Assembled Battery Spacer for Elastic Support and Heat Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spacers for secondary batteries lack sufficient pressure resistance and elasticity to manage the expansion of unit batteries during charging and the generation of gas, which can lead to heat transfer issues and potential chain reactions of damage in abnormal states.
Innovation Solution
A spacer incorporating a heat conduction control member and a buffer member, housed within an outer package, which provides high thermal conductivity for efficient heat transfer in normal states and switches to low thermal conductivity at elevated temperatures to prevent heat conduction to adjacent unit batteries in abnormal states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a spacer with high pressure resistance is used to withstand battery expansion and gas generation, then the spacer can maintain structural integrity, but the elasticity required to absorb battery expansion is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer is constructed as a composite structure comprising a porous base material (such as porous resin or foam) that provides elasticity to absorb battery expansion, combined with a heat-resistant coating layer or reinforcement structure that enhances pressure resistance. This composite approach allows the spacer to simultaneously exhibit both elastic deformation capability and high strength under pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the spacer are designed with different properties: the bulk material provides elasticity through its porous structure, while specific zones (such as the outer surface or contact areas with batteries) are reinforced with higher-strength materials or denser structures to withstand pressure. This localized differentiation allows the spacer to optimize both elasticity and pressure resistance where needed.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a spacer with low thermal conductivity is used to prevent heat transfer in abnormal states, then heat isolation is improved, but heat dissipation capability in normal states is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer incorporates a phase-change material (such as paraffin or salt hydrate) that dynamically changes its thermal properties based on temperature. In normal operating conditions, the material remains in a state that allows heat dissipation. When abnormal temperature rise occurs, the material undergoes phase change (melting or crystallization) that absorbs or releases latent heat, thereby isolating heat and preventing thermal runaway propagation.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal conductivity of the spacer is made variable through the use of temperature-responsive materials or structures. At normal temperatures, the spacer maintains sufficient thermal conductivity for heat dissipation. When the temperature reaches a critical threshold, the material properties change (such as expansion, phase change, or structural transformation) that reduces thermal conductivity, thereby providing heat isolation when needed.
3Device complexity
If the spacer structure is simplified to reduce manufacturing complexity, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to provide both pressure resistance and thermal management functions is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously performs multiple roles: mechanical support and pressure resistance, elastic absorption of battery expansion, thermal management (both heat dissipation and heat isolation), and potentially even electrical insulation. By integrating these functions into a single component rather than using multiple separate parts, the overall device complexity is reduced while maintaining comprehensive functional performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer employs composite materials that inherently provide multiple properties within a single material system. For example, a porous ceramic foam or composite resin structure can simultaneously offer mechanical strength, elasticity, thermal insulation, and electrical resistance, thereby achieving multi-functionality without requiring complex assembly of multiple components.
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 spacer effectively absorbs the expansion of unit batteries, maintains performance, and prevents chain reactions of damage by providing both high elasticity and pressure resistance, while efficiently transferring heat in normal conditions and isolating heat in abnormal conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the heat conduction control member has a function of transferring heat from unit batteries to the spacer in normal states, and has a function of isolating heat in abnormal states
Implementation Method 2
the heat insulating material precursor contains at least one selected from the group consisting of inorganic particles and inorganic fibers and a liquid
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a spacer and an assembled battery which exhibit good elasticity and pressure resistance, and efficiently transfer heat generated from an adjacent unit battery to a neighboring unit battery in a normal state, and can prevent a chain of damage between unit batteries in an abnormal state in which adjacent unit batteries are damaged and there is a risk that the damage will spread to the entire assembled battery in a chain reaction. The spacer includes a heat conduction control member, a buffer member, and an outer package for housing these members.