Vehicle Battery Pack Venting Valve Grid Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
In high voltage battery packs for electric vehicles, off-gas emission due to damaged battery cells can lead to heat generation and thermal runaway, causing chain damage to adjacent cells if not quickly and efficiently discharged.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack design featuring a venting valve system with longitudinal and transversal members forming a grid-like structure within the casing, allowing for quick and efficient discharge of off-gas through installation spaces to the outside, preventing thermal runaway.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional battery pack design without a venting system is used, then the structure is simpler, but off-gas cannot be discharged quickly leading to thermal runaway and chain damage
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack is divided into multiple battery modules, each with its own venting path through longitudinal and transversal members. The venting system itself is segmented into multiple installation spaces arranged in a grid pattern, allowing distributed gas discharge paths throughout the battery pack rather than a single centralized vent.
Solution Approach 2:
The longitudinal and transversal members act as intermediary structures that facilitate gas flow from the battery modules to the venting valve. These members create installation spaces that serve as intermediate chambers, allowing off-gas to accumulate and redirect temporarily before being discharged through the venting valve located at the upper portion of the battery casing.
2Speed
If off-gas is not discharged quickly, then the venting system can be simpler, but heat generation and thermal runaway occur causing chain damage to adjacent cells
Solution Approach 1:
The venting system transitions from a single-point discharge to a distributed three-dimensional network of installation spaces arranged in a grid pattern. This spatial distribution across multiple dimensions allows parallel gas discharge paths, significantly increasing the overall gas discharge speed and efficiency compared to a single vent opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas discharge function is segmented into multiple independent pathways through the longitudinal and transversal members. Each installation space provides a separate discharge route, allowing simultaneous gas release from multiple battery modules, thereby accelerating the overall gas discharge process.
3Productivity
If the venting valve is positioned at the upper portion communicating with installation spaces, then gas discharge efficiency is improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The venting system utilizes the natural buoyancy and pressure differential of off-gas to achieve automatic discharge through the venting valve. The system is designed so that gas accumulation in the installation spaces automatically opens the venting valve when pressure exceeds a threshold, eliminating the need for external control mechanisms or complex actuation systems.
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 minimizes damage to the battery pack by rapidly releasing off-gas, reducing the risk of thermal runaway and subsequent cell damage in emergency situations.
Implementation Method 1
When an inner pressure of the battery casing is increased to be greater than an outer pressure, the venting valve may be opened
Data Source
AI summary
A battery pack for a vehicle is proposed. The battery pack for a vehicle includes a plurality of battery modules arranged on a flat surface in a battery casing, a plurality of longitudinal members and a plurality of transversal members arranged between the plurality of battery modules, and a venting valve provided at an upper portion of the battery casing and communicating with installation spaces of the plurality of longitudinal members or the plurality of transversal members, and securing a discharge space for gas at an outside space of the battery casing.