As the electric vehicle (EV) sector continues to flourish within the automotive industry, it’s equally vital that the surrounding technologies evolve in step. In a significant breakthrough, Hyundai Mobis has announced the successful development of a battery-integrated fire extinguishing system. For the uninitiated, the company is a member of the Hyundai Motor Group, which focuses car parts and services.
Utilising heat-resistant materials, it has engineered a solution that not only delays thermal runaway but prevents it before it begins. The system incorporates a fire extinguishing agent with five times the capacity of a standard 3.3kg home fire extinguisher. According to the company, this material offers excellent permeability, insulation, and cooling properties, while also being environmentally friendly and safe for human health.
Hyundai Mobis has applied for three local and international patents, which include a battery cover, a fire extinguishing mechanism, high-pressure spray-capable design, and specialised fire-extinguishing pipes. According to its vice president of battery system R&D group Park Yong Jun, while electric vehicles are continuously advancing, battery safety standards have also become increasingly 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,” he added.
While some nations are implementing stricter regulations to prevent heat transfer within EV batteries, major markets such as Europe, China, and India now require that thermal runaway be delayed by at least five minutes after initial cell activation. As a result, Hyundai Mobis’ Battery System Assembly (BSA), which features cell-level fire extinguishing capabilities, is expected to attract significant global attention as a next-generation safety solution. The BSA is equipped with a Battery Management System (BMS), a fire extinguishing device, a battery case, and software logic that integrates and controls them all.
How does the system work? The technology continuously monitors the battery’s temperature, voltage, and internal pressure using real-time sensor data. If an abnormality is detected, the system activates the fire extinguishing device and precisely targets the area where the extinguishing agent needs to be deployed.
To manage any physical changes in the battery system, the software makes rapid and accurate decisions. The logic features multiple safety redundancies and a robust algorithm structure.
Additionally, Hyundai Mobis has developed a new material known as the pulsating heat pipe, which is installed between battery cells. This pipe helps prevent battery overheating by effectively lowering the internal temperature of the battery system. Currently, the company is focusing on commercialising the technology for the commercial vehicle market.
(Source: Hyundai Mobis Press Release)
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