Battery Pack Cooling Circuit With Segmented Fire Extinguishing Pipes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fire-fighting systems for electric vehicle batteries are inefficient in targeting and extinguishing thermal runaway, often causing damage to non-failing battery cells and requiring large storage tanks, which limits their application across different vehicle types.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack design incorporating a compact spraying pipe integrated into the cooling circuit for targeted fire extinguishing and water-absorbing partitions to prevent heat spread, utilizing a control switch for alternative coolant flow and a heat-resistant, porous absorption layer for improved fire suppression.
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 improved, but the mounting space occupied increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fire extinguishing function with the existing cooling circuit system by integrating a spraying pipe into the coolant flow path. The cooling pump and coolant tank serve dual purposes: cooling the battery during normal operation and providing fire suppression when thermal runaway occurs. This eliminates the need for a separate fire extinguishing agent storage tank while maintaining effective fire suppression 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 extinguishing on specific failing cells
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the battery pack into multiple regions with individual spraying pipes positioned above each battery cell or group of cells. Each spraying pipe can be independently activated to target specific failing cells, allowing precise localization of thermal runaway events and avoiding unnecessary cooling of healthy cells. This segmented approach enables accurate targeting while maintaining system simplicity.
3Reliability
If a conventional spray head is used without targeted control, then coolant is sprayed when thermal runaway is detected, but false alarms can cause scrapping of the entire battery pack
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements segmented spraying pipes corresponding to different battery cell regions, each可控 independently. When thermal runaway is detected in a specific cell, only the corresponding spraying pipe is activated. This segmentation allows the system to respond precisely to localized failures without triggering unnecessary cooling of the entire battery pack, thereby avoiding false alarm consequences and preserving healthy cells.
4Reliability
If partitions with heat insulation layers and heat conduction layers are used, then thermal runaway spread is controlled locally, but the partitions have limited functionality when combined with spraying systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the partition structure with the spraying system by integrating the spraying pipes into the partition design. The partitions serve dual functions: providing thermal insulation to contain thermal runaway locally and serving as mounting structures for the spraying pipes. This integration enables the partitions to cooperate with the spraying system, allowing targeted coolant delivery while maintaining thermal containment, thereby enhancing both safety functions 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 solution enables effective, targeted fire extinguishing with reduced risk of false alarms and no need for separate storage tanks, enhancing safety and adaptability across various vehicle types by ensuring accurate coolant application and improved heat insulation.
Implementation Method 1
a spraying pipe extending above the battery cells and forming an opening after being heated
Implementation Method 2
a partition for a battery pack, including: a heat insulation layer body for delaying heat spread; the absorption layer is configured to absorb the coolant
Implementation Method 3
a heat insulation layer body for delaying heat spread
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a battery pack, comprising: battery cells; a coolant tank for storing a coolant; a cooling circuit in communication with the coolant tank; a driving device for driving the coolant to flow; and 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.