Aerogel Insulation Sheet Structure for Battery Heat and Dust Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-capacity secondary batteries, such as lithium-ion batteries, face thermal runaway issues due to overheating, which can affect adjacent cells, necessitating effective thermal insulation between cells while maintaining mechanical strength and preventing dust generation during manufacturing and use.

Innovation Solution

A battery insulation sheet comprising a substrate with an aerogel layer that includes a fibrous support, aerogel, and a functional material with a binder and dispersant, where the aerogel layer's thickness and fibrous support diameter ratio is controlled to achieve excellent heat insulation and compressive properties, and the manufacturing process minimizes dust generation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a plate or insulating resin plate is disposed between cells to electrically and thermally insulate adjacent cells, then thermal insulation between cells is improved, but mechanical strength and dusting property deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal insulationVSAvoidmechanical strength
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite structure consisting of a substrate and an aerogel layer. The substrate provides mechanical strength while the aerogel layer provides thermal insulation. This composite material approach resolves the contradiction by combining materials with complementary properties - the substrate handles mechanical loads while the aerogel handles thermal insulation, achieving both requirements simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs aerogel, a highly porous material with exceptional thermal insulation properties. The porous structure of aerogel creates numerous air pockets that impede heat transfer, providing superior thermal insulation. When combined with the substrate, this porous material achieves thermal insulation without compromising the overall mechanical strength of the insulating sheet.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

2Temperature

If aerogel is used for thermal insulation, then heat insulation property is improved, but dust generation during manufacturing and use worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat insulation propertyVSAvoiddust generation
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a substrate as a flexible support structure that holds the aerogel in place. This substrate acts as a containment structure preventing the aerogel from breaking into dust particles during manufacturing and use. The aerogel is integrated with the substrate in a way that maintains its structural integrity while preserving its thermal insulation properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Temperature

If aerogel layer thickness is increased to improve thermal insulation, then heat insulation property is improved, but compressive property deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat insulation propertyVSAvoidcompressive property
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The composite structure of substrate and aerogel layer allows optimization of both thermal insulation and compressive properties. The substrate provides structural support and compressive strength, while the aerogel layer provides thermal insulation. This division of functional responsibilities enables the system to achieve good thermal insulation without sacrificing compressive property, even at optimized thicknesses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the thickness of the aerogel layer to achieve the right balance between thermal insulation and compressive property. By carefully controlling this parameter, the design achieves sufficient thermal insulation while maintaining adequate compressive strength for battery module applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides a battery insulation sheet with enhanced heat insulation and compressive properties, reduces manufacturing costs, and prevents dust generation, thereby improving safety and durability in battery modules by effectively controlling heat transfer and withstanding explosion-induced pressure.

Implementation Method 1

a battery insulation sheet including a substrate, and an aerogel layer on the substrate... excellent or suitable heat insulation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP4446298A1Battery insulation sheet and manufacturing method thereof
Publication Date: 2024.10.16 SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD
  • EP4446298A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4446298A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4446298A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A battery insulation sheet includes a substrate, and an aerogel layer on the substrate, wherein the aerogel layer includes a fibrous support; an aerogel; and a functional material including a binder, a dispersant, or a combination thereof, and satisfies Formula 1 below: 50≤A≤100,000,A=Ti/Ds, wherein, in Formula 1, Ti denotes a thickness of the aerogel layer, and Ds denotes an average diameter of the fibrous support.