Soluble Cell Separators for Battery Fire Suppression Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy storage devices for motor vehicles face challenges in preventing thermal runaway and subsequent fires, particularly in scenarios where multiple cells go into thermal runaway simultaneously, as conventional fire protection measures may not reliably prevent fire propagation and require additional installation space for effective extinguishing.
Innovation Solution
An energy storage device with a soluble thermally insulating filling element that dissolves upon contact with a specific liquid, allowing for efficient cooling and extinguishing while maintaining thermal insulation, thereby preventing fire propagation without the need for additional space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fire protection materials are introduced between battery cells to prevent thermal runaway propagation, then safety against fire spread is improved, but free volume for extinguishing liquid flow is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The filling element transitions from a solid fire protection barrier to a dissolved state when exposed to extinguishing liquid, dynamically changing its properties to resolve the contradiction between fire protection and extinguishing access
Solution Approach 2:
The filling element's solubility parameter is utilized to change its state from intact (providing fire protection) to dissolved (providing flow channels), allowing the system to adapt to different operational requirements
2Productivity
If additional free spaces are provided in the battery for effective extinguishing liquid flow, then extinguishing efficiency is improved, but installation space is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The filling element is dissolved by extinguishing liquid to extract flow channels from the fire protection material itself, eliminating the need for separate free spaces while maintaining both protection and extinguishing capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The dissolved filling element creates a porous flow path structure that allows extinguishing liquid to penetrate and flow through the battery module effectively without requiring additional space
3Reliability
If solid filling elements are used to prevent thermal propagation, then fire safety is improved, but accessibility for repairs and maintenance is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The filling element's solubility allows it to be dynamically removed by liquid, providing easy access for repairs without compromising fire safety during normal operation
Solution Approach 2:
The filling element can be discarded (dissolved) when repair access is needed and can be recovered or replaced, facilitating maintenance while maintaining fire protection functionality
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 soluble filling element enhances safety by allowing efficient extinguishing and cooling of battery cells without occupying additional space, combining thermal insulation and extinguishing functions, and can be easily removed for repairs.
Implementation Method 1
The filling element is designed to be soluble, so that it dissolves at least in part when it comes into contact with a specific minimum amount of a specific liquid
Implementation Method 2
at least one thermally insulating filling element... between two battery cells of the battery module
Data Source
AI summary
An energy storage device for a motor vehicle includes a battery module and at least one thermally insulating filling element, which is preferably designed as a thermally insulating cell separator element arranged between two battery cells of the battery module. The filling element is designed to be soluble here, so that it dissolves at least in part when it comes into contact with a specific minimum amount of a specific liquid.