Battery Pack Venting Channels for Thermal Runaway Gas Discharge
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery packs are vulnerable to thermal events, where high-temperature gas from one battery module can propagate to adjacent modules, increasing pressure and risk of explosion, without effective venting mechanisms to safely discharge the gas outside the pack.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack design with a pack housing containing separate accommodation spaces and a center venting channel, guided by side venting channels, to safely discharge high-temperature gas generated during thermal events, preventing backflow and minimizing impact on adjacent modules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a battery pack is disposed of in a landfill, then it occupies space in the landfill, but toxic materials from the battery may leach into the environment causing pollution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful toxic materials in battery waste into beneficial recovered materials through chemical leaching processes. Toxic metals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel are extracted and transformed into usable products, turning environmental pollutants into valuable resources while preventing landfill pollution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a comprehensive recovery system that extracts valuable materials from discarded batteries. Through sequential leaching processes using different chemicals, the system recovers multiple metals (lithium, cobalt, nickel, manganese) from battery waste, preventing both landfill occupation and environmental contamination.
2Reliability
If battery materials are processed through multiple sequential steps, then material recovery efficiency is improved, but processing time and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the battery recycling process into distinct sequential stages, each targeting specific materials. The process is segmented into: (1) mechanical preprocessing, (2) lithium extraction using peroxide, (3) cobalt-nickel-manganese extraction using sulfuric acid, and (4) purification stages. This segmentation enables efficient recovery of each material type while maintaining manageable processing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary mechanical preprocessing before chemical treatment. This includes disassembly, crushing, and magnetic separation to remove ferrous metals and separate battery components. This preliminary action prepares the material for more efficient chemical leaching, reducing overall processing time by preventing interference during subsequent chemical stages.
3Reliability
If chemical reagents are used to extract metals from battery waste, then metal recovery is improved, but chemical waste and environmental risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control through pH monitoring and adjustment during leaching processes. pH levels are continuously monitored and adjusted to optimize metal extraction while minimizing harmful chemical waste. This feedback mechanism ensures efficient metal recovery while maintaining environmentally controlled chemical reactions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts chemical waste streams into beneficial products. The leaching solutions containing dissolved metals are not discarded but further processed to precipitate pure metal compounds. Chemical byproducts are neutralized or reused, transforming potential environmental hazards into valuable recovered materials.
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 design effectively controls gas flow, reduces flame intensity, and prevents damage by safely discharging gas, enhancing safety and reducing the risk of fire spread, while maintaining energy density and structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a first solution is passed through the battery waste material in a first leaching zone, to selectively dissolve lithium from the battery waste material
Implementation Method 2
a second solution is passed through the battery waste material in a second leaching zone, to selectively dissolve cobalt, nickel and manganese from the battery waste material
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A battery pack configured to discharge a high-temperature gas to the outside of the battery pack without affecting other adjacent battery modules when the gas is generated inside the battery module is disclosed. The battery pack according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a pack housing; battery modules; and a pack cover configured to include a side venting channel configured to guide the gas generated in the battery module to the center space at a position corresponding to the battery module, and a center venting channel having a volume equal to or greater than the volume of the side venting channel and configured to guide the gas collected in the center space to the outside of the pack housing at a position corresponding to the center space.