Battery Housing Foam Neutralization for Sulfur Dioxide Electrolyte Leaks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery storage systems with sulfur dioxide-based electrolytes face challenges in preventing electrolyte leakage and neutralization upon mechanical, thermal, or electrical defects, which can lead to environmental contamination.

Innovation Solution

A battery storage device equipped with a safety device that includes a metering system to release a foaming additive, forming a foam to neutralize and bind escaping electrolyte within the storage housing, using a foaming agent and base in an aqueous solution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a safety device is integrated into the battery storage device to prevent overheating and thermal runaway, then safety and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The safety device integrates multiple functions (temperature sensing, evaluation logic, and switching action) into a single compact unit positioned in the thermal runaway zone. The evaluation logic unit combines temperature monitoring and decision-making capabilities, while the at least one switch integrates multiple electrical connection points (first connection point to positive terminal, second connection point to negative terminal, third connection point for external circuits) into one component, thereby improving safety without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The safety device is positioned within the thermal runaway zone of the battery cell, effectively nesting the safety mechanism inside the potential hazard zone. This allows the temperature sensor to directly monitor critical temperatures at the source, and enables the switch to rapidly disconnect circuits when thermal runaway is detected, achieving high reliability with minimal space and complexity overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple connection points are provided in the safety device for parallel circuit connections, then adaptability and versatility are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The safety device incorporates at least three distinct connection points (first connection point to positive terminal, second connection point to negative terminal, third connection point for external circuits) that enable the single device to serve multiple functions: internal battery protection, external circuit disconnection, and potential integration with monitoring or control systems. This multi-functional design allows the same safety device to be adapted to various battery pack configurations and application requirements without requiring additional specialized components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 foam effectively contains and neutralizes the escaping electrolyte, ensuring it remains within the housing and is converted into stable compounds, preventing environmental release and enabling safe disposal or recycling.

Implementation Method 1

a temperature sensor arranged to detect a temperature in a thermal runaway zone of the battery cell

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature sensing:

Implementation Method 2

an evaluation logic unit arranged to evaluate a signal from the temperature sensor and arranged to determine, on the basis of the signal, whether a thermal runaway is present

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSignal processing:

Implementation Method 3

at least one switch arranged to disconnect the battery cell from external circuits when the evaluation logic unit determines that a thermal runaway is present

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical disconnection:

Data Source

PatentEP4445442B1Battery storage device with a safety device, and method for triggering the safety device
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AG
  • EP4445442B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4445442B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4445442B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a battery storage device (10) comprising a storage housing (12) and at least one battery cell (14) which is arranged in the interior (33) of the storage housing (12) and contains an electrolyte based on sulfur dioxide, said battery storage device (10) having a safety device with a metering device (32) which comprises a foam-forming additive (16) and is designed to produce a foam (35) from the foam-forming additive (16) in order to neutralize the electrolyte and to release the foam (35) in the interior (33) of the storage housing (12).