HV Battery Degassing Pouch for Thermal Runaway Gas Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
High voltage batteries in electric vehicles face the risk of thermal runaway due to overheating, leading to uncontrolled degassing and potential bursting, which can cause injury and damage, as existing safety valves may not effectively manage the release of hot gases during such events.
Innovation Solution
An HV battery with a degassing device featuring an unfoldable and flexible pouch that collects and stores hot gases during a thermal runaway, minimizing the risk of injury and damage by directing the gases into a pouch with low thermal conductivity, which expands to contain the pressure and includes a pressure relief valve to control the release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional rigid degassing conduit is used, then the gas discharge path is stable and predictable, but the device occupies excessive space and cannot adapt to different thermal runaway scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the static rigid conduit into a dynamic flexible pouch that can change its configuration. The pouch transitions from a compact folded state during normal operation to an expanded state during thermal runaway, allowing the degassing device to adapt to different scenarios while minimizing space occupation. The flexible material enables the pouch to dynamically respond to pressure changes and gas flow rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements the nesting principle by folding the pouch into a compact configuration that can be integrated within the limited space of the battery module. The pouch is stored in a nested or folded state during normal operation, similar to a nested doll structure, and only expands when needed during thermal runaway events. This allows the degassing device to occupy minimal space while maintaining full functionality.
2Loss of energy
If the pouch material has high thermal conductivity, then heat dissipation is improved, but the risk of igniting the pouch material itself increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the inert atmosphere principle by selecting pouch materials with low thermal conductivity that are inherently resistant to ignition. The material properties are chosen to create an environment that does not readily support combustion, even when exposed to high temperatures from thermal runaway. This low thermal conductivity acts as a thermal barrier, protecting the pouch material from reaching its ignition temperature while still allowing the gas to pass through.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements the composite materials principle by using pouch materials that combine multiple properties: low thermal conductivity for fire resistance, sufficient mechanical strength to contain pressure, and appropriate permeability for gas flow. The composite nature of the material allows it to simultaneously provide thermal insulation against ignition while maintaining the necessary functional properties for degassing operation.
3Volume of moving object
If the pouch is kept compact to save space, then the device occupies less volume, but the gas flow resistance increases during thermal runaway
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by designing the pouch to transition from a compact folded state to an expanded state in response to increasing gas pressure during thermal runaway. The dynamic expansion of the pouch automatically reduces flow resistance as the gas flow rate increases, ensuring that the pouch does not become a bottleneck during critical degassing operations while maintaining compact storage during normal operation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed rigid degassing path is used, then the installation is simple, but the device cannot redirect gas flow to different locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements the flexible shells and thin films principle by using a flexible pouch instead of a rigid conduit. The flexible material allows the pouch to be easily routed and positioned to direct gas flow to different locations as needed, providing adaptability in gas discharge location. The simplicity of the flexible pouch design, compared to complex rigid piping systems with joints and connectors, actually reduces installation complexity while enhancing versatility.
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 contains and directs hot gases away from the vehicle and people, reducing the risk of injury and damage by using a pouch that expands to manage pressure and includes a pressure relief valve to control the release, ensuring safe disposal of gases.
Implementation Method 1
directing the gases into a pouch with low thermal conductivity
Implementation Method 2
includes a pressure relief valve to control the release
Data Source
AI summary
An HV battery includes at least one battery module having (i) a degassing valve or a degassing opening and (ii) a degassing device, which is coupled to the degassing valve or the degassing opening, and is configured to dissipate gas exiting the battery module in the event of damage. The degassing device includes at least one unfoldable and/or flexible pouch, which is coupled to an outlet of the degassing device. An electric vehicle includes the HV battery, as well as a use of the unfoldable and/or flexible pouch.