Hot-Melt Cap Assembly for Heat-Triggered Battery Fire Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire extinguishing devices for vehicle electrical storage devices are expensive and require regular maintenance, with complex actuation mechanisms that are not purely mechanical.
Innovation Solution
A fire extinguishing device with a cap and bottle containing fire-extinguishing gas, where the piercing device is made from hot-melt material that melts at elevated temperatures to rupture the sealing membrane and hermetically seal the bottle, allowing gas release only when the temperature exceeds a certain threshold.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex actuation mechanism with multiple parts is used, then the device can reliably release gas, but the device complexity increases and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The piercing device combines multiple functions into a single integrated component: it pierces the sealing membrane, seals the bottle opening, and maintains hermetic sealing. This eliminates the need for separate actuation mechanisms, needles, and sealing components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The piercing device serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it acts as a piercing element, a sealing element, and a valve mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the number of parts required and simplifies the overall device structure while ensuring reliable gas release when needed
2Reliability
If a complex actuation mechanism with multiple parts is used, then the device can reliably release gas, but the maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The piercing device is designed to be self-actuating through thermal response. When exposed to fire temperatures, the material automatically melts and closes the opening, eliminating the need for external actuation mechanisms that would require maintenance. The device serves itself by using the thermal environment to trigger its sealing function
Solution Approach 2:
The piercing device appears to be designed as a single-use or limited-life component that is replaced rather than maintained. This disposable approach eliminates complex maintenance requirements while ensuring reliable operation for the duration of the device's service life
3Device complexity
If the piercing device is made from hot-melt material, then the actuation is simplified to purely mechanical, but the material must withstand specific temperature thresholds
Solution Approach 1:
The piercing device utilizes changes in material properties with temperature. The hot-melt material transitions from solid to liquid state at specific temperature thresholds, enabling automatic actuation. This parameter change approach simplifies the mechanism by eliminating complex mechanical actuators while responding to thermal conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The piercing device exploits the phase transition of hot-melt material from solid to liquid state. This phase change occurs at predetermined temperature thresholds, allowing the device to automatically seal the bottle opening when exposed to fire conditions without requiring external actuation
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
Simplifies the actuation process, reduces maintenance needs, and ensures effective fire suppression by releasing fire-extinguishing gas only when needed, using a hot-melt material piercing device that transitions from solid to liquid state at temperatures above 80°C, enhancing the device's mechanical strength and sealing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the piercing device is made from an at least partially hot-melt material, the cap being able to be secured to the bottle so that the piercing device ruptures the sealing membrane of said bottle
Implementation Method 2
the piercing device is made from an at least partially hot-melt material... transitioning from solid to liquid state at temperatures above 80°C
Data Source
AI summary
A device is for extinguishing a fire inside an electric storage device of a vehicle. The extinguishing device includes at least one cap and a cylinder containing at least one gas for extinguishing the fire. The cylinder includes a closing seal and defines a space containing the gas. The cap includes at least one puncturing device and a base provided with an apertured wall. The puncturing device is capable of breaking the closing seal of the cylinder whilst maintaining its air-tightness.