Battery Pack Fire-Fighting Tank for Thermal Propagation Suppression

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery packs face challenges in suppressing thermal events from propagating between cells, which can lead to ignition or explosion, posing safety risks, especially in home battery packs.

Innovation Solution

A battery pack design featuring a blocking member with heat-insulating material and openings for fire extinguishing agent flow, combined with a fire-fighting tank to discharge agents and prevent thermal runaway.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If battery cells are disposed densely to increase energy density, then energy density is improved, but thermal propagation between cells occurs leading to safety risks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy densityVSAvoidthermal propagation
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The battery pack is divided into multiple battery cell groups, with blocking members positioned between adjacent groups to prevent thermal propagation. This segmentation allows dense packing of cells while maintaining safety barriers between groups.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Blocking members serve as intermediary components between adjacent battery cell groups. These blocking members include heat insulating materials that act as thermal barriers, preventing heat transfer between cells while allowing the cells to be disposed densely.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If blocking members are added between battery cells to suppress thermal propagation, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking members are designed to perform multiple functions: they provide thermal insulation to prevent heat propagation, maintains spacing between battery cell groups, and provides structural support. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The blocking members combine heat insulating materials with structural support functions into a single integrated component. This merging of functions simplifies the overall battery pack structure compared to using separate insulation layers and support structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If additional safety components are added to prevent thermal runaway, then safety is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking members with heat insulating materials provide passive thermal protection without requiring active control systems, sensors, or additional power consumption. The insulation properties inherently prevent thermal propagation without needing external intervention or complex control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Effectively suppresses thermal events within the battery pack, enhancing safety by preventing propagation and reducing the need for additional components, while maintaining manufacturability and economic efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a plate-shaped blocking member disposed between adjacent battery cells and erected in a vertical direction... the blocking member includes a heat insulating material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

the blocking member is configured to allow the fire extinguishing agent discharged from the fire-fighting tank to flow thereinto

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat absorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP4376199B1Battery pack with improved safety
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4376199B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4376199B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4376199B1 patent drawingFigure 3

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.