Battery Casing Vent Filtration for Thermal Runaway Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery devices lack effective protection against fire propagation and thermal runaway, which can lead to catastrophic failures and risks to adjacent equipment.
Innovation Solution
A battery device with a sealed casing that includes a filter at the outlet, designed to contain heated gases and flames within the casing, preventing them from escaping and propagating to other parts of the device or adjacent equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sealed container is formed by assembling multiple sides of the casing, then heated gases are contained within the casing and can only escape via designated outlets, but the complexity of the casing structure increases due to the need for precise assembly of multiple sides
Solution Approach 1:
The casing is divided into multiple separate sides (front side, rear side, two lateral sides, bottom side, top side) that are assembled together to form the sealed container. This segmentation allows for easier manufacturing and assembly while achieving the desired sealing effect, as each side can be produced independently and then joined together with sealing elements.
Solution Approach 2:
Sealing elements are introduced as intermediary components at the joints between the different casing sides. These sealing elements mediate the connection between sides, ensuring a hermetic seal that prevents heated gases from escaping except through the designated outlets, while allowing the modular assembly structure to be maintained.
2Reliability
If outlets are provided in the casing for gas evacuation, then heated gases can escape in a controlled manner, but the risk of flames and combustion products escaping to adjacent equipment increases
Solution Approach 1:
Filters are introduced as intermediary components at the outlets, positioned between the internal combustion environment and the external environment. These filters act as mediators that allow heated gases to pass through for pressure equalization while blocking flames, sparks, and hot combustion products from escaping to adjacent equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The outlets, which could potentially allow harmful flames and combustion products to escape, are converted into beneficial features by equipping them with filters. The filtered outlets now serve the dual purpose of allowing controlled gas evacuation for pressure management while simultaneously preventing fire propagation to surrounding equipment.
3Reliability
If the casing is designed as a sealed container with outlets and filters, then protection against fire propagation is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The casing is segmented into multiple sides that can be manufactured separately using standard fabrication processes, then assembled together with sealing elements. This modular approach maintains ease of manufacture while achieving the complex sealed container geometry required for effective fire protection.
Solution Approach 2:
Standard sealing elements and filter components are used as intermediary parts that simplify the assembly process. These off-the-shelf components can be easily installed at the joints and outlets, reducing the overall manufacturing complexity despite the increased functional requirements for fire protection.
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 manages thermal runaway events by containing heated gases and limiting flames, thereby reducing the risk of fire propagation and enhancing safety.
Implementation Method 1
The battery device comprises a casing, a battery cell pack, and a filter. The casing comprises at least one outlet and the outlet is arranged at at least one of the plurality of sides of the casing. The filter is arranged at the at least one outlet for limiting at least flames from escaping the casing.
Data Source
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AI summary
A battery device (3) is provided. The battery device comprises a casing having a plurality of sides (10a-10f) including a bottom side, a top side opposite to said bottom side, two lateral sides, a front side, and a rear side opposite to said front side, wherein the plurality of sides are assembled to form a sealed container, and a battery cell pack (20) located within the sealed container. The casing comprises at least one outlet (31) arranged at at least one of the plurality of sides. The sealed container is configured to prevent heated gases generated upon a malfunction of the battery cell pack from escaping the casing except via the at least one outlet. The battery device further comprises a filter (13) arranged at said at least one outlet for limiting at least flames from escaping the casing, and terminals for connection of the battery device to a load, another battery device or an external power source, arranged at the front side, and wherein said at least one outlet is arranged at the rear side of the casing.