Battery Module Fire-Extinguishing Unit Triggered by Cell Swelling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery modules with fire-extinguishing units require separate sensing devices and complex manufacturing processes, which can lead to reduced safety and energy density.
Innovation Solution
A battery module with a fire-extinguishing unit that includes a piezoelectric element and a breaking unit made of electroactive polymer, which can detect swelling or gas generation in battery cells and trigger the release of fire-extinguishing material without the need for additional sensing devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate sensing devices and connection circuits are used to detect battery swelling and trigger fire-extinguishing material release, then fire safety can be achieved, but device complexity increases and energy density decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The piezoelectric element is integrated directly into the battery cell structure, merging the sensing function with the battery cell itself. This eliminates the need for separate sensing devices and connection circuits, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining fire safety through direct detection of battery swelling.
Solution Approach 2:
The piezoelectric element serves multiple functions: it acts as both the battery cell component and the pressure sensing device, and also functions as the actuator that triggers the fire-extinguishing material release. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed in the system.
2Reliability
If separate sensing devices and connection circuits are used to detect battery swelling, then fire safety can be achieved, but manufacturing process becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the piezoelectric element directly into the battery cell during the manufacturing process, the system eliminates the need for separate assembly steps for installing sensing devices and connection circuits. This simplifies the manufacturing process while maintaining the ability to detect battery swelling and trigger fire safety mechanisms.
3Reliability
If additional devices and space for fixing separate devices are provided, then fire detection capability is improved, but energy density is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The piezoelectric element is integrated within the battery cell structure itself, eliminating the need for additional external devices and their mounting spaces. This integration maintains fire detection capability while preserving battery module space for active materials, thereby maintaining energy density.
4Measurement precision
If piezoelectric sensor and connection circuit are used, then pressure sensing is achieved, but system reliability decreases due to potential circuit damage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the electrical connection components (connection circuits and BMS) from the system by using the piezoelectric element's direct mechanical-to-electrical conversion capability. The piezoelectric element generates electrical signals directly from mechanical stress, eliminating the need for separate connection circuits that could be damaged, thereby improving system reliability while maintaining pressure sensing capability.
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 enhances safety by allowing for sensitive response to battery cell changes and improves energy density by simplifying the manufacturing process and eliminating the need for additional devices.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric sensor 30 interposed between the battery cells 10. When the volume of the battery cells 10 increases due to swelling thereof, the piezoelectric sensor senses pressure
Implementation Method 2
a breaking unit interposed between the respective battery cell and the fire-extinguishing pack
Data Source
AI summary
A battery module having a fire-extinguisher, and more particularly to a battery module having a fire-extinguisher, the battery module including a plurality of battery cells stacked in a vertical direction or a horizontal direction and a fire-extinguisher located adjacent to each of the battery cells, wherein the fire-extinguisher includes a fire-extinguishing pack containing a tire-extinguishing material, a piezoelectric element interposed between the battery cell and the fire-extinguishing pack, and at least one breaking unit interposed between the battery cell and the fire-extinguishing pack.