Battery Pack Heat Absorber Layout for Thermal Runaway Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Secondary batteries are prone to thermal runaway, leading to overheating and a risk of fire due to uncontrolled heat propagation when one battery in a pack experiences thermal runaway, posing a risk to nearby batteries and igniting combustible gases.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack design incorporating a first heat absorber between batteries and a second heat absorber on their side surfaces, both using absorbent materials impregnated with a liquid that vaporizes and increases pressure to fracture and release heat, thereby cooling and extinguishing flames, reducing thermal propagation and fire risk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If secondary batteries are grouped in modules or packs to increase capacity, then energy storage capability is improved, but thermal propagation risk increases when one battery experiences thermal runaway
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the battery pack into modular units with individual heat absorbers positioned between adjacent batteries. This segmentation isolates thermal runaway events to specific zones, preventing uncontrolled heat propagation across the entire pack while maintaining high overall capacity through the modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces heat absorbers containing phase-change materials as intermediary elements between adjacent batteries. These intermediaries absorb excess heat through phase transition when one battery experiences thermal runaway, acting as a thermal buffer that protects neighboring batteries from heat propagation while allowing the pack to maintain high density.
2Reliability
If heat absorbers containing flammable liquids are placed between batteries to absorb heat, then thermal runaway suppression is improved, but fire risk increases if the liquid ignites
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the heat absorber system by enclosing phase-change materials in sealed capsules with controlled rupture characteristics. The capsules are designed to rupture only at specific temperature thresholds, releasing the liquid in a controlled manner that prioritizes heat absorption over ignition, thereby suppressing thermal runaway while minimizing fire risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transitions of enclosed liquids as the primary heat absorption mechanism. The phase-change materials absorb large amounts of heat during transitions from liquid to gas phase, providing effective thermal runaway suppression. The controlled rupture design ensures this phase transition occurs safely, converting potential fire risk into a controlled protective mechanism.
3Reliability
If multiple heat absorbers are distributed throughout the battery pack to suppress thermal propagation, then thermal safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple heat absorber functions into a unified distributed architecture where identical modular heat absorber units are positioned at standardized intervals between batteries. This merging of standardized components simplifies the overall system design and manufacturing while achieving comprehensive thermal protection throughout the battery pack.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs porous or fibrous phase-change materials within the heat absorber capsules, which provide high surface area for heat absorption and efficient thermal conductivity. These material characteristics enable effective thermal management with simpler structural designs, reducing the number and complexity of heat absorber components needed while maintaining superior thermal safety performance.
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 design effectively absorbs and disperses heat, suppresses thermal runaway, and reduces the risk of fire by rapidly cooling overheated batteries and extinguishing flames, maintaining performance and extending the battery pack's lifetime.
Implementation Method 1
an absorbent material impregnated with a liquid vaporized by heat generated from the battery
Implementation Method 2
a liquid impregnated in an absorbent material in a heat absorbing pouch absorbs heat and vaporizes
Implementation Method 3
When the vaporized gas rises above a certain pressure, the gas fractures the heat absorbing pouch and is ejected
Implementation Method 4
a liquid impregnated in an absorbent material in a heat absorbing pouch absorbs heat and vaporizes
Data Source
AI summary
A battery pack includes a pack case, a plurality of batteries accommodated in the pack case, a first heat absorber disposed between the plurality of batteries, and a second heat absorber disposed on each of two side surfaces of each of the plurality of batteries. The first heat absorber and the second heat absorber each include an absorbent material impregnated with a liquid vaporized by heat generated from the battery, and an exterior material in which the absorbent material in a liquid-absorbed state is accommodated.