Electric Vehicle Undercarriage Crumple Zone

Abstract

A battery pack protection system is provided for use with an electric vehicle in which the battery pack is mounted under the car. The system utilizes a plurality of deformable cooling conduits located between the lower surface of the batteries within the battery pack and the lower battery pack enclosure panel. The cooling conduits are configured to deform and absorb impact energy when an object, such as road debris, strikes the lower surface of the lower battery pack enclosure panel. Further protection may be achieved by positioning a ballistic shield, alone or with a layer of compressible material, under the bottom surface of the battery pack.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates generally to electric vehicles and, more particularly, to a system for providing undercarriage protection to an electric vehicle.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]In response to the demands of consumers who are driven both by ever-escalating fuel prices and the dire consequences of global warming, the automobile industry is slowly starting to embrace the need for ultra-low emission, high efficiency cars. While some within the industry are attempting to achieve these goals by engineering more efficient internal combustion engines, others are incorporating hybrid or all-electric drive trains into their vehicle line-ups. To meet consumer expectations, however, the automobile industry must not only achieve a greener drive train, but must do so while maintaining reasonable levels of performance, range, reliability, and cost.[0003]In recent years there have been several incidents of a battery pack, either contained within a laptop c...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a battery pack protection system for electric vehicles. The system uses a plurality of deformable cooling conduits made of plastic or metal to absorb impact energy and protect the battery pack from damage caused by impact or external shock. The cooling conduits are located between the lower surface of the battery pack and the lower battery pack enclosure panel. The cooling conduits may be cylindrical or non-cylindrical in shape, and may utilize a coolant flow within a plane that is parallel or perpendicular to the lower battery pack enclosure panel. The battery pack may also be protected by a ballistic shield made of metal or high-density plastic, which is positioned at a distance from the bottom of the battery pack enclosure. A layer of compressible material such as foam or sponge may be used between the battery pack and the ballistic shield to absorb impact and protect the battery pack.

Problems solved by technology

In recent years there have been several incidents of a battery pack, either contained within a laptop computer or utilized in a vehicle, catching on fire.

As a result, one of the primary issues impacting consumer confidence with respect to both hybrid and all-electric vehicles is the risk of a battery pack fire.

Rechargeable batteries, due to their chemistries, tend to be relatively unstable and more prone to thermal runaway than non-rechargeable batteries.

Thermal runaway occurs when the battery's internal reaction rate increases to such an extent that it is generating more heat than can be withdrawn.

If reaction rate and heat generation go unabated, eventually the heat generated becomes great enough to cause the battery and materials in proximity to the battery to combust.

Typically thermal runaway is the result of a battery short, damage due to improper use or physical abuse, a manufacturing defect, or exposing the cell to extreme temperatures.

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