Energy Storage Module Venting With Insulation Spacers for Fire Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Energy storage modules, particularly those linked to renewable energy systems, face challenges in preventing fires from spreading to adjacent battery cells due to their high-capacity and high-output characteristics, making it difficult to extinguish fires effectively.
Innovation Solution
The energy storage module incorporates insulation spacers with flame-retardant and heat-insulating sheets between battery cells, a top cover with ducts and discharge holes, and an extinguisher sheet that emits a fire extinguishing agent at elevated temperatures to contain and extinguish fires, while maintaining electrical isolation and facilitating air cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple battery cells are arranged in high-density configuration to increase energy storage capacity, then productivity and energy density are improved, but the risk of fire spread to adjacent cells increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery module is segmented into multiple compartments by partition walls, with insulation spacers positioned between adjacent battery cells. This segmentation physically divides the space around each cell, creating isolated chambers that prevent fire from spreading to neighboring cells while maintaining high-density arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
Insulation spacers made of flame-retardant and heat-insulating materials are introduced as intermediary elements between adjacent battery cells. These spacers act as mediators that block heat transfer and fire propagation pathways, allowing the battery cells to be arranged in high-density configuration without increasing fire spread risk.
2Reliability
If insulation spacers with flame-retardant sheets are placed between battery cells to prevent fire spread, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The partition wall and insulation spacer are merged into a single integrated component. The partition wall itself is constructed with flame-retardant and heat-insulating properties, combining the functions of structural division and fire protection into one element, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition wall serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for dividing the battery module, acts as a fire barrier to prevent fire spread, and provides thermal insulation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, simplifying the overall module structure while ensuring fire safety.
3Reliability
If extinguisher sheet is added to emit fire extinguishing agent at elevated temperatures, then fire suppression capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The extinguisher sheet is designed to automatically activate when exposed to elevated temperatures from a fire. The heat-sensitive material in the sheet causes it to emit fire extinguishing agent without requiring external sensors, control systems, or power sources, thereby providing fire suppression capability while minimizing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The extinguisher sheet is designed as a disposable safety component that is simple in structure and low in cost. It contains fire extinguishing agent and is designed to be used once during a fire event, after which it is replaced. This approach provides effective fire suppression without requiring complex reusable systems with sensors, actuators, and control electronics.
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 heat and fire spread to adjacent cells by rapid extinguishing and cooling, enhancing safety and reducing the risk of fire propagation in energy storage modules.
Implementation Method 1
each of the insulation spacers comprises a heat-insulating first sheet and flame-retardant or non-combustible second sheets respectively adhered to opposite surfaces of the first sheet
Implementation Method 2
the extinguisher sheet being configured to emit a fire extinguishing agent at a temperature exceeding a reference temperature
Implementation Method 3
the top plate comprising ducts respectively corresponding to vents of the battery cells and having opening holes respectively corresponding to the insulation spacers
Data Source
AI summary
An energy storage module includes: a plurality of battery cells arranged in a length direction; a plurality of insulation spacers; a cover member including an internal receiving space; a top plate coupled to a top of the cover member, the top plate including ducts respectively corresponding to vents of the battery cells and having opening holes respectively corresponding to the insulation spacers; a top cover coupled to a top of the top plate and having discharge holes respectively corresponding to the ducts; 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 temperature exceeding a reference temperature, the top cover including protrusion parts on a bottom surface thereof, the protrusion parts covering an exhaust region and being coupled to an exterior of each of the ducts.