Battery Thermal Barrier Control for Thermal Runaway Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thermal runaway in battery cells of electric vehicles can spread to neighboring modules, posing a risk to vehicle safety and efficiency, and increasing vehicle weight due to thicker thermal barriers.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method for controlling battery thermal management that includes a heating device near the thermal barrier of a battery module, capable of identifying the location of thermal runaway and operating the heating device to counteract thermal effects, thereby preventing the spread of thermal runaway to neighboring modules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the thickness of the thermal barrier is increased to prevent thermal runaway spread, then the insulation effect is improved, but the vehicle weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating device is activated in advance when thermal runaway is detected in a battery cell, creating a preemptive thermal barrier against the spreading heat before it reaches neighboring modules. This preliminary heating action eliminates the need for thicker passive thermal barriers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the temperature parameter of the thermal barrier by activating heating devices only when thermal runaway is detected. This transforms the thermal barrier from a static passive structure to a dynamic active system, maintaining effectiveness with minimal material thickness.
2Reliability
If the thickness of the thermal barrier is increased to prevent thermal runaway spread, then the insulation effect is improved, but the driving distance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating device creates a protective thermal barrier in advance when thermal runaway is detected, preventing heat spread to neighboring modules. This active protection mechanism allows for thinner barriers, reducing vehicle weight and improving driving distance without compromising safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the thermal properties of the barrier by activating heating elements only when needed. This on-demand parameter change maintains insulation effectiveness while minimizing the barrier thickness, thereby reducing weight and extending driving distance.
3Reliability
If a thermal barrier is provided between battery modules to prevent thermal runaway spread, then the safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating devices are integrated within the battery module structure and are automatically activated by the control system when thermal runaway is detected. This self-service mechanism provides active safety protection without requiring complex external systems or manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating devices serve multiple functions: they act as thermal management elements during normal operation and as active protective barriers when thermal runaway is detected. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated safety systems, simplifying the overall device complexity.
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
The solution effectively prevents thermal runaway from spreading, allowing for a lightweight battery module design and improved vehicle fuel efficiency by minimizing the thickness of the thermal barrier.
Implementation Method 1
a heating device that generates heat
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for controlling battery thermal management of a vehicle include at least one sensor that detects a temperature and a voltage of a plurality of battery cells in a battery module, a heating device that generates heat, and a processor that controls an operation of the heating device based on a location in which thermal runaway occurs in the battery module when determining that the thermal runaway occurs in the battery cell of the plurality of battery cells located within the battery module based on the temperature and the voltage of the battery cell.