Battery Module Fire Extinguishing Unit
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium secondary batteries face safety risks due to overheating and potential explosions from overcurrent, which existing protection circuits struggle to manage efficiently, especially when the microcontroller is malfunctioning, leading to space inefficiencies and increased load on the circuit.
Innovation Solution
A battery module design incorporating a fire extinguishing unit with ejection holes and a fire extinguishing agent that evaporates and expands at a reference temperature, providing a high-pressure release to extinguish fires or prevent ignition, integrated into the module frame to support battery cells and electrode leads without complicating the structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a protecting circuit with microcontroller is used to prevent overcurrent, then battery safety is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fire extinguishing unit operates autonomously based on temperature conditions without requiring microcontroller intervention. The temperature-responsive material automatically activates the fire extinguishing agent when overheating occurs, eliminating the need for complex electronic monitoring and control systems while maintaining safety functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electronic protecting circuit system with a passive thermal-mechanical system. Instead of using microcontrollers to detect and respond to overheating, the invention uses temperature-responsive materials that mechanically activate the fire extinguishing mechanism directly in response to temperature changes, simplifying the overall system architecture.
2Reliability
If a fire extinguishing unit is added to the battery module, then safety against ignition and explosion is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fire extinguishing unit is integrated into the existing battery module structure by utilizing the module frame as part of the containment system. The accommodation container for the fire extinguishing agent is positioned within the battery module's existing spatial framework, combining safety functionality with the structural components already present in the design.
Solution Approach 2:
The module frame serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the battery cells and simultaneously acts as part of the fire extinguishing system by containing the accommodation container and providing ejection pathways. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated safety components.
3Reliability
If protection circuits are designed to handle all abnormal situations, then battery safety is improved, but space efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the active control function from the protecting circuit system and places it in the passive temperature-responsive material. This separation allows the electronic circuit to be minimized or eliminated entirely, freeing up space that would otherwise be required for microcontrollers, sensors, and associated wiring.
Solution Approach 2:
The fire extinguishing agent is contained in a disposable accommodation container made of temperature-responsive material that is designed to break or deform at a specific temperature. This simple, single-use component replaces complex reusable electronic protection systems, reducing both space and complexity requirements.
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
Significantly reduces the likelihood of ignition and explosion events in secondary batteries by effectively managing overheating through the controlled release of a fire extinguishing agent, enhancing safety without increasing the module's complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a fire extinguishing unit which evaporates a fire extinguishing agent at a reference temperature or above and breaks to thereby eject the fire extinguishing agent
Implementation Method 2
evaporates and expands at a reference temperature, providing a high-pressure release
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Disclosed is a battery module, which includes: a cell stack formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells; a module frame coupled to one side or both sides of the cell stack; and a fire extinguishing unit accommodated in the module frame to eject a fire extinguishing agent at a reference temperature or above.