WO2022130321A1 - Vehicle battery safety system - Google Patents
Vehicle battery safety system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2022130321A1 WO2022130321A1 PCT/IB2021/061930 IB2021061930W WO2022130321A1 WO 2022130321 A1 WO2022130321 A1 WO 2022130321A1 IB 2021061930 W IB2021061930 W IB 2021061930W WO 2022130321 A1 WO2022130321 A1 WO 2022130321A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- configuration
- safety
- fluid
- fact
- switch element
- Prior art date
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Classifications
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
- H02J7/00—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
- H02J7/0029—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries with safety or protection devices or circuits
- H02J7/0031—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries with safety or protection devices or circuits using battery or load disconnect circuits
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H1/00—Contacts
- H01H1/12—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage
- H01H1/36—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage by sliding
- H01H1/365—Bridging contacts
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H3/00—Mechanisms for operating contacts
- H01H3/22—Power arrangements internal to the switch for operating the driving mechanism
- H01H3/24—Power arrangements internal to the switch for operating the driving mechanism using pneumatic or hydraulic actuator
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H9/00—Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00
- H01H9/16—Indicators for switching condition, e.g. "on" or "off"
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
- H02J2310/00—The network for supplying or distributing electric power characterised by its spatial reach or by the load
- H02J2310/40—The network being an on-board power network, i.e. within a vehicle
- H02J2310/48—The network being an on-board power network, i.e. within a vehicle for electric vehicles [EV] or hybrid vehicles [HEV]
Abstract
The safety system (1) for batteries comprising at least one battery pack (3) electrically connected to at least one user point (2) to be electrically powered and provided with at least one accumulator element (3) configured to accumulate an electrical charge to supply the user point (2), wherein it comprises safety means (4) positioned, in use, between the accumulator element (3) and the user point (2) and provided with at least one switch element (4) movable between a configuration of use, wherein it is electrically closed, thus allowing power to be supplied to the user point (2), and a configuration of safety, wherein it is electrically open, thus preventing power to the user point (2).
Description
VEHICLE BATTERY SAFETY SYSTEM
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a safety system for batteries.
Background Art
Several safety systems for batteries are known which are used to insulate the battery from the application using it in case of need.
In fact, especially for applications using high-voltage batteries, such as e.g. those used to power electric vehicles, the need to insulate the battery from the vehicle is well known, for example following a vehicle shutdown, a malfunction or a road accident.
In fact, if the battery was not insulated, the accumulated charge might be accidentally released, transferred to surrounding metals and/or metal sheets, risking electrocuting those who come into contact with it, or discharged in a few fractions of a second, causing, e.g., explosions and fires.
Therefore, the safety systems of known type do employ switch elements, such as fuses, power contactors (relays) or pyrotechnic fuses, which forcibly interrupt the battery’s connection to the outside world if necessary, thus securing the entire system.
These systems do however have some drawbacks.
In particular, the fuses come into action, by opening the circuit, when they are crossed by a current with a higher value than a critical threshold value. However, this current does not always occur in situations where it is required to insulate the battery, thus preventing the fuse from tripping and consequently securing the system.
Again, the power relays are subjected to the phenomenon of “sticking”, i.e. a partial fusion of the opening/closing contacts which are welded together due to the high currents flowing through the relay.
Pyrotechnic fuses, on the other hand, prove to be particularly risky, since the explosion of a small charge inside the battery could ignite fires and/or explosions.
In addition, pyrotechnic fuses require periodic replacement, such as e.g. charges
that actuate airbags, to ensure the operation thereof.
In addition, known safety systems are electronically controlled by appropriate control logics which use an electrical command signal to trigger the switches and insulate the battery. However, in the event of a failure of these logics or of the electrical system that connects it to the switches, the battery remains connected, thus jeopardizing the effectiveness of the safety systems.
These drawbacks make the use of known safety systems particularly inconvenient, risky and expensive.
Description of the Invention
The main aim of the present invention is to devise a safety system for batteries which allows the battery to be insulated easily, safely and quickly.
Another object of the present invention is to devise a safety system for batteries which can be operated in a purely mechanical manner without the use of electricity.
An additional object of the present invention is to devise a safety system for batteries which allows safely verifying the state of the battery, i.e., whether the battery has been insulated.
A further object of the present invention is to devise a safety system for batteries which allows the system itself to be operated according to various actuation procedures, in a practical, simple and fast manner.
Another object of the present invention is to devise a safety system for batteries which allows the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art to be overcome in the ambit of a simple, rational, easy and effective to use as well as affordable solution.
The aforementioned objects are achieved by the present safety system for batteries having the characteristics of claim 1.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a safety system for batteries, illustrated by way of an indicative, yet non-limiting example, in the accompanying tables of drawings wherein:
Figure 1 is a schematic view of the battery pack of the system according to the invention;
Figure 2 is a schematic view of the switch element of the system according to the invention in the configuration of use;
Figure 3 is a schematic view of the switch element of the system according to the invention in the configuration of safety;
Figure 4 is a schematic view of the system according to the invention;
Figures 5, 6, and 7 are schematic views of a further embodiment of the system components shown in Figures 2, 3, and 4, respectively.
Embodiments of the Invention
With particular reference to these figures, reference numeral 1 globally relates to a safety system for batteries.
The safety system 1 for batteries comprises at least one battery pack 3, 5, 17 electrically connected to at least one user point 2 to be electrically powered and provided with at least one accumulator element 3 configured to accumulate an electrical charge to supply the user point 2.
By the term “accumulator element” is meant any device or group of devices configured to accumulate an electrical charge used to power one or more user points, i.e., any system or group of systems whose operation requires a power supply.
Advantageously, the system 1 comprises safety means 23 positioned, in use, between the accumulator element 3 and the user point 2 and provided with at least one switch element 4 movable between a configuration of use, wherein it is electrically closed, thus allowing power to be supplied to the user point 2, and a configuration of safety, wherein it is electrically open, thus preventing the user point 2 from being powered.
In particular, in the configuration of safety, the battery pack 3, 5, 17 is insulated from the user point 2, i.e., the charge accumulated by the accumulator element 3 is confined inside the battery pack 3, 5, 17 and is inaccessible from the outside. Preferably, the battery pack 3, 5, 17 comprises an enclosure 5 containing at least the accumulator element 3 and the switch element 4, so as to define a battery, as
shown in Figure 1.
Furthermore, preferably, the battery pack 3, 5, 17 comprises the switch element 4.
Conveniently, the battery pack 3, 5, 17 and the safety means 23 are built in a single body piece to define an individual battery to electrically power the user point 2.
Conveniently, the system 1 comprises fluid- operated movement means 13, 18, 19, 20, 22, 46 which are operatively connected to the switch element 4 and adapted to move the switch element 4 in a fluid- operated manner between the configuration of use and the configuration of safety due to the circulation of a pressurized working fluid.
Preferably, the working fluid is of the type of a gas.
In addition, the working fluid is of the type of an inert gas.
Further embodiments of the system 1 cannot however be ruled out wherein the working fluid be of the type of a liquid, such as e.g. oil or other suitable fluids to keep the system safe in case of leakage or otherwise.
In particular, the switch element 4 comprises at least one pair of fixed conductive bodies 6 and at least one movable conductive body 7 positioned in contact with the fixed conductive bodies 6, electrically connecting them, in the configuration of use, and arranged away from at least one of the fixed conductive bodies 6, electrically disconnecting them, in the configuration of safety.
Preferably, the switch element 4 comprises at least one electrically insulating body 8 positioned between the pair of fixed conductive bodies 6 and adapted to electrically insulate the latter from each other.
In this way, in the configuration of use, the fixed conductive bodies 6 are electrically connected to each other by interposition of the movable conductive body 7, closing the supply line/circuit between the accumulator element 3 and the user point 2, which, consequently, is electrically supplied.
On the contrary, in the configuration of safety, the movable conductive body 7 is moved away from at least one of the two fixed conductive bodies 6, which
remain electrically insulated from each other by interposition of the electrically insulating body 8.
In more detail, the switch element 4 defines at least one housing channel 9 connected to the fluid- operated movement means 13, 18, 19, 20, 22, 46 in a fluid- operated manner and inside which the movable conductive body 7 is arranged movable in a sliding manner.
In addition, the fluid- operated movement means 13, 18, 19, 20, 22, 46 are adapted to move the movable conductive body 7 between the configuration of use and the configuration of safety due to the circulation of the working fluid inside the housing channel 9 to.
Preferably, the fixed conductive bodies 6 define the ends 10 of the housing channel 9.
In addition, the electrically insulating body 8 defines an intermediate stretch 11 of the housing channel 9 positioned between the ends 10, electrically insulating them from each other.
Advantageously, the movable conductive body 7 is provided with a conductive body 12 of substantially greater length than the length of the intermediate stretch 11.
In fact, in the configuration of use, the conductive body 12 is arranged at the point where the intermediate stretch 11 is located and extends by at least a predefined length at the ends 10, so as to simultaneously contact the fixed conductive bodies 6, electrically connecting them to each other, as shown in Figure 2.
Preferably, the length of the conductive body 12 is substantially less than the sum of the lengths of the intermediate stretch 11 and of one of the ends 10.
In this way, in the configuration of safety, the conductive body 12 is arranged at one of the ends 10, confined to contact at most one of the fixed conductive bodies 6.
Conveniently, the movable conductive body 7 comprises at least one gasket element 14 arranged, in use, between the conductive body 12 and the walls of the housing channel 9.
In this way, the gasket element 14 hermetically seals at least one section of the housing channel 9, defining an expansion chamber of the working fluid. Therefore, the pressurized working fluid introduced inside the housing channel 9 expands inside the expansion chamber and pushes the movable conductive body 7, by moving it between the configuration of use and the configuration of safety.
Conveniently, the switch element 4 comprises at least one indicator body 15 mechanically coupled to the movable conductive body 7.
In particular, the indicator body 15 is exposed visible in at least one of either the configuration of use or the configuration of safety and adapted to signal the configuration of the switch element 4.
Preferably, the switch element 4 defines at least one access 16 to the housing channel 17 through which the indicator body 15 is visible.
In addition, preferably, the access 16 is made at one of the fixed conductive bodies 6. Specifically, the access 16 is made at one of the ends 10, as shown in Figure 3.
Advantageously, the movable conductive body 7 operates on the indicator body 15, by moving the latter during the passage between the configuration of use and the configuration of safety.
In particular, the indicator body 15 is arranged movable in a sliding manner through the access 16. Thus, in the configuration of safety, the indicator body 15 protrudes outside the housing channel 9 through the access 16, signaling that the switch element 4 is in the configuration of safety.
Conversely, in the configuration of use, the indicator body 15 is hidden from view or protrudes outside the housing channel 9 through the access 16 by a shorter length than in the previous configuration, signaling that the switch element is in the configuration of use.
Conveniently, the switch element 4 comprises signaling means 26, which are configured to emit at least one state signal indicative of the configuration in which the same switch element 4 is positioned.
Preferably, the signaling means 26 are of the type of an electronic device for the
detection of the position of the movable conductive body 7.
Suitably, the battery pack 3, 5, 17 comprises a pair of poles 17 connecting to the user point 2.
In addition, the accumulator element 3 is electrically connected placed between the poles 17.
In particular, the switch element 4 is placed between the accumulator element 3 and one of the poles 17.
In this way, in the configuration of use, the accumulator element 3 is electrically connected to the poles 17 and supplies the user point 2.
Conversely, in the configuration of safety, the accumulator element 3 is electrically disconnected from one of the poles 17 by interposition of the switch element 4.
Advantageously, the battery pack 3, 5, 17 comprises a plurality of accumulator elements 3; the safety means 23 comprise a plurality of switch elements 4; a plurality of accumulator elements 3 are electrically connected to each other in series; each of the switch elements 4 is electrically connected in series to at least one of the accumulator elements 3.
In particular, one or more accumulator elements 3 connected in series are electrically connected in series positioned between two switch elements 4, as shown in Figure 1.
Preferably, each accumulator element 3 is placed between two switch elements 4.
In this way, in the configuration of safety, one or more accumulator elements 3 are insulated from the others.
This solution disconnects the accumulator elements 3. Therefore, even in the event of, in the configuration of safety, one or more switch elements 4 do not come into operation, the electrical charge potentially released by the battery pack 3, 5, 17 would still be significantly reduced and not dangerous.
Usefully, the fluid- operated movement means 13, 18, 19, 20, 22, 46 are
connected to each of the switch elements 4 in a fluid- operated manner.
In this way, each of the switch elements 4 is moved between the configuration of use and the configuration of safety independently of the others.
According to the embodiment of the system 1 shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4, the fluid- operated movement means 13, 18, 19, 20, 22, 46 comprise a supply line 13 which is connected in a fluid- operated manner to the housing channel 9 and adapted to introduce the working fluid inside the latter, preferably inside the expansion chamber.
Preferably, the supply line 13 is connected to the switch element 4 at one of the ends 10, preferably the one opposite the end 10 on which the access 16 is obtained.
In particular, in this embodiment, the fluid- operated movement means 13, 18, 19, 20, 22, 46 move the switch element 4 from the configuration of use to the configuration of safety.
Advantageously, the fluid- operated movement means 13, 18, 19, 20, 22, 46 comprise a plurality of supply lines 13, each connected to a respective switch element 4 in a fluid- operated manner for the actuation thereof.
Conveniently, the switch element 4 defines at least one inlet 28 to the housing channel 9 and comprises at least one resetting body 25 coupled to the movable conductive body 7 through the inlet 28.
In particular, the resetting body 25 is movable in a sliding manner through the inlet 28 to move the movable conductive body 7 between the configuration of use and the configuration of safety.
In particular, the resetting body 25 is accessible from the outside of the switch element 4.
In addition, the resetting body 25 is manually operable by an operator to move the movable conductive body 7 between the configuration of use and the configuration of safety.
In particular, the movable conductive body 7 operates on the resetting body 25, by moving the latter towards the outside of the housing channel 9 during the passage from the configuration of use to the configuration of safety.
Therefore, on the contrary, the resetting body 25 is movable, preferably by means of an operator’s job, towards the inside of the housing channel 9 and operates on the movable conductive body 7 to move the latter from the configuration of safety to the configuration of use.
In this way, the accumulator element 3 supplies the user point 2 and the switch element 2 is reset to trigger again when needed.
According to this embodiment, the resetting body 25 coincides with the indicator body 15 and the access 16 coincides with the inlet 28.
Preferably, in this embodiment, the signaling means 26 are of the type of an electronic device for detecting the position of the movable conductive body 7 and/or of the movable conductive body 7.
In particular, when the resetting body 25 is moved towards the outside of the housing channel 9 by the movable conductive body 7, the signaling means 26 emit a signal indicating that the switch element 4 is in the configuration of safety.
More in detail, when the resetting body 25 is moved towards the inside of the housing channel 9, the signaling means 26 signal that the switch element 4 is in the configuration of use.
13, 18, 19, 20, 22, 4613, 18, 19, 20, 22, 46Advantageously, the fluid- operated movement means 13, 18, 19, 20, 22, 46 comprise drive means 18, 19, 20, 22 of the safety means 23 provided with: at least one dispensing assembly 18 of the working fluid connected in a fluid- operated manner to the safety means 23 to move the switch element 4 between the configuration of use and the configuration of safety; at least one drive assembly 19, 20, 22 of the dispensing assembly 18 configured to allow/prevent the dispensing of the working fluid in the configuration of safety and the configuration of use, respectively.
In particular, the dispensing assembly 18 is adapted to dispense the working fluid inside the housing channel 9.
Preferably, the dispensing assembly 18 is connected to the safety means 23 in a fluid- operated manner by interposition of at least one supply line 13.
Advantageously, the dispensing assembly 18 comprises a valve element 27 operable by the drive assembly 19, 20, 22 for dispensing the working fluid.
Furthermore, the dispensing assembly 18 comprises at least one check valve element 24 adapted to allow the working fluid to flow only from the dispensing assembly 18 to the safety means 23 and not vice versa.
Advantageously, the drive assembly 19, 20, 22 comprises a mechanical drive element 19 usable by a user to mechanically drive the dispensing assembly 18.
In particular, the mechanical drive element 19 is of the type of a mechanical actuating body, such as e.g. a lever, button, ring, or the like, usable to mechanically operate the fluid- operated movement means 13, 18, 19, 20, 22, 46 manually.
Preferably, the mechanical drive element 19 is fully mechanical and fully manual, i.e., without
Conveniently, the drive assembly 19, 20, 22 comprises electronic drive means 20 configured to electronically drive the dispensing assembly 18 following the receipt of an electronic control signal.
In particular, the electronic drive means 20 are configured to receive an electronic drive command/signal to drive the safety means 23.
Preferably, the electronic drive command/signal is sent by a signaling device, not shown in the figures, such as e.g. a sensor device, a control unit or the like, configured to command the drive of the safety means 23 when needed, such as in an emergency.
Advantageously, the drive assembly 19, 20, 22 comprises a connector element 22 coupled in a removable manner to at least one source 21 of the working fluid.
In particular, when the source 21 is coupled to the connector element 22, the latter is adapted to deliver gas to drive the safety means.
Conveniently, the system 1 comprises the source 21 which preferably is in the form of a container adapted to house the pressurized working fluid.
In addition, the source 21 and the connector element 22 are provided with respective portions of interaction, not shown in the figures, adapted to allow for
the dispensing of the working fluid when the source 21 and the connector element 22 are coupled together.
Conveniently, the fluid- operated movement means 13, 18, 19, 20, 22, 46 comprise a plurality of dispensing assemblies 18 connected in parallel to each other in a fluid- operated manner.
In addition, the supply lines 13 are connected in parallel to each other in a fluid- operated manner.
In addition, the parallel connection of the dispensing assemblies 18 and the parallel connection of the supply lines 13 are connected in series with each other in a fluid- operated manner.
In this way, the drive of any of the dispensing assemblies 18 causes each switch element 4 to move from the configuration of use to the configuration of safety. According to the embodiment of the system 1 shown in the figures, the fluid- operated movement means 13, 18, 19, 20, 22, 46 comprise three drive means 18, 19, 20, 22, wherein the first drive means comprise the mechanical drive element 19, the second drive means comprise electronic drive means 20, and the third drive means comprise the connector element 22, as shown in Figure 4.
Further embodiments of the system 1 cannot however be ruled out wherein the system 1 comprises any number and combination of dispensing assemblies 18 such as those described above.
According to the embodiment of the system 1 shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7: the switch element 4 is maintained in the configuration of use due to the pressurized working fluid; the switch element 4 comprises at least one elastically deformable body 29 operating on the movable conductive body 7; the elastically deformable body 29 is elastically loaded in the configuration of use, tending to move the switch element 4 in the configuration of safety, and is elastically unloaded in the configuration of safety, tending to maintain the switch element 4 in the configuration of safety.
Preferably, the switch element 4 comprises at least one fixed abutment portion 30, with respect to which the movable conductive body 7 is movable, and the
elastically deformable body 29 is placed between the abutment portion 30 and the movable conductive body 7.
According to a special, but not exclusive, embodiment of the system 1, the movable conductive body 7 comprises the indicator body 15, which comprises at least one stop portion 31, arranged outside the housing channel 9. In this way, the elastically deformable body 29 is placed between the stop portion 31 and the abutment portion 30. Furthermore, the switch element 4 comprises at least one gasket body 47 placed between the walls of the access 16 and the indicator body 15. In this way, the working fluid is prevented from exiting the housing channel from the access 16.
According to this embodiment, the fluid- operated movement means 13, 18, 19, 20, 22, 46 comprise at least one work assembly 46 comprising: at least one work line 32 connected to the safety means 23 in a fluid- operated manner for the circulation of the working fluid; sealing means 33, connected to the work line 32 in a fluid- operated manner and configured to hold the pressurized working fluid inside the same work line and to maintain the switch element 4 in the configuration of use.
Preferably, one or more of the characteristics described with reference to the supply line 13 of the preceding embodiment are also intended to apply to the work line 32.
In particular, the work line 32 is connected to the housing channel 9 in a fluid- operated manner and is adapted to introduce the working fluid inside the latter.
In more detail, the work line 32 is connected to the expansion chamber in a fluid- operated manner to introduce the working fluid into it and to allow the movement of the switch element 4 from the configuration of safety to the configuration of use and/or to maintain such configuration.
In this way, as long as the working fluid is maintained pressurized inside the work line 32, the switch element 4 remains in the configuration of use.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, the switch element 4 defines at least one compensation opening 48 communicating with the housing channel 9 and made substantially opposite the fluid- operated connecting point of the housing
channel 9 with the work line 32.
In this way, the compensation opening 48 allows the movement of the movable conductive body 7 inside the housing channel 9.
Conveniently, the access port 48 is made opposite
Advantageously, the work assembly 46 comprises a plurality of work lines 32, each connected to a respective switch element 4 in a fluid- operated manner for the drive thereof.
Preferably, the work lines 32 are connected to each other in parallel in a fluid- operated manner.
In particular, a failure/damage/breakage of the fluid- operated movement means 13, 18, 19, 20, 22, 46 and/or any failure/damage/breakage which causes the working fluid to leak from the work line 32, e.g. due to an impact suffered by the system, cause the switch element 4 to move to the configuration of safety.
This expedient is particularly important when the system is mounted on a vehicle, in particular on an electric vehicle. In fact, in this case, a strong impact of the vehicle would cause the working fluid to leak from the work line 32, automatically moving the switch element 4 to the configuration of safety.
Conveniently, the work assembly 46 comprises dispensing means 35 of the working fluid which are connected to the work line 32 in a fluid- operated manner and adapted to dispense the pressurized working fluid inside the work line itself to move the switch element from the configuration of safety to the configuration of use.
Preferably, the dispensing means 35 comprise a connecting element 36 which can be coupled in a removable manner to at least one dispensing device 37 of the working fluid.
In particular, the dispensing means 35 operate in conjunction with the dispensing device 21 to allow the latter to introduce the pressurized working fluid inside the work line 32.
Advantageously, the sealing means 33 retain the fluid inside the work line 32 and maintain the switch element 4 in the configuration of use.
In other words, the dispensing means 35 substantially allow the switch element
4 to be set up.
Preferably, the sealing means 33 comprise at least one check valve device 34 adapted to allow the working fluid to flow only from the dispensing means 35 to the safety means 23 and not vice versa.
Conveniently, the work assembly 46 comprises release means 38, connected to the work line 32 in a fluid-operated manner and adapted to release the pressurized working fluid outside the work line 32.
Preferably, the release means 38 define at least one opening 39 of the work line 32, connected to the outside in a fluid- operated manner to allow the working fluid to leak from the work line 32.
Advantageously, the release means 38 comprise at least one valve member 40 made at the opening 39 and operable to allo w/pre vent the leakage of the working fluid from the opening 39.
Preferably, the valve member 40 is fully mechanical.
In particular, the elastically deformable body 29 moves the switch element 4 from the configuration of use to the configuration of safety when the working fluid is released to the outside of the work line 32.
Usefully, the work assembly 46 comprises activation means 41, 42, 43 of the release means 38 comprising at least one of: at least one manual mechanical activation element 41, operable by a user to mechanically drive the release means 38; at least one automatic mechanical activation element 42, configured to drive the release means 38 mechanically and automatically as a result of a mechanical stress, such as e.g. an impact, experienced by the system 1; electronic activation means 43, configured to drive the release means 38 as a result of the receipt of an electronic control signal.
In this way, the manual mechanical activation element 41 allows the working fluid to exit the work line 32 in a substantially fully mechanical manner, preferably without the use of any electronic components.
This allows, e.g., a maintenance technician to move the switch element 4 to the configuration of safety easily, safely and quickly by means of a mechanical
intervention.
In this way, the manual mechanical activation element 41 allows preventing accidents due to failure to move the switch element 4 to the configuration of safety due to any electronic malfunction of the system 1.
In particular, the release means 38, for example by means of the manual mechanical activation element 41, allow the user of the system 1 to eject the working fluid from the work line 32, so as to easily move the device 4 from the configuration of use to the configuration of safety, for example to perform maintenance/control/repair operations of the system and/or of the apparatus/machine mounting the system itself. The dispensing means 35, on the other hand, allow the working fluid to be re-introduced inside the work line 32, so as to move the switch element 4 again from the configuration of safety to the configuration of use. In fact, when the working fluid is introduced inside the work line 32, the sealing means 33 retain it inside the work line 32, maintaining the device 4 in the configuration of use.
This configuration is maintained until the working fluid is ejected from the work line again, e.g. due to the manual mechanical activation element 41, the automatic mechanical activation element 42 and/or the electronic activation means 43 which activate the release means 38 and/or due to a break in the work assembly 46 causing the working fluid to leak.
Advantageously, the automatic mechanical activation element 42 is of the type of a mechanical inertial valve or the like.
Preferably, the automatic mechanical activation element 42 coincides with at least one valve member 40.
According to the invention, the release means 38 define a plurality of openings and comprise a valve member 40 for each opening 39.
Furthermore, the activation means 41, 42, 43 comprise at least one of the manual mechanical activation element 41, the automatic mechanical activation element 42 and the electronic activation means 43 for each of the valve members 40.
Conveniently, the dispensing means 35, the release means 38 and the sealing
means allow the switch element 4 to be moved between the configuration of use and the configuration of safety as desired.
Conveniently, the work assembly 46 comprises signaling means 44, 45 configured to signal the release of the working fluid outside the work line 32 and provided with at least one of: at least one audible signaling element 44 configured to emit a sound as a result of the working fluid escaping the work line 32; at least one pressure sensor 45 configured to detect the working fluid pressure inside the work line 32.
Usefully, the signaling element 44 emits a sound when the working fluid exits the work line 32.
In particular, the signaling element 44 is placed at the opening 39 and is therefore crossed by the working fluid flowing out of the work line 32 from the same.
Preferably, the signaling element 44 is a fully mechanical component, such as e.g. a whistle, adapted to emit a sound when crossed by a fluid such as the working fluid.
Preferably, the signaling element 44 is of the type of a whistle body.
In particular, the signaling element 44 is connected to the release means 38 in a fluid- operated manner.
Preferably, the pressure sensor 45 is of the type of a pressure gauge.
Further embodiments of the system 1 cannot be ruled out resulting from the combination of one or more of the characteristics of the embodiments of the system itself described above.
It has in practice been ascertained that the described invention achieves the intended objects.
In particular, the fact is emphasized that the fluid-operated movement means enable the activation of the safety means and the insulation of the accumulator element(s) in a simple, safe and quick manner.
In addition, the indicator body allows safely checking the state of the system, i.e. whether the battery pack is insulated.
Furthermore, the possibility of using a plurality of fluid-operated movement means allows the system itself to be actuated according to different operating procedures, in a practical, simple and fast manner.
Claims
1) Safety system (1) for batteries comprising at least one battery pack (3, 5, 17) electrically connected to at least one user point (2) to be electrically powered and provided with at least one accumulator element (3) configured to accumulate an electrical charge to supply the user point (2), characterized by the fact that it comprises safety means (23) positioned, in use, between said accumulator element (3) and the user point (2) and provided with at least one switch element (4) movable between a configuration of use, wherein it is electrically closed, thus allowing power to be supplied to the user point (2), and a configuration of safety, wherein it is electrically open, thus preventing power to the user point (2).
2) System (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it comprises fluid- operated movement means (13, 18, 19, 20, 22, 46) operatively connected to said switch element (4) and adapted to move said switch element (4) in a fluid- operated manner between said configuration of use and said configuration of safety due to the circulation of a pressurized working fluid.
3) System (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said switch element (4) comprises at least one pair of fixed conductive bodies (6) and at least one movable conductive body (7) interposed in contact with said fixed conductive bodies (6), electrically connecting them, in said configuration of use, and arranged away from at least one of said fixed conductive bodies (6), electrically disconnecting them, in said configuration of safety.
4) System (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said switch element (4) defines at least one housing channel (9) connected to said fluid- operated movement means (13, 18, 19, 20, 22, 46) in a fluid- operated manner and inside which said movable conductive body (7) is arranged movable sliding, said fluid- operated movement means (13, 18, 19, 20, 22, 46) being adapted to move said movable conductive body (7) between said configuration of use and said configuration of safety due to the circulation of the working fluid inside said housing channel (9).
5) System (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said switch element (4) comprises at least one indicator body (15) mechanically coupled to said movable conductive body (7), said indicator body (15) being exposed visible in at least one of either the configuration of use or the configuration of safety and adapted to signal the configuration of said switch element (4).
6) System (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said switch element (4) defines at least one inlet (28) to said housing channel (9) and comprises at least one resetting body (25) coupled to said movable conductive body (7) through said inlet (28), said resetting body (25) being movable sliding through said inlet (28) to move said movable conductive body (7) between said configuration of use and said configuration of safety.
7) System (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said fluid- operated movement means (13, 18, 19, 20, 22, 46) comprise drive means (18, 19, 20, 22) of said safety means (23) provided with: at least one dispensing assembly (18) of the working fluid which is connected in a fluid-operated manner to said safety means (23) to move said switch element (4) between said configuration of use and said configuration of safety; at least one drive assembly (19, 20, 22) of said dispensing assembly (18) configured to allow/prevent the dispensing of said working fluid in said configuration of safety and said configuration of use, respectively.
8) System (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said drive assembly (19, 20, 22) comprises a mechanical drive element (19) usable by a user to mechanically drive said dispensing assembly (18).
9) System (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said drive assembly (19, 20, 22) comprises electronic drive means (20) configured to electronically drive said dispensing assembly (18) as a result of the receipt of an electronic control signal.
10) System (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said drive assembly (19, 20, 22) comprises a connector element (22) coupleable in a removable manner to at least one source (21) of said working fluid.
11) System (1) according to one or more of claims 1 to 6, characterized by the fact that: said switch element (4) is maintained in said configuration of use due to the pressurized working fluid; said switch element (4) comprises at least one elastically deformable body (29) operating on said movable conductive body (7); said elastically deformable body (29) is elastically loaded in said configuration of use, tending to move said switch element (4) to said configuration of safety, and being elastically unloaded in said configuration of safety, tending to maintain said switch element (4) in said configuration of safety.
12) System (1) according to claim 11, characterized by the fact that said movement means (13, 18, 19, 20, 22, 46) comprise at least one work assembly (46) comprising: at least one work line (32) connected to said safety means (23) in a fluid- operated manner for the circulation of the working fluid; sealing means (33), connected to said work line (32) in a fluid- operated manner and configured to hold the pressurized working fluid inside the same work line and to maintain said switch (4) in said configuration of use.
13) System (1) according to one or more of claims 11 to 12, characterized by the fact that said work assembly (46) comprises dispensing means (35) of the working fluid which are connected to said work line (32) in a fluid- operated manner and adapted to dispense the pressurized working fluid inside the work line itself to move said switch element (4) from said configuration of safety to said configuration of use.
14) System (1) according to one or more of claims 11 to 13, characterized by the fact that said work assembly (46) comprises release means (38), connected to
21 said work line (32) in a fluid- operated manner and adapted to release the pressurized working fluid outside said work line (32), said elastically deformable body (29) moving said switch element (4) from said configuration of use to said configuration of safety when the working fluid is released outside said work line (32).
15) System (1) according to one or more of claims 11 to 14, characterized by the fact that said work assembly (46) comprises signaling means (44, 45) configured to signal the release of the working fluid outside said work line (32) and provided with: at least one audible signaling element (44) configured to emit a sound as a result of the working fluid escaping said work line (32); at least one pressure sensor (45) configured to detect the working fluid pressure inside said work line (32).
16) System (1) according to one or more of claims 11 to 15, characterized by the fact that said work assembly (46) comprises activation means (41, 42, 43) of said release means (38) comprising at least one of: at least one manual mechanical activation element (41), usable by a user to mechanically drive said release means (38); at least one automatic mechanical activation element (42), configured to drive said release means (38) mechanically and automatically as a result of a mechanical stress experienced by the system (1); electronic activation means (43), configured to drive said release means (38) as a result of the receipt of an electronic control signal.
17) System (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that: said battery pack (3, 5, 17) comprises a plurality of said accumulator elements (3); said safety means (23) comprise a plurality of switch elements (4); a plurality of said accumulator elements (3) are electrically connected to each other in series; each of said switch elements (4) is electrically connected in series to at least
22 one of said accumulator elements (3).
18) System (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said fluid- operated movement means (13, 18, 19, 20, 22, 46) are connected to each of said switch elements (4) in a fluid- operated manner. 19) System (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said battery pack (3, 5, 17) and said safety means (23) are built in a single body piece to define an individual battery to electrically power the user point (2).
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP21840682.5A EP4264773A1 (en) | 2020-12-17 | 2021-12-17 | Vehicle battery safety system |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| IT202000031310 | 2020-12-17 | ||
| IT102020000031310 | 2020-12-17 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| WO2022130321A1 true WO2022130321A1 (en) | 2022-06-23 |
Family
ID=74875057
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IB2021/061930 WO2022130321A1 (en) | 2020-12-17 | 2021-12-17 | Vehicle battery safety system |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP4264773A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2022130321A1 (en) |
Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPH04149922A (en) * | 1990-10-12 | 1992-05-22 | Mitsubishi Electric Corp | Sf6 gas filling load-switch with gas leak detector |
| JP2000086182A (en) * | 1998-09-17 | 2000-03-28 | Aichi Corp | Remote control type power supply control device |
| DE10227748A1 (en) * | 2002-06-21 | 2004-04-22 | Schäfer, Winfried, Dipl.-Ing. | Safety system for switching current off in motor vehicle in crash has power switch directly on battery that interrupts circuit in vehicle, fixed conducting track, contact movable by piston in housing |
| DE102009043571B3 (en) * | 2009-09-30 | 2011-02-17 | Festo Ag & Co. Kg | Fluid-electrical device, has switching device consisting of electrical operatable switch arrangement that is switched in supply line between energy storage and electrical consumer and controllable by electrical switch |
| DE102017011040A1 (en) * | 2017-11-29 | 2019-05-29 | Iie Gmbh & Co. Kg | Electrical system |
-
2021
- 2021-12-17 EP EP21840682.5A patent/EP4264773A1/en active Pending
- 2021-12-17 WO PCT/IB2021/061930 patent/WO2022130321A1/en unknown
Patent Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPH04149922A (en) * | 1990-10-12 | 1992-05-22 | Mitsubishi Electric Corp | Sf6 gas filling load-switch with gas leak detector |
| JP2000086182A (en) * | 1998-09-17 | 2000-03-28 | Aichi Corp | Remote control type power supply control device |
| DE10227748A1 (en) * | 2002-06-21 | 2004-04-22 | Schäfer, Winfried, Dipl.-Ing. | Safety system for switching current off in motor vehicle in crash has power switch directly on battery that interrupts circuit in vehicle, fixed conducting track, contact movable by piston in housing |
| DE102009043571B3 (en) * | 2009-09-30 | 2011-02-17 | Festo Ag & Co. Kg | Fluid-electrical device, has switching device consisting of electrical operatable switch arrangement that is switched in supply line between energy storage and electrical consumer and controllable by electrical switch |
| DE102017011040A1 (en) * | 2017-11-29 | 2019-05-29 | Iie Gmbh & Co. Kg | Electrical system |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP4264773A1 (en) | 2023-10-25 |
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