Battery Cell Partition Structure for High-Temperature Shape Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing partition members in battery assemblies lack shape stability at high temperatures and have a short 'plateau time' for water vaporization, leading to potential damage spread in battery assemblies.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a composition part containing inorganic particles, inorganic fibers, and a binder within an inner enclosure body of the partition member to enhance shape stability and thermal resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a partition member with a heat transfer control layer and compressibility control layer is used, then thermal management is improved, but shape stability deteriorates at high temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal managementVSAvoidshape stability
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The partition member uses a composite structure combining an inner enclosure body containing heat transfer control material (paste with inorganic particles, inorganic fibers, and binder) and an outer casing body providing structural support. This composite design allows the inner layer to manage heat while the outer layer maintains shape stability at high temperatures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The partition member is divided into two functional layers: an inner enclosure body for heat transfer control and an outer casing body for structural support. This segmentation allows each layer to specialize in its function, with the outer layer preventing shape deformation at high temperatures while the inner layer manages thermal properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Use of energy by moving object

If water is used in the heat transfer control layer, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but plateau time becomes short

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat transfer efficiencyVSAvoidplateau time
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The paste material's composition parameters are optimized by incorporating inorganic particles and inorganic fibers with specific properties. These material parameter changes allow the paste to maintain water in a bound state that enables efficient heat transfer while extending the plateau time through controlled vaporization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The paste material contains inorganic particles and inorganic fibers that create a porous structure. This porous network holds water through capillary action and surface tension, allowing the water to remain in contact with the battery for extended heat transfer while controlling the rate of vaporization to extend plateau time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

3Quantity of substance

If energy density is increased, then cruising distance is extended, but safety deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy densityVSAvoidsafety
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The partition member acts as an intermediary barrier between adjacent high-energy-density battery cells. It actively manages heat transfer from damaged cells and provides physical separation, preventing thermal runaway from spreading to neighboring cells, thus enabling safer operation of high energy density batteries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The partition member converts the harmful heat generated by battery damage into a controlled thermal management process. By using the heat transfer control layer to manage thermal energy and the compressibility control layer to respond to pressure changes, it transforms potential catastrophic thermal runaway into a controlled situation that prevents damage spread.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 partition member maintains shape stability and thermal insulation even at high temperatures, reducing thermal conductivity and deformation under pressure, thereby preventing damage spread in battery assemblies.

Implementation Method 1

the time taken for the temperature of the water contained in the heat transfer control layer to completely volatilize after reaching the boiling point

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Implementation Method 2

a heat transfer control layer and a compressibility control layer are encapsulated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal energy storage: Thermal Energy Storage

Implementation Method 3

providing a composition part containing at least one of inorganic particles and inorganic fibers, and a binder

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP4668445A1Partition member and battery assembly
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 MITSUBISHI CHEM CORP
  • EP4668445A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2A
  • EP4668445A1 patent drawingFigure 2B~3A
  • EP4668445A1 patent drawingFigure 3B~4

AI summary

What is provided is a partition member that partitions battery cells, the partition member having excellent shape stability even at a high temperature, and a battery assembly that uses the partition member. A layer for controlling heat transfer is retained in a retaining part having compressibility to form an inner enclosure body, and the inner enclosure body is encapsulated in an outer casing body to form a partition member. The retaining part is preferably formed in a tray shape, is provided to have a thickness larger than that of the layer for controlling heat transfer, and is configured such that an area of the outer casing body coming into contact with the inner enclosure body increases with an increase in an external pressure applied to the partition member.