Battery Chassis Condensate Drainage and Thermal Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium-ion batteries face issues with thermal runaway and moisture-related inefficiencies, such as condensate pooling leading to potential short circuits, particularly in high-humidity environments like aircraft.
Innovation Solution
A rechargeable battery design featuring a chassis with a lower fixation plate that includes flow channels and drainage holes to collect and redirect condensate away from battery cells, combined with rupture plates and dielectric separators to manage thermal runaway and prevent short circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If lithium-ion batteries are used to achieve lower weight and higher energy density, then battery performance is improved, but thermal runaway risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack is divided into modular units with individual cells separated by insulating materials and structural elements. Each cell has its own protection mechanisms including rupture plates, thermal insulation barriers, and dedicated drainage paths, isolating potential thermal runaway events to individual cells rather than allowing propagation across the entire battery pack.
Solution Approach 2:
Thermal insulation materials and structural barriers are introduced as intermediary elements between battery cells to prevent direct heat transfer. These intermediaries include insulating plates, air gaps, and thermally resistant structural components that act as heat sinks and barriers, slowing thermal propagation and providing time for safety mechanisms to activate.
2Reliability
If condensate drainage channels are added to the chassis, then short circuit prevention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lower fixation plate serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for the battery cells, acts as a thermal barrier, and incorporates integrated condensate drainage channels. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate drainage components, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effective moisture management.
Solution Approach 2:
The drainage channels are merged directly into the chassis structure rather than being separate components. The lower fixation plate is designed with built-in channels and drainage holes that combine structural support and moisture drainage functions into a single integrated element, simplifying the overall device architecture.
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 mitigates thermal runaway and condensate-related inefficiencies by ensuring condensate drainage and preventing short circuits, enhancing the safety and performance of lithium-ion batteries in various applications.
Implementation Method 1
at least one flow channel positioned to collect condensate from the battery cells and move the collected condensate away from the battery cells
Implementation Method 2
The lower fixation plate has drain holes for draining condensate into a portion of the cavity below the battery
Data Source
AI summary
A rechargeable battery comprises a chassis including a lower fixation plate, and a plurality of battery cells on the lower fixation plate. The lower fixation plate includes at least one flow channel positioned to collect condensate from the battery cells and move the collected condensate away from the battery cells.