Battery Pack Quick-Coupling for Thermal Runaway Liquid Injection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing safety systems for electric vehicle battery packs struggle to effectively control thermal runaway events due to the difficulty in quickly and efficiently injecting extinguishing liquids, especially when a thermal runaway has already started, posing risks of fire spread and infrastructure damage.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic conduit with a fusible septum and quick-coupling system is integrated into the battery pack housing, allowing immediate connection to an extinguishing liquid source through a water-stop system, ensuring rapid intervention and safe operation even under emergency conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hydraulic line is connected to the battery compartment during thermal runaway, then extinguishing liquid can be injected to limit heat effects, but the connection becomes difficult and time-consuming when thermal runaway has already started
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic connection system is pre-installed and integrated into the battery housing before thermal runaway occurs. The quick-coupling mechanism and water-stop system are prepared in advance, allowing immediate connection of extinguishing liquid supply without the need for complex assembly during emergency conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
A quick-coupling hydraulic system acts as an intermediary mechanism between the external extinguishing liquid source and the battery compartment. This intermediary system enables rapid connection and disconnection operations, with the water-stop feature providing automatic flow interruption when connectors are separated.
2Reliability
If the housing is designed as a sealed enclosure for environmental protection, then protection from water/moisture ingress is improved, but access for injecting extinguishing liquid becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The sealed housing is segmented with an integrated hydraulic conduit system that provides a controlled access pathway. The fusible septum creates a separable barrier within the conduit, allowing the housing to remain sealed for environmental protection while providing a specific access point for emergency liquid injection through the pre-installed hydraulic system.
3Device complexity
If inert gases are injected into the housing to control chain reaction, then the system remains simple, but oxygen released from cathode materials limits effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter of the extinguishing medium from inert gas to liquid form. This parameter change allows for more effective heat removal and fire suppression, as liquid extinguishing agents can absorb and remove heat more efficiently, counteracting the oxygen release from cathode materials during thermal runaway.
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
Enables rapid and safe injection of extinguishing liquids into the battery pack, minimizing fire risks and preventing damage by allowing quick connection without laborious maneuvers, even when thermal runaway occurs.
Implementation Method 1
a fusible septum (14), so that when the septum melts due to a thermal runaway, the hydraulic conduit is in communication with the compartment inside the housing
Data Source
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AI summary
Safety system for vehicular propulsion battery pack, the system comprising a device (D) for hydraulic connection of a housing (H) of a battery pack, the device (D) comprising a tubular body (TB) equipped with a fusible septum (FUSE), in such a way that, when a predetermined temperature threshold is exceeded, the septum melts placing the tubular body (TB) in hydraulic communication with an internal compartment (IV) of the housing (H), in which the hydraulic duct is equipped with a first fitting (HI), an external duct (PIP) connected to an external source of extinguishing liquid and/or coolant, wherein the external duct comprises a second fitting (CD) complementary to the first fitting (HI), and wherein said first and second fittings define a hydraulic quick coupling system.