Battery Module Short-Circuit Member Deformation Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Rechargeable battery modules face safety risks due to increased internal pressures leading to potential explosions or fires, especially during short-circuits when batteries are connected in parallel.

Innovation Solution

A battery module design featuring a short-circuit connection member that deforms under increased pressure to couple with a fuse portion, isolating the short-circuited battery by melting the fuse and preventing further current flow, thereby preventing chain reactions and arc generation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If rechargeable batteries are connected in parallel with a bus bar, then the battery module can provide higher current capacity, but a short-circuit in one battery can trigger chain reactions and cause explosions or fires

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecurrent capacityVSAvoidshort-circuit chain reaction risk

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the battery module into electrically isolated segments by introducing individual fuse portions for each battery. When a short-circuit occurs in one battery, the fuse portion isolates only that specific battery from the bus bar, preventing the harmful effect from propagating to other batteries while maintaining the parallel connection structure for high current capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces fuse portions as intermediary protective elements between each battery and the bus bar. These fuse portions act as mediators that can sacrifice themselves to protect the entire system by breaking the circuit when a short-circuit occurs, thereby preventing chain reactions while allowing normal high-current operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If internal pressure increases due to abnormal reactions, then the battery may explode or catch fire, but traditional designs lack automatic isolation mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety during abnormal reactionsVSAvoidisolation mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention enables the battery system to automatically protect itself through pressure-responsive fuse portions that contain short-circuit members. When internal pressure increases due to abnormal reactions, the short-circuit members are pushed out by the pressure, automatically triggering the fuse to isolate the affected battery without requiring external detection or control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the harmful effect of increased internal pressure into a beneficial protective mechanism. The pressure that would normally lead to explosion or fire is instead utilized to push out the short-circuit member and trigger the fuse, transforming a dangerous symptom into a useful isolation signal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Extent of automation

If short-circuit members are designed to deform under pressure, then automatic isolation can be achieved, but the structural design becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic isolation capabilityVSAvoidshort-circuit member structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention utilizes pressure as a changing physical parameter to trigger the automatic isolation mechanism. The short-circuit member is designed with specific mechanical properties that cause it to deform and push out when the pressure parameter exceeds a threshold, thereby automating the isolation process through physical parameter changes rather than complex electronic controls.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 isolates short-circuited batteries, reducing the risk of explosions and fires by cutting off current flow and containing arc generation within the module, enhancing safety features during internal pressure increases.

Implementation Method 1

The short-circuit member may be configured to be deformed by increased internal pressure in the respective rechargeable battery to couple to the short-circuit connection member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure-induced deformation: Deformation

Implementation Method 2

the second connection member being coupled to the bus bar via a fuse portion... the fuse portion may be melted to electrically cut off the first and second connection members

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Data Source

PatentUS10044019B2Battery module having short-circuit connection member

Publication Date: 2018.08.07 SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD

AI summary

A battery module of the present invention includes a plurality of rechargeable batteries, each rechargeable battery having a first terminal and a second terminal, a bus bar having a first connection member and a second connection member, the first connection member being coupled to the bus bar via a serial connection member and a short-circuit connection member, and the second connection member being coupled to the bus bar via a fuse portion, and a short-circuit member connected to the first connection member through a serial connection member and connected to the second connection member through a fuse portion. The short-circuit member may be configured to be deformed by increased internal pressure in the respective rechargeable battery to couple to the short-circuit connection member.