Battery Pack Vent Channel for Delayed Thermal Event Gas Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
In battery packs with multiple lithium secondary batteries, thermal events can lead to rapid venting of high-pressure gas, increasing the risk of fire and explosion due to the introduction of external oxygen when venting gas is discharged too quickly.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack design featuring a vent channel with discharge delay members and a melting passage lid to control the discharge speed of venting gas, minimizing oxygen introduction by using a porous sheet-like discharge delay member and a cover frame with different melting points to manage venting gas flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If venting gas is discharged rapidly to relieve pressure during a thermal event, then pressure relief is achieved, but external oxygen is introduced into the battery pack causing fire risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vent channel as an intermediary pathway between the battery module and the external environment. This vent channel includes a discharge delay member that mediates the venting process by delaying the discharge of venting gas, thereby preventing rapid pressure relief that would cause oxygen introduction and fire, while still allowing controlled pressure release.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temporal parameter of venting gas discharge by introducing a discharge delay member in the vent channel. This member is configured to delay the discharge of venting gas for a predetermined time period, transforming the rapid discharge process into a controlled, delayed discharge process that prevents oxygen introduction while maintaining pressure relief functionality.
2Quantity of substance
If the number of lithium secondary batteries is increased to achieve high capacity, then battery capacity is improved, but the risk and damage of fire or explosion increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the battery pack into multiple battery modules, each equipped with its own vent channel and discharge delay member. This segmentation allows independent venting control for each module, preventing uncontrolled pressure buildup and fire propagation across the entire battery pack, thereby enabling high capacity while mitigating fire risk through modular isolation.
Solution Approach 2:
The vent channel with discharge delay member acts as an intermediary safety mechanism between the battery cells and the external environment. This intermediary structure provides a controlled pathway for venting gas, preventing direct rapid discharge that would introduce oxygen and cause fire, thereby enabling safe operation of high-capacity battery packs.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a discharge delay member is introduced to control venting gas discharge speed, then oxygen introduction is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a porous sheet-like discharge delay member in the vent channel. This porous material provides the delay function through its physical structure, allowing gas to pass through while the porous configuration creates flow resistance that achieves the desired delay effect. This material-based solution is simpler than mechanical delay mechanisms and integrates easily into the vent channel structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The discharge delay member is designed as a simple, replaceable component in the vent channel. It can be a thin porous sheet or a consumable element that performs its delay function and can be replaced if needed. This approach keeps the overall device complexity low by using a simple, inexpensive component rather than a complex mechanical or electronic control system.
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 effectively delays the discharge of venting gas, reducing the risk of oxygen introduction and preventing fires by managing pressure and temperature, thereby enhancing the safety and stability of the battery pack during thermal events.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one discharge delay member may be configured to be melted by the venting gas
Implementation Method 2
a passage lid configured to cover the respective outlet and one of the plurality of inlets and to be melted by the venting gas
Implementation Method 3
When the high-temperature gas and spark meet oxygen, a fire may occur
Data Source
AI summary
A battery pack includes a module assembly including a plurality of battery modules arranged in a first direction, a vent channel located on a surface of the module assembly and configured to communicate with each of the plurality of battery modules, and a discharge delay member provided in the vent channel and configured to delay discharge of venting gas generated in at least some of the plurality of battery modules and introduced into the vent channel.