Motorized Workbench with Water Tank for Battery Thermal Runaway

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing workbenches for electrochemical batteries lack effective means to quickly and safely manage thermal runaway and prevent fires, as they either fail to contain the fire or render the battery electrically inert, and require cumbersome and expensive installations like water pools or fire-fighting systems.

Innovation Solution

A workbench with an electrically insulated, motorized, and remotely controllable worktop that can be lowered into a water tank for rapid cooling and electrical discharge, utilizing a pneumatic actuation mechanism and autonomous energy reserve to ensure safe and efficient operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a water pool or fire-fighting system is installed to prevent battery fires, then fire safety is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire safetyVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The workbench is merged with a water tank system, combining the support function with the fire safety function into a single integrated structure. The tank is positioned directly beneath the worktop, eliminating the need for separate fire-fighting installations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The water tank is nested beneath the workbench structure, with the battery immersion capability integrated into the existing workbench footprint. This nesting approach maximizes space utilization and minimizes additional installation requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If a water pool is installed to cool and contain battery fires, then fire containment is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to cumbersome handling requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire containmentVSAvoidbattery immersion ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The workbench incorporates a motorized lifting mechanism that dynamically adjusts the worktop height, enabling automatic battery immersion into the water tank. This eliminates manual handling and makes the immersion process quick and easy to operate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Temperature

If the worktop is lowered into the water tank for battery immersion, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but ease of operation worsens due to manual lowering requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling effectivenessVSAvoidworktop lowering ease

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The worktop is equipped with a motorized lifting mechanism that automatically lowers it into the water tank when needed. This dynamic adjustment system eliminates manual effort and enables rapid response to thermal runaway events.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical lowering system is replaced with an electric motorized system, substituting human physical effort with automated mechanical actuation. This enables single-operator control and reduces physical strain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of operation

If a motorized lifting mechanism is added to the workbench, then ease of operation is improved, but use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery immersion easeVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The motorized lifting mechanism operates only periodically when battery immersion or extraction is required, rather than continuously. This intermittent operation minimizes energy consumption while maintaining full functionality when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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

Enables safe and rapid immersion of the battery in water to prevent fires and electrical hazards, ensuring operator safety and efficient cooling, even in the absence of external power or energy sources, while maintaining ergonomic working conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a water tank arranged below the worktop... the battery can be completely immersed in water very quickly... which effectively cools it

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

the battery can be completely immersed in water very quickly by lowering the work surface, which effectively cools it

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

the battery can be completely immersed in water very quickly by lowering the work surface, which effectively cools it, prevents any fire starting, and electrically discharges it

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP2929987B1Workbench for electrochemical batteries, comprising a water tray arranged below same

Publication Date: 2017.03.01 PSA AUTOMOBILES SA

AI summary

Workbench for electrochemical batteries, comprising an electrically insulated work surface (2) intended to receive the battery, characterized in that it comprises a water tray (4) disposed below the work surface (2), and means for lowering this surface into the tray.