Battery Pack Vent Orientation to Block High-Temperature Gas Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

When multiple battery modules are arranged side-by-side, the high-temperature gas generated within one module can flow into adjacent modules through their vent portions, leading to deterioration of the cell units.

Innovation Solution

The battery pack design features a configuration where the vent of one battery module faces a wall region of an adjacent module, rather than another vent, reducing the flow of high-temperature gas between modules.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple battery modules are arranged side-by-side with vents facing each other, then ventilation efficiency is improved, but high-temperature gas flows into adjacent modules causing deterioration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against high-temperature gasVSAvoidhigh-temperature gas flow between modules
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by configuring vents on adjacent battery modules to face different directions rather than facing each other symmetrically. Specifically, vents on alternating modules are oriented to face away from adjacent modules, preventing direct gas flow paths between neighboring modules while maintaining effective ventilation for each individual module.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent resolves the contradiction by transitioning from a two-dimensional arrangement where vents face each other in the same plane to a three-dimensional configuration where vents are oriented at different angles and directions. This spatial reorientation in multiple dimensions prevents direct line-of-sight gas flow between adjacent modules while preserving ventilation functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Temperature

If vents are positioned to face each other for optimal ventilation, then cooling efficiency is improved, but thermal interference between adjacent modules increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidthermal interference between modules
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the ventilation function into independent directional components for each battery module. Instead of having vents uniformly face each other, each module's vent is segmented to face a specific direction optimized for its position, preventing thermal interference while maintaining individual cooling efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local quality by customizing the vent orientation for each specific battery module location within the assembly. Modules at different positions have vents oriented differently according to their local thermal environment and adjacent module configurations, optimizing cooling efficiency for each location while preventing thermal interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

This configuration significantly reduces the amount of high-temperature gas that enters an adjacent battery module, thereby minimizing deterioration and improving ventilation efficiency by positioning vents at higher angles.

Implementation Method 1

The battery housing has at least one air intake and one air discharge opening, which permit both dynamic-pressure-induced and convective through-ventilation of the battery housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

The battery housing has at least one air intake and one air discharge opening, which permit both dynamic-pressure-induced and convective through-ventilation of the battery housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDynamic pressure: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP3076454B1Battery pack
Publication Date: 2019.11.13 ENVISION AESC JAPAN LTD
  • EP3076454B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3076454B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3076454B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

[PROBLEM] To provide a battery pack which is capable of reducing deterioration of a cell unit of a battery module caused by a high-temperature gas generated in the case of another adjacent battery module. [SOLUTION] A battery pack (1) wherein multiple battery modules (2), each having a case (90) containing at least one single cell (10), are arranged. A wall part (91) of each case (90) has a vent (92), through which the inside and the outside of the case (90) communicate with each other, and a wall region (93) where the vent (92) is not provided. A vent (92A) of a case (90A) of one battery module (2A) faces a wall region (93B) of a case (90B) of another battery module (2B), which is adjacent to the battery module (2A).