Amid fears of batteries inside electric vehicles (EVs) randomly catching fire and regulations aiming to prevent thermal runaway, Hyundai Mobis has taken steps toward addressing this problem with its new EV battery, which can extinguish itself if on fire.
Indeed, the new system not only prevents heat from transferring to nearby cells but also puts out a fire early by spraying an agent within five minutes of the initial ignition, aiming to pioneer the next-generation safety technology, according to a press release by Hyundai Mobis from April 14.
To this end, the company has already applied for three domestic and international patents, including a battery case design and built-in fire suppression device, and plans to continue making efforts to advance the battery system beyond simply delaying thermal runaway.
How the built-in fire suppression system works
Specifically, Hyundai Mobis’ battery system assembly (BSA) consists of a battery management system (BMS), hardware consisting of a cell-level fire-suppressing device and battery case, and software logic that controls them.
As it happens, the sensors collect real-time data on the battery temperature and voltage, as well as the pressure inside the battery system, checking for any abnormalities, determining the location for spraying the extinguishing agent, and commanding the fire quenching device to operate.
Using the highly reliable decision logic with multiple safety devices and a redundant algorithm structure, the software is capable of making quick and precise decisions to address the physical changes in the battery system and apply the agent with five times the capacity of a 3.3-kg home fire extinguisher.
Speaking of the fire-dousing agent, it includes a substance with superior cooling, insulation, and permeability properties and is harmless to both the environment and the human body.
Commenting on the breakthrough, Park Yong Jun, the Vice President at Hyundai Mobis’ Battery System R&D Group, explained:
“As large electric vehicles with improved driving range appear, the safety standards for battery systems are becoming more stringent. (…) We will integrate hardware and software to develop advanced battery systems that meet and exceed global standards and introduce them to the global market.”
Meanwhile, lithium EV batteries could be a thing of the past, as scientists have discovered a high-energy sodium-ion cathode that could outperform the traditional lithium-ion ones and become a safer, more sustainable, and cost-effective alternative.
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