U-Shaped Battery Module Shield for Thermal Runaway Vent Redirection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The safety of passengers in vehicles is compromised during thermal runaway of batteries, as hot airflow and flames are directly sprayed upward, posing a threat to occupants.
Innovation Solution
A battery module design featuring a protection member with a U-shaped configuration, comprising a first, second, and third protection section, that covers vents and controls thermal diffusion, preventing airflow and flames from directly reaching passengers during thermal runaway, thereby enhancing safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If batteries are arranged in a battery pack for high power requirement, then power output is improved, but thermal runaway safety deteriorates as hot airflow and flames are sprayed upward toward passengers
Solution Approach 1:
A protection member is introduced as an intermediary component between the battery vents and the passenger compartment. This protection member includes a first protection section covering the vents, a second protection section extending along the first outer surface, and a third protection section extending along the second outer surface, creating a physical barrier that intercepts and redirects thermal runaway products away from passengers
Solution Approach 2:
The protection member extends in multiple spatial dimensions (first direction covering vents, second direction along first outer surface, third direction along second outer surface) to create a three-dimensional protective structure that effectively blocks thermal runaway products from reaching the passenger compartment while maintaining battery pack functionality
2Object-affected harmful factors
If protection member is added to cover vents and control thermal diffusion, then passenger safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protection member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it covers battery vents to contain thermal runaway products, extends along outer surfaces to control thermal diffusion pathways, and acts as a structural component that can be integrated into the battery module housing. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate protective components
Data Source
AI summary
A battery assembly includes a protection member and a battery module including at least two batteries arranged side by side along a first direction and having a first outer surface and a second outer surface opposite to each other along a second direction. The protection member is in the form of a letter U with two vertical portions having different lengths, wherein a first protection section covers the end covers of batteries in the battery module, a part of a second protection section covers the first outer surface, and a third protection section abuts against an end cover of a battery corresponding to the second outer surface. The protection member can prevent the airflow, the flame and the like sprayed during thermal runaway, and control a thermal diffusion range during thermal runaway.