Battery Pack Valve Height Layout for Thermal Runaway Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electric vehicle battery packs, thermal runaway can cause liquids to be ejected from failing batteries, leading to the spread of thermal runaway to other batteries due to internal pressure increases, posing a risk of fire and damage.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack design featuring a bottom plate, first beam, and frame with explosion-proof valves at opposite ends of each battery, where the frame's height is greater than the beam's, directing ejected liquids away from other batteries, thereby preventing the spread of thermal runaway.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If batteries are disposed in the battery pack without directional control of explosion-proof valves, then the battery pack structure is simple, but thermal runaway liquid can be sprayed to other batteries causing thermal runaway to spread
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by configuring the first explosion-proof valve and second explosion-proof valve at opposite ends of the battery, with the second valve positioned higher than the first. This asymmetric vertical arrangement creates directional liquid ejection control, preventing liquid from spraying onto adjacent batteries while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension by positioning the second explosion-proof valve at a higher altitude than the first explosion-proof valve. This dimensional difference ensures that when the second valve opens, liquid is ejected upward and away from other batteries, adding a vertical safety dimension to the horizontal battery arrangement.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If explosion-proof valves are positioned at the same height, then the battery pack structure is symmetric and simple, but liquid from thermal runaway can be sprayed to other batteries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent deliberately introduces asymmetry in valve positioning, with the second explosion-proof valve positioned higher than the first. This asymmetric configuration inherently prevents liquid spray to other batteries by directing ejection upward, eliminating the need for high-precision horizontal positioning while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
3Reliability
If the frame height is made greater than the first beam height, then liquid ejection direction is controlled away from other batteries, but the battery pack occupies more vertical space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent exploits the vertical dimension by raising the second explosion-proof valve above the first valve level, utilizing the additional vertical space provided by the taller frame. This dimensional approach contains thermal runaway liquid within the vertical ejection path, preventing horizontal spread to adjacent batteries while accepting increased pack height.
Data Source
AI summary
A battery pack includes a bottom plate, a first beam, a frame, and a battery assembly having at least two batteries. A height of the frame is greater than a height of the first beam, the height of the first beam is a distance between a side of the first beam away from the bottom plate and the bottom plate, and the height of the frame is a distance between a side of the frame away from the bottom plate and the bottom plate. The battery assembly is disposed at an accommodating portion between the frame and the first beam, and has a first end and provided with a first explosion-proof valve, and a second end provided with a second explosion-proof valve. A distance from the second explosion-proof valve to the bottom plate is greater than that from the first explosion-proof valve to the bottom plate.