Application of the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ) to Enhance Understanding of Li-Ion Battery Thermal Runaway in Electric Vehicle Applications

While fires in electric vehicles are rare, they can be hazardous due to reasons such as short circuits, overcharging, accidents, and thermal management system failures that may cause thermal runaway. If the battery temperature rises uncontrollably, it can melt, release flammable gases, and ignite. In addition, combustible materials inside the vehicle can also contribute to the fire's spread. Although vehicle fires are less common in electric vehicles than in their thermal or hybrid counterparts, they are becoming more dangerous and frequent as the number of electric vehicles increases, and firefighters find it difficult to control battery fires. This study utilizes the Inventive Problem-Solving method (TRIZ) to investigate the main cause of electric vehicle fires, thermal runaway, and develop innovative solution concepts by constructing a problem network and decision matrix of parameters that impact thermal runaway in Li-ion cells.