Vehicle Battery Repositioning Against Side-Collision Fire Risk
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing risk of battery fires in electric vehicles due to external shocks or internal short circuits, which are difficult to extinguish using conventional methods, poses a significant challenge in preventing battery fires, especially in the event of a collision with an obstacle.
Innovation Solution
A battery fire prevention apparatus for vehicles, which includes a mounting frame for the battery, obstacle detectors, a controller, battery fixing devices, airbag devices, and height control devices. This apparatus detects potential collisions and deploys airbags and adjusts vehicle height to protect the battery from impact and prevent fires.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fire extinguishing methods (water or fire extinguishing agent spraying) are used on lithium-ion battery fires, then the fire can be temporarily suppressed, but the fire cannot be completely extinguished due to thermal runaway and residual oxygen in the enclosed battery pack
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful residual oxygen from the enclosed battery pack by providing openings in the battery pack housing and using fans to actively vent the oxygen-containing atmosphere. This removes the oxygen that sustains combustion, addressing the fundamental issue that conventional extinguishing methods cannot eliminate residual oxygen in enclosed spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by detecting potential thermal runaway conditions before full combustion occurs and by pre-positioning fireproof curtains and ventilation systems ready for immediate deployment. The obstacle detection system and controller activate protective measures in advance, preventing the fire from reaching a state where conventional extinguishing would be ineffective.
2Reliability
If the battery is fixed rigidly to the mounting frame, then the battery is protected from movement during normal operation, but the battery cannot be repositioned quickly in response to detected obstacles to prevent collision-induced fires
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the battery mounting system from a static fixed state to a dynamic adjustable state. The battery can be held firmly in normal operation and quickly repositioned when needed. The mounting frame includes movable components that allow the battery to slide along guides or be repositioned to different locations, enabling rapid response to detected obstacles while maintaining stability during normal use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mounting frame system between the battery and the vehicle body. This mounting frame acts as a mediator that provides both secure fixation and controlled mobility. The frame includes features like sliding rails, movable mounts, or repositionable fixtures that allow the battery to be quickly moved to a safe position while maintaining firm attachment during normal operation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If airbag devices are deployed to push the battery away from collision, then the battery is protected from impact, but the device complexity increases due to the need for obstacle detectors, controllers, and coordinated actuation mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the airbag system to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a protective cushion against impact and a mechanical actuator to push the battery away from detected obstacles. The same airbag deployment mechanism that protects occupants in conventional vehicles is repurposed to simultaneously relocate the battery, reducing the need for separate protection and repositioning systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the obstacle detection system, control system, and airbag actuation system into an integrated protective mechanism. The obstacle detectors, controllers, and airbag devices work as a unified system where detection triggers coordinated protection and repositioning actions. This integration reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate independent systems for detection, control, and actuation.
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 apparatus effectively protects the battery from impact and prevents fires by controlling the movement and positioning of the battery using airbags and height adjustments, thereby ensuring the safety of the vehicle and its occupants.
Implementation Method 1
airbag devices each configured to expand and deploy an airbag in response to the control signal from the controller to protect the battery from an impact caused by the obstacle and simultaneously push the battery to slide and move along the mounting frame
Data Source
AI summary
A battery fire prevention apparatus for a vehicle is able to effectively prevent a fire in a battery due to a collision with an obstacle. When an obstacle collision on a vehicle side is predicted, the battery is effectively protected from an impact caused by the obstacle and a battery fire is prevented by controlling the operations of battery fixing devices, airbag devices, and height control devices.