Li-Ion Battery Separator Coated with Fire Extinguishing Particles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium ion batteries used in electric vehicles are vulnerable to ignition and explosion due to high temperatures, and attempts to make them lightweight with carbon fiber-reinforced plastics have exacerbated this issue, necessitating a solution to prevent such incidents without compromising battery performance.
Innovation Solution
A lithium ion battery design featuring a porous separator coated with core-shell structured fire extinguishing particles, where the shell melts at a predetermined temperature to block pores and release fire extinguishing materials, preventing ignition and explosion while maintaining battery functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If steel-based housings are replaced with carbon fiber-reinforced plastic to achieve lightweight, then weight is reduced, but vulnerability to fire increases
Solution Approach 1:
A fire-resistant coating layer is applied as an intermediary between the carbon fiber-reinforced plastic housing and the battery components. This coating acts as a thermal barrier and fire suppressant, preventing direct contact between fire and battery while maintaining the lightweight advantage of carbon fiber housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing system uses a composite structure combining carbon fiber-reinforced plastic for lightweight properties with a fire-resistant coating layer containing flame retardant materials. This multi-material composite approach simultaneously achieves weight reduction and fire protection.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If fire suppression materials are added to the battery structure, then fire resistance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Fire suppression functionality is merged with the existing separator component by coating it with fire-resistant materials. This integration eliminates the need for separate fire suppression systems, maintaining structural simplicity while achieving fire protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The separator is designed to perform multiple functions: its original role in ion transport plus an additional fire suppression function through the coating. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting complexity increase.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the separator is coated with fire extinguishing particles, then fire prevention is enhanced, but ion transport capability may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The fire-resistant coating is applied selectively on specific surfaces of the separator where fire exposure is most likely, rather than uniformly throughout. This localized application maintains ion transport pathways while providing fire protection where most needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The fire-resistant coating is designed with a porous structure that allows lithium ion transport through the coating layer. The pores maintain ion conductivity while the coating material provides fire suppression, balancing both 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 solution effectively prevents ignition and explosion by blocking the battery's operation when overheated and releasing fire extinguishing materials, significantly enhancing the battery's stability and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a shell which is melted at a predetermined temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A lithium ion battery including a core-shell structured fire extinguishing particle is disclosed. When the battery is overheated to a predetermined temperature, a shell of the fire extinguishing particle coated on one surface or both surfaces of a porous separator is melted, a fire extinguishing material disposed in an inner space of the shell is released into an electrolytic solution of the battery, and as a result, it is possible to prevent the battery from being ignited or exploded even though the battery is overheated. Further, the melted shell clogs pores of the porous separator to block lithium ions from moving, such that the battery is blocked from being driven, thereby preventing the battery from being overheated any more.