Battery Pack Fire Suppression With Layered Flame Barriers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery apparatuses require a significant amount of time to extinguish fires initiated by inappropriate handling of battery cells, and there is a need for faster fire suppression mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a fire-extinguishing agent with a fire-suppressing effect and a flame-resistant member with a higher limiting oxygen index than the atmosphere, housed within a resin casing, where the fire-extinguishing agent is interposed between the battery cells and the casing, and the flame-resistant member is interposed between the fire-extinguishing agent and the casing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fireproofing members that swell in the event of burning are used, then the fire can be contained within the battery pack, but a significant amount of time is needed until the fire is extinguished
Solution Approach 1:
The patent places fire-extinguishing agents in direct contact with or close proximity to the battery cells before any fire occurs. These agents are pre-positioned in the spaces between cells and along cell ends, so that when ignition occurs, the extinguishing action begins immediately without requiring time for material deployment or swelling, thus resolving the contradiction between containment reliability and extinguishment speed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces fire-extinguishing agents as intermediary substances between the battery cells and the external environment. These agents (such as halogenated hydrocarbons, fluorinated compounds, or metal halides) act as mediators that directly interfere with the combustion process by releasing fire-suppressing gases or forming protective layers, enabling rapid fire extinction while maintaining containment
2Loss of time
If fire-extinguishing agent is placed between battery cells and casing, then rapid fire extinguishment is achieved, but the agent may be depleted if flames break through
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the fire protection system into multiple segmented components: fire-extinguishing agents positioned at specific locations (between cells, along ends), flame-resistant members at strategic positions, and the casing as the final barrier. This segmentation ensures that if one layer (the extinguishing agent) is depleted or breached, other segments (flame-resistant members and casing) remain to provide continued protection, thus maintaining suppression completeness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs multiple layers of fire protection as a form of beforehand cushioning. The flame-resistant members are pre-positioned between the fire-extinguishing agents and the casing, and the casing itself is designed with fire resistance. This multi-layer cushioning ensures that even if the primary extinguishing agent is consumed, secondary barriers are already in place to prevent flames from reaching the casing, thereby maintaining reliable fire suppression
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 enables rapid extinguishment of fires and prevents flames from reaching the casing by utilizing the fire-extinguishing agent's suppressive effect and the flame-resistant member's blocking capability, even if flames breach the agent.
Implementation Method 1
a fire-extinguishing agent, which includes a component that provides a fire-suppressing effect
Implementation Method 2
a flame-resistant member, whose limiting oxygen index is higher than the oxygen concentration in the atmosphere
Data Source
AI summary
A battery apparatus may include: one or more battery cells; a fire-extinguishing agent, which includes a component, chemical or composition that has a combustion inhibiting or suppressing effect; a flame-resistant member having a limiting oxygen index that is higher than the oxygen concentration in the atmosphere; and a casing, which is made of a polymer and houses the battery cell(s), the fire-extinguishing agent, and the flame-resistant member. The fire-extinguishing agent may be interposed between the battery cell(s) and the casing. The flame-resistant member may be interposed between the fire-extinguishing agent and the casing.