Battery Cushioning Member With Insulating Gaps for Thermal Runaway
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery-cushioning members, such as those described in Patent Document 1, suffer from inadequate thermal insulation due to deformation of thermally conductive rubber layers, leading to excessive heat transfer between battery cells and potential thermal runaway.
Innovation Solution
A battery-cushioning member comprising a sheet-shaped heat insulator with integrally formed elastic bodies on both surfaces, creating partial spaces to maintain insulation and accommodate cell expansion, thereby reducing heat transfer and preventing thermal runaway.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a metallic plate member with a thermally conductive rubber layer is used, then structural support is provided, but thermal insulation between battery cells deteriorates due to deformation of the rubber layer upon cell expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from thermally conductive rubber to heat-insulating elastomer, fundamentally altering the thermal conductivity property while maintaining elasticity. This resolves the contradiction by providing both structural support through elasticity and reliable thermal insulation through the inherent insulating properties of the elastomer material
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining heat-insulating elastomer with thermally conductive filler particles or fibers in specific configurations. This creates a composite structure that provides both mechanical strength for structural support and controlled thermal insulation, preventing heat transfer while accommodating cell expansion
2Temperature
If the thermally conductive rubber layer is made to contact the battery cell, then thermal management is improved, but thermal insulation deteriorates when the cell expands and deforms the rubber layer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the thermal management approach by using heat-insulating elastomer instead of thermally conductive material. The elastic bodies make contact with the battery cell to provide mechanical cushioning and accommodation of expansion, while the heat-insulating properties prevent thermal runaway, achieving thermal management through insulation rather than conduction
3Force
If the space between the thermally conductive rubber layer and battery cell is reduced due to deformation, then contact pressure increases, but thermal insulation significantly degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from thermally conductive rubber to heat-insulating elastomer, so that even when the space is reduced due to deformation, the thermal insulation is maintained because the elastomer material itself has low thermal conductivity. This resolves the contradiction by making thermal insulation independent of the contact pressure and spacing conditions
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 effectively enhances thermal insulation and ventilation, suppressing battery cell expansion and preventing thermal runaway by maintaining consistent insulation and ventilation passages despite cell expansion.
Implementation Method 1
The battery-cushioning member reduces expansion and retraction of the battery cells upon charge and discharge, and prevents thermal runaway of the battery cells by reducing heat conduction between adjacent battery cells
Implementation Method 2
The battery-cushioning member reduces expansion and retraction of the battery cells upon charge and discharge
Data Source
AI summary
A battery-cushioning member disposed between a first rigid body and a second rigid body includes a sheet-shaped heat insulation member with a first surface and a second surface facing in a direction opposite to that of the first surface. At least one first elastic body is disposed on the first surface and formed integrally with the heat insulation member. The at least one first elastic body creates a partial space between the first surface and the first rigid body. Preferably, the battery-cushioning member further includes at least one second elastic body disposed on the second surface and formed integrally with the heat insulation member. The at least one second elastic body creates a partial space between the second surface and the second rigid body.