Battery Module Guide Plate for Rapid Sprinkler Activation

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-capacity battery modules are prone to thermal runaway and potential ignition or explosion due to internal temperature increases from venting, necessitating a rapid and effective fire extinguishing mechanism.

Innovation Solution

A battery module design that includes a sprinkler system with a guide plate to direct high-temperature venting gas towards a glass bulb, triggering rapid operation of the sprinkler to prevent thermal runaway and potential fires.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a high-capacity battery module structure is used to increase capacity and output, then the energy storage capability is improved, but the risk of thermal runaway and fire damage increases due to internal temperature rise from venting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery capacityVSAvoidfire damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The guide plate is pre-installed inside the battery module housing to direct venting gas toward the sprinkler before thermal runaway occurs. This preliminary structural arrangement ensures that when venting does occur, the high-temperature gas is immediately channeled to trigger the sprinkler system, enabling rapid response without requiring additional active sensing or control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If a sprinkler system is added to prevent thermal runaway, then fire safety is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire safetyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide plate serves as a passive intermediary component that mediates between the venting gas flow and the sprinkler activation mechanism. By physically directing the hot gas toward the sprinkler, the guide plate enables reliable fire safety activation without requiring complex sensors, control electronics, or active decision-making systems, thus maintaining system simplicity while improving safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The sprinkler system is designed to activate automatically through self-service mechanism where the venting gas itself triggers the response. The high-temperature gas directly作用于 the glass bulb of the sprinkler, causing it to rupture and release cooling fluid without requiring external power, control systems, or manual intervention, thereby achieving fire safety with minimal added complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the sprinkler is positioned away from the cell stack to avoid interference, then the electrical connection reliability is improved, but the response time of the sprinkler to venting gas decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidsprinkler response speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The guide plate extracts and redirects the venting gas flow path, channeling it specifically toward the sprinkler location. This allows the sprinkler to be positioned in a location that does not interfere with electrical connections while ensuring that the hot gas is actively directed to the sprinkler, maintaining both electrical reliability and rapid response capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 operation of the sprinkler when high-temperature venting gas is detected, effectively preventing ignition and explosion by directing cooling fluid into the battery module.

Implementation Method 1

at least one guide plate fixed inside the module housing and installed to be inclined so that one longitudinal end thereof is oriented toward the sprinkler

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas flow direction control:

Implementation Method 2

enables rapid operation of the sprinkler when high-temperature venting gas is detected, effectively preventing ignition and explosion by directing cooling fluid into the battery module

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal cooling: Cooling

Data Source

PatentUS12334529B2Battery module having structure enabling rapid deployment of sprinkler, and ESS including same

Publication Date: 2025.06.17 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

AI summary

A battery module includes a plurality of battery cells; a module housing configured to accommodate a cell stack including the plurality of battery cells; a sprinkler provided through the module housing at one side of the cell stack in a stacking direction; and at least one guide plate fixed inside the module housing and installed to be inclined so that one longitudinal end thereof is oriented toward the sprinkler.