Battery Pack Blocking Member Thermal Runaway Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of suppressing thermal events from propagating between battery cells in a battery pack, which can lead to ignition or explosion, is not adequately addressed in existing technologies, posing safety risks, especially in home battery packs.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack design incorporating a blocking member made of heat-insulating material interposed between cells, a pack case housing the cells, and a fire-fighting tank storing a fire extinguishing agent that discharges onto the cell assembly to suppress thermal events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If battery cells are disposed densely in a narrow space to increase energy density, then energy density is improved, but thermal event propagation between cells increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces blocking members that divide the battery pack into separate compartments, physically segmenting the thermal environment. Each battery cell or group of cells is isolated by these blocking members, preventing thermal runaway from propagating to adjacent cells while maintaining dense packing arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking members act as intermediary structures between adjacent battery cells. These members are positioned in the narrow spaces between cells and serve as thermal barriers, mediating the thermal interaction between cells by blocking heat transfer pathways while allowing the cells to remain closely spaced.
2Reliability
If blocking members are added between battery cells to prevent thermal propagation, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking members are designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: they provide thermal insulation between cells, maintain the structural arrangement of battery cells, and serve as support elements for the electrolyte solution distribution. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates the blocking members with the existing battery pack structure, combining thermal management functionality with the mechanical support structure. The blocking members are positioned to utilize the existing narrow spaces between cells, merging thermal protection with the overall pack design rather than adding separate protective enclosures.
3Reliability
If fire extinguishing agents are discharged onto cell assembly to suppress thermal events, then thermal runaway suppression is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking members are designed with channels or pathways that automatically guide the electrolyte solution or fire extinguishing agent to the locations where thermal events are most likely to occur. This self-guiding mechanism eliminates the need for complex active control systems, sensors, or actuators to direct the suppressant.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking members serve as intermediary structures that facilitate the delivery of fire extinguishing agents. The members include built-in pathways or reservoirs that channel the suppressant directly to the battery cells, mediating between the suppressant source and the target cells while simplifying the overall dispensing mechanism.
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 thermal event propagation between cells, enhances safety by suppressing thermal runaway and ignition, and maintains manufacturability and economic efficiency without requiring additional components for fire suppression.
Implementation Method 1
a blocking member configured to be interposed between adjacent battery cells to block heat
Implementation Method 2
a fire-fighting tank that stores a fire extinguishing agent and disposed on an upper part of the cell assembly
Data Source
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AI summary
A battery pack according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a cell module assembly including a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked and each battery cell is erected in a vertical direction; a plate-shaped blocking members disposed between adjacent battery cells and erected in a vertical direction; a pack case configured so as to house the cell module assembly and opened at its upper surface; and a fire-fighting tank located above the cell module assembly and covering an upper surface of the pack case, wherein the blocking member includes a plurality of openings at its upper end, and an inside of the blocking member includes an empty space connected to the plurality of openings.