Battery Cell Vent Shielding to Block Flame Spread
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery packs lack effective mechanisms to prevent the spread of flames and scattering of high-temperature solids between neighboring cells, which can lead to chain ignition reactions and damage to adjacent battery cells.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack design incorporating insulating protective sheets with thin units having sloping gradient cross-sectional profiles that cover battery cell vents, forming closed structures on the inner surface and open structures on the outer surface to suppress flame propagation and solid scattering, while providing electrical insulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If battery cells are arranged in a pack to increase output and capacity, then the energy storage and power output are improved, but the risk of flame spread and chain ignition between neighboring cells increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective sheet is segmented into multiple thin units arranged in an array, creating a patterned structure that provides both coverage and controlled permeability. This segmentation allows the sheet to function as a barrier while managing heat and flame propagation between battery cells in the pack.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating protective sheet acts as an intermediary barrier between neighboring battery cells. It is positioned between cells to prevent direct contact and heat transfer, thereby mediating the thermal interaction and preventing flame spread while allowing the battery pack to maintain high power output.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a protective sheet covers the vent to prevent flame spread, then the protection against chain ignition is improved, but the venting function may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The protective sheet exhibits local quality variations through its thin unit pattern. Different regions of the sheet have different properties - the thin units provide localized permeability for gas venting while the spaces between them provide flame barrier functionality. This local differentiation allows simultaneous achievement of protection and venting.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective sheet utilizes a porous structure formed by the array of thin units. This porous design allows gas to pass through during normal venting operations while the thin units themselves act as barriers to flame propagation, enabling the sheet to maintain both protective and venting functions.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a dense array of thin units is used to block flame propagation, then the flame spread prevention is improved, but the electrical insulation and gas permeability may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The protective sheet's parameters are optimized by controlling the dimensions, spacing, and arrangement of the thin units. By adjusting these parameters, the sheet achieves the right balance between flame blocking capability (requiring dense arrangement) and gas permeability/electrical insulation (requiring appropriate spacing and material properties).
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 mitigates the spread of flames and solids between battery cells, preventing chain ignition reactions and protecting adjacent cells by controlling the critical rupture pressure and ensuring electrical insulation.
Implementation Method 1
insulating protective sheets configured to respectively cover first surfaces of the battery cells in which the vents are formed... suppress the eruption of flames and/or the scattering of high-temperature solids... preventing the spread of flames to other neighboring battery cells
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a battery pack. An insulating protective sheet having the plurality of thin units may be disposed on the vent for discharging gas or relieving pressure accumulated inside each of the plurality of battery cells forming the battery pack. The battery pack may suppress eruption of flames or scattering of high-temperature solids in addition to relief of internal pressure or discharge of internal gas, thereby preventing spread of flames to other neighboring battery cells or chain ignition therebetween.