Battery Pack Fire Hose Venting for Smoke and Pressure Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire extinguishing systems for battery packs in vehicles are bulky, heavy, and not industrially feasible, and current hose-based systems have limited extinguishing fluid capacity and risk of fluid leakage.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack housing with a fusible thermoplastic pipe containing a pressurized mixture of gas and powder, which releases the extinguishing agent upon heat activation, and includes gas and smoke discharge ports with movable flaps to expel fumes and gases outside the vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a fire extinguishing fluid storage container (bottle or canister) is used, then the fire extinguishing capacity is improved, but the bulk and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the fire extinguishing fluid from a traditional storage container and places it directly into the battery housing cavity. This eliminates the need for separate bottles or canisters, reducing bulk and weight while maintaining extinguishing capacity. The fluid is stored in the available space within the battery housing rather than requiring dedicated external containers.
Solution Approach 2:
The fire extinguishing device is merged with the battery housing structure. The housing itself serves as both the battery enclosure and the fire extinguishing fluid storage space. This integration combines two functions (battery housing and fire suppression storage) into a single structure, eliminating redundant components and reducing overall weight.
2Device complexity
If a simple fire extinguishing hose with pressurized fluid is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the extinguishing fluid volume is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The fire extinguishing system is segmented into multiple discharge points distributed throughout the battery housing cavity. Instead of a single hose, multiple nozzles or discharge openings are positioned at different locations to ensure comprehensive coverage of the battery cells, effectively increasing the useful volume of extinguishing fluid without adding complex storage containers.
Solution Approach 2:
The fire extinguishing fluid distribution transitions from a linear hose configuration to a three-dimensional spray pattern. By positioning multiple discharge points at different heights and locations within the cavity, the system utilizes vertical and horizontal dimensions to maximize fluid distribution coverage, effectively increasing the functional volume without requiring proportionally more fluid.
3Reliability
If the housing is sealed to contain fire, then the fire suppression effectiveness is improved, but the smoke and gas accumulation increases internal pressure
Solution Approach 1:
A pressure relief valve or rupture disc is introduced as an intermediary component between the sealed housing and the external environment. This device allows controlled release of excessive pressure, smoke, and gases while maintaining the sealed containment necessary for effective fire suppression. The intermediary component prevents dangerous pressure buildup without compromising the fire containment effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure relief mechanism utilizes phase transition principles where the relief valve or rupture disc transitions from a closed (containment) state to an open (pressure release) state based on pressure thresholds. This phase transition allows the system to maintain sealed containment during normal fire suppression operation while automatically releasing pressure when thresholds are exceeded, balancing containment effectiveness with pressure management.
4Speed
If the fire extinguishing device is autonomous and reacts directly to heat, then the response speed is improved, but the control precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous fire detection system utilizes changes in physical parameters (temperature, pressure, gas composition) triggered by fire conditions. Sensors detect these parameter changes and automatically activate the fire extinguishing device. This parameter-based detection maintains fast response speed while improving precision by monitoring multiple parameters simultaneously to distinguish actual fire conditions from other thermal or pressure variations.
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 extinguishes fires by smothering flames with powder and evacuating smoke and gases, reducing the risk of fumes entering the vehicle compartment and ensuring efficient fire suppression.
Implementation Method 1
a fire extinguishing device which is housed in the internal cavity and which is made of a fusible thermoplastic material, this device containing a pressurized extinguishing fluid intended to be released by melting of said material in the event of fire
Implementation Method 2
the device containing a pressurized extinguishing fluid intended to be released by melting of said material... the gas and/or smoke discharge ports with movable flaps to expel fumes and gases outside the vehicle
Data Source
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AI summary
Motor vehicle (10), comprising at least one battery pack (20), in particular for a motor vehicle (10), comprising: - a housing (22) defining an internal cavity (24); - rechargeable electric battery cells (18) arranged in the internal cavity (24), and - a fire extinguishing device (36) which is housed in the internal cavity (24) and which includes an elongated extinguishing hose (38) which is closed at its two longitudinal ends (40), characterized in that the extinguishing fluid comprises a mixture of fluid and powder, and in that the housing (22) includes at least one gas and/or smoke venting port (42), said at least one port (42) being equipped with a movable flap (44).