Fire-Extinguishing Inter-Module Busbar for Arc Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing busbars in battery packs lack a fire extinguishing mechanism and are prone to electrical short circuits when exposed during fires, with existing insulation methods only preventing contact but not actively extinguishing flames.
Innovation Solution
An inter-module busbar with an insulator containing an extinguishing liquid that leaks to directly extinguish flames, featuring a metal bar surrounded by insulating layers with injection holes and sealing caps to manage the liquid, using expandable and ceramized silicone materials for protection and fire resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional busbars without fire-extinguishing liquid are used, then the device complexity is low and manufacturing is simple, but fire safety is insufficient and arc damage can spread
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the fire-extinguishing function with the busbar structure by integrating fire-extinguishing liquid directly into the busbar body. The busbar serves dual purposes: electrical conduction and fire suppression, eliminating the need for separate fire safety systems while enhancing reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The busbar is designed with a porous structure that allows fire-extinguishing liquid to be contained within its matrix. This porous configuration enables the liquid to be distributed throughout the busbar volume, providing effective fire suppression without significantly increasing device complexity
2Reliability
If fire-extinguishing liquid is integrated into the busbar, then fire safety and arc containment are improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The porous structure of the busbar naturally contains the fire-extinguishing liquid within its matrix through capillary action. This eliminates the need for precise sealing structures or complex retention mechanisms, thereby reducing manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining effective arc containment
Solution Approach 2:
The busbar is constructed as a composite material system combining conductive material with fire-extinguishing liquid. This composite approach integrates multiple functions (electrical conduction and fire suppression) into a single component, simplifying the overall structure and reducing manufacturing complexity
3Reliability
If fire-extinguishing liquid is added to the busbar, then the quantity of substance increases, but fire safety and operational reliability are improved
Solution Approach 1:
The porous structure allows the busbar to contain fire-extinguishing liquid within its internal matrix without significantly increasing its external dimensions. The liquid is distributed throughout the porous network, providing effective fire suppression with minimal additional substance quantity
Solution Approach 2:
The fire-extinguishing function is merged into the busbar structure itself, using the busbar's own volume to contain the liquid. This eliminates the need for separate fire suppression containers or reservoirs, thereby minimizing the additional quantity of substance required
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 busbar effectively extinguishes fires by leaking extinguishing liquid to the flames, reducing manufacturing costs and simplifying production, while allowing flexible design for various fire types and environments.
Implementation Method 1
the fire-extinguishing liquid may be cooled by a cooling medium... the fire-extinguishing liquid absorbs thermal energy
Implementation Method 2
the cooling medium may be water or another fire-extinguishing liquid... thermal coupling between the first and second cooling mediums
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to an inter-module busbar configured to connect battery modules to each other, and more particularly to an inter-module busbar including a metal bar made of an electrically conductive metal material and an insulator located on a part of the metal bar excluding opposite ends of the metal bar, wherein an extinguishing liquid is included in the insulator.