Refractory Silicone Busbar Cover for Fire and Dust Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing busbar assemblies in battery packs are prone to melting during flames, leading to potential short circuits and explosions due to exposure, and accumulate dust, which can cause further electrical issues.

Innovation Solution

A busbar assembly with a protective cover made of refractory silicone and protruding wing portions that cover through holes, ensuring electrical insulation and preventing dust accumulation, even in high-temperature environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional sheath and cap structure is used to protect the busbar, then the busbar is covered and provides some protection, but the structure melts during flames exposing the busbar and causes dust accumulation at coupling portions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire resistanceVSAvoiddust accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protective cover is made of refractory silicone, a composite material that combines the properties of silicone rubber with refractory characteristics. This material maintains flexibility for dust prevention while providing fire resistance to prevent melting during flames, resolving the contradiction between fire resistance and dust accumulation protection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The protective cover includes protruding wing portions that specifically cover coupling holes where dust accumulates, while the main body provides fire resistance. This localized functional differentiation addresses both dust accumulation at coupling portions and overall fire resistance without compromising either property

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the protective cover is made of fire-resistant material, then fire resistance is improved, but the material must maintain flexibility to prevent dust accumulation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire resistanceVSAvoiddust prevention capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Refrawatory silicone combines the fire-resistant properties of refractory materials with the flexibility and sealing capabilities of silicone rubber. This composite material can deform to seal coupling holes for dust prevention while maintaining structural integrity during fire exposure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The refractory silicone material undergoes parameter changes at different temperatures: at normal temperatures it remains flexible to seal coupling holes and prevent dust accumulation, while at high temperatures it maintains fire resistance to prevent melting and exposure of the busbar

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If through holes are exposed for electrical connection, then electrical connection is enabled, but dust accumulates in the holes causing short circuits

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoidshort circuit prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The protective cover is segmented into a main body portion and protruding wing portions. The wing portions specifically extend to cover coupling holes while the main body provides overall protection. This segmentation allows electrical connection through the holes while preventing dust accumulation that would cause short circuits

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protruding wing portions act as an intermediary structure between the exposed through holes and the external environment. They allow electrical connection to pass through the holes while serving as a barrier to prevent dust from entering and accumulating in the coupling portions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Maintains electrical insulation and prevents dust accumulation, reducing the risk of short circuits and explosions in battery packs by using refractory silicone and wing portions to protect the busbar assembly.

Implementation Method 1

A busbar assembly with a protective cover made of refractory silicone and protruding wing portions that cover through holes, ensuring electrical insulation and preventing dust accumulation, even in high-temperature environments

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFire resistance: Refractory Material

Data Source

PatentEP4672489A1Busbar assembly and battery pack including same
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4672489A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4672489A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4672489A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A busbar assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a busbar including a body portion extending in a first direction and end portions located at both ends of the body portion in the first direction and having through holes formed therein, and a protective cover including a cover portion surrounding the busbar, and a plurality of wing portions protruding from the cover portion in a second direction intersecting the first direction.