Battery Cell Fire Extinguishing Lattice for Thermal Runaway
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Solution Overview
Problem
Secondary batteries are prone to thermal runaway, leading to uncontrolled fires due to internal temperature rises exceeding 1000°C, with existing methods failing to effectively extinguish the fires and contain the thermal and electrochemical energy discharge.
Innovation Solution
A fire extinguishing structure comprising a lattice structure formed by cross-fastened first and second support members, with integrated fire extinguishing patches, which are manufactured using inexpensive materials like polymer resin and release paper to minimize waste and cost, ensuring stable deployment on battery cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fire extinguishing methods are used, then fire suppression is attempted, but they fail to effectively extinguish fires and contain thermal and electrochemical energy discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The fire extinguishing structure is divided into multiple independent support members (first and second support members) that are cross-fastened to form a lattice structure. This segmentation allows the structure to be deployed across multiple battery cells simultaneously, providing localized fire suppression at each cell while containing thermal energy discharge across the entire battery pack.
Solution Approach 2:
Fire extinguishing patches are pre-installed on the support members before deployment. When thermal runaway occurs, the structure is already in position to immediately suppress the fire, eliminating the delay associated with conventional fire detection and response systems. The patches are pre-positioned to contact battery cells the moment thermal runaway begins.
2Reliability
If complex fire suppression systems are implemented, then fire safety is improved, but manufacturing costs and structural complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support members serve dual functions: they provide structural support for the battery pack and simultaneously carry fire extinguishing patches. This merging of support and fire suppression functions eliminates the need for separate fire suppression infrastructure, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effective fire safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The fire extinguishing patches are self-activating when thermal runaway occurs, requiring no external power source, control system, or manual activation. The patches automatically contact the burning battery cell and suppress the fire through their inherent chemical properties, eliminating the need for complex electronic controls, sensors, or actuators.
3Reliability
If expensive fire suppression materials are used, then fire extinguishing performance is improved, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fire extinguishing patches are designed as disposable, single-use components made from cost-effective materials. Each patch is intended to be used once during thermal runaway events and then discarded, eliminating the need for expensive, reusable fire suppression systems. The patches can be manufactured at low cost and replaced if necessary, making the overall system economically viable.
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 structure effectively extinguishes fires on battery cells by deploying fire extinguishing media at the point of ignition, reducing manufacturing costs and enhancing fire safety without additional holders or injectors.
Implementation Method 1
configured to extinguish a fire by using a fire extinguishing medium secreted from the fire extinguishing patch in response to heat attributable to the fire
Data Source
AI summary
A fire extinguishing structure on a plurality of battery cells, the fire extinguishing structure configured to extinguish a fire when the fire occurs in at least one of the plurality of battery cells, the fire extinguishing structure including a plurality of first support members, a plurality of second support members cross-fastened to the plurality of first support members, the plurality of first support members and the plurality of second support members together defining a lattice structure, and a fire extinguishing patch included on at least one of the plurality of first support members or the plurality of second support members.