Battery Pack Fire-Extinguishing Agent Release Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery pack configurations face issues with timely release of fire-extinguishing agents, leading to potential short-circuits, excessive agent consumption, and heat transfer outside or inside the pack case, particularly during collisions.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack design with a fire-extinguishing agent releasing unit positioned between the battery module and pack case, featuring a seal that melts to release the agent between the cases, avoiding direct contact with the battery assembly and optimizing agent distribution to specific heat generation points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the fire-extinguishing agent is ejected directly toward the battery assembly, then the fire-extinguishing effect is improved, but short-circuit between the cells occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The fire-extinguishing agent is not ejected as a single direct stream but is segmented into multiple discharge paths through the plurality of discharge holes, allowing the agent to be distributed around the battery assembly rather than concentrated in one direction, thus avoiding direct contact with cells while maintaining fire suppression effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The case structure with multiple discharge holes acts as an intermediary device between the fire-extinguishing agent and the battery assembly, allowing the agent to be delivered indirectly through the case walls rather than directly toward the cells, preventing short-circuit while maintaining fire-extinguishing capability
2Reliability
If the fire-extinguishing agent is supplied from outside through the coolant circulation path, then the agent can be fed into the pack case, but it takes time before the agent arrives and the pack case becomes immersed in the agent causing excessive consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The fire-extinguishing agent is pre-positioned within the case structure itself rather than being supplied from outside during an emergency. The agent is stored in advance in the case walls and immediately available for discharge when needed, eliminating the time delay associated with external supply systems
Solution Approach 2:
The case structure serves dual functions: it acts as both the structural housing and the fire-extinguishing agent storage and delivery system. The case provides its own fire protection capability without requiring external supply systems, enabling immediate self-contained fire suppression
3Ease of operation
If the pack case opening is left open for wiring routing, then wiring can be routed out, but heat generated inside the pack case is released to the outside heating surrounding members
Solution Approach 1:
The case structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural housing, contains and delivers fire-extinguishing agent through discharge holes, and acts as a thermal barrier to contain heat inside the pack case. This multi-functionality allows wiring to be routed through openings while the case material itself prevents heat escape to surrounding members
4Reliability
If the wiring harness is routed out from the battery pack, then electrical connection is established, but during collision the wiring may break and conduct heat into the battery pack
Solution Approach 1:
The fire-extinguishing agent is pre-positioned in the case structure at locations that will protect critical components including wiring harnesses. In the event of wiring breakage and subsequent heat generation, the agent is immediately available to suppress the fire before it can propagate through the wiring into the battery pack
Solution Approach 2:
The case structure with integrated fire-extinguishing agent acts as an intermediary protective barrier between the external environment and the battery pack internals. The agent discharged through the case walls provides a protective zone that prevents heat from broken wiring from reaching the battery assembly
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
Enables quick and targeted release of fire-extinguishing agents, reducing consumption and preventing heat transfer through openings or wiring, thus safeguarding the battery pack from thermal damage.
Implementation Method 1
a seal that is disposed in the fire-extinguishing agent-enclosing body and configured to be melted by heating
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
A battery pack (100; 100A; 100B; 100C; 100D; 100E) installed in a vehicle (1; 1E), the battery pack (100; 100A; 100B; 100C; 100D; 100E) includes: a battery assembly; a battery module (20) including a module case (22) that houses the battery assembly; a pack case (10) that houses the battery module (20); and a fire-extinguishing agent releasing unit (90; 90A; 90B; 90C; 90D) including fire-extinguishing agent, disposed between the battery module (20) and the pack case (10), wherein the fire fire-extinguishing agent releasing unit (90; 90A; 90B; 90C; 90D) is configured to release the fire-extinguishing agent between the pack case (10) and the module case (22).