U-Shaped Battery Module Vent Shield for Thermal Runaway Control

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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, which covers and directs airflow and flames from battery vents during thermal runaway, controlling the thermal diffusion range and preventing harm to passengers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering 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

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower outputVSAvoidthermal runaway harm to passengers
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protection member utilizes the upward-spraying thermal runaway products (hot airflow and flames) as the harmful factor to be converted. By providing a U-shaped structure with a first protection section covering the vent and second/third protection sections extending downward, the design redirects the upward thermal runaway products downward, converting the harmful upward spray into a controlled downward flow that away from passengers

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The protection member acts as an intermediary element between the battery vent and the passenger compartment. This U-shaped structure intercepts the thermal runaway products at the vent and mediates their direction, transforming the direct upward path into a controlled downward trajectory that protects passengers while maintaining pressure relief function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a protection member is added to cover battery vents, then passenger safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepassenger safetyVSAvoidbattery module structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protection member is designed as a thin-walled U-shaped structure with first, second, and third protection sections. This thin-walled design provides the necessary protective function while minimizing structural complexity and material usage, avoiding the need for complex multi-component systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The protection member is segmented into three distinct sections: a first protection section covering the vent, and second and third protection sections extending downward from opposite ends. This segmentation allows each section to perform its specific function while maintaining overall structural simplicity and ease of manufacturing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 improves the safety and reliability of battery modules by redirecting thermal runaway products away from passengers, reducing the risk of injury and enhancing the overall safety performance of the vehicle.

Implementation Method 1

during thermal runaway of the battery, the hot airflow, the flame and the like released by the battery are sprayed upward

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal runaway:

Implementation Method 2

the hot airflow, the flame and the like released by the battery are sprayed upward

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

the second protection section and the third protection section are both bent in a direction closer to the battery module relative to the first protection section

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3783734B1Battery assembly, battery pack and vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.01.17 CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY (HONG KONG) LIMITED
  • EP3783734B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3783734B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3783734B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to the technical field of a battery, in particular to a battery assembly, a battery pack and a vehicle. The battery assembly in the present disclosure includes a battery module and a protection member, wherein the battery module includes at least two batteries arranged side by side along a first direction and has 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 as a horizontal portion of the letter U covers the end covers of batteries in the battery module, a part of a second protection section as a longer vertical portion of the letter U is covered on the first outer surface, and a third protection section as a shorter vertical portion of the letter U abuts against an end cover of a battery corresponding to the second outer surface. In the present disclosure, 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, so that the use safety of the battery assembly is effectively improved.