Thermal-Expandable Vent Sealing for Flameproof Battery Housings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data center backup battery units face the risk of igniting surrounding systems due to high temperature combustible gases and flames escaping through vents during thermal runaway situations, posing a safety hazard.

Innovation Solution

A flameproof electronic device with a housing and thermal-expandable structure that seals vents when heated to a predetermined temperature, using materials like Rainbow FM-900 thermal expansion paint to form a foam layer that expands and blocks airflow, thereby extinguishing flames and reducing oxygen supply.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If vents are provided for heat dissipation, then heat dissipation performance is improved, but flame escape risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipation performanceVSAvoidflame escape risk

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The vent structure changes its parameters (from open to sealed) based on temperature conditions. At normal temperatures, the vent remains open for heat dissipation. When temperature reaches a critical threshold indicating thermal runaway, the thermal-expandable structure expands to seal the vent, preventing flame escape while maintaining heat dissipation under normal conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of high temperature (which causes thermal runaway) into a beneficial protective action. The high temperature itself triggers the thermal-expandable structure to expand and seal the vent, turning the harmful thermal condition into the activation mechanism for flame prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Reliability

If thermal-expandable structure is added to seal vents, then flameproof performance is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflameproof performanceVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The thermal-expandable structure performs the sealing function automatically based on temperature conditions without requiring external control systems, sensors, or power sources. The structure self-activates when exposed to high temperature from thermal runaway, expanding to seal the vent and prevent flame escape, thereby improving flameproof performance without adding complex control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the physical phenomenon of thermal expansion where the thermal-expandable structure expands when exposed to high temperature. This natural physical response provides the flameproof function without requiring complex mechanical or electronic control systems, maintaining simplicity while achieving reliable flame sealing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #37Thermal expansion

3Object-affected harmful factors

If thermal-expandable structure expands to seal vent, then flame escape is prevented, but heat dissipation is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflame escape preventionVSAvoidheat dissipation

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The vent sealing mechanism is dynamic rather than static. The thermal-expandable structure transitions from a non-sealing state during normal operation to a sealing state during thermal runaway. This dynamic response ensures heat dissipation continues under normal conditions while flame escape is prevented only when necessary during abnormal high-temperature conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The vent's sealing parameter changes based on temperature conditions. At normal operating temperatures, the vent remains open allowing heat dissipation. When temperature increases to thermal runaway levels, the thermal-expandable structure expands, changing the vent's state from open to sealed, preventing flame escape while accepting reduced heat dissipation only when necessary.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Effectively prevents the escape of flames and reduces combustion risk by sealing vents and suppressing air convection, ensuring safety in battery storage systems.

Implementation Method 1

The thermal-expandable structure expands to seal the corresponding vent when being heated to greater than or equal to a predetermined temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 2

reduces oxygen supply, thereby extinguishing flames

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxygen deprivation: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS20260000923A1Flameproof electronic device

Publication Date: 2026.01.01 DELTA ELECTRONICS INC(CN)

AI summary

This disclosure is directed to a flameproof electronic device having a housing, an electronic assembly, and a thermal-expandable structure. The housing has a pair of vents. The electronic assembly is accommodated in the housing, at least a part of the electronic assembly is spaced from the housing to enclose a flow channel between the electronic component and an internal surface of the housing, and the flow channel communicates with the vent. The thermal-expandable structure covers the internal surface of the housing or an external surface of the electronic assembly. The heat-expandable structure expands to block the flow channel when being heated to greater than or equal to a predetermined temperature.