Inflatable Fire Basin Structure for EV Battery Thermal Load Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fire extinguishing systems for electric vehicles are not stationary, require significant space, are heavy, and mechanically complex, necessitating a lifting mechanism for activation, and lack efficient thermal load cooling capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A fire extinguishing and thermal load cooling arrangement comprising a support structure with expandable members made of metal material that can inflate vertically to form an inflated basin structure around the fire protection area, filled with fluid or gas, and controlled by sensors and valves to extinguish fires and manage thermal loads.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing fire extinguishing systems are used for battery fires, then fire protection is provided, but the systems are heavy and require lifting mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire protection capabilityVSAvoidsystem weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs pneumatic principles by using compressed gas (nitrogen or carbon dioxide) to inflate the basin structure and deliver extinguishing agents. The system uses a gas storage cylinder connected via hose to the basin, where gas pressure inflates the expandable members and forces extinguishing fluid through spray nozzles, eliminating the need for heavy mechanical lifting mechanisms while providing reliable fire protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Reliability

If existing fire extinguishing systems are used for battery fires, then fire protection is provided, but they require a lot of space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire protection capabilityVSAvoidspace requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamic principles through expandable members that can change volume from a compact deflated state to an inflated basin structure when needed. The expandable members are mounted on a support structure and can be inflated using compressed gas to form the fire-protection basin only when a fire is detected, significantly reducing the space required for storage while maintaining effective fire protection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If existing fire extinguishing systems are used for battery fires, then fire protection is provided, but they are mechanically complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire protection capabilityVSAvoidmechanical complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical lifting and deployment mechanisms with pneumatic systems. Compressed gas from a storage cylinder inflates the basin structure and delivers extinguishing agents through spray nozzles, eliminating the need for heavy mechanical lifts, complex deployment mechanisms, and multiple manual operations, thereby reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining reliable fire protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If manual fire extinguishing systems are used, then fire protection is provided, but deployment is difficult and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire protection capabilityVSAvoiddeployment time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service through automatic fire detection and system activation. Sensors detect fire conditions and automatically trigger the pneumatic system to inflate the basin and deliver extinguishing agents without requiring manual intervention for deployment, significantly reducing deployment time while maintaining reliable fire protection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 arrangement provides effective, cost-efficient, and reliable fire extinguishing and thermal load management, easy to install, and reduces the risk of fire spread by forming a protective basin structure around the fire area.

Implementation Method 1

the one or more expandable members are configured to attain an inflated state when expanded fluidically or by gas in a vertical direction with respect to the base surface to form an inflated basin structure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas expansion: Gas Compressor

Implementation Method 2

allow flow of the fluid or gas into the inflated basin structure for extinguishing a fire caused by a battery

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal cooling: Cooling

Data Source

PatentEP4403234B1Fire extinguishing and thermal load cooling arrangement and fire extinguishing system

Publication Date: 2026.05.20 HYPINNO OY

Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B

AI summary

Disclosed is a fire extinguishing and thermal load cooling arrangement (100, 200, 502, 602) comprises a support structure (102, 202, 302, 404, 504) configured to be arranged temporarily or permanently on a base surface (104, 204, 506) for defining a fire protection area (106, 206), and one or more expandable members (108, 208, 300, 400, 508) mounted on the support structure. Moreover, the one or more expandable members are configured to attain a relaxed state (110, 210, 310, 406) and rest on the support structure. Furthermore, the one or more expandable members are configured to attain an inflated state (116, 212, 304) when expanded fluidically or by gas in a vertical direction with respect to the base surface to form an inflated basin structure (214) around the fire protection area. Disclosed also a fire extinguishing system (500, 600).