Battery Module Isolation to Keep Chiller Cooling During Thermal Runaway
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current battery packs face safety risks due to thermal runaway, which can lead to high-voltage ignition, cell breakdown, and severe thermal spread, compromising the safety and cooling efficiency of the battery pack.
Innovation Solution
A method for thermal runaway processing that involves obtaining battery parameters for each module in a power battery pack, identifying a first battery module experiencing thermal runaway, and selecting a second battery module to supply power to a chiller system, ensuring normal operation and effective cooling of the battery pack.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the system passively cuts off high-voltage circuits during thermal runaway, then the immediate safety risk is reduced, but the chiller system cannot operate and heat dissipation fails
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the battery pack into multiple independent battery modules, each with its own protection circuit. When thermal runaway occurs in one module, only that module's circuit is cut off while other modules remain operational. This segmentation allows the chiller system to continue operating using power from healthy modules, resolving the contradiction between safety (isolating the failed module) and heat dissipation (maintaining chiller operation).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by applying different protection strategies to different battery modules based on their operational status. Healthy modules continue to supply power and undergo active cooling, while the thermal runaway module is isolated. This localized approach maintains overall system heat dissipation capability while ensuring safety by containing the failure to a specific local region.
2Power
If all battery modules are used to power the chiller system, then maximum cooling capacity is achieved, but thermal runaway in any module compromises the entire system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the battery pack into multiple independent modules with isolated electrical circuits. The chiller system can draw power from multiple healthy modules while maintaining electrical isolation from thermal runaway modules. This segmentation enables the system to maintain high cooling capacity through parallel power sources while preventing thermal spread via electrical isolation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces protection circuits and control systems as intermediaries between battery modules and the chiller system. These intermediaries monitor thermal conditions and dynamically control power distribution, allowing the chiller to receive sufficient power from healthy modules while automatically isolating modules experiencing thermal runaway, thus balancing cooling capacity and safety.
3Loss of energy
If the chiller system continues operating during thermal runaway, then heat dissipation is maintained, but power supply reliability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple independent power supply paths and protection circuits before thermal runaway occurs. When a module fails, the system can immediately switch to alternative power paths without interrupting chiller operation. This preliminary preparation ensures both continuous heat dissipation and maintained power supply reliability during thermal runaway events.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes power supply parameters by adjusting which battery modules supply power to the chiller system based on real-time thermal conditions. Healthy modules increase their power contribution while failed modules are isolated. This dynamic parameter adjustment maintains stable total power delivery to the chiller while adapting to changing system conditions, ensuring both heat dissipation effectiveness and power reliability.
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
This approach enables the chiller system to operate normally, effectively dissipating heat generated by thermal runaway, thereby improving the heat dissipation effect and enhancing the safety of the power battery pack.
Implementation Method 1
a chiller system configured to cool the power battery pack
Data Source
AI summary
The embodiments of the present application provide a method, apparatus and system for thermal runaway processing and a storage medium. The method first obtains a battery parameter for each of a plurality of battery modules in a power battery pack, then determines that a thermal runaway is occurred in a first battery module based on the battery parameter for each of the plurality of battery modules; and then obtains a second battery module based on the first battery module, wherein the second battery module corresponds to at least one battery module excluding the first battery module in the power battery pack; and finally supplies power to a chiller system with the second battery module.