Mixed Solid-Electrolyte Battery Module for Output and Fire Containment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing batteries using sulfide-based solid electrolytes excel in output characteristics but lack safety, while those using halogen-based solid electrolytes prioritize safety over output, necessitating a balance between the two.

Innovation Solution

A battery module design incorporating both sulfide-based and halogen-based batteries, where the halogen-based batteries are positioned to enhance safety and maintain output characteristics, with configurations such as alternating arrangements and covering the sulfide-based batteries to prevent fire spread.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If sulfide-based solid electrolyte is used, then output characteristics are improved, but safety deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoutput characteristicsVSAvoidsafety

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The battery module is divided into multiple battery units, each containing a mixture of sulfide-based batteries (for output) and halogen-based batteries (for safety). This segmentation allows each unit to contribute both high output and safety, resolving the contradiction at the system level.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions within the battery module have different compositions of battery types. The halogen-based batteries are strategically positioned to provide local safety enhancement, while sulfide-based batteries provide local output enhancement, achieving both goals simultaneously through spatial differentiation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If halogen-based solid electrolyte is used, then safety is improved, but output characteristics deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidoutput characteristics

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges sulfide-based batteries and halogen-based batteries into a single battery module, combining the high output characteristics of sulfide-based batteries with the high safety of halogen-based batteries to achieve both objectives simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The battery module uses a composite structure combining two different solid electrolyte systems (sulfide-based and halogen-based), leveraging the complementary properties of each material system to achieve both high output and high safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Power

If only sulfide-based batteries are used, then output characteristics are maximized, but fire risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoutput characteristicsVSAvoidfire risk

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Halogen-based batteries act as intermediary safety elements within the battery module, positioned among sulfide-based batteries to prevent fire spread while maintaining overall output characteristics. The halogen-based batteries serve as a protective buffer between sulfide-based batteries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Halogen-based batteries are pre-positioned within the battery module structure to provide preliminary protection against fire spread before actual thermal runaway occurs in sulfide-based batteries, preventing the propagation of harmful effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentUS12537257B2Battery module, vehicle, and method of manufacturing battery module

Publication Date: 2026.01.27 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

A battery module of the present disclosure includes a battery case, at least one sulfide-based battery disposed inside the battery case, and at least one halogen-based battery disposed inside the battery case. A vehicle of the present disclosure includes the battery module and an electric motor configured to be driven by electric power supplied from the battery module. A method of manufacturing a battery module of the present disclosure includes disposing at least one sulfide-based battery inside the battery case and disposing at least one halogen-based battery inside the battery case.