Battery Module Fuse Space for Molten Metal Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery modules and electric storage devices face safety issues due to the formation of new current paths caused by molten metal from melted and cut fuses during short-circuits, which can lead to repeated short-circuiting.
Innovation Solution
A battery module design that includes a space below the fuse to allow the molten fuse to fall, preventing the formation of new current paths and enhancing safety by ensuring the molten metal does not adhere to cell or module terminals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fuse is used to interrupt short-circuit current in battery modules, then the short-circuit protection function is achieved, but molten metal from the melted fuse may form new current paths causing repeated short-circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful molten metal from the main current path by providing a dedicated reception space below the fuse. When the fuse melts during short-circuit protection, the molten metal falls into this isolated space, preventing it from forming new current paths between battery cells or terminals, thus maintaining protection reliability while eliminating the harmful effect
Solution Approach 2:
The reception space acts as an intermediary structure that intercepts and contains the molten metal before it can cause harm. This intermediate space serves as a buffer zone that separates the fuse operation from the battery module components, preventing direct contact between molten metal and critical components
2Reliability
If the fuse is positioned close to battery cells and terminals, then the current interruption function is effective, but the molten metal can easily form new current paths to other cells or terminals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes gravity as a natural force to counteract the potential harmful movement of molten metal. By positioning the reception space below the fuse, the design leverages gravitational pull to ensure molten metal falls downward into the safe zone rather than upward or sideways toward battery cells or terminals, providing passive protection without additional active mechanisms
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 design effectively prevents the reformation of new current paths due to molten metal, thereby improving safety and reliability compared to conventional modules.
Implementation Method 1
If excessive current flows through the fuse of the battery module of the present invention due to short-circuit, for example, the fuse melts and cuts due to the Joule heat.
Implementation Method 2
Metal of the fuse that melts due to the Joule heat will fall down into the space due to the action of gravity.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a battery module that prevents a new current path that may be formed due to molten metal resulting from a molten and cut fuse, and has better safety than conventional battery modules. A battery module includes: module terminals; a battery cell group including a plurality of battery cells; and a plurality of bus bars connecting the plurality of battery cells of this battery cell group and connecting this battery cell group with the module terminals. At least one of the plurality of bus bars has a fuse. The battery module has a space that is located below the fuse and that allows the molten fuse to fall.