Battery Pack Inlet Opening and Closing Device for Gas Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery packs used in vehicles generate heat and potentially harmful gases during charging and discharging, which can lead to safety issues if these gases are not properly managed, as they can cause vision impairment or bodily damage to the driver due to their introduction into the vehicle interior.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack design that includes a housing with an inlet and outlet for air circulation, a controller to manage air flow, temperature and gas sensors to detect excessive temperatures or gas concentrations, and an alarm system to alert when hazardous conditions are met, ensuring the inlet is closed to prevent gas entry into the vehicle interior.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If air circulation is provided through the inlet for cooling the battery pack, then heat dissipation is improved, but harmful gases generated by the battery cells can be introduced into the vehicle interior
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet is divided into two separate inlets: a first inlet for introducing cooling air and a second inlet for discharging harmful gases. This segmentation allows independent control of cooling airflow and gas discharge pathways, enabling heat dissipation while preventing harmful gases from entering the vehicle interior through the cooling air inlet
Solution Approach 2:
A harmful gas discharge inlet is introduced as an intermediary pathway. This separate inlet provides a dedicated route for harmful gases to escape to the exterior, acting as a mediator that separates the cooling function from the gas discharge function, thereby preventing gas contamination of the cooling airflow
2Reliability
If the inlet is closed to prevent harmful gas entry, then safety is improved, but heat dissipation from the battery pack is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet system is segmented into multiple independent inlets (first inlet for cooling air, second inlet for gas discharge, third inlet as backup). This segmentation allows the cooling function to continue through open inlets even when gas discharge inlets are closed, maintaining both safety and heat dissipation simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
Different inlets have different functional qualities: the first inlet is optimized for cooling airflow with associated fans, while the second inlet is optimized for gas discharge. This local differentiation allows each inlet to perform its specific function effectively, enabling safe operation with continued cooling capability
3Reliability
If multiple sensors and control devices are added to detect and control harmful gases, then safety monitoring is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Harmful gas discharge inlets and associated discharge fans are pre-configured in the housing structure before operation. This preliminary arrangement ensures that gas discharge capability is built-in from the start, reducing the need for complex emergency response systems and simplifying the overall safety control architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the battery pack's own generated airflow and pressure differentials to facilitate gas discharge through the dedicated inlet, reducing the need for additional active pumping or forcing mechanisms. The cooling airflow itself helps drive harmful gases outward through the separate discharge pathway
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 design effectively prevents the introduction of harmful gases into the vehicle, reducing the risk of safety accidents by controlling air circulation and alerting the driver to potential hazards, thus enhancing the safety and stability of the battery pack.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature measuring sensor measuring an interior temperature of the battery pack
Implementation Method 2
a gas measuring sensor that senses whether a gas is generated in the battery pack or that measures a concentration of generated gas
Implementation Method 3
an inlet opening and closing device, the inlet opening and closing device being disposed in the inlet
Data Source
AI summary
A battery pack includes at least one battery module provided with a plurality of battery cells each having a vent that discharges gas, the battery cells being arranged in one direction, and a housing accommodating the battery module, the housing including an inlet and an outlet for air, and an inlet opening and closing device disposed in the inlet.