Battery assembly for preventing thermal runway
The battery assembly with a cooling unit using non-conductive aqueous material and superabsorbent resin addresses thermal runaway by maintaining cell temperature and blocking heat transfer, effectively preventing explosions in adjacent cells.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- NEUROMEKA
- Filing Date
- 2025-10-22
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-15
AI Technical Summary
Thermal runaway in battery cells can occur rapidly due to heat transfer from an ignited cell to adjacent cells, leading to explosions, and there is a need to slow down or block this process until firefighting support can be provided.
A battery assembly with a battery cooling unit filled between cells, composed of a non-conductive aqueous material and superabsorbent resin, which utilizes latent heat to maintain temperature and prevent heat transfer, thereby preventing thermal runaway.
The battery cooling unit effectively maintains cell temperature below 100 degrees Celsius, blocks heat transfer from external temperature changes, and prevents overheating or freezing, thus preventing thermal runaway and electrolysis.
Smart Images
Figure KR2025016798_15052026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
Battery assembly for preventing thermal runaway
[0001] The present invention relates to a battery assembly for preventing thermal runaway, and more specifically, to a battery assembly for preventing thermal runaway that minimizes heat transfer to adjacent battery cells when a fire occurs in at least one of a plurality of battery cells.
[0002] Batteries are broadly classified into primary batteries, which are used once, and secondary batteries, which undergo repeated charging and discharging cycles. Generally, secondary batteries are widely used in electronic devices where portability is emphasized, such as smartphones.
[0003] Recently, the automotive industry has seen an increase in the production of automobiles using secondary batteries as an energy source in order to improve environmental pollution caused by by-products such as soot resulting from the reaction of fossil fuels in internal combustion engines, moving away from the production of automobiles using internal combustion engines that use fossil fuels as an energy source.
[0004] Vehicles using such secondary batteries are broadly classified into pure battery vehicles (BEV; Battery Electric Vehicle - hereinafter referred to as 'electric vehicles') and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV; Plug in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) that are equipped with small-capacity secondary batteries and use an internal combustion engine together.
[0005] In addition, AGVs (Autonomous Guided Vehicles) and AMRs (Autonomous Mobile Robots) that transport logistics through autonomous driving in the logistics industry are equipped with secondary batteries, just like electric vehicles, and drive using electric energy provided from the secondary batteries.
[0006] Lithium iron phosphate batteries (LFP) or lithium-ion batteries (NCM, NCA, etc.) are used in electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles, and autonomous robots as described above. Specifically, the secondary battery consists of multiple battery packs containing multiple battery cells.
[0007] Meanwhile, when a fire occurs in at least one of the multiple battery cells contained in the battery pack, heat transfer to adjacent battery cells may occur, leading to an explosion, that is, a thermal runaway corresponding to the successive explosion of multiple battery cells.
[0008] However, the progression time of thermal runaway due to heat transfer from multiple battery cells is very rapid, so there is an increasing need to slow down or block the speed of thermal runaway until firefighting equipment or fire departments can provide firefighting support.
[0009] The objective of the present invention is to provide a battery assembly for preventing thermal runaway with an improved structure that can prevent thermal runaway of adjacent battery cells when a fire occurs in at least one of a plurality of battery cells.
[0010] The means for solving the above problem is, according to the present invention, a plurality of battery cells, a battery pack that accommodates the plurality of battery cells electrically connected and protects the plurality of battery cells from the outside, and a battery cooling unit that is filled in the gap between the plurality of battery cells inside the battery pack and is mixed with a non-conductive water-based material and a superabsorbent resin; the battery cooling unit is filled having a gel shape and is formed by a thermal runaway prevention battery assembly that prevents thermal runaway of adjacent other battery cells by utilizing latent heat when a fire occurs in at least one of the plurality of battery cells.
[0011] Here, the battery cooling unit can maintain the temperature inside the battery pack at 100 degrees or less by utilizing the latent heat of evaporation of the non-conductive aqueous material.
[0012] The battery cooling unit described above can be filled into the gap between a plurality of battery cells to protect the plurality of battery cells from external temperature changes.
[0013] The battery cooling unit can prevent overheating of the multiple battery cells by blocking heat transfer between the rise in external temperature and the multiple battery cells when the external temperature rises above a certain level.
[0014] The battery cooling unit can prevent freezing of multiple battery cells by blocking heat transfer between the external negative temperature drop and multiple battery cells when the external temperature drops to a negative temperature below a certain level.
[0015] The above battery cooling unit can prevent electrolysis and corrosion of a plurality of the battery cells.
[0016] The battery cooling unit can prevent thermal runaway by providing a flame retardant function in the gap between other battery cells when a fire occurs in at least one of the plurality of battery cells.
[0017] The battery cooling unit can be created by filling a single superabsorbent resin into the gaps between a plurality of battery cells and then impregnating the non-conductive aqueous material.
[0018] The battery cooling unit can be created by filling a plurality of the battery cell gaps with a plurality of the superabsorbent resins and then impregnating the non-conductive aqueous material.
[0019] The battery cooling unit may have a filling amount of 2210% to 50% relative to the weight of a plurality of battery cells.
[0020] The battery cooling unit may have a filling amount of 22% to 28% relative to the weight of a plurality of battery cells.
[0021] Specific details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and drawings.
[0022] The effects of the battery assembly for preventing thermal runaway according to the present invention are as follows.
[0023] First, by filling the gaps between multiple battery cells housed in a battery pack with a battery cooling section mixed with a non-conductive aqueous material and a superabsorbent resin, the latent heat of vaporization of the non-conductive aqueous material can be utilized to minimize and prevent heat transfer from the ignited battery cell to an adjacent battery cell in the event of a fire in the battery cell, thereby preventing thermal runaway.
[0024] Second, the battery cooling unit filled in the gap between multiple battery cells accommodated in the battery pack blocks the external temperature environment from the battery cells, thereby blocking heat transfer due to external temperature changes and maintaining the performance of the battery cells.
[0025] FIG. 1 is a first configuration diagram of a battery assembly for preventing thermal runaway according to an embodiment of the present invention,
[0026] FIG. 2 is a second configuration diagram of a battery assembly for preventing thermal runaway according to an embodiment of the present invention,
[0027] FIG. 3 is a graph showing the temperature trend of a plurality of battery cells according to the operation of the battery assembly for preventing thermal runaway shown in FIG. 1 and 2,
[0028] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a battery assembly for preventing thermal runaway to conduct a thermal runaway experiment,
[0029] FIG. 5 is a plan view of a battery assembly for preventing thermal runaway shown in FIG. 4,
[0030] Figure 6 is a table of test results comparing the control group and the experimental group of the battery assembly for preventing thermal runaway according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0031] Hereinafter, a battery assembly for preventing thermal runaway according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.
[0032] Before proceeding with the explanation, it should be noted that the experiment was conducted by dividing into a control group and an experimental group to demonstrate the excellent functional effects of the battery assembly for preventing thermal runaway according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0033] FIG. 1 is a first configuration diagram of a battery assembly for preventing thermal runaway according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a second configuration diagram of a battery assembly for preventing thermal runaway according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a graph showing the temperature trend of a plurality of battery cells according to the operation of the battery assembly for preventing thermal runaway shown in FIG. 1 and 2.
[0034] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, a battery assembly (1) for preventing thermal runaway according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a battery cell (10), a battery pack (50), and a battery cooling unit (70). Additionally, a battery assembly (1) for preventing thermal runaway according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes an electrode connection unit (30).
[0035] A plurality of battery cells (10) are used. Although the battery cells (10) are illustrated as cylindrical battery cells (10) as an embodiment of the present invention, they are not limited thereto and may be prismatic or pouch-type cells. The battery cells (10) charge electrical energy supplied from an external power source and discharge to supply electrical energy to a driving means, such as a motor not illustrated.
[0036] The electrode connecting portion (30) electrically connects a plurality of battery cells (10) to each other. The electrode connecting portion (30) interconnects the electrodes of the plurality of battery cells (10) so that the electrical energy of the plurality of battery cells (10) is interconnected.
[0037] The battery pack (50) accommodates a plurality of battery cells (10) that are electrically connected by electrode connection portions (30). The battery pack (50) protects the plurality of battery cells (10) accommodated inside from the outside. For example, when the battery pack (50) is mounted on an electric vehicle or an autonomous driving robot, it protects the plurality of battery cells (10) from external shocks that occur during driving and prevents foreign substances from the external environment from adhering to the plurality of battery cells (10). The battery pack (50) substantially protects the battery cells (10) from external environmental variables to prevent fires in the battery cells (10) caused by external shocks and the adhesion of foreign substances.
[0038] The battery cooling section (70) is filled into the gap between multiple battery cells (10) contained within the battery pack (50) by mixing a non-conductive aqueous material and a super absorbent resin. Specifically, the battery cooling section (70) has a gel shape of a mixture of a non-conductive aqueous material and a super absorbent resin and is filled into the gap between multiple battery cells (10). Here, the non-conductive aqueous material constituting the battery cooling section (70) is composed of non-electrical deionized water and ethylene glycol, etc., and the super absorbent resin (SAP; Super Absolbent Polymer) is an uncrosslinked polymer electrolyte and has the characteristic of trapping and retaining liquid in the crosslink.
[0039] As illustrated in FIG. 1 as an embodiment of the present invention, the battery cooling unit (70) can be configured by filling a battery pack (50) with a single superabsorbent resin and then impregnating it with a non-conductive water-based material. On the other hand, as illustrated in FIG. 2 as an embodiment of the present invention, the battery cooling unit (70) can be configured by filling a battery pack (50) with a plurality of superabsorbent resins and then impregnating it with a non-conductive water-based material.
[0040] The battery cooling unit (70) maintains the temperature inside the battery pack (50) at 100 degrees or less by utilizing the latent heat of evaporation of a non-conductive aqueous material. Specifically, as illustrated in the graph of FIG. 3, a plurality of battery cells (10) are maintained at 100 degrees or less by the battery cooling unit (70), that is, by minimizing heat transfer to prevent thermal runaway. A detailed explanation regarding this will be provided below with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6.
[0041] Meanwhile, the battery cooling unit (70) according to an embodiment of the present invention is filled into the gap between a plurality of battery cells (10) to protect the plurality of battery cells (10) from external temperature changes. For example, the battery cooling unit (70) of the present invention protects the plurality of battery cells (10) from external temperature changes as follows.
[0042] First, when the external temperature remains high, for example, above 35 degrees Celsius in summer, the battery cooling unit (70) prevents overheating of the multiple battery cells (10) by blocking the external temperature rise and heat transfer between the multiple battery cells (10). The gel-shaped battery cooling unit (70) of the present invention, which is a mixture of a non-conductive aqueous material and a superabsorbent resin, provides the effect of blocking the external temperature and the battery cells (10) to prevent overheating of the battery cells (10).
[0043] Second, when the external temperature is low, for example, when a negative temperature below a certain level in winter persists, the battery cooling unit (70) blocks heat transfer between the external negative temperature drop and the multiple battery cells (10) to prevent freezing of the multiple battery cells (10). That is, as described above, the gel-shaped battery cooling unit (70) in which the non-conductive water-based material and the superabsorbent resin of the present invention are mixed provides the effect of blocking the external temperature and the battery cells (10) to prevent overheating of the battery cells (10).
[0044] Next, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a battery assembly for preventing thermal runaway to conduct a thermal runaway test, FIG. 5 is a plan view of the battery assembly for preventing thermal runaway shown in FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 is a table of test results comparing a control group and an experimental group of a battery assembly for preventing thermal runaway according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0045] As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, a battery assembly (1) for preventing thermal runaway according to an embodiment of the present invention was verified.
[0046] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, nine battery cells (10) were configured into a battery pack (50), and the nine battery cells (10) were numbered from 1 to 9. Then, a heating unit (H) was placed on the first battery cell (10) to provide heat similar to that of an actual fire, and the temperatures of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th batteries adjacent to the first battery cell (10), and the 5th battery cell (10) at the longest distance from the first battery cell (10), were detected and experimentally verified.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 6, the experimental subjects were divided into control groups 1 and 2 and experimental groups 1 and 2 so that they could be compared and verified with the battery assembly (1) for preventing thermal runaway according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0048] Control group 1 is in a state where no special material is added to the gap between multiple battery cells (10), and control group 2 is in a state where multiple battery cells (10) are immersed in coolant.
[0049] And experimental groups 1 and 2 are filled with a battery cooling unit (70) according to one embodiment of the present invention, and are configured such that the weight of the battery cooling unit (70) corresponds to a ratio of 22% and 28% of the total weight of the battery cell (10), respectively. In practice, the battery cooling unit (70) may have a weight of 10% to 50% of the total weight of the battery cell (10). However, as described above, it is preferable for the battery cooling unit (70) to have a weight of 22% to 28% of the total weight of the battery cell (10) as this satisfies both cost and efficiency aspects.
[0050] Control group 1, control group 2, experimental group 1, and experimental group 2 were conducted in a standard environment with a temperature of 25 to 30 degrees Celsius and a humidity of around 50%, and the test time was set to about 10 minutes.
[0051] Control group 1 was set to a test time of about 10 minutes, but in reality, it was terminated after about 5 minutes. As shown in the graph of the temperature trend, after about 5 minutes, the temperature of control group 1 rose to over 100 degrees Celsius, and as shown in the test termination photo, a thermal runaway phenomenon occurred, resulting in damage to multiple battery cells (10) and no voltage was detected.
[0052] In control group 2, no thermal runaway occurred during the test time of approximately 10 minutes.
[0053] In experimental group 1, at about 2 minutes and 41 seconds during a test time of about 10 minutes, the battery cell (10) connected to the heating unit (H) exploded thermally, but the adjacent battery cell (10) did not experience significant heat transfer, so no thermal runaway phenomenon occurred.
[0054] Experimental group 2 did not experience thermal runaway during a test period of about 10 minutes.
[0055] In fact, as shown in FIG. 6, the thermal runaway phenomenon did not occur in the control group 2, which was immersed in cooling water, and in the battery assembly (1) for preventing thermal runaway, which was filled with the battery cooling unit (70) according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0056] However, when multiple battery cells (10) of control group 2 are immersed in coolant, there is a problem that although thermal runaway does not occur, voltage is lost due to electrode loss.
[0057] The battery cooling unit (70) of the battery assembly (1) for preventing thermal runaway according to an embodiment of the present invention prevents thermal runaway by providing a flame-retardant function in the gap between other battery cells (10) when a fire occurs in at least one of the plurality of battery cells (10). In addition, as shown in experimental results, it is effectively preferable for the battery cooling unit (70) to have a filling amount of 22% to 28% relative to the weight of the plurality of battery cells (10).
[0058] Accordingly, by filling the gaps between multiple battery cells contained in a battery pack with a battery cooling section mixed with a non-conductive aqueous material and a superabsorbent resin, the latent heat of evaporation of the non-conductive aqueous material is utilized to minimize and prevent heat transfer from the ignited battery cell to an adjacent battery cell in the event of a fire in the battery cell, thereby preventing thermal runaway.
[0059] In addition, the battery cooling unit filled in the gap between multiple battery cells accommodated in the battery pack blocks the external temperature environment from the battery cells, thereby blocking heat transfer due to external temperature changes and maintaining the performance of the battery cells.
[0060] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the attached drawings, those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention may be implemented in other specific forms without altering the technical concept or essential features thereof. Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims set forth below rather than by the detailed description above, and all modifications or variations derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalents should be interpreted as being included within the scope of the present invention.
[0061] [National R&D projects that supported this invention]
[0062] [Unique Project ID] 2420010564, [Project Number] 00509076, [Ministry] Ministry of SMEs and Startups, [Research Management Agency] Korea Technology Information Promotion Agency for SMEs, [Research Project Name] SME Technology Innovation Development Project (Market Responsive Type), [Research Task Title] Safety Battery System for Eco-friendly Mobility Application, [Executing Agency] Neuromeca Co., Ltd., [Research Period] 2024.10.01 ~ 2026.09.30
Claims
1. Multiple battery cells and; A battery pack that accommodates a plurality of electrically connected battery cells and protects the plurality of battery cells from the outside; It includes a battery cooling section filled in the gap between a plurality of battery cells inside the battery pack, and comprising a mixture of a non-conductive aqueous material and a superabsorbent resin; A battery assembly for preventing thermal runaway, wherein the battery cooling portion is filled with a gel shape and utilizes latent heat to prevent thermal runaway of adjacent battery cells when a fire occurs in at least one of the plurality of battery cells.
2. In Paragraph 1, A battery assembly for preventing thermal runaway, characterized in that the battery cooling unit maintains the temperature inside the battery pack at 100 degrees or less by utilizing the latent heat of evaporation of the non-conductive aqueous material.
3. In Paragraph 1, A battery assembly for preventing thermal runaway, characterized in that the battery cooling unit is filled into the gap between a plurality of battery cells to protect the plurality of battery cells from external temperature changes.
4. In Paragraph 3, A battery assembly for preventing thermal runaway, characterized in that the battery cooling unit blocks heat transfer between the rise in external temperature and the plurality of battery cells when the external temperature rises above a certain level, thereby preventing overheating of the plurality of battery cells.
5. In Paragraph 3, A battery assembly for preventing thermal runaway, characterized in that the battery cooling unit prevents the freezing of multiple battery cells by blocking heat transfer between the external negative temperature drop and multiple battery cells when the external temperature drops to a negative temperature below a certain level.
6. In Paragraph 1, A battery assembly for preventing thermal runaway, characterized in that the battery cooling unit prevents electrolysis and corrosion of a plurality of the battery cells.
7. In Paragraph 1, A battery assembly for preventing thermal runaway, characterized in that the battery cooling unit provides a flame-retardant function in the gap between other battery cells to prevent thermal runaway when a fire occurs in at least one of the plurality of battery cells.
8. In Paragraph 1, A battery assembly for preventing thermal runaway, characterized in that the battery cooling unit is formed by filling a single superabsorbent resin into the gaps between a plurality of battery cells and then impregnating it with a non-conductive aqueous material.
9. In Paragraph 1, A battery assembly for preventing thermal runaway, characterized in that the battery cooling unit is formed by filling a plurality of the battery cell gaps with a plurality of the superabsorbent resins and then impregnating the non-conductive aqueous material.
10. In Paragraph 1, A battery assembly for preventing thermal runaway, characterized in that the battery cooling unit has a filling amount of -10% to 50% relative to the weight of a plurality of battery cells.
11. In Paragraph 10, A battery assembly for preventing thermal runaway, characterized in that the battery cooling unit has a filling amount of 22% to 28% relative to the weight of a plurality of battery cells.