Battery Rack Data Storage Venting Against Thermal Runaway Fire

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery racks fail to protect data storage devices from fire when thermal runaway occurs in battery modules, leading to the complete destruction of the data storage device and loss of critical status information.

Innovation Solution

A battery rack design with a rack case, control unit, data recording unit, and accommodating case featuring ventilation holes, a cover, and heat-insulating members to facilitate air circulation and prevent direct flame introduction, along with a cable configuration that bends to avoid flame ingress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the data storage device is placed inside the battery rack case, then it can be integrated with the battery management system, but it becomes vulnerable to fire from battery thermal runaway

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegration spaceVSAvoidfire exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The battery rack is divided into separate functional zones: a first accommodating space for battery modules and a second accommodating space for the data storage device. This spatial segmentation isolates the data storage device from fire hazards while maintaining system integration through controlled connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A cable with a bent portion acts as an intermediary element, allowing data transmission between the control unit and data storage device while preventing direct flame ingress. The bent cable configuration creates a physical barrier that blocks fire propagation paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If ventilation holes are provided in the accommodating case, then air circulation is improved for cooling, but flame can directly enter the inside space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidflame ingress

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cable with a bent portion functions as a flexible barrier that blocks flame ingress through ventilation holes while allowing air circulation. The bent configuration creates multiple reflection points that prevent direct flame penetration while maintaining ventilation functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The bent cable configuration uses curvature to create effective flame barriers. The bent portion reflects and redirects flame paths, preventing direct linear flame propagation into the protected space while allowing air flow through the ventilation holes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Ease of manufacture

If the cable is configured in a straight line for simple installation, then ease of installation is improved, but flame can travel directly along the cable to the data storage device

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidflame propagation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cable is configured with a bent portion that creates curvature-based flame barriers. This bent configuration interrupts direct flame propagation paths along the cable while maintaining electrical connectivity and data transmission functionality between components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 design effectively protects the data recording unit from fire by maintaining air circulation and preventing direct flame exposure, ensuring the data storage device remains functional even during battery module fires.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of ventilation holes in the at least one accommodating case so that the inside space and outside are communicated with each other

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir circulation: Convection

Implementation Method 2

a cover that has a plate shape, is spaced apart from the plurality of ventilation holes by a predetermined interval, and is configured to cover the plurality of ventilation holes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical barrier: Physical Containment

Implementation Method 3

heat-insulating members to facilitate air circulation and prevent direct flame introduction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS12456771B2Battery rack, power storage device, and data storage device

Publication Date: 2025.10.28 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

AI summary

The battery rack includes: a plurality of battery modules; a rack case configured to store the plurality of battery modules; a control unit configured to control charging and discharging of the plurality of battery modules; a data storage unit including a cable configured to transmit data from the control unit and a data recording unit configured to store the data; and a storage unit including an accommodating case having an inside space for accommodating the data recording unit, a plurality of ventilation holes formed by opening a portion of the accommodating case so that the inside space and the outside are communicated with each other, and a cover portion that has a plate shape, is spaced apart from the plurality of ventilation holes by a predetermined interval, and is configured to cover the plurality of ventilation holes.