Battery Pack Chamber Venting to Prevent Chain Ignition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Secondary batteries in vehicles face safety risks due to chain ignition from high-temperature gases discharged during ignition, which can lead to large explosions.
Innovation Solution
A secondary battery pack design with frames that isolate adjacent batteries and include a gas exhaust system to prevent exposure to high-temperature gases, featuring opening/closing parts and a gas exhaust frame to manage gas discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If secondary batteries are arranged closely to increase energy density, then energy density is improved, but safety risks from chain ignition increase
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack is divided into multiple independent battery chambers separated by partition walls. Each chamber contains one or more secondary batteries and is isolated from adjacent chambers. This segmentation prevents high-temperature gas from one battery from directly contacting adjacent batteries, thereby preventing chain ignition while maintaining high energy density through close arrangement of batteries within each chamber.
2Reliability
If partition walls completely isolate battery chambers, then chain ignition is prevented, but gas pressure buildup increases explosion risk
Solution Approach 1:
Gas discharge holes are provided in the partition walls between battery chambers, serving as intermediary channels for gas flow. These holes allow high-temperature gas to pass from the affected chamber to adjacent chambers in a controlled manner, preventing dangerous pressure buildup while still isolating the fire source. The partition wall with controlled discharge holes acts as a mediator that balances isolation and pressure relief needs.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If gas discharge holes are provided in partition walls, then gas pressure is relieved, but high-temperature gas may spread to adjacent chambers
Solution Approach 1:
The partition walls have different local properties: most of the wall area provides complete isolation, while specific localized regions contain gas discharge holes. This local quality differentiation allows the partition to simultaneously achieve complete isolation in most areas while providing controlled gas discharge at specific points. The gas discharge holes are strategically positioned and sized to relieve pressure without enabling significant flame spread.
4Productivity
If complex gas exhaust systems are added, then gas discharge efficiency is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The partition walls serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide structural support for the battery pack, create separation between battery chambers, and incorporate gas discharge holes for pressure relief. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate complex gas exhaust systems, achieving efficient gas discharge while maintaining simple device structure and low manufacturing cost.
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
Prevents chain ignition by isolating secondary batteries and effectively discharging gases, minimizing structural deformation and reducing manufacturing costs through a simplified gas exhaust mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
The upper frame may be configured to selectively open and close the separation spaces according to a pressure difference between an inside and an outside of each of the plurality of separation spaces
Data Source
AI summary
A secondary battery pack includes a plurality of secondary batteries; a lower frame configured to support a lower portion of each of the plurality of secondary batteries; a side frame provided in plurality to be spaced apart from each other to vertically extend from the lower frame so as to define a plurality of separation spaces; and an upper frame provided above the side frame to open and close each of the plurality of separation spaces.