Battery Array Tortuous Venting Path for Thermal Event Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing traction battery packs face challenges in effectively venting battery vent byproducts during thermal events, which can lead to inefficiencies and potential safety issues due to the lack of a tortuous venting path.
Innovation Solution
The battery array incorporates a tortuous venting path by staggering the vent hole in the exterior component relative to the venting channel in the interior component, creating a complex pathway for vent byproducts to exit while preventing ingress from neighboring arrays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a direct venting path is used from interior to exterior, then venting efficiency is improved, but safety is worsened due to potential ingress from neighboring arrays and uncontrolled byproduct release
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the curvature principle by creating a tortuous (curved/serpentine) venting path instead of a straight line. The venting channel winds through the interior component and exits at a staggered position, forcing the byproducts to follow a curved trajectory. This curved path increases the effective venting distance and complexity while maintaining adequate flow, thereby improving safety without completely compromising venting efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the dimensionality change principle by staggering the vent hole position relative to the venting channel in a way that creates a three-dimensional tortuous path. Instead of a simple linear progression, the venting path extends in multiple directions and planes, increasing the path length and complexity. This dimensional approach allows the system to maintain venting effectiveness while significantly improving safety through the more complex trajectory that prevents ingress.
2Reliability
If a tortuous venting path is implemented, then safety is improved by preventing ingress and slowing byproduct exit, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the merging principle by integrating the tortuous venting path directly into the interior component structure itself, rather than adding separate external venting mechanisms. The venting channel is formed as part of the interior component's geometry, combining the structural function with the safety function. This integration reduces overall device complexity despite the increased complexity of the venting path, as no additional separate components are required.
Solution Approach 2:
The interior component serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, houses the venting channel, and creates the tortuous path for safety. By making the interior component multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated safety components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity. The same component that provides structural integrity also provides the enhanced safety through its integrated venting path design.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design slows the exit speed of vent byproducts and prevents the ingress of vent byproducts from neighboring arrays, thereby enhancing safety and reducing the risk of propagation during thermal events.
Implementation Method 1
establish a tortuous venting path between an interior and an exterior of the battery array
Implementation Method 2
preventing ingress from neighboring arrays
Data Source
AI summary
Battery arrays are provided for traction battery packs. An exemplary battery array may include an interior component including a venting channel and an exterior component including a venting hole. The venting hole may be staggered relative to the venting channel to establish a tortuous venting path between an interior and an exterior of the battery array.