Battery Pack Venting Space Design for Thermal Runaway Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery packs face challenges in safely venting high-temperature gases during thermal events, leading to increased internal pressure and potential fires or explosions due to uncontrolled gas flow directions and insufficient space for venting.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack design featuring unit plates with integrated venting spaces and flow channels that guide gases towards specific venting portions, including top plates with protruding flow channels and end plates with coupling grooves, to facilitate directional venting and rapid gas release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If a venting portion is provided in the pack case to release high temperature venting gases, then gases can be vented to the outside, but gases may move in all four directions including toward other battery cells, accelerating thermal runaway propagation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces flow channels with specific directional structures in the pack case that create different flow resistance characteristics in different directions. The flow channels are designed to guide venting gases preferentially toward the venting portion while increasing flow resistance toward battery cells, thereby achieving directional gas release that prevents thermal runaway propagation.
2Volume of moving object
If the space between the flat top plate and battery cells is very narrow, then the battery pack structure is compact, but it is difficult to form flow channels for movement of venting gases to the venting portion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the space constraint by introducing flow channels that extend vertically from the bottom surface of the top plate toward the venting portion. This vertical dimension allows gas flow paths to be created without increasing the horizontal footprint or compromising the compact structure, enabling effective venting while maintaining space efficiency.
3Strength
If venting gases are not properly released into the atmosphere, then the battery pack structure remains intact, but the internal pressure of the battery pack increases causing damage to components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates pre-designed flow channels and venting portions into the pack case structure before thermal events occur. These features are prepared in advance to provide immediate gas release pathways when thermal runaway happens, allowing rapid pressure equalization that prevents structural damage while maintaining pack integrity.
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 ensures quick release of venting gases, preventing internal pressure buildup and minimizing damage to the battery pack components, thereby enhancing safety and reliability by controlling gas flow and reducing the risk of thermal runaway.
Implementation Method 1
when the internal pressure of the battery cell increases over a predetermined level, venting occurs... it is necessary to release venting gases to the outside of the battery pack quickly to prevent the internal pressure of the battery pack from increasing any longer
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a battery pack including a plurality of battery cells; and a pack case including a plurality of unit plates, and configured to accommodate the plurality of battery cells, the pack case having a venting portion disposed in at least one of the plurality of unit plates to release gas vented from the battery cell to outside, wherein at least some of the plurality of unit plates have a venting space extended toward the venting portion to allow the gas to flow.