Battery Module Vent Closure for Firewater Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
In battery modules with air-cooled structures, firewater leaks out due to air channels, making it difficult to suppress fires effectively.
Innovation Solution
A battery module design that includes a cell stack, a module housing with a valve installation hole, a feed valve nozzle, and an expandable member that absorbs fluid to close air vents, ensuring firewater stays within the module.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If air channels are kept open in air-cooled battery modules for normal operation, then heat dissipation is improved, but firewater leaks out and cannot suppress fires effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The air channels are designed to be dynamically switchable between open and closed states. During normal operation, the channels remain open for heat dissipation. During fire emergencies, the channels are closed to retain firewater. This dynamic state change resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to optimize for heat dissipation when needed and fire suppression when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the air channels from permanently open to controllable open/closed states. By introducing controllable closure mechanisms (such as water-responsive closing structures), the system can adjust the channel state parameter based on operational conditions, thereby achieving both effective heat dissipation during normal operation and firewater retention during emergencies.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If firewater is fed into the battery module to suppress flames, then fire suppression is improved, but firewater leaks out through air channels making suppression difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary anti-action by pre-configuring the air channels with closure mechanisms that activate when firewater is introduced. The channels are designed to automatically close or block upon detecting firewater injection, preventing the water from leaking out before it can perform its fire suppression function. This preliminary preparation ensures that firewater remains in the module long enough to suppress flames effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary structures (such as water-responsive closing mechanisms or blocking elements) that mediate between the firewater injection and the air channels. These intermediaries detect the presence of firewater and automatically close the channels, preventing water loss while allowing heat dissipation during normal operation. The intermediary acts as a smart valve that responds to the operational state.
3Reliability
If air channels are closed to prevent firewater leakage, then fire suppression effectiveness is improved, but heat dissipation capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The air channels are designed with dynamic controllability, allowing them to switch between open and closed states based on operational needs. During normal operation, channels are open for heat dissipation. During fire emergencies, channels close to retain firewater. This dynamic switching capability resolves the contradiction by allowing optimal performance for both heat dissipation and firewater retention at different times.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic action by alternating between open and closed states of the air channels based on operational phases. The channels are open during normal operation for heat dissipation and close during fire suppression for water retention. This periodic switching between states allows the system to achieve both heat dissipation and firewater retention effectiveness at appropriate times.
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 suppresses flames and prevents fire propagation between battery cells by emergently feeding firewater and maintaining a predetermined water level, thereby enhancing fire safety in battery modules.
Implementation Method 1
an expandable member provided in the module housing, wherein the expandable member absorbs fluid to expand in volume during operation of the feed valve nozzle to close at least one of the air inlet, the air outlet or the valve installation hole
Data Source
AI summary
A battery module includes a cell stack including a plurality of battery cells stacked in a direction, a module housing having an internal space in which the cell stack is received and an air inlet and an air outlet through which air enters and exits, a valve installation hole formed through a side wall of the module housing, a feed valve nozzle installed at the valve installation hole facing the internal space of the module housing, and a water expandable member provided in the module housing. The water expandable member expands in volume when it absorbs water during operation of the feed valve nozzle to close at least one of the air inlet, the air outlet or the valve installation hole.