Battery Pack Explosion-Proof Valve for Flame Arrest and Gas Venting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery packs in electric vehicles are at risk of thermal runaway, leading to hazardous events such as fires and explosions due to the release of high-temperature runaway gas and particles, which can ignite combustible materials and cause spontaneous combustion.
Innovation Solution
An explosion-proof valve with a flame arresting member and air permeable membrane is integrated into the battery pack, designed to extinguish flames, cool down high-temperature gases, and discharge unburned gases, while also balancing air pressure and filtering out solid particles to prevent blockages and enhance pressure relief.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a traditional vent is used to discharge runaway gas, then gas discharge function is provided, but flames and high-temperature sparks can escape causing external ignition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a flame arresting member as an intermediary component between the battery pack interior and exterior. This member includes a flame arrester assembly with multiple channels that allow gas to pass through while physically intercepting and extinguishing flames and high-temperature sparks, preventing them from escaping to the external environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful high-temperature runaway gas into a beneficial cooling effect by utilizing the flame arresting member to absorb and dissipate heat. The multiple channels in the flame arrester assembly create turbulence and increase surface area for heat exchange, transforming the thermal energy from a hazard into a controlled thermal management mechanism.
2Ease of manufacture
If the explosion-proof valve structure is simplified, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but filtering and flame arresting effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the explosion-proof valve into distinct functional modules: a filter structure for particle removal, a flame arrester assembly with multiple channels for flame arrest, and an air permeable membrane for pressure balancing. Each module performs a specific function, allowing for optimized manufacturing of individual components while achieving comprehensive protection when assembled together.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs porous materials in the form of an air permeable membrane that allows gas molecules to pass through while blocking larger particles. This porous structure provides effective filtration and pressure equalization without requiring complex mechanical components, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while ensuring functionality.
3Reliability
If the air permeable membrane is made more robust, then pressure balancing capability is improved, but gas discharge efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the parameters of the air permeable membrane, including pore size, porosity, and material composition, to achieve the desired balance between mechanical strength and gas permeability. By carefully selecting and tuning these parameters, the membrane provides sufficient structural integrity for pressure balancing while maintaining high gas discharge efficiency during thermal runaway events.
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 prevents spontaneous combustion of the battery pack by extinguishing flames and cooling high-temperature gases, reducing the risk of explosions and preventing ignition of external combustibles, thereby ensuring safety by efficiently managing thermal runaway events.
Implementation Method 1
the air permeable membrane is fastened to the flame arresting member, and the battery pack is capable of exchanging gas with the outside through the flame arresting member and the air permeable membrane in sequence
Implementation Method 2
the high-temperature runaway gas is cooled down by the flame arresting member
Implementation Method 3
the high-temperature runaway gas is cooled down by the flame arresting member
Implementation Method 4
burning flames and high-temperature sparks are extinguished by the flame arresting member
Implementation Method 5
The first filter structure can block most solid particles or melts, thereby filtering out solid particles or melts in the runaway products
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of this application provide an explosion-proof valve, a battery pack, and an apparatus. The explosion-proof valve includes a flame arresting member and an air permeable membrane. The flame arresting member is configured to connect to a housing of a battery pack, the air permeable membrane is fastened to the flame arresting member, and the battery pack is capable of exchanging gas with the outside through the flame arresting member and the air permeable membrane in sequence. During use of the explosion-proof valve of this application in the battery pack of this application, when thermal runaway occurs inside the housing of the battery pack, pressure inside the housing is suddenly increased, and as a result, the battery pack releases the pressure through the explosion-proof valve, and high-temperature runaway gas impacts and melts the air permeable membrane, forming a smooth air flow channel.