Battery Pack Crossmember Venting for Controlled Gas Egress
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery assemblies face challenges in efficiently venting heat and pressure, leading to potential disruptions and environmental stress due to pressurized gas, with existing solutions failing to optimize the egress of these conditions effectively.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of strategically shaped and positioned pressure release valves and structural features in the battery assembly walls, including guiding ribs and deformable membranes, to facilitate controlled venting of heat and pressure, ensuring efficient egress and minimizing exposure to surrounding components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional venting systems are used in battery assemblies, then the structure is simple, but the venting efficiency is poor and pressurized gas causes environmental stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a venting structure with guiding ribs and strategically positioned pressure release valves as intermediary elements between the battery cells and the external environment. The guiding ribs act as flow directors that channel pressurized gas through controlled pathways, while the pressure release valves serve as regulated intermediaries that manage the release timing and direction, thereby reducing environmental stress while improving venting efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional passive mechanical venting systems with an optimized structure that incorporates deformable membranes and pressure-sensitive pressure release valves. These components automatically respond to pressure changes through deformation and opening/closing mechanisms, substituting complex active mechanical control systems with smarter passive-response mechanisms that improve venting efficiency without proportionally increasing system complexity
2Productivity
If pressure release valves are added to optimize venting, then venting efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The venting structure integrates multiple functions into a single unified design: the guiding ribs simultaneously serve as structural support elements and flow direction guides, while the pressure release valves perform both sealing and controlled venting functions. This multi-functionality approach improves venting efficiency without proportionally increasing device complexity, as each component serves multiple purposes within the system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs deformable membranes as flexible sealing elements in the pressure release valves. These thin film structures provide automatic pressure-responsive opening and closing actions without requiring complex mechanical actuators or control systems. The flexible nature of these films allows them to adapt to pressure changes while maintaining sealed conditions during normal operation, thereby improving venting efficiency with minimal increase in structural complexity
3Productivity
If guiding ribs are used to direct gas flow, then gas egress is optimized, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding ribs in the venting structure utilize curved and angled surfaces to direct gas flow along optimized pathways. These curved geometries, while providing superior flow direction control compared to straight edges, can be manufactured using standard molding or machining techniques. The curvature design allows gas to follow natural flow patterns while being channeled in specific directions, optimizing egress without requiring complex multi-step manufacturing processes
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 enhances the operational efficiency of battery cells, reduces environmental stress, and improves packaging by optimizing the venting process, ensuring safe and controlled release of pressurized gas.
Implementation Method 1
portions of the housing may be structured to mechanically deform (e.g., melt such that at least one membrane falls out of the housing) when subjected to the conditions corresponding to thermal runaway resulting from the operation of the battery cells
Implementation Method 2
mechanically deform (e.g., melt such that at least one membrane falls out of the housing)
Implementation Method 3
an inlet opening configured to receive gas generated by the plurality of battery cells, an outer surface comprising an outlet opening configured to vent the gas
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided to vent a battery pack for an electric vehicle. The battery pack comprises a pack housing subdivided by a crossmember. The crossmember defines a multidirectional vent passage configured to allow venting with a first bay and a second bay. A pressure release valve is arranged on the pack housing and configured to release pressure based on the multidirectional vent passage.