Fire Extinguishing Capsule for Lithium-Ion Battery Thermal Runaway
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium-ion battery fires pose a risk due to the release of hydrofluoric acid gas, which is highly toxic and difficult to extinguish using existing methods, as it does not burn or explode and can cause fatal damage to humans.
Innovation Solution
A fire extinguishing device with a fire extinguishing agent and capsule that vaporizes at a determined temperature, expanding to increase contact area and disperse a neutralizing agent, such as an alkaline component, to neutralize hydrofluoric acid gas and extinguish the fire by sealing the battery from air, while allowing cooling fluid to flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing cooling structures and cooling methods are used, then battery overheating can be suppressed to some extent, but fire cannot be completely prevented due to hydrofluoric acid gas generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a fire extinguishing capsule containing a fire extinguishing agent as an intermediary substance between the battery and the harmful hydrofluoric acid gas. When the battery undergoes thermal runaway, the capsule is activated to release the fire extinguishing agent that neutralizes the hydrofluoric acid gas, thereby protecting the human body from its harmful effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful thermal energy generated during battery thermal runaway into a beneficial trigger mechanism. The heat from the thermal runaway event activates the fire extinguishing capsule, which then releases the fire extinguishing agent to neutralize the hydrofluoric acid gas, turning the harmful heat into a signal for protective action.
2Reliability
If fire extinguishing agent is sprayed to extinguish fire, then fire can be extinguished, but hydrofluoric acid gas still spreads into the air causing fatal damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two functions into a single fire extinguishing capsule: (1) fire extinguishing by releasing fire extinguishing agent, and (2) neutralization of hydrofluoric acid gas. The capsule contains both the fire extinguishing agent and the neutralizing capability, allowing simultaneous action against both the fire and the toxic gas emission.
Solution Approach 2:
The fire extinguishing capsule is designed with multi-functionality to address multiple hazards simultaneously. It serves as both a fire extinguishing device and a neutralizing agent for hydrofluoric acid gas, making it a universal solution for the complex problem of battery thermal runaway that produces both fire and toxic gas.
3Reliability
If fire extinguishing capsule expands to seal battery, then oxygen is blocked and fire is extinguished, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transition of the fire extinguishing agent within the capsule as the expansion mechanism. When the capsule is activated by thermal runaway heat, the fire extinguishing agent undergoes phase change (e.g., from solid to gas), causing the capsule to expand and seal the battery, thereby blocking oxygen and extinguishing the fire.
Solution Approach 2:
The fire extinguishing capsule is designed to be self-activating through phase transition of its internal contents. The capsule automatically expands and seals the battery when exposed to the heat from thermal runaway, eliminating the need for external activation mechanisms or complex control systems.
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 device effectively neutralizes hydrofluoric acid gas and quickly extinguishes battery fires, preventing further damage by intensively supplying the extinguishing agent to the battery and blocking oxygen, thus improving safety and sealing properties.
Implementation Method 1
the fire extinguishing agent vaporizes at a determined temperature or higher according to heat generation or ignition of the base portion
Implementation Method 2
the base portion is formed by mixing polymer and silicone or comprises a polymer layer and a silicone layer configured to coat an outer surface of the polymer layer, and is configured to expand and rupture at the determined temperature
Implementation Method 3
the base portion is configured to, in a case of a fire or explosion of the target object, be destroyed together and the fire extinguishing agent is dispersed in a direction of the target object
Data Source
AI summary
A fire extinguishing device having a fire extinguishing agent and a fire extinguishing capsule is provided. The fire extinguishing device includes a base portion having an internal space in a form of a capsule and a fire extinguishing agent located inside the base portion and configured to extinguish a flame, wherein the base portion is formed to be in contact with a target object, the fire extinguishing agent vaporizes at a determined temperature or higher according to heat generation or ignition of the base portion, a contact area between the base portion and the target object increases as the base portion expands, and the base portion is configured to, in a case of a fire or explosion of the target object, be destroyed together and the fire extinguishing agent is dispersed in a direction of the target object.