Vermiculite Battery Transport Container for Flame and Heat Containment

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Solution Overview

Problem

The transportation of inflammable and combustible substances, such as lithium-ion batteries, requires packaging that prevents heat or flames from escaping and causing damage, while also protecting against short circuits and unintentional movement, and collecting any liquids or gases that escape.

Innovation Solution

A protective container with a vermiculite-based base reinforced by a supporting structure, fire-retardant side walls, and a fire-retardant upper cover, which includes a fire-retardant and absorptive protective element that expands to enclose and suppress flames, and a heat-insulating sleeve or shell with a reinforcement structure to prevent heat transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a protective container is used to contain flames and heat, then the surrounding area is protected from damage, but the container must be structurally strong enough to withstand heavy loads like batteries

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat and flame containmentVSAvoidstructural strength for carrying capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The base combines vermiculite plate (fire-resistant) with supporting structure (mechanical strength) to create a composite material that simultaneously provides heat containment and structural strength for carrying heavy battery loads

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The supporting structure is strategically positioned beneath the vermiculite plate to provide localized reinforcement where mechanical strength is needed, while the vermiculite plate maintains fire containment properties in the contact area with batteries

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the base is made entirely of vermiculite plate for fire resistance, then heat and flames are contained, but the carrying capacity is insufficient for heavy objects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire resistanceVSAvoidcarrying capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The base is constructed as a composite of vermiculite plate (fire resistance) and supporting structure (load-bearing capacity), allowing the container to simultaneously withstand heavy battery weights and contain fires effectively

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Temperature

If a sleeve or shell is used to prevent heat transfer, then heat is contained at the first side, but the structural integrity must be maintained under various conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat transfer preventionVSAvoidstructural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The sleeve or shell combines fire-retardant material (heat insulation) with reinforcement structure (structural integrity), creating a composite that prevents heat transfer while maintaining strength under various operational conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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

Ensures safe transportation of ignition-sensitive objects by containing and suppressing flames, preventing heat transfer, and protecting against damage from excessive heat or flames, while maintaining structural integrity and absorbing escaping liquids and gases.

Implementation Method 1

a base (2) consisting of a plate (4) made of expanded vermiculite facing the interior of the container with its upper side

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

a supporting structure (5) that reinforces the plate (4) from below

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical reinforcement:

Implementation Method 3

particularly preferably being made of a vermiculite-based material... which have fire-retardant properties, also referred to as flame retardants or fire retardants in general language usage, and also absorptive properties with respect to liquids and gases that pass out

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 4

The vermiculite material of the base is a plate made of expanded vermiculite so that this plate prevents sparks which occur during a possible self-igniting process, or also flames, from passing out of the container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentEP3609584B1Use of a sleeve or shell for around a pipe in a conduit as at least part of a passive fire-resistant sealing system

Publication Date: 2026.01.14 BEELE ENG BV

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AI summary

A protective container for holding ignition-sensitive objects is claimed, which protective container consists of a base, side walls and optionally also an upper closing wall, the base being reinforced in order to improve the carrying capacity, and which is characterized in that the base consists of at least a plate made of expanded vermiculite, the upper side of which plate faces the container interior, and a supporting structure that reinforces the plate from below. With the protective container according to the invention it is possible to transport ignition-sensitive objects safely, the vermiculite material of the base is a plate made of expanded vermiculite so that this plate prevents sparks which occur during a possible self-igniting process, or also flames from passing out of the container and causing damage in the surrounding area.