100 according to the present invention may be installed in a battery module 1 (see FIG. 1 ) provided with a plurality of battery cells 1a, and the present invention The fire extinguishing device 100 for a battery module according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention may include a pouch body 110 , a fixed body unit 120 , a sealing unit 130 , and an extinguishing operation unit 140 .

For reference, in FIG. 1, an example of the case where the fire extinguishing device 100 of the present invention is installed opposite to the side of the battery module 1 is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited thereto and the fire extinguishing device 100 is a battery cell 1a) It can be changed and installed in various structures, such as being disposed between them.

In addition, although an example of a case in which one fire extinguishing operation unit 140 is provided on one surface of the pouch body 110 in FIG. 2 is illustrated, the present invention is not limited thereto. can be provided.

The configuration of the present invention will be described in detail as follows.

4A to 4C , the pouch body 110 may be provided with an accommodation space S so that a fire extinguishing agent can be stored therein. In addition, at least one discharge hole 111 may be provided on one surface of the pouch body 110 to discharge the extinguishing agent stored in the accommodation space S to the outside. This pouch body 110 may be formed of a metal material such as aluminum. Of course, the present invention is not limited thereto.

The fixed body unit 120 is fixedly installed in the discharge hole 111 of the pouch body 110, and the inside of the fixed body unit 120 has an inlet 121 and an outlet 123 communicating with the discharge hole 111. ) may be provided.

In this case, the fixed body part 120 may be formed of a synthetic resin material, and may be integrally fixed and installed in the discharge hole 111 of the pouch body 110 through thermal fusion.

In addition, in the inlet 121, a plurality of injection holes 127a are formed at a predetermined angle so that the extinguishing agent stored in the pouch body 110 can be discharged in a predetermined angle range when a fire occurs. ) can be fitted. The injection hole (127a) may be formed to be inclined at a predetermined angle, and thus may be rotated and discharged when the fire extinguishing agent is discharged through the discharge port (123).

The sealing unit 130 seals the inlet 121 , and a sealing member 131 that is movably coupled in the axial direction in the discharge port 123 of the fixed body 120 may be provided.

In this case, the inner diameter of the outlet 123 may be larger than the inner diameter of the inlet 121 . Accordingly, the sealing member 131 for opening and closing the inlet 121 and the components of the fire extinguishing operation unit 140 to be described later may be installed to be movable along the axial direction of the space within the discharge port 123 .

In addition, the diameter of the sealing member 131 may be formed smaller than the inner diameter of the discharge port (123). Accordingly, when a fire occurs, the sealing member 131 and the fire extinguishing operation unit 140 to be described later may be separated to the outside through the discharge port 123, and the discharge port 123 may be opened (refer to FIG. 4C ).

The material of the sealing member 131 may be formed of a material such as synthetic resin that can effectively block and seal the inlet 121, and the present invention is not particularly limited.

The fire extinguishing operation unit 140 normally closes and seals the inlet 121 (see Fig. 4a), and in case of a fire, the inlet 121 is opened to release the extinguishing agent stored in the pouch body 110 through the discharge port 123. It can be released to the outside through the (see FIG. 4c).

Specifically, referring to FIG. 4A , the fire extinguishing operation unit 140 has one surface in contact with the sealing member 131 and a fastening rod 142 formed to protrude along the axial direction of the discharge port 123 on the other surface. A pressure member 141 that becomes a pressure member 141, a fixing ring 143 disposed on the edge of the other surface of the pressure member 141, and a fire detection member 145 made of a shape memory alloy that is fitted to the fastening rod 142 and, It may include a nut member 147 screwed to the outer peripheral surface of the fastening rod (142).

In this case, the nut member 147 can seal the inlet 121 by pressing the fire detection member 145 toward the sealing member 131 when the screw is coupled to the outer circumferential surface of the fastening rod 142 . At the same time, the fire detection member 145 pressurizes and expands the fixing ring 143 so that the fixing ring 143 is caught and fixed to the locking jaw 125 of the inner circumferential surface of the discharge port 123 . Accordingly, the position of the pressing member 141 in the discharge port 123 can be fixed.

In addition, a driver groove 142a (see FIG. 3 ) may be provided on the end surface of the fastening rod 142 to prevent the pressing member 141 from flowing (idling) when the nut member 147 is screwed. have. Therefore, when the nut member 147 is fastened, the nut member 147 is screwed to the outer circumferential surface of the fastening rod 142 in a state in which a tool such as a driver is inserted into the driver groove 142a so that the pressing member 141 does not flow. can

In addition, the fixing ring 143 may be formed of a synthetic resin or rubber material so that it can be expanded or contracted depending on whether the fire detection member 145 is pressed. That is, the fixing ring 143 may be fixed to the locking jaw 125 while being expanded by the pressing force of the fire detection member 145 .

Conversely, when the pressing force of the fire detection member 145 is removed, the extended fixing ring 143 is contracted again, and the locking state of the locking jaw 125 may be released. When the locking ring 143 is released, the sealing member 131 and the fire extinguishing operation unit 140 that block and seal the inlet 121 may be separated to the outside together through the discharge port 123 .

In this case, the edge of the fire detection member 145 in contact with the fixing ring 143 may be formed round or inclined at a predetermined angle so that the fixing ring 143 can be smoothly expanded radially when the fixing ring 143 is pressed. can

In addition, a spacer 141a may be provided on the other surface of the pressing member 141 to limit the degree to which the fire detection member 145 presses the fixing ring 143 when the nut member 147 is screwed together.

That is, when the fire detection member 145 presses the fixing ring 143 beyond the reference value to expand it, even if the pressing force of the fire detection member 145 is removed, the fixing ring 143 will not contract to its original shape. can

In other words, when the fixing ring 143 is compressed with a pressing force greater than or equal to the reference value, there is a risk of losing the contracting and restoring force of the fixing ring 143 when left for a long time, and accordingly, the fire extinguishing device 100 may not operate smoothly. Through the structure of the spacer 141a, the fire detection member 145 can be limited to provide a pressing force to the extent that the fixing ring 143 can be caught and fixed to the locking jaw 125, and accordingly, the fixing ring ( 143) can be prevented.

Referring to FIG. 4B , when the fire detection member 145 is heated to a predetermined temperature, the fire detection member 145 has a radial rim shape with the center fitting hole 145a as a center toward the nut member 147 side. It can be restored to its original shape by turning downward. At the same time, as the pressing force of the fire detection member 145 pressing the fixing ring 143 is released, the fixing ring 143 is contracted to release the engagement of the locking jaw 125 . Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 4C , the inlet 121 may be opened while the sealing member 131 and the fire extinguishing operation unit 140 are separated to the outside of the discharge port 123 .

The fire extinguishing device 100 for a battery module according to the present invention having the above configuration may be installed in the battery module 1 (see FIG. 1) such as an energy storage system, and a sealing member ( 131) blocks the inlet 121 to prevent the extinguishing agent from leaking to the outside (refer to FIG. 4a).

And when a fire occurs, the shape of the fire detection member 145 formed of a shape memory alloy material is restored and deformed, and the pressing force that presses the sealing member 131 is removed, and the inlet 121 is opened (see FIG. 4b ), and the pouch It is possible to quickly discharge the extinguishing agent stored in the main body 110 through the discharge port 123 (see FIG. 4c). Accordingly, the fire can be effectively extinguished at an early stage.

In the above, the present invention has been illustrated and described with reference to specific specific embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications are possible without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , the fire extinguishing device 200 for a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention is a fixed body 220 fixed to the discharge hole 211 of the pouch body 210 . An inlet 221 communicating with the outlet hole 211 is provided on one side, and the sealing member 230 blocking the inlet 221 and sealing the inlet 221 is provided on the other side of the fixed body 220 so as to slide along the axial direction. A coupling hole 222 may be provided.

And the outer peripheral surface of the fixed body 220 is provided with a screw thread, and a plurality of discharge ports 223 are formed through the coupling hole 222 to communicate with the inlet 221 when the sealing member 230 is separated from the inside. can be

In addition, on the outer peripheral surface of the other side of the fixed body 220, a nut member 243 is provided so that the fire detection member 241 constituting the fire extinguishing operation unit 240 can press and fix the sealing member 230 toward the inlet 221 side. can be screwed together.

Referring to FIG. 7A , a locking protrusion 243a may be provided inside the nut member 243 to wrap and fix the outer periphery of the fire detection member 241 formed in a ring (washer) shape.

In addition, an injection hole 245 communicating with the discharge port 223 may be provided on the outer periphery of the nut member 243 .

When the fire detection member 241 is heated to a predetermined temperature in the event of a fire, the fire extinguishing operation unit 240 of this structure restores the fire detection member 241 to its original shape and the locking of the locking jaw 243a is released. can be (see FIG. 7b). Accordingly, the pressing force pressing the sealing member 230 is removed, the inlet 221 is opened, and the extinguishing agent stored in the pouch body 110 is discharged to the outside through the discharge port 223 and the injection port 245. can extinguish the fire.

1: battery module 100: fire extinguishing device
110: pouch body S: accommodation space
111: discharge hole 120: fixed body part
121: inlet 123: outlet
125: locking jaw 127: spray nozzle
127a: injection hole 130: sealing part
131: sealing member 140: fire extinguishing operation part
141: pressing member 142: fastening rod
141a: spacer 143: fixing ring
145: fire detection member 145a: fitting hole
147: nut member

Claims (8)

a pouch body provided with an accommodating space for storing extinguishing agents therein, and having at least one discharge hole on one surface;
a fixed body portion formed of a synthetic resin material so as to be integrally fixed and installed in the discharge hole through thermal fusion, and having an inlet and an outlet;
a sealing part provided with a sealing member movably coupled to the discharge port in an axial direction so as to seal the inlet; and
The sealing member is pressurized toward the inlet to seal it, and when a fire occurs, the pressing force is released by the fire detection member that is restored to its original shape by a change in temperature, and as the inlet is opened, the extinguishing agent is discharged through the outlet to the outside. A fire extinguishing operation unit that releases to
The fire extinguishing unit,
a pressing member disposed so that one surface abuts the sealing member, the other surface is formed to protrude along the axial direction of the discharge port and is provided with a fastening rod having a screw thread formed on an outer circumferential surface;
a fixing ring disposed on the edge of the other surface of the pressing member;
The fire detection member is fitted to the fastening rod and formed of a shape memory alloy material; and
When screwing the fastening rod, the fire detection member presses the sealing member to seal the inlet, and the fire detection member presses and expands the fixing ring so that the fixing ring is a locking protrusion on the inner circumferential surface of the discharge port. Including; and a nut member for fixing the position of the pressing member in the outlet by being caught in the
The fixing ring is formed of a synthetic resin or rubber material so that it can be expanded or contracted depending on whether the fire detection member is pressed,
When the fire detection member is heated to a predetermined temperature in the event of a fire, the radial rim shape around the fitting hole in the center of the fire detection member is turned downward toward the nut member and at the same time, the pressing force of the fixing ring is removed. As the locking of the locking jaw is released, the sealing member and the fire extinguishing operation part are separated to the outside of the discharge port, and the inlet is opened,
A fire extinguishing device for a battery module comprising a spacer provided on the other surface of the pressing member to limit the degree to which the fire detection member presses the fixing ring when the nut member is screwed together.
delete According to claim 1,
The inner diameter of the outlet is,
A fire extinguishing device for a battery module that is formed to be larger than the inner diameter of the inlet.
delete delete According to claim 1,
The edge of the fire detection member in contact with the fixing ring,
A fire extinguishing device for a battery module that is formed to be round or inclined at a predetermined angle.
delete According to claim 1,
At the inlet,
A fire extinguishing device for a battery module further comprising a coupled;

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