Battery Pack Positive-Pressure Suppression for Thermal Runaway

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional battery packs face issues with thermal runaway propagation due to heat transfer between battery modules, leading to potential fires and explosions, which are not effectively suppressed by existing safety systems.

Innovation Solution

A battery pack design incorporating a thermal runaway suppression unit that injects a fire extinguishing agent, such as nitrogen or carbon dioxide, to create a positive pressure within the affected module, blocking external air intake and suppressing the fire through suffocation and cooling, while maintaining pressure differentials to inhibit heat transfer to adjacent modules.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If battery modules are arranged densely to increase energy density, then the energy density of the battery pack is improved, but heat transfer between battery modules increases leading to thermal runaway propagation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy densityVSAvoidheat transfer

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The battery pack is divided into multiple independent battery modules, each equipped with its own thermal runaway suppression unit. This segmentation allows heat to be contained within individual modules and prevents thermal runaway propagation to adjacent modules, while still maintaining high energy density through dense arrangement of the segmented modules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A thermal runaway suppression unit is introduced as an intermediary component between battery modules. This unit detects thermal events and responds by injecting fire extinguishing agents or generating inert gas to suppress thermal runaway, acting as a mediator that prevents heat transfer and thermal propagation between densely packed battery modules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If conventional safety systems are used, then basic protection is provided, but thermal runaway propagation and fire explosions are not effectively suppressed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebasic protectionVSAvoidthermal runaway propagation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The thermal runaway suppression unit generates inert gas (such as nitrogen or carbon dioxide) or injects fire extinguishing agents to create an inert atmosphere within the battery module. This inert environment suppresses combustion and prevents thermal runaway propagation, providing effective protection against fire and explosion that conventional safety systems cannot achieve.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

Solution Approach 2:

The suppression system uses pneumatic mechanisms to rapidly inject fire extinguishing agents or generate inert gas within the battery module. This pneumatic approach enables fast response to thermal events, effectively suppressing thermal runaway propagation before it can spread to adjacent modules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Temperature

If heat is allowed to transfer freely between modules, then thermal equilibrium is maintained, but thermal runaway spreads causing fire and explosion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal equilibriumVSAvoidfire and explosion

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Each battery module is equipped with its own thermal runaway suppression unit that operates independently based on local thermal conditions. This local quality approach allows each module to maintain its own thermal management, suppressing thermal runaway at the source before it can propagate, while preventing fire and explosion through localized inert atmosphere generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 thermal runaway by blocking heat transfer and suppressing fires within the affected module, thereby enhancing thermal safety and reducing the risk of fire or explosion in adjacent modules.

Implementation Method 1

the thermal runaway suppression unit is configured to form a positive pressure inside the battery module when an abnormal situation occurs in any one battery cell

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

injects a fire extinguishing agent, such as nitrogen or carbon dioxide, to create a positive pressure within the affected module, blocking external air intake

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

suppressing the fire through suffocation and cooling, while maintaining pressure differentials to inhibit heat transfer to adjacent modules

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat absorption: Heat Sink

Data Source

PatentEP4318773B1Battery pack, energy storage system and vehicle comprising battery pack

Publication Date: 2026.02.11 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

A battery pack with improved safety is provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a battery module having at least one battery cell; and a thermal runaway suppression unit mounted to one side of the battery module and configured to form a positive pressure inside the battery module when an abnormal situation occurs in any one battery cell.