Battery Degassing Channel Shielding Element Thermal Runaway
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-voltage battery systems in vehicles face thermal runaway risks due to gas escaping from faulty cells, which can lead to chain reactions and increased heating of intact cells, potentially causing further thermal runaway, and existing degassing solutions increase thermal coupling between cells.
Innovation Solution
A degassing channel with a shielding element that prevents gas from escaping cells with thermal runaway from reaching intact cells, using an elongated design with a shielding element that only opens when a cell is degassing, directing gases away from intact cells and reducing thermal coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a common gas-receiving chamber is used to collect gas from multiple battery cells, then the device complexity is reduced and gas discharge is simplified, but the thermal coupling between battery cells increases leading to accelerated thermal runaway
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the battery system into multiple independent degassing channels, each serving a specific battery cell or group of cells. This segmentation prevents thermal coupling between cells while maintaining simple gas discharge functionality. Each channel has its own opening region and shielding element, creating isolated pathways for gas escape without thermal interaction between adjacent cells.
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding element acts as an intermediary component between the opening region and the battery cells. It selectively blocks or allows gas flow based on thermal conditions, preventing hot gas from reaching intact cells while maintaining the simplicity of the gas discharge system. This intermediary structure resolves the contradiction by providing thermal protection without requiring complex active control systems.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If additional fire protection panels are installed above battery modules, then thermal runaway spread and fire protection are improved, but the weight and cost of the battery system increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fire protection function from heavy passive barriers (fire protection panels) and integrates it into the degassing channel structure itself. The shielding element within the degassing channel provides thermal protection by blocking hot gas flow, eliminating the need for additional heavy fire protection panels while maintaining safety against thermal runaway spread.
Solution Approach 2:
The degassing channel serves multiple functions: it provides a pathway for gas escape, acts as a thermal barrier through its shielding element, and prevents thermal runaway spread. This multi-functional design replaces the need for separate fire protection panels, reducing overall system weight while maintaining comprehensive safety functionality.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the shielding element completely blocks the opening region, then thermal protection of intact cells is improved, but gas discharge capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding element is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position based on thermal conditions. During normal operation, it blocks the opening region to protect intact cells. During thermal runaway, it moves to allow gas discharge. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction by providing both thermal protection and gas discharge capability at different times.
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding element is pre-positioned to block the opening region before thermal runaway occurs, providing preliminary thermal protection. When thermal runaway is detected through gas pressure or temperature changes, the shielding element moves to clear the opening, enabling gas discharge. This preliminary positioning resolves the contradiction by establishing protection first and enabling discharge only when necessary.
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
Significantly delays the chain reaction of thermal runaway, enhances safety by reducing thermal coupling between cells, and allows for targeted gas discharge, reducing the need for extensive fire protection measures, thus saving costs and materials.
Implementation Method 1
the shielding element is designed to at least largely prevent a gas flowing through the degassing channel via the opening region from escaping from the degassing channel through the opening region
Implementation Method 2
In order to facilitate the escape of such gases from the battery cells, battery cells typically have releasable degassing openings in the form of, for example, bursting membranes. In the event of excess pressure inside the cell, these rupture and thus release the gas to escape.
Data Source
AI summary
A degassing channel for a battery of a motor vehicle designed for arrangement on a battery module of the battery, which battery module includes the at least one battery cell with an at least releasable degassing opening. The degassing channel has an opening region through which, in the event that the degassing channel is arranged on the battery module, gas escaping from the degassing opening can at least be introduced somewhat into an interior of the degassing channel. In this case, the opening region has a shielding element which is designed to at least largely prevent a gas flowing through the degassing channel via the opening region from escaping from the degassing channel through the opening region.