Battery Pack Partition Structure for Thermal Runaway Containment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery packs are prone to secondary ignition or explosions due to the easy transfer of heat or flames from one cell stack to adjacent stacks, posing a safety risk.
Innovation Solution
The battery pack design incorporates a partition member with a support frame and a blocking frame, where the support frame is made of the same material as the lower plate for thermal conductivity and the blocking frame is made of a higher-melting-point material, such as steel or mica, to contain and vent explosive by-products effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single-material partition member is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it cannot effectively contain high-temperature flames and gases while maintaining structural integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The partition member is constructed using composite materials: a heat-resistant material (such as ceramic or fireproof board) for the blocking frame to contain flames and high-temperature gases, and a metal material (such as aluminum or steel) for the support frame to provide structural strength. This composite structure enables both effective fire containment and structural integrity under high-temperature conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition member is divided into two functional segments: a blocking frame made of heat-resistant material for fire containment, and a support frame made of metal material for structural support. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between fire containment capability and structural requirements.
2Reliability
If a heat-resistant material with high melting point is used for the entire partition member, then fire containment is improved, but heat dissipation efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Different parts of the partition member have different material properties optimized for their specific functions: the blocking frame uses heat-resistant material with high melting point for fire containment, while the support frame uses metal material with better thermal conductivity for heat dissipation. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between fire containment and heat dissipation efficiency.
3Strength
If the partition member is made entirely of metal material, then structural strength is maintained, but it melts at high temperatures allowing flames to pass through
Solution Approach 1:
The partition member combines metal material for the support frame to provide structural strength and heat-resistant material for the blocking frame to resist high temperatures and contain flames. This composite material approach allows the structure to maintain both structural integrity and high-temperature resistance simultaneously.
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 minimizes the risk of secondary ignition or explosions by containing and venting flames and high-temperature gases, maintaining structural integrity and safety while ensuring efficient heat dissipation.
Implementation Method 1
the blocking frame may be formed of a material having a melting point higher than that of the material of the lower plate... capable of preventing secondary ignition or explosions
Implementation Method 2
the support frame may be formed of the same material as the material of the lower plate
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A battery pack includes a pack case and a plurality of cell stacks accommodated in an accommodation space of the pack case, wherein the pack case includes a lower plate on which the plurality of cell stacks are seated and a partition member partitioning the accommodation space, and at least a portion of the partition member may be formed of a material different from a material of the lower plate.