Battery Pack Venting Passageway Using Cross-Member Beams
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traction battery packs in electrified vehicles face challenges in effectively venting pressure and thermal byproducts, such as gas and debris, which can lead to structural integrity issues and safety concerns due to inefficient release mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack venting assembly is designed using cross-member assemblies comprising first and second beams with C-shaped cross-sections, adhesively secured to the enclosure cover and thermal exchange plate, creating a passageway that communicates vent byproducts to an exhaust valve for vertical expulsion, enhancing structural integrity and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional venting mechanisms are used, then venting function is provided, but structural integrity deteriorates and safety concerns arise
Solution Approach 1:
The venting assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: first and second beams form separate sides of the passageway, with first openings in the first beam and second openings in the second beam. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The passageway acts as an intermediary structure between the battery cells and the external environment. It provides a controlled pathway for vent byproducts to travel through, mediated by the beams and openings, rather than allowing direct venting that would compromise structural integrity.
2Stress or pressure
If vent byproducts are released from battery cells, then pressure relief is achieved, but thermal cascades may occur without proper channeling
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful thermal energy and pressure are extracted from the battery cells through the vent byproducts and channeled through the dedicated passageway. The passageway separates the venting function from the structural components, allowing pressure relief while containing and directing the thermal byproducts away from sensitive areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The vent byproducts, which contain thermal energy and pressure that could cause harm, are converted into a controlled flow through the passageway. The structured pathway transforms the potentially harmful random release into a directed, controlled process that prevents thermal cascades while achieving pressure relief.
3Productivity
If beams are added to create passageway structure, then venting efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first and second beams serve multiple functions: they provide structural support for the battery pack while simultaneously forming the sides of the venting passageway. The openings in the beams serve both structural and venting functions, reducing the need for separate dedicated venting components and simplifying the overall structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A battery pack venting assembly includes a first beam establishing a first side of a passageway and a second beam establishing an opposite, second side of the passageway. The passageway is configured to communicate battery cell vent byproducts. A method of establishing a vent path within a traction battery pack includes, within an enclosure assembly of a battery pack, providing a cross-member assembly having a first beam and a second beam; and communicating battery cell vent byproducts through at least one opening in the first beam into a passageway having a perimeter that is at least partially provided by the first beam and the second beam.