Battery Pack Exhaust Venting for Thermal Runaway Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Secondary batteries used in mobility applications face safety challenges due to thermal runaway events, which can lead to the propagation of flames and high-temperature gases, posing risks to passengers.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack design with multiple exhaust devices and forced exhaust motors controlled by a battery management system (BMS) that selectively opens the exhaust device closest to the thermal runaway event, preventing the spread of thermal runaway to adjacent cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If exhaust devices are opened during thermal runaway, then safety is improved by venting flames and high-temperature gases, but device complexity increases due to multiple exhaust devices and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust system is segmented into multiple independent exhaust devices (first exhaust device, second exhaust device) positioned at different locations within the battery pack. Each exhaust device can be independently controlled by dedicated forced exhaust motors, allowing selective activation based on thermal runaway location to improve safety while managing system complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The battery management system implements feedback control by monitoring temperature or other parameters to detect thermal runaway events and automatically controlling the forced exhaust motors to open the appropriate exhaust devices. This automated feedback mechanism enhances safety response while reducing the need for complex manual control systems
2Measurement precision
If multiple forced exhaust motors are installed, then response precision to thermal runaway location is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different parts of the battery pack are equipped with different exhaust capabilities based on local requirements. The first and second forced exhaust motors are positioned between specific battery cell assemblies and the first side wall, creating localized exhaust capacity where needed. This allows precise response to thermal runaway location while potentially reducing overall manufacturing cost compared to uniform distribution of exhaust systems throughout the pack
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 contains thermal runaway events by selectively opening exhaust devices, enhancing safety by preventing the spread of flames and high-temperature gases, thereby improving the overall safety of the battery pack.
Implementation Method 1
a first forced exhaust motor configured to open the first exhaust device; and a second forced exhaust motor configured to open the second exhaust device
Data Source
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AI summary
Example embodiments provide a battery pack. The battery pack includes: a pack housing including plates and a side wall; first and second battery cell assemblies on the plates; first and second exhaust devices coupled to the side wall, in which the first exhaust device is closer to the first battery cell assembly than the second exhaust device and the second exhaust device is closer to the second battery cell assembly than the first exhaust device; a first forced exhaust motor configured to open the first exhaust device; and a second forced exhaust motor configured to open the second exhaust device.