Battery Cell Tab Assembly With Flame Barriers Against Fire Spread

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Solution Overview

Problem

Secondary batteries generate significant heat during charging and discharging, which can lead to fire propagation among adjacent cells, posing a risk of complete battery module or pack damage.

Innovation Solution

A battery assembly design incorporating a flame retardant portion positioned between tab portions of adjacent cells, which delays fire propagation by occupying the space where flames typically spread, using materials with a V0 or higher UL94 rating.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If multiple secondary batteries are grouped together to manufacture a battery module or battery pack, then high-capacity and high-output properties are achieved, but fire may propagate from one battery to adjacent batteries causing complete burnout

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehigh-capacity and high-output propertiesVSAvoidfire propagation
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the battery assembly into isolated compartments by positioning flame retardant portions between adjacent battery cells. These portions create physical segmentation that prevents fire from propagating from one battery to another, while still allowing the batteries to be grouped together for high-capacity applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flame retardant portion acts as an intermediary element positioned between adjacent battery tabs and bodies. This intermediary material with V0 or higher UL94 rating intercepts and suppresses fire propagation paths, protecting the battery assembly while maintaining electrical connectivity through the busbar assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If flame retardant portions are positioned between adjacent battery cells to prevent fire propagation, then fire safety is improved, but the insertion space between battery main body and busbar assembly is occupied

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire propagation preventionVSAvoidinsertion space occupation
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flame retardant portions are positioned locally at specific critical locations where fire propagation is most likely to occur - between adjacent battery tabs and along the insertion space. This localized placement provides maximum fire protection while minimizing space occupation, as the portions are sized to fit within existing gaps rather than adding external volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The flame retardant portions are designed to occupy only the necessary minimal space required for fire protection - filling the insertion space between battery main bodies and busbars without excessive volume. This partial occupation is sufficient to block fire paths while maintaining adequate space for electrical connections and thermal management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 flame retardant portion effectively blocks fire pathways, enhancing the stability of the battery assembly by preventing rapid fire spread and minimizing damage.

Implementation Method 1

a pillar-shaped flame retardant portion positioned in an insertion space formed between the main body portion and the busbar assembly by tab portions of two adjacent battery cells

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal Insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP4583272B1Battery assembly
Publication Date: 2026.04.15 SK ON CO LTD
  • EP4583272B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4583272B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4583272B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A battery assembly of the present disclosure includes: a plurality of battery cells, which each include a main body portion storing and supplying electric energy and a tab portion protruding outwardly from the main body portion and electrically connecting the main body portion and the outside and are stacked along one direction; an accommodating housing accommodating the plurality of battery cells therein; a busbar assembly positioned inside the accommodating housing and including a through-hole formed on one surface thereof, wherein the tab portion is inserted into the through-hole to electrically connect at least a part of the plurality of battery cells to each other; and a pillar-shaped flame retardant portion positioned in an insertion space formed between the main body portion and the busbar assembly by tab portions of two adjacent battery cells among the plurality of battery cells.