Battery Partition Member Using Porous Inorganic Thermal Insulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing partition members in secondary batteries fail to maintain adequate heat resistance and thermal insulation properties under pressure, particularly when multiple batteries are stacked and expand due to charging and high temperatures, leading to potential chain reactions and damage.

Innovation Solution

A partition member composed of a combination of powdered inorganic and fibrous inorganic materials with a density of 0.23 to 1.10 g/cm3, forming a porous body that maintains thermal insulation and heat resistance even under pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a partition member is used between unit batteries to prevent heat spread, then safety is improved, but thermal insulation properties deteriorate when pressure is applied

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidthermal insulation properties

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The partition member is constructed as a composite material comprising a heat-resistant resin base material and inorganic thermal insulation material particles dispersed throughout. This composite structure combines the mechanical strength and structural integrity of the resin with the superior thermal insulation properties of the inorganic particles, maintaining effective thermal insulation even when pressure is applied during battery expansion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The partition member incorporates a porous structure with controlled void spaces that trap air, providing additional thermal insulation. The porous morphology increases the tortuosity of heat transfer paths and reduces thermal conductivity, enabling the partition member to maintain thermal insulation properties under compression while preventing heat spread between unit batteries

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

2Use of energy by moving object

If energy density of secondary batteries is increased, then cruising range is extended, but safety deteriorates due to higher surface temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy densityVSAvoidsafety

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The partition member acts as a thermal intermediary barrier between unit batteries, absorbing and blocking heat transfer through its composite resin-inorganic material structure. This intermediary function prevents thermal runaway propagation while allowing each battery to operate at high energy density, effectively decoupling the energy density-safety trade-off

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The partition member utilizes the heat generated by high-energy-density batteries as a signal for potential thermal issues, while simultaneously converting this heat into a controlled thermal gradient that stops at the partition boundary. The inorganic thermal insulation particles and porous structure transform the harmful heat spread into a contained thermal phenomenon, preventing chain reactions

Inventive Principle:

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

3Volume of moving object

If unit batteries are stacked closely to save space, then space utilization is improved, but heat spread between batteries increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidheat spread

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The partition member introduces localized thermal insulation properties at the interfaces between unit batteries, creating thermal barriers precisely where heat spread is most likely to occur. This local quality enhancement allows close stacking for space efficiency while maintaining thermal separation to prevent heat propagation between adjacent batteries

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 partition member effectively blocks heat transfer between batteries, preventing thermal runaway and maintaining safety by ensuring consistent thermal insulation and heat resistance, even when subjected to pressure and high temperatures.

Implementation Method 1

the partition member contains a thermal insulation material that contains a powdered inorganic material and a fibrous inorganic material and that has a density of 0.23 to 1.10 g/cm3

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS12583799B2Partition member and assembled battery

Publication Date: 2026.03.24 MITSUBISHI CHEM CORP

AI summary

A partition member that forms a partition between single batteries or between a single battery and a member other than the single battery. The partition member contains a thermal insulation material that contains a powdered inorganic material and a fibrous inorganic material and that has a density of 0.23 to 1.10 g/cm3.