Battery Pack Upper Case Venting for Short-Circuit Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of reducing battery pack size to improve installation efficiency leads to limited excess space, causing hot gas and debris to locally diffuse and potentially short-circuit high voltage components due to the upper case being lifted.
Innovation Solution
The battery pack design includes an upper case with an extra length portion, such as S-, U-, or W-shaped, that can be extended or slid by generated gas to displace the end portion of the bottom wall upward, using materials with higher elongation or thinner thickness to accommodate gas diffusion and prevent short-circuiting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the battery pack size is reduced to improve installation efficiency, then the installation efficiency is improved, but the excess space is limited causing hot gas and debris to locally diffuse and potentially short-circuit high voltage components
Solution Approach 1:
The end portion of the bottom wall portion is designed as an extra length portion that can be extended or slid by gas pressure, acting as a flexible barrier that moves to block the upward path of hot gas and debris, preventing short-circuiting while maintaining a compact overall structure
Solution Approach 2:
The extra length portion transitions from a static structure to a dynamic one that can change position in response to gas pressure, extending or sliding upward to actively respond to thermal events and protect high voltage components during operation
2Strength
If the upper case is made with higher rigidity to maintain structural integrity, then the structural integrity is improved, but the upper case is locally lifted by diffused hot gas causing short-circuiting among high voltage components
Solution Approach 1:
The extra length portion acts as a movable flexible barrier within the rigid upper case structure, allowing the case to maintain its overall rigidity while the specific end portion can extend to block gas flow and prevent short-circuiting
Solution Approach 2:
The extra length portion is pre-positioned to potentially extend and block the path of hot gas and debris before they can reach high voltage components, providing preliminary protection against short-circuiting
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 extra length portion allows gas to diffuse over the entire excess space, preventing short circuits between high-voltage components even with limited space, ensuring safe and efficient battery operation.
Implementation Method 1
the extra length portion may be configured to be extended or slid by gas generated from the battery pack to displace the end portion of the bottom wall portion upward
Data Source
AI summary
A battery pack that houses a battery stack including a plurality of stacked battery cells includes a lower case and an upper case. The upper case includes a bottom wall portion and a side wall portion. The end portion or side wall portion of the bottom wall portion includes an extra length portion. The extra length portion is extended and configured to displace an end portion of the bottom wall portion, which is near a connecting portion between the bottom wall portion and the side wall portion, upward by the gas generated in the battery pack.