Prismatic Battery Cell Insulation Sheet for Thermal Runaway Blocking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional power supply devices with stacked battery cells lack effective thermal insulation, increasing the risk of thermal runaways, especially as battery capacities and energy storage increase, necessitating improved thermal management to prevent chain reactions.

Innovation Solution

A power supply device featuring prismatic battery cells with a thermal insulation sheet made of inorganic fibers aggregated in a three-dimensionally non-directional manner, providing fine voids for enhanced thermal insulation and heat resistance, which effectively blocks thermal energy conduction between cells, even at high temperatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If insulating films and insulating separators are used to insulate battery cells, then electrical insulation is achieved, but thermal insulation is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical insulationVSAvoidthermal insulation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

A thermal insulation sheet is introduced as an intermediary component between adjacent battery cells. This sheet is specifically designed with thermal insulation properties to block heat transfer, while the battery cells remain electrically insulated by their existing insulating films and separators. The thermal insulation sheet acts as a dedicated mediator that addresses thermal management without interfering with electrical insulation functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The thermal insulation sheet is constructed from composite materials that provide both thermal insulation and structural stability. The sheet may combine multiple layers or materials with complementary properties, such as heat-resistant polymers, ceramic coatings, or air-trapping structures, to achieve effective thermal blocking while maintaining mechanical integrity under battery operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Quantity of substance

If battery cell capacity is increased to enhance energy storage, then energy density improves, but thermal runaway risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy storage capacityVSAvoidthermal runaway risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The thermal insulation sheet serves as a preventive cushioning measure placed between battery cells before thermal runaway can occur. This pre-positioned thermal barrier is designed to withstand and isolate heat from cells that may experience thermal runaway, preventing the propagation of thermal damage to adjacent cells. The sheet provides a safety buffer that allows higher capacity cells to be packed more closely while maintaining thermal safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Area of stationary object

If battery cells are stacked closely to improve space utilization, then device compactness increases, but thermal insulation between cells deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidthermal insulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The thermal insulation sheet is designed as a thin, flexible component that can be easily inserted between closely stacked battery cells without significantly increasing the overall device volume. The sheet's thin profile allows for tight cell spacing while its flexible nature enables it to conform to the cell surfaces and maintain contact, ensuring effective thermal insulation even in compact configurations where space is limited.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 solution significantly reduces the risk of thermal runaways by maintaining excellent thermal insulation properties, preventing heat conduction and expansion-induced damage, thus ensuring safe and efficient energy storage and supply.

Implementation Method 1

a thermal insulation sheet that is sandwiched between stacking surfaces of the battery cells and thermally insulates adjacent battery cells

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

the inorganic fibers are aggregated in a three-dimensionally non-directional manner and fine voids are provided between the inorganic fibers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat resistance: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS11757144B2Power supply device, electric vehicle provided with said power supply device, and electricity-storage device
Publication Date: 2023.09.12 SANYO ELECTRIC CO LTD
  • US11757144B2 patent drawing
  • US11757144B2 patent drawing
  • US11757144B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A plurality of battery cells each having a prismatic shape, a fixing member that fixes the plurality of battery cells in a stacked state, and a thermal insulation sheet that is sandwiched between stacking surfaces of battery cells and thermally insulates the adjacent battery cells, wherein thermal insulation sheet is an inorganic fiber sheet in which inorganic fibers are aggregated in a three-dimensionally non-directional manner and fine voids are provided between the inorganic fibers.