Battery Pack Venting System with Segmented Compartments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Batteries prone to thermal runaway pose risks due to uncontrolled heat and gas release, which can lead to combustion and collateral damage, especially when hot gas escapes and contacts ambient oxygen, endangering passengers and responders.
Innovation Solution
A sealed battery pack enclosure with divided compartments and integrated venting assemblies featuring valves that seal under normal conditions but open during thermal runaway, along with an exhaust guide to direct hot gas away from the vehicle, minimizing the risk of ignition and propagation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a battery undergoes thermal runaway, then hot gas is generated and pressure increases, but the cell casing becomes compromised and hot gas escapes uncontrollably causing collateral damage
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack is divided into multiple sealed compartments, each containing individual batteries. This segmentation isolates thermal runaway events to specific compartments, preventing uncontrolled hot gas escape across the entire battery pack and reducing collateral damage.
Solution Approach 2:
A controlled venting assembly with a valve acts as an intermediary between the battery cell and the external environment. The valve provides a predetermined failure path that allows hot gas to escape in a controlled manner at specific pressure thresholds, preventing catastrophic cell casing failure and uncontrolled hot gas release.
2Reliability
If the battery pack uses a sealed enclosure with compartments, then thermal runaway propagation is prevented, but the complexity of the battery pack structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack enclosure is segmented into multiple sealed compartments using cross-members and partition walls. This structural segmentation physically isolates batteries from each other, preventing thermal runaway propagation while maintaining a relatively simple overall enclosure design.
Solution Approach 2:
The cross-members and structural elements serve multiple functions: they provide structural support for the enclosure, create compartmental divisions, and integrate venting assembly mounting points. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting overall structural complexity.
3Reliability
If valves are used to seal exhaust ports under normal conditions, then gas leakage is prevented, but the valves must be designed to open at specific pressure thresholds adding design complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly is designed to automatically respond to pressure changes without external control. The valve seal remains closed under normal conditions and automatically opens at a predetermined pressure threshold during thermal runaway, providing self-regulating protection without requiring complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve is designed with specific material properties and geometric parameters that enable it to maintain sealing at normal pressures and automatically open at elevated pressure thresholds. By carefully selecting material characteristics and dimensional parameters, the valve achieves both sealing effectiveness and automatic pressure-responsive opening without additional complexity.
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 and controls the release of hot gas, reducing the risk of collateral damage and preventing the spread of thermal runaway within the battery pack, thereby protecting passengers and responders.
Implementation Method 1
the valve being configured to seal the exhaust port under normal operating conditions and to unseal the exhaust port when at least one of the batteries within the battery pack compartment enters into thermal runaway
Implementation Method 2
an exhaust guide to direct hot gas away from the vehicle, minimizing the risk of ignition and propagation
Implementation Method 3
a sealed battery pack enclosure configured to hold a plurality of batteries, where the battery pack enclosure is divided into a plurality of sealed battery pack compartments
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal management system is provided that minimizes the effects of thermal runaway within a battery pack. The system is comprised of a sealed battery pack enclosure configured to hold a plurality of batteries, where the battery pack enclosure is divided into a plurality of sealed battery pack compartments. The system also includes a plurality of battery venting assemblies, where at least one battery venting assembly is integrated into each of the sealed battery pack compartments, and where each of the battery venting assemblies includes an exhaust port integrated into an outer wall of the battery pack compartment and a valve, the valve being configured to seal the exhaust port under normal operating conditions and to unseal the exhaust port when at least one of the batteries within the battery pack compartment enters into thermal runaway.