Battery Module Venting With Extinguisher Sheet for Fire Containment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Energy storage modules face challenges in preventing and extinguishing fires, which can spread quickly due to the arrangement and characteristics of battery cells, posing safety risks.

Innovation Solution

The energy storage module incorporates a cover member with vent ducts, an extinguisher sheet that emits a fire extinguishing agent at high temperatures, and insulation spacers to prevent fire spread, using polyurea or polyurethane for the extinguisher sheet and halogen carbon as the fire extinguishing agent, with specific configurations to manage gas discharge and extinguish fires effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If battery cells are arranged closely to increase energy density, then productivity and energy storage capacity are improved, but fire spread risk increases due to reduced spacing between cells

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy storage capacityVSAvoidfire spread risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The energy storage module divides the battery cell arrangement into isolated compartments using partition walls and insulation spacers. Each battery cell is separated by these structures, creating independent fire zones that prevent fire spread between cells while maintaining high energy density through optimized space utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Insulation spacers and fire-resistant materials are introduced as intermediary elements between adjacent battery cells. These intermediaries act as thermal barriers that block heat transfer and fire propagation pathways, allowing cells to be positioned closely together without increasing fire risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If traditional fire suppression methods are used, then device complexity is minimized, but fire extinguishing effectiveness is insufficient due to the characteristics of battery cell fires

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire suppression system complexityVSAvoidfire extinguishing effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fire suppression system utilizes temperature-sensitive parameters to trigger fire extinguishing. Fire extinguishing agents are positioned to be discharged when temperature thresholds are exceeded, automatically responding to battery cell thermal runaway events without requiring complex detection or control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The energy storage module employs passive fire suppression mechanisms where fire extinguishing agents are pre-positioned and automatically discharged in response to temperature changes during battery cell thermal runaway. The system self-activates without external control, providing reliable fire suppression while maintaining simple device architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If ventilation openings are provided for gas discharge, then safety is improved by preventing gas accumulation, but fire spread risk increases by providing pathways for flame propagation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas discharge safetyVSAvoidfire spread through ventilation pathways

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Ventilation openings are designed with differentiated local properties - they provide adequate gas discharge pathways while incorporating fire-resistant characteristics. The openings are positioned and sized to allow controlled gas venting while blocking flame propagation, creating localized safety zones around each battery cell.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 solution effectively suppresses ignition, rapidly extinguishes fires, and prevents heat from spreading to adjacent battery cells, enhancing the safety and reliability of energy storage modules by minimizing fire risks.

Implementation Method 1

an extinguisher sheet between the top cover and the top plate, the extinguisher sheet being configured to emit a fire extinguishing agent at a reference temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal decomposition: Pyrolysis

Implementation Method 2

rapidly extinguishes fires, and prevents heat from spreading to adjacent battery cells

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS11799167B2Energy storage module having extinguisher sheet

Publication Date: 2023.10.24 SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD

AI summary

An energy storage module includes: a cover member accommodating a plurality of battery cells in an internal receiving space, the battery cells being arranged in a first direction, each of the battery cells including a vent; a top plate coupled to a top of the cover member and including a duct corresponding to the vent of each of the battery cells; a top cover coupled to a top of the top plate and having a discharge opening corresponding to the duct; and an extinguisher sheet between the top cover and the top plate, the extinguisher sheet being configured to emit a fire extinguishing agent at a reference temperature.