Battery Housing Channel Separates Solid Matter From Venting Gas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery systems face challenges in managing thermal runaway events, where overheated batteries release hot venting gas and solid matter, leading to potential fires and short circuits due to the mixing of graphite and metallic parts within the same housing, causing damage to the battery pack and vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A battery system design with a housing that includes a channel and apertures in the sidewall member to separate solid matter from venting gas, using a gas guiding means to deflect gases into a longitudinal direction and a particle separator to further isolate solid particles, preventing re-entry into the chamber and reducing the risk of short circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single chamber housing is used to contain battery cells, then the structure is simple and compact, but solid matter and venting gas mix together causing short circuits and fires
Solution Approach 1:
The single chamber housing is segmented into a first chamber and a second chamber by a partition wall. The first chamber contains solid matter while the second chamber directs venting gas away, preventing mixing and short circuits while maintaining overall housing integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful solid matter is extracted from the venting gas stream by directing it into a separate first chamber through the partition wall, isolating it from the venting gas path to eliminate short circuit risks
2Ease of manufacture
If venting gas and solid matter are allowed to escape together, then the venting function is simple, but solid matter damages battery cells and causes short circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The venting system is segmented into separate paths: solid matter is directed through the partition wall into the first chamber, while venting gas flows through the second chamber, ensuring reliable separation and preventing damage to battery cells
Solution Approach 2:
The partition wall acts as an intermediary structure that separates solid matter from venting gas, providing a physical barrier that prevents direct contact and potential short circuits while allowing both to be vented simultaneously
3Device complexity
If solid matter is not separated from venting gas, then the venting path is straightforward, but thermal runaway spreads to adjacent battery cells
Solution Approach 1:
The venting path is segmented into separate zones by the partition wall, with the first chamber containing solid matter and the second chamber handling venting gas, preventing thermal propagation to adjacent cells while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure
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 separates solid matter from venting gas, reducing the risk of short circuits and preventing damage to the battery system and vehicle by directing venting gas and solid particles away from sensitive components, thus enhancing safety and system integrity during thermal runaway events.
Implementation Method 1
a gas guiding means to deflect gases into a longitudinal direction
Implementation Method 2
a particle separator to further isolate solid particles
Data Source
AI summary
A battery system includes: battery cells; and a battery housing including: a chamber between a bottom cover and a top cover of the battery housing; and at least one sidewall member connecting the bottom cover and the top cover to each other, the at least one sidewall member extending along an outer boundary of the chamber, and including: a channel inside the sidewall member; and apertures connecting the chamber with the channel, the apertures being located at a top half of the channel such that at least a bottom half of the channel is for collecting solid matter. The battery system vents a venting gas of a thermal runaway from at least one of the battery cells by directing the venting gas along at least one venting path leading from the chamber, through at least one of the apertures and the channel, and to an environment of the battery system.