Protective Unit for Traction Battery Hot Gas Diversion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traction batteries in motor vehicles face thermal and mechanical loading due to the release of hot gas from malfunctioning battery cells, which can lead to increased risk of short-circuits in components located above the affected cells.
Innovation Solution
A protective unit with a sheet metal-type protective region and a frame-type support region is integrated between the battery module and the overlying battery component, featuring a heat-resistant and electrically insulating material to divert and contain hot gas, reducing thermal and mechanical loading, and preventing particle-related short-circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a battery component is arranged above a battery module, then the battery component can be compactly integrated into the traction battery, but the battery component is exposed to thermal and mechanical loading from hot gas released during cell malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
A protective unit is introduced as an intermediary element between the battery module and the battery component. This protective unit includes a protective region that redirects hot gas away from the battery component, and a support region that mechanically secures the component, thereby mediating the harmful interaction while maintaining compact integration
Solution Approach 2:
The protective unit is segmented into functionally distinct regions: a protective region for thermal and particle protection, and a support region for mechanical securing. This segmentation allows each region to optimize its specific function while working together to solve the overall problem
2Area of stationary object
If battery components are positioned close to battery cells for compact design, then space is optimized, but clearances and creepage distances are reduced increasing short-circuit risk
Solution Approach 1:
The protective unit acts as an intermediary barrier that maintains electrical insulation and protective spacing between the battery module and component, reducing short-circuit risk while allowing compact overall arrangement
Solution Approach 2:
The protective region preliminarily redirects hot gas and particles away from the battery component before they can accumulate and reduce clearances, preventing the condition that would lead to short-circuits
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 protective unit effectively safeguards battery components from thermal and mechanical damage, enhancing the robustness of the traction battery by preventing hot gas and particle accumulation, thereby reducing the risk of short-circuits and improving overall battery performance.
Implementation Method 1
a sheet metal-type protective region (15) for protecting the at least one battery component from the hot gas of the at least one battery module
Implementation Method 2
The protective region, in particular, comprises a heat-resistant and electrically insulating material
Implementation Method 3
The protective region, in particular, comprises a heat-resistant and electrically insulating material
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly for a traction battery of a motor vehicle includes a battery module having a cell composite formed by a plurality of battery cells, wherein degassing regions of the battery cells are located on an upper side of the cell composite for letting out a hot gas from a cell housing of the battery cells; a battery component arranged in a vertical direction above the battery module, such that the upper side of the cell composite is facing an underside of the battery component; and a protective unit having a sheet-metal-type protective region for protecting the battery component from the hot gas and a frame-type support region connected to the protective region. The battery component is secured to the support region and the protective region is arranged between the underside of the battery component and the upper side of the cell composite.