Battery Cell Extinguishing Sheet to Impede Fire Propagation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Energy storage modules, particularly those used in electric vehicles, face challenges in safety due to the risk of fires, which can propagate easily between adjacent battery cells, making it difficult to extinguish once a fire occurs.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an extinguishing sheet made of flame retardant, nonflammable, or insulating materials inside the battery cell case, which can impede the propagation of fire, and is designed to be inserted between the electrode assemblies or stacked to face the electrode plates and separators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple battery cells are stored in trays and racks to increase capacity and output, then energy storage capability is improved, but fire propagation risk between adjacent cells increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces fire barriers that segment the battery storage system into isolated compartments. These fire barriers are positioned between adjacent battery cells or groups of cells, creating physical separations that prevent fire from spreading from one cell to another while allowing the system to maintain high capacity through increased quantity of cells.
Solution Approach 2:
The fire barriers act as intermediary elements between battery cells. These barriers serve as mediating structures that physically separate adjacent cells, blocking fire propagation pathways while allowing the overall system to maintain high energy storage capacity through increased cell density in isolated sections.
2Reliability
If fire barriers are added between battery cells to prevent fire propagation, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs thin fire barrier films or sheets that can be easily positioned between battery cells. These thin film barriers provide effective fire separation without adding significant structural complexity or bulk to the battery assembly, maintaining simplicity while improving safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The fire barriers may utilize porous materials that provide fire resistance while maintaining flexibility and ease of integration. These porous structures can be easily inserted between cells without requiring complex assembly procedures, thus improving fire safety while minimizing increases in device complexity.
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 implementation of the extinguishing sheet significantly reduces the risk of fire within the battery cell and minimizes the propagation of fire between adjacent cells, thereby enhancing the safety of energy storage modules.
Implementation Method 1
an extinguishing sheet inside the case and configured to impede propagation of fire... The extinguishing sheet may include at least one of a flame retardant, a nonflammable, or an insulating material
Implementation Method 2
The extinguishing sheet may include at least one of a flame retardant, a nonflammable, or an insulating material
Data Source
AI summary
A battery cell includes: an electrode assembly including a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, and a separator between the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate; a case accommodating the electrode assembly; a cap plate sealing an opening in the case; an electrode terminal electrically connected to the electrode assembly and protruding outside of the cap plate; and an extinguishing sheet inside the case and configured to impede propagation of fire.