Secondary Battery Assembly With Inert Gas Thermal Runaway Mitigation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium secondary batteries face safety concerns due to the risk of fire and explosion caused by thermal runaway, which existing technologies have not adequately addressed.
Innovation Solution
The secondary battery assembly incorporates a case that can be filled with a non-combustible gas, such as nitrogen or argon, and includes specific hole configurations for gas injection and discharge to maintain a vacuum-like environment, thereby minimizing oxygen concentration and preventing fires and explosions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If air is present in the battery assembly, then the battery can operate normally, but the risk of fire and explosion increases due to thermal runaway
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the inert atmosphere principle by filling the accommodating space with non-combustible gas (such as nitrogen or argon) to replace air. This creates an inert environment that prevents combustion reactions, thereby eliminating fire and explosion risks while maintaining normal battery operation. The non-combustible gas acts as a protective atmosphere that does not support thermal runaway propagation.
2Reliability
If the accommodating space is sealed to maintain the non-combustible gas environment, then safety is improved, but the complexity of the device increases due to additional sealing components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs sealing films or gaskets that conform to the contours of the battery components, creating effective seals without requiring complex rigid sealing structures. These flexible sealing elements can adapt to manufacturing tolerances and thermal expansion, maintaining the inert atmosphere while keeping the overall device structure relatively simple.
3Reliability
If holes are added to the case for gas injection and discharge, then the non-combustible gas environment is achieved, but the structural integrity and sealing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements gas injection and discharge holes that allow the non-combustible gas environment to be established before final sealing. This preliminary action enables the inert atmosphere to be created during assembly, and then the case can be hermetically sealed to maintain this environment throughout the battery's operational life, simplifying the manufacturing process.
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 effectively minimizes or prevents fires and explosions, improves the lifespan and stability of the battery assembly, and allows for wider application in electric vehicles and renewable energy systems.
Implementation Method 1
a non-combustible gas filled into the accommodating space... minimizing or preventing fire and explosion of a secondary battery assembly
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a secondary battery assembly including a plurality of battery cells, a case forming an accommodating space for accommodating the plurality of battery cells, and a non-combustible gas accommodated in the accommodating space together with the plurality of battery cells to mitigate or delay the thermal propagation.