Sealed Battery Module Structure for Oxygen-Blocking Fire Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for extinguishing fires in battery assemblies, such as those used in battery modules and energy storage systems, are inadequate in effectively smothering and sealing the fire to prevent its spread.
Innovation Solution
A battery module design that includes a plurality of battery assemblies stacked with a first and second end plate, connected by a support bar, and pressurized by pads or spacers between adjacent assemblies, creating a sealed structure to smother and extinguish fires by blocking oxygen inflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sealed structure is applied to extinguish fire by blocking oxygen inflow, then fire extinguishing effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional sealing components
Solution Approach 1:
The support bar serves dual functions: providing structural support for the battery module and acting as a sealing component to block oxygen inflow during fire conditions. The pad serves similarly by providing both spacing/support and sealing functionality. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated sealing components, thereby improving fire extinguishing effectiveness without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealed structure utilizes the existing support bar and pad components that are already part of the battery module assembly, rather than requiring separate active sealing mechanisms. The structure leverages the natural compression and positioning of these components to achieve sealing, making the system self-sufficient for fire suppression without adding complex active sealing systems.
2Reliability
If support bar is used to pressurize and seal battery assemblies, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pad is positioned at specific locations between battery assemblies to provide localized sealing and compression. This targeted approach allows the support bar to apply pressure at key points rather than requiring uniform precision across the entire assembly, reducing overall manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining sealing effectiveness at critical interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The support bar and pad system allows for adjustment of compression force and positioning parameters to achieve optimal sealing. By varying the compression parameter applied by the support bar through the pad, the system can accommodate variations in manufacturing tolerances while maintaining effective sealing, thereby reducing strict precision requirements.
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 design effectively seals and suffocates fires within battery assemblies by applying compressive forces, preventing oxygen ingress and ensuring the fire does not spread, thus providing a robust fire extinguishing mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a first support bar connecting the first end plate to the second end plate... the first support bar may be disposed adjacent to the opening of the case and may pressurize the first end plate and the second end plate
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a battery module. The battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include first and second end plates disposed on both sides of a plurality of battery assemblies and a support bar connecting the first and second end plates.