Battery Pack Energy Drain Resistor for Fire Propagation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery packs lack a device to prevent chain ignition or chain explosion in adjacent modules when an event occurs in a specific module, posing a risk of fire or explosion propagation.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack with a safety device that includes a resistor connected to a battery module in case of abnormal operation, an event detection unit, a switching module, and a control unit to selectively form a closed circuit between the abnormal battery module and the resistor, thereby draining energy and preventing fire or explosion propagation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a cooler is installed to monitor temperature and maintain appropriate levels, then temperature control is improved, but there is no device for preventing chain ignition or chain explosion in case of emergency
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack is divided into multiple battery modules with partitions between them. Each partition can isolate thermal events to specific modules, preventing chain reactions. The switching module also segments the electrical circuitry, allowing individual modules to be disconnected from the main circuit when abnormal events occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The resistor serves as an intermediary energy absorption device. When an abnormal event occurs in a battery module, the switching module connects the resistor to that module, allowing the resistor to absorb excess energy and prevent fire propagation to adjacent modules.
2Power
If battery modules are connected in series or parallel to increase capacity and output, then energy capacity and output voltage are improved, but the risk of chain ignition or chain explosion in adjacent modules increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack architecture segments high-power battery modules into smaller units with physical partitions. This segmentation maintains the overall high power capacity while creating isolation barriers that prevent fire propagation between modules, addressing both the power requirement and safety concern.
Solution Approach 2:
The switching module and resistor are pre-configured in each battery module before any abnormal event occurs. When a thermal event or fire is detected, the switching module rapidly connects the resistor to absorb energy and isolate the affected module, preventing chain reactions before they can propagate through the series/parallel connected modules.
3Device complexity
If no safety device for preventing chain ignition is installed, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability in preventing fire propagation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The safety function is extracted as a separate, modular subsystem consisting of the switching module and resistor. This extracted safety device can be independently configured and activated only when needed, adding minimal complexity to the overall battery pack while providing reliable fire propagation prevention through rapid energy absorption and electrical isolation.
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 solution effectively prevents fire or explosion propagation to adjacent battery modules by rapidly draining the energy of the abnormal battery module through a resistor, enhancing safety in battery packs, especially in vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
a single resistor being connected to a battery module in case of its abnormal operation among the plurality of battery modules to absorb energy
Data Source
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AI summary
A battery pack according to the present disclosure includes a plurality of battery modules arranged along at least one direction, a resistor connected to an abnormal battery module that abnormally operates among the battery modules to absorb energy, an event detection unit provided to detect the abnormal battery module, a switching module to connect or disconnect each of the battery modules to/from the resistor to selectively form a closed circuit, and a control unit to receive information from the event detection unit and control the switching module to form a current path between the abnormal battery module and the resistor.