Battery Pack Explosion-Proof Valve for Flame-Arresting Gas Venting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery packs in electric vehicles are prone to thermal runaway, leading to hazardous conditions such as fires and explosions due to the release of high-temperature gases and sparks, which can cause spontaneous combustion and pose significant safety risks.
Innovation Solution
An explosion-proof valve with a flame arresting member and air permeable membrane is designed to connect to the battery pack housing, extinguishing flames and cooling high-temperature gases while allowing unburned gases to be discharged, featuring a flame arrester assembly, filter structures, and heat sinks to manage pressure and temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a simple vent structure is used to discharge runaway gas, then gas discharge efficiency is improved, but flame arrest capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The vent structure is segmented into multiple functional layers: a flame arrester assembly with multiple channels and a waterproof breathable membrane with multiple pores. This segmentation allows the system to simultaneously achieve flame arrestment and gas discharge by dividing the flow path into numerous small channels that cool and quench flames while maintaining overall gas permeability.
Solution Approach 2:
The flame arrester assembly acts as an intermediary component between the battery pack interior and exterior. It mediates the conflicting requirements by allowing gas to pass through while intercepting and cooling flames through its multi-channel structure and heat dissipation features, preventing flame propagation while maintaining pressure relief.
2Stability of the object's composition
If high-temperature resistant materials are used to withstand thermal runaway, then thermal stability is improved, but heat dissipation capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Different parts of the vent structure have different thermal properties optimized for their specific functions. The flame arrester assembly uses high-temperature resistant materials to withstand direct flame exposure, while external heat sinks use high thermal conductivity materials to dissipate heat to the environment. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between thermal stability and heat dissipation.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat sink structure utilizes thermal expansion principles to increase surface area for heat dissipation. As heat is absorbed, the thermal expansion of materials increases the effective heat transfer area, enhancing heat dissipation capability while the materials themselves maintain thermal stability through their inherent properties.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a complex multi-component structure is used to arrest flames, then flame arrest capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions are merged into integrated components. The flame arrester assembly combines flame quenching channels, heat dissipation structures, and mechanical strength features in a single integrated unit. The waterproof breathable membrane integrates flame resistance, water protection, and gas permeability in one component, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining flame arrestment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Components are designed with multiple functions to reduce the total number of parts. The flame arrester assembly simultaneously provides flame arrestment, heat dissipation, and structural support. The waterproof breathable membrane provides flame resistance, water protection, and gas permeability, eliminating the need for separate components for each function.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a waterproof breathable membrane is used to prevent water ingress, then water protection is improved, but gas permeability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The waterproof breathable membrane utilizes porous material science to achieve selective permeability. The membrane contains numerous microscopic pores that are sized to allow gas molecules to pass through while blocking larger water molecules. This porous structure simultaneously provides water protection and maintains gas permeability, resolving the contradiction between these two requirements.
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
Effectively discharges runaway gases, arrests flames and fires, and reduces temperature, preventing spontaneous combustion and potential explosions, thereby enhancing safety by managing pressure and temperature within the battery pack.
Implementation Method 1
the high-temperature runaway gas is cooled down by the flame arresting member
Implementation Method 2
burning flames and high-temperature sparks are extinguished by the flame arresting member
Implementation Method 3
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
Data Source
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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. When the runaway products pass through the explosion-proof valve, burning flames and high-temperature sparks are extinguished by the flame arresting member, the high-temperature runaway gas is cooled down by the flame arresting member, and finally, the unburned runaway gas is directly discharged. Therefore, the explosion-proof valve in this application can effectively discharge the runaway gas, arrest flames and fires, and decrease temperature, preventing the battery pack from igniting spontaneously or igniting other combustibles, thereby preventing the battery pack from exploding.