Sealed EV Battery Pack Fire Suppression via Targeted Agent Injection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium-ion battery fires in electric vehicles are challenging to extinguish due to the sealed nature of the battery modules and high temperatures, which can lead to property damage and human injury, with existing methods being ineffective in controlling chemical reactions and preventing thermal runaway.
Innovation Solution
A fire suppression system for electric vehicles that includes a sensor unit to detect battery environmental information, a fire suppression unit to inject a fire extinguishing agent, and a control unit to manage the injection based on sensed data, allowing for controlled operation and prevention of fire spread.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the battery module housing is sealed to protect the battery cells, then the structural integrity and protection of battery cells is improved, but the ability to suppress fire and control chemical reactions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The battery housing is divided into multiple sections with separate access paths. The fire suppression system uses independently controllable injection nozzles positioned at different locations within the housing, allowing targeted suppression of specific affected battery modules without requiring full housing access or compromising overall structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a fire suppression agent as an intermediary substance that can penetrate through sealed housing via dedicated injection ports. This agent mediates between the external fire suppression system and the internal battery cells, enabling chemical reaction control without physical access to the sealed housing interior.
2Quantity of substance
If the battery cells are densely arranged to increase energy storage capacity, then the energy density is improved, but the ability to access and suppress fire deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fire suppression system performs preliminary actions by pre-positioning injection nozzles and pathways within the battery housing during manufacturing. These nozzles are strategically located to access densely packed battery cells without requiring disassembly. The system also pre-loads fire suppression agents into ready-to-discharge containers, enabling immediate response when thermal runaway is detected.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pneumatic or hydraulic mechanisms to propel fire suppression agents through narrow pathways to densely packed battery cells. High-pressure gas or liquid systems force the suppressant through small openings and narrow spaces between tightly arranged cells, achieving effective coverage without mechanical access to each cell.
3Speed
If rapid fire suppression is implemented to minimize property damage, then the response time is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fire suppression system incorporates temperature sensors and thermal runaway detection mechanisms that continuously monitor battery cell conditions. When abnormal temperature rise or chemical reaction indicators are detected, the system automatically triggers suppressant discharge without requiring external intervention. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables rapid automatic response while keeping the control system relatively simple through threshold-based activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery system performs self-diagnosis and self-protection by monitoring its own thermal state and automatically initiating fire suppression when thermal runaway is detected. The system uses its own sensors and control mechanisms to trigger the suppressant discharge, eliminating the need for complex external detection and control systems while achieving rapid response.
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 effectively suppresses fires by sensing and responding to battery environmental information, enhancing control and stability in extinguishing operations, thereby minimizing property damage and preventing human injuries.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor unit provided in the energy storage system to acquire battery environmental information
Implementation Method 2
a fire suppression unit to inject a fire extinguishing agent to the energy storage system
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a fire suppression system applied to a battery pack of an electric vehicle, in particular, a fire suppression system applied to the electric vehicle according to various embodiments of the present disclosure in order to accomplish the objects as described in the disclosure is described. The fire suppression system may include: an energy storage system installed inside the electric vehicle; a sensor unit provided in the energy storage system in order to acquire battery environmental information; an fire suppression unit to inject an extinguishing agent to the energy storage system; and a control unit to control an extinguishing operation of the fire suppression unit based on the battery environmental information.