Battery Pack Relay Control for Thermal Runaway Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery packs face safety risks due to thermal runaway, which can lead to explosions when an abnormal temperature situation occurs in one battery cell, potentially propagating to neighboring cells.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack system that includes a controller connected to a relay and motor, which idles the motor and shifts the vehicle's gear to neutral mode when a battery cell temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold, accompanied by a warning signal to the driver, to prevent thermal runaway.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If battery cells are connected in series or parallel to increase output voltage and charge/discharge capacity, then the energy density and electrical properties are improved, but the risk of thermal runaway propagation to neighboring battery modules increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack is divided into multiple battery modules, each module containing multiple battery cells. This segmentation isolates thermal issues to specific modules, preventing propagation to the entire battery pack. The modular structure allows for targeted cooling and monitoring of individual modules while maintaining high energy density through optimized cell arrangements within each module.
Solution Approach 2:
A cooling plate is introduced as an intermediary component between battery modules. This cooling plate acts as a thermal barrier and heat dissipation medium, absorbing excess heat from overheating battery cells and preventing thermal runaway propagation to neighboring modules. The cooling plate includes cooling channels that circulate coolant to actively manage thermal conditions.
2Temperature
If conventional cooling methods are used for overheating battery cells, then the cooling effect is limited, but the system complexity and response time are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling function is merged directly into the battery module structure through integrated cooling plates that are structurally combined with the battery cell holders. This integration eliminates the need for separate cooling systems and complex thermal management components, providing efficient cooling while maintaining simple system architecture. The cooling plate becomes an inherent part of the battery module assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery module structure itself provides cooling functionality through the integrated cooling plate design. The cooling plate's thermal mass and heat conduction properties enable it to passively absorb and dissipate heat from overheating cells without requiring active control systems. This self-service cooling approach reduces system complexity while maintaining effective temperature control.
Data Source
AI summary
A battery pack includes a battery module having a battery cell, a relay configured to connect the at least one battery module to a motor of the vehicle, and a controller connected to the relay and the motor to control the relay and the motor. When a temperature of the battery cell of the battery module rises over a predetermined temperature, the controller operates the relay so that the motor idles. The battery pack is provided to a vehicle.