Partitioned Battery Pack Layout for Targeted Thermal Runaway Suppression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional battery packs fail to effectively suppress the ignition and thermal runaway of a malfunctioning battery module, leading to rapid fire propagation and potential explosion, due to delayed fire extinguishing and inadequate containment mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A battery pack design with modular compartments and integrated fire extinguishing and cooling systems, featuring sensors to detect thermal events, targeted fire extinguishing water injection, and selective cooling to prevent ignition spread and thermal runaway.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If battery modules are densely arranged to improve energy density, then energy density is improved, but thermal runaway propagation risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy densityVSAvoidthermal runaway propagation

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The battery pack is divided into multiple independent module mounting areas separated by partition walls. Each area can independently contain thermal events, preventing propagation to other modules while maintaining dense arrangement of battery modules within each area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the battery pack are assigned different functions: module mounting areas for energy storage, partition walls for thermal isolation, and fire extinguishing areas for active fire suppression. This local differentiation allows dense module arrangement while providing targeted protection against thermal runaway propagation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If conventional fire extinguishing systems are used, then fire suppression capability is provided, but response time is delayed causing missed golden suppression window

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire suppression capabilityVSAvoidresponse time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Fire extinguishing water supply pipes are pre-positioned in fire extinguishing areas adjacent to module mounting areas. Sensors detect thermal events and immediately trigger water injection, eliminating delays associated with conventional systems that must first detect and then locate the fire source.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A fire extinguishing area acts as an intermediary zone between module mounting areas. This intermediate space contains the fire suppression mechanism and provides a buffer zone that enhances the effectiveness and speed of fire suppression while protecting adjacent modules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If fire extinguishing water is injected into malfunctioning battery module, then ignition is suppressed, but adjacent modules may be damaged by water

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveignition suppressionVSAvoidwater damage to adjacent modules

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The battery pack structure segments the fire extinguishing operation to a specific fire extinguishing area adjacent to the malfunctioning module. Partition walls confine water injection to the target area, preventing water from reaching and damaging adjacent functional battery modules while still suppressing ignition effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fire extinguishing area serves as an intermediary zone that isolates the water injection process from adjacent battery modules. This intermediate space allows fire suppression to occur without direct water contact with functioning modules, protecting them from water damage while maintaining suppression effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 system quickly suppresses ignition and prevents thermal runaway by intensive fire extinguishing and cooling, protecting adjacent modules and ensuring their reusability while maintaining overall pack safety.

Implementation Method 1

The sensor member may include at least one of a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature change of the battery module

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature sensing:

Implementation Method 2

a fire extinguishing unit configured to receive the danger signal and supply fire extinguishing water to the module mounting area in which a target battery module transmitting the danger signal among the battery modules is located

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFire extinguishing:

Implementation Method 3

The system quickly suppresses ignition and prevents thermal runaway by intensive fire extinguishing and cooling

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal runaway suppression:

Data Source

PatentUS20260031516A1Battery pack with improved fire safety

Publication Date: 2026.01.29 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

AI summary

A battery pack includes a pack case including a plurality of module mounting areas divided by partition walls, battery modules each including a sensor member for transmitting a danger signal when a thermal event occurs, the battery modules being respectively located in the plurality of module mounting areas, and a fire extinguishing unit configured to receive the danger signal and supply fire extinguishing water to the module mounting area in which a target battery module transmitting the danger signal among the battery modules is located.