Battery Pack Base Plate Segmentation for Thermal Runaway Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery packs fail to prevent high temperature heat generated by thermal runaway of some battery modules from propagating to other normal modules, risking cascading thermal runaway and potential explosion.
Innovation Solution
The battery pack design includes a thinner base plate that deforms under high temperature and pressure, reducing contact area and heat transfer between modules, and uses fixing members and compartmentalization to isolate affected areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the base plate is made thick for stability, then the base plate can maintain contact with thermal runaway battery modules, but high temperature heat is conducted to other normal battery modules
Solution Approach 1:
The base plate is divided into a first base plate portion and a second base plate portion separated by a gap. This segmentation prevents continuous heat conduction path from thermal runaway modules to normal modules, while each portion maintains local stability support.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the base plate have different properties: the first base plate portion contacts thermal runaway modules and can deform or separate, while the second base plate portion supports normal modules and maintains stability. This local differentiation allows heat isolation while preserving overall structural function.
2Strength
If the base plate is made thick to prevent deformation under high temperature gas pressure, then structural integrity is maintained, but heat conduction to neighboring modules increases
Solution Approach 1:
The base plate is segmented into separate portions with a gap between them. This allows each portion to independently withstand local pressure from thermal runaway modules without deforming the entire base plate, while the gap interrupts the heat conduction path to protect normal modules.
3Productivity
If battery modules are closely arranged to maximize space utilization, then productivity increases, but heat propagation risk between modules increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gap in the base plate acts as an intermediary barrier between battery modules. It physically separates modules to interrupt heat conduction paths while allowing the battery pack to maintain high density arrangement, thus balancing space utilization with thermal safety.
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 heat propagation from thermal runaway, enhancing stability and safety by minimizing contact and conduction of high temperature heat to neighboring modules.
Implementation Method 1
a thinner base plate that deforms under high temperature and pressure, reducing contact area and heat transfer between modules
Implementation Method 2
Conventional base plates suffer from the fatal problem that such contact can conduct high temperature heat to other normal battery modules M
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(b)
Figure 2(a)~3
Figure 4
AI summary
Disclosed herein relates to a battery pack in which battery modules housed, including: a pack case including a the module area where the battery module may be seated; and a top cover coupled to the pack case to cover the top part of each battery module seated in the pack case, wherein the pack case includes: a base plate supporting a lower part of the battery module; and a side wall coupled along a border of the base plate, wherein the base plate is less thick than the top cover.