Battery Cooling Channel With Expandable Insulation for Hot Gas Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery cooling systems fail to effectively insulate and protect battery cells from hot gas leaks, which can lead to thermal runaway and propagation of heat damage.
Innovation Solution
A thermally and electrically insulating material, such as foam, is integrated into the cooling apparatus' channel, expanding to fill gaps and insulate the battery cell when temperatures exceed a limit, preventing hot gas escape and providing propagation protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a cooling channel is provided for direct cooling of battery cells, then cooling efficiency is improved, but the battery cell becomes vulnerable to hot gas leaks and thermal runaway propagation
Solution Approach 1:
The material undergoes a parameter change from a compact state to an expanded state when exposed to hot gases or thermal runaway conditions. This expansion transforms the open cooling channel into a blocked passage, preventing hot gas propagation while maintaining cooling functionality under normal temperature conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The expandable material acts as an intermediary between the cooling channel and the battery cell. Under normal conditions, it allows cooling medium flow; under thermal runaway conditions, it expands to block the channel and prevent hot gas escape, thus mediating between cooling requirements and safety protection.
2Reliability
If insulation material is added to protect against thermal runaway, then safety is improved, but the cooling channel becomes blocked and cooling efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The insulation material is designed to be dynamic rather than static. It remains compact during normal operation to allow cooling medium flow, and only expands when triggered by thermal runaway conditions. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction by providing protection only when needed, without compromising continuous cooling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The expandable material is pre-positioned in the cooling channel in a compact state that allows cooling flow. The protective insulation action is prepared in advance but remains inactive until thermal runaway occurs, at which point the material automatically expands to block the channel and prevent hot gas propagation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the cooling channel is completely enclosed, then protection against hot gas escape is improved, but heat dissipation capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling channel structure transitions from open to enclosed dynamically. The expandable material remains retracted during normal operation, maintaining an open channel for efficient heat dissipation. Upon thermal runaway detection, the material expands to enclose the channel, preventing hot gas escape while the cooling system continues to function for heat dissipation.
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 insulates the battery cell, preventing heat propagation and ensuring safety by filling the cooling channel with the expanding material, thereby protecting the battery from thermal damage.
Implementation Method 1
the body comprises a material at least in the region of the channel, which material is configured so as to expand at least in sections into the channel up to the battery cell when its temperature lies above a limit value
Implementation Method 2
the material is configured so as to expand at least in sections into the channel up to the battery cell... This insulates the battery cell
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for cooling a battery includes a body having a surface for arranging a battery cell of the battery to be cooled. The body includes a channel for a cooling medium, wherein the channel is open at least in sections towards the surface. The body includes a material at least in the region of the channel, which material is configured so as to expand at least in sections into the channel up to the battery cell when its temperature lies above a limit value.