Battery Pack Fire-Suppression Barriers for Thermal Runaway Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to prevent thermal events from propagating between battery cells in a battery pack, which could lead to ignition or explosion, compromising safety and potentially causing damage to people and property.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack configuration that includes a plurality of battery cells, a blocking member to block heat between adjacent cells, a pack case to house the cells and blocking member, and a fire-fighting tank storing a fire extinguishing agent above the cell assembly. The blocking member is designed with heat insulating materials and openings to allow the fire extinguishing agent to flow in and stay within its structure.
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 safety deteriorates due to increased risk of thermal propagation between cells
Solution Approach 1:
A blocking member is introduced as an intermediary component between adjacent battery cells. This blocking member includes a heat insulating material that acts as a thermal barrier, preventing direct heat transfer between cells while allowing the cells to remain densely packed. The blocking member thus mediates between the need for high energy density and thermal safety requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking member is segmented into multiple parts including a body portion and a cover portion that can be assembled together. This segmentation allows for easier manufacturing and installation while maintaining the thermal barrier function. The segmented structure also enables the blocking member to fit into confined spaces between densely packed cells.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If blocking members with heat insulating materials are placed between adjacent battery cells to prevent thermal propagation, then thermal safety is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking member combines multiple functions into a single component: thermal insulation, structural support, and fire suppression containment. The heat insulating material is integrated directly into the blocking member structure, eliminating the need for separate insulation components. This merging reduces overall device complexity while maintaining thermal safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking member serves multiple purposes: it provides thermal insulation between cells, maintains structural integrity of the battery pack, and contains fire suppressant material. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed in the battery pack design.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a fire-fighting tank storing fire suppressant is added above the cell assembly to suppress thermal events, then thermal safety is improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fire suppressant material is pre-loaded into the blocking member structure before battery assembly. The suppressant is positioned in advance within the heat insulating material, ready for immediate deployment if thermal runaway occurs. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex active dispensing systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The fire suppressant system operates passively without requiring external power or control systems. When thermal runaway occurs, the heat causes the suppressant to be released automatically through the blocking member structure. The system serves itself by using the thermal energy from the problem to activate the solution.
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
This configuration effectively suppresses the propagation of thermal events between cells, preventing issues like thermal runaway or ignition from spreading, thereby enhancing the thermal safety of the battery pack and reducing the risk of fire or explosion.
Implementation Method 1
a blocking member configured to be interposed between adjacent battery cells of the plurality of 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
AI summary
A battery pack 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 member 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. 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.