Battery Pack Cooling Circuit for Targeted Thermal Runaway Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fire-fighting systems for electric vehicle batteries are bulky, require separate storage tanks, lack targeted fire extinguishing capabilities, and can cause damage during false alarms, while existing partitions fail to effectively contain thermal runaway.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack with a spraying pipe integrated into the cooling circuit for targeted fire extinguishing, a control switch for alternate coolant flow, and water-absorbing partitions between cells to prevent heat spread, using materials that absorb coolant and form a protective layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional fire-fighting spraying system with an independent storage tank is added to the battery pack, then fire extinguishing capability is provided, but the mounting space is significantly occupied and the system becomes bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fire extinguishing function with the existing cooling circuit system by integrating a spraying pipe into the cooling circuit. The cooling circuit's coolant storage tank serves dual purposes: cooling the battery cells during normal operation and providing fire extinguishing agent during thermal runaway events. This eliminates the need for a separate fire extinguishing agent storage tank, significantly reducing mounting space while maintaining fire extinguishing capability.
2Reliability
If a conventional spray head is used to spray coolant onto battery cells, then fire extinguishing is attempted, but the spray head cannot perform targeted fire extinguishing and may cause damage during false alarms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a spraying pipe with multiple spray holes positioned at different locations along the pipe length, allowing localized fire extinguishing. The spraying pipe is strategically positioned above specific battery cell groups, and coolant is sprayed only through the section of the pipe corresponding to thermal runaway cells. This localized spraying approach ensures targeted fire extinguishing while avoiding damage to normally functioning battery cells, even during false alarm scenarios.
3Reliability
If partitions with heat insulation layers are provided between battery cells, then thermal runaway spreading is prevented, but the partitions cannot cooperate with the spraying system and have poor anti-spreading effect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses partitions composed of composite materials with both heat insulation properties and water absorption capabilities. The partitions incorporate heat insulation layers to prevent thermal runaway spreading, while also integrating water-absorbing materials that can absorb the coolant sprayed during fire extinguishing operations. This composite structure enables the partitions to cooperate effectively with the spraying system, maintaining structural integrity during thermal events while absorbing excess coolant to prevent short circuits between battery cells.
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 system provides efficient, targeted fire extinguishing with minimal space requirements, prevents false alarms, and enhances thermal runaway containment, ensuring effective cooling and fire suppression without scrapping the battery pack.
Implementation Method 1
the spraying pipe is made of a fusible material... when thermal runaway occurs in the battery cells, the high-temperature hot flow is sprayed out... the spraying pipe is heated to form an opening
Implementation Method 2
partitions are provided between the battery cells... the partition is able to absorb the sprayed coolant... the effect of preventing heat spreading is good
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure provides a battery pack, comprising: battery cells; a coolant tank for storing a coolant; a cooling circuit communicated with the coolant tank; a driving device for driving the coolant to flow; a fire extinguishing pipeline connected to the cooling circuit; wherein, the fire extinguishing pipeline includes: a spraying pipe extending above the battery cells and forming an opening after being heated.