Battery Cooling Slopes for Fire Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery systems in hybrid or electric vehicles face challenges in effectively extinguishing fires due to hot, toxic, and flammable fluids emitted during overheating, which can lead to uncontrolled fires spreading within the vehicle compartment, and existing quick access systems may leave hot zones that risk re-igniting fires.
Innovation Solution
A battery system with distribution slopes on the top of the compartment that directs water flow from an external supply point evenly over all electrochemical cells, including heat-activated holes and water retention rims, ensuring comprehensive cooling and preventing re-ignition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If water is supplied to the battery compartment through existing quick access systems, then firefighters can access the compartment to cool the batteries, but certain hot zones may remain that risk causing re-ignition
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution slopes are designed to create localized water flow paths that specifically target different areas of the battery compartment. The slopes ensure water reaches not only the entry point but also distributes evenly across all battery surfaces, including previously inaccessible hot zones, thereby eliminating local temperature variations and preventing re-ignition
2Strength
If batteries are installed under the vehicle floor surrounded by reinforcing elements, then they are protected during impacts, but access for firefighters to spray water is generally difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution slopes act as an intermediary structure between the water supply and the batteries. This intermediary system receives water at the compartment entrance and uses gravitational flow along the slopes to deliver cooling water deep into the compartment, bypassing the need for firefighters to physically access the batteries behind reinforcing elements
3Device complexity
If conventional water supply systems are used without distribution slopes, then the system is simple, but water flow may not reach all cells uniformly leaving hot zones
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution slopes utilize curved or inclined surfaces that guide water flow naturally along the battery surfaces. This curvature design ensures water follows the contours of the battery arrangement, achieving uniform coverage across all cells including those farthest from the water inlet, without requiring complex pumping or distribution mechanisms
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
This solution ensures efficient cooling of all battery cells, including those farthest from the water inlet, thereby preventing re-ignition and providing a simple, economical means to extinguish fires effectively.
Implementation Method 1
distribution slopes on the top of the compartment ensuring distribution of the water coming from the supply point over all the cells
Implementation Method 2
the water supply orifice is fitted with a heat-fusible seal
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a battery system for a hybrid or electric vehicle, comprising electrochemical cells (22) arranged in a closed compartment (20), said system being designed so as to receive a flow of water from an external supply point (10) in order to cool the cells in the event of heating or fire, characterised in that it comprises slopes (24) situated above the compartment, which ensure the distribution of the water from the supply point (10) to all of the cells (22).