Honeycomb Battery Test Stand for Thermal Runaway Material Evaluation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for evaluating materials to prevent thermal propagation in batteries are not standardized, leading to non-comparable test results and inefficiencies in assessing materials' suitability for thermal runaway scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A test stand with a honeycomb-patterned housing and activatable initiation cell simulates thermal runaway conditions, allowing for the evaluation of materials' effectiveness in a controlled and comparable manner, using a honeycomb pattern to replicate thermal propagation in a compact setup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If non-standard test setups are used for evaluating materials in thermal runaway scenarios, then each battery manufacturer can test with their own battery design, but the test results are not directly comparable with each other
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies homogeneity by standardizing the test setup across different manufacturers. A common honeycomb pattern configuration, standardized initiation cell design, and uniform material placement protocols ensure that all tests are conducted under identical conditions, making results directly comparable while still allowing evaluation of different battery cell designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The test stand design incorporates universal features that can evaluate different battery cell types and configurations within the same standardized framework. The honeycomb pattern and initiation cell system serve multiple purposes: they can test various battery chemistries, formats, and protective materials while maintaining consistent evaluation criteria.
2Adaptability or versatility
If materials are tested in non-standardized battery configurations, then manufacturers can use their own designs, but the effort and cost increase due to lack of standardization
Solution Approach 1:
The test system is segmented into modular components: a standardized honeycomb housing structure, interchangeable battery cell positions, and a separate initiation cell system. This segmentation allows manufacturers to test different battery designs by simply changing the cell configuration within the same standardized housing, reducing overall system complexity and cost.
3Volume of moving object
If a honeycomb pattern is used to arrange initiation cell and battery cells, then thermal propagation can be simulated in a compact setup, but the housing requires precise geometric configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The honeycomb pattern structure is pre-configured in the housing design with predetermined cell positions and spacing. The initiation cell and battery cell locations are established in advance according to the hexagonal geometry, eliminating the need for precise manual positioning during testing and reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining compact dimensions.
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
Facilitates standardized evaluation of materials' performance in thermal runaway scenarios, providing realistic and efficient assessment of thermal propagation and pressure management, enabling comparative analysis of different materials and configurations.
Implementation Method 1
A local short-circuit between the internal electrodes of a battery cell leads to a high short-circuit current that heats up the battery cell extremely quickly. Mechanical damage from the outside or thermal overheating, for example due to the failure of a battery cooling system, can also lead to extreme heating or thermal runaway of the battery cell.
Implementation Method 2
A local short-circuit between the internal electrodes of a battery cell leads to a high short-circuit current that heats up the battery cell extremely quickly.
Implementation Method 3
It is known from the prior art to provide a material with low thermal conductivity, high dielectric strength and high thermal (fire) resistance between the individual battery cells in order to reduce the risk of thermal propagation.
Implementation Method 4
provide a material with low thermal conductivity, high dielectric strength and high thermal (fire) resistance between the individual battery cells
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a test stand and method for evaluating a material, useful in a battery, under conditions which may occur during a thermal runaway of the battery, the test stand comprising a honeycomb housing with a hexagonal housing base, wherein in an inner space of the housing at least one activatable initiation cell and a plurality of cylindrical battery cells are arranged, the material to be evaluated being arranged in the inner space or on the housing, the initiation cell and the battery cells being arranged in a honeycomb pattern in which a cell which does not lie at the border of the honeycomb pattern has in each case six neighbouring cells which lie on the corners of an equilateral hexagon with a side length which corresponds to a distance A between cell and neighbouring cell.