Battery Pack Side Frame Venting for Thermal Runaway Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery packs are vulnerable to thermal events, which can lead to heat propagation and potential chain reactions, increasing the risk of accidents and damage due to the close packing of battery cells, especially in medium- to large-sized packs used in vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack design featuring a side frame with a heat propagation prevention unit filled with a potting resin, protruding from the bottom to block heat and gas spread, accompanied by a venting space and venting devices to manage gas discharge during thermal events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If battery cells are densely packed to increase output and capacity, then productivity and energy density are improved, but thermal safety deteriorates due to increased risk of heat propagation and thermal chain reactions
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack is divided into multiple independent battery modules, each surrounded by protective structures including side frames with heat propagation prevention units. This segmentation isolates thermal events to specific modules, preventing chain reactions across the entire pack while maintaining high cell density within each module.
Solution Approach 2:
Heat propagation prevention units filled with potting resin act as intermediary barriers between adjacent battery cells. These units physically block and thermally insulate against heat transfer, serving as mediators that prevent thermal runaway propagation while allowing the battery pack to maintain dense cell configuration.
2Volume of moving object
If battery cells are closely arranged to reduce space, then volume efficiency is improved, but heat dissipation and thermal event control worsen due to limited space for heat management
Solution Approach 1:
The heat propagation prevention units extend in the vertical dimension from the bottom side frame, creating a three-dimensional barrier structure. This vertical extension blocks heat propagation paths without consuming horizontal space between cells, allowing dense cell arrangement while maintaining thermal management capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The potting resin filling the heat propagation prevention units acts as a flexible thermal barrier material. This material provides effective heat blocking in a compact form factor, enabling space-efficient thermal management integration within the constrained battery pack volume.
3Reliability
If venting space is provided to manage gas discharge, then thermal event safety is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional structural components
Solution Approach 1:
The side frame structure serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical support for battery modules, acts as a mounting structure for heat propagation prevention units, and incorporates venting spaces for gas discharge. This multi-functionality reduces overall structural complexity while improving thermal safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The venting space is integrated into the side frame structure rather than being a separate component. The bottom side frame combines support, thermal protection, and venting functions into a single unified structure, reducing part count and assembly complexity while maintaining effective thermal event management.
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
Effectively prevents heat propagation and minimizes the risk of secondary damage by guiding heat and gas away from adjacent cells, enhancing safety and stability during thermal events.
Implementation Method 1
a side frame configured to support the plurality of battery cells within the pack case, the side frame having a heat propagation prevention unit for preventing heat propagation toward adjacent battery cells when a thermal event occurs
Implementation Method 2
a venting space and venting devices to manage gas discharge during thermal events
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a battery pack, which includes a plurality of battery cells; a pack case configured to accommodate the plurality of battery cells; and a side frame configured to support the plurality of battery cells within the pack case, the side frame having a heat propagation prevention unit for preventing heat propagation toward adjacent battery cells when a thermal event occurs in at least one battery cell among the plurality of battery cells.