Development of the New Three-Layer Integrated "Tri-Guard Structure" for Battery Fire Countermeasures

*Image is for illustrative purposes.

Honjo state Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture) and ShinMaywa Industries, Ltd. (Headquarters: Takarazuka City, Hyogo Prefecture) have jointly developed the "Tri-Guard Structure" as a new safety design for battery fire countermeasures.

Moving forward, we will promote its implementation in industrial fields and joint development of products for various applications.

Background (Social Issues) In recent years, fires caused by lithium-ion batteries have occurred in various locations, including airports, commercial facilities, logistics sites, and transportation systems.

Battery fires are characterized by their sudden onset and rapid spread. They are often accompanied by large amounts of smoke and toxic gases, posing risks of environmental impact and secondary damage to surrounding areas.

On the other hand, measures for flame prevention, heat insulation, and smoke exhaust are often taken individually, and a structure that simultaneously suppresses flames, heat, and smoke has not been fully established.

Against this backdrop, the need for new safety designs to suppress the spread of damage during fire incidents is increasing.

What is the "Tri-Guard Structure"?

The "Tri-Guard Structure" developed by both companies is a three-layer integrated safety structure designed to simultaneously suppress flames, heat, and smoke (toxic gases) generated during a fire, aiming to extinguish the fire and reduce the risk of environmental impact and secondary damage to surrounding areas.

・ Smoke Barrier Layer: Suppresses the diffusion of smoke and toxic gases to the outside.

・ Insulation Layer: Delays the transfer of high temperatures generated internally to the outside, suppressing heat diffusion.

・ Flame Retardant Layer: Contains the ignition source and suppresses the spread of fire to surrounding areas.

This structure employs a combination of the ultra-high heat-resistant high-silica sheet*1 handled by Honjo state and insulation material using recycled carbon fiber*2, which ShinMaywa Industries and Fuji Kasei Co., Ltd. are advancing research and development on.

*1 A sheet made of high-silica fibers boasting high heat resistance up to 1800°C and excellent flexibility.

*2 Uses carbon fiber, which has a higher heat resistance temperature than glass fiber insulation materials.

Future Development

Based on the Tri-Guard structure, we aim to contribute to improving societal safety and disaster mitigation as a countermeasure against the increasing risk of battery fires associated with the advancement of electrification.

Moving forward, we will promote its deployment in environments where ignition risks are anticipated, such as charging areas and battery storage spaces in logistics warehouses, and in vehicle equipment.