Battery Module Flame Retardant Plate for Venting and Fire Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium secondary battery modules face a high risk of secondary fires or explosions, which can spread heat or flames to adjacent batteries, necessitating a solution to prevent such incidents.
Innovation Solution
A battery module design featuring a flame retardant plate with a multilayer structure, including a flame retardant layer, heat insulating layer, expandable layer, and heat absorbing layer, interposed between cell assemblies, along with a gas passage and busbar assembly to manage gas flow and prevent flame spread, and a flame barrier extending in the left-right direction within the gas passage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a battery rack includes a plurality of battery modules to increase capacity and output, then the energy storage capability is improved, but the risk of secondary fire or explosion increases due to heat and flame spread to adjacent batteries
Solution Approach 1:
The battery module is divided into multiple cell assemblies (first cell assembly and second cell assembly) that are stacked in the front-rear direction. Each cell assembly is separated by a flame retardant plate, creating segmented compartments that prevent heat and flame from spreading between adjacent batteries while maintaining high capacity through parallel stacking.
Solution Approach 2:
A flame retardant plate is introduced as an intermediary component between the first and second cell assemblies. The plate includes a flame barrier that physically blocks heat and flame propagation while allowing gas circulation. This intermediary structure enables close stacking of batteries for high capacity while maintaining safety through active flame retardation.
2Ease of operation
If gas passages are formed to release gas from secondary batteries, then gas venting capability is improved, but flames may spread to adjacent secondary batteries through the gas passage
Solution Approach 1:
The flame retardant plate has different functional zones with distinct properties: a body portion for structural support and heat blocking, and a flame barrier extension specifically positioned in the gas passage path. The flame barrier has gas vent holes that allow gas flow while the surrounding flame retardant material blocks flame propagation, creating local quality variations that simultaneously enable gas venting and prevent flame spread.
Solution Approach 2:
The flame barrier includes gas vent holes that allow gas to pass through while blocking flame propagation. The porous structure with controlled openings enables selective passage of gas molecules while the flame retardant material surrounding the holes prevents flame front from passing through, allowing gas release functionality while maintaining fire safety.
3Reliability
If a flame retardant plate is interposed between cell assemblies to prevent flame spread, then fire safety is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components and multilayer structure
Solution Approach 1:
The flame retardant plate performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support between cell assemblies, blocks heat and flame propagation, enables gas circulation through vent holes, and maintains mechanical stability of the battery module. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving comprehensive fire safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The flame retardant plate is constructed with composite material properties combining flame retardant characteristics with structural integrity. The plate integrates a flame barrier extension with the main body, creating a composite structure that provides both flame protection and mechanical support in a single component, reducing overall complexity compared to using separate flame retardant and structural elements.
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 prevents the spread of fires between cell assemblies by allowing gas venting through gas vent holes and using a multilayer structure to absorb heat and expand, thereby enhancing safety by reducing the risk of secondary fires or explosions.
Implementation Method 1
an expandable layer which expands its volume at a predetermined temperature
Implementation Method 2
a heat absorbing layer which absorbs heat at a predetermined temperature
Implementation Method 3
a flame barrier extending in a left-right direction from at least one of left end or right end of the body and disposed in part of the gas passage
Data Source
AI summary
A battery module has a reduced risk of secondary fire or explosion. The battery module includes at least two cell assemblies including a plurality of secondary batteries, a module housing having a gas passage on at least one of left side or right side of the cell assembly for circulation of gas generated from the cell assembly, and a flame retardant plate including a body interposed between the at least two cell assemblies, and a flame barrier extending in a left-right direction from at least one of left end or right end of the body and disposed in part of the gas passage.