Battery Pack Safety Mechanism for Equipotential Spark Suppression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles face safety concerns due to high voltage sparks during thermal runaway, which are difficult to manage and can lead to unpredictable damage and instability.

Innovation Solution

A battery pack with a safety protection mechanism that switches from an insulated state to an electrical connection state when anomalies occur, forming equipotential components to prevent high voltage sparks and stabilize the system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If multiple battery packs are connected in series to increase output voltage, then the output voltage is improved, but the risk of thermal runaway spreading between battery packs increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoutput voltageVSAvoidthermal runaway spreading risk
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The battery pack is divided into multiple battery modules, each independently enclosed by a heat insulation barrier. This segmentation isolates thermal runaway within individual modules, preventing propagation to other modules while maintaining high voltage through series connection of multiple modules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A heat insulation barrier is introduced as an intermediary substance between adjacent battery packs/modules. This barrier layer physically blocks thermal transfer, serving as a mediator that allows electrical connection while preventing thermal runaway propagation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a heat insulation barrier is introduced between adjacent battery packs, then thermal runaway spreading is prevented, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal runaway preventionVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heat insulation barrier serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides thermal insulation to prevent runaway propagation, acts as a physical barrier for safety, and maintains structural organization. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate safety components, thereby limiting complexity increase.

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

3Quantity of substance

If the anode electrode potential is lower than -0.18V vs. Li/Li+, then higher energy density is achieved, but lithium plating occurs during charging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy densityVSAvoidlithium plating resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The anode electrode potential is adjusted to a specific range (-0.2V to 0V vs. Li/Li+) that balances energy density and lithium plating prevention. This parameter optimization allows the use of high-capacity anode materials while maintaining safe charging behavior through controlled electrochemical potential.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 mechanism effectively reduces the risk of high voltage sparks by creating equipotential components, ensuring timely transition to a stable and controllable state, enhancing safety and reducing structural complexity.

Implementation Method 1

a first insulating layer, which prevents harmful substances generated by the first battery pack from affecting the second battery pack

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical barrier isolation:

Implementation Method 2

a second insulating layer, which prevents harmful substances generated by the second battery pack from affecting the first battery pack

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical barrier isolation:

Implementation Method 3

a support plate, which improves the strength of the battery module

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical support:

Data Source

PatentEP4435961B1Battery pack and safety control method therefor, and electric device
Publication Date: 2026.04.15 CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY (HONG KONG) LIMITED
  • EP4435961B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4435961B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4435961B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Embodiments of this application provide a battery pack, a safety control method therefor, and an electric apparatus. The battery pack (200) includes: a box assembly (201); a plurality of battery cells (100) disposed in the box assembly (201); and a safety protection mechanism (1) disposed in the box assembly (201) and having a first state and a second state. When the safety protection mechanism (1) is in the first state, the plurality of battery cells (100) are insulated from the box assembly (201). The safety protection mechanism (1) is in the second state when a preset trigger condition is met, and when the safety protection mechanism (1) is in the second state, at least some of the battery cells (100) are electrically connected to the box assembly (201).