Battery Cell Venting Bag to Limit Thermal Runaway Spread
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thermal runaway events in battery systems can propagate rapidly between adjacent battery cells due to the transfer of high-temperature gases and debris, posing a significant risk to the entire battery array.
Innovation Solution
A battery system enclosure equipped with a collection bag that captures and diverts high-temperature gases and debris away from neighboring battery cells, reducing the likelihood of thermal runaway propagation and expelling these gases to the external environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If battery cells are arranged in close proximity to maximize space utilization, then productivity and space efficiency are improved, but thermal runaway propagation risk increases due to direct transfer of high-temperature gases and debris between adjacent cells
Solution Approach 1:
A collection bag is positioned between adjacent battery cells to serve as an intermediary component. The collection bag captures high-temperature gases and debris vented from one battery cell and diverts them away from neighboring cells, preventing direct transfer of thermal energy while allowing the battery cells to remain in close proximity for space efficiency.
2Volume of moving object
If battery cells are placed in close proximity, then device compactness is improved, but the severity of harmful effects increases due to rapid thermal runaway spread
Solution Approach 1:
The collection bag acts as a protective intermediary positioned between closely spaced battery cells. It intercepts and contains harmful vented materials from thermal runaway events, diverting them away from adjacent cells and breaking the propagation path while maintaining the compact battery system design.
3Device complexity
If no protective structure is added between battery cells, then device complexity is minimized, but reliability decreases due to lack of thermal runaway mitigation
Solution Approach 1:
A relatively simple collection bag structure is introduced as an intermediary component between battery cells. This addition provides thermal runaway mitigation functionality by capturing and diverting hot gases and debris, significantly improving system reliability while adding minimal structural complexity.
4Reliability
If a collection bag is added to capture and divert vented materials, then thermal runaway propagation is mitigated, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collection bag serves as a focused intermediary component with a specific function: capturing and diverting vented materials. By concentrating the mitigation function in this single element rather than redesigning the entire enclosure system, the complexity increase is minimized while achieving reliable thermal runaway 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 collection bag effectively mitigates the propagation of thermal runaway events by isolating high-temperature gases and debris from adjacent battery cells, thereby reducing the risk of chain reactions and protecting the battery system.
Implementation Method 1
The collection bag is constructed from a flexible, temperature-resistant material... configured to capture high-temperature gases and/or debris vented by at least one of the first and second battery cells
Implementation Method 2
The collection bag may include an exit port having a one-way valve... configured to control expelling of the high-temperature gases from the collection bag to the external environment
Implementation Method 3
The collection bag may include a bellows structure configured to expand under pressure of the high-temperature gases
Data Source
AI summary
A battery system includes a first battery cell and a neighboring second battery cell. The battery system also includes a battery system enclosure surrounded by an external environment and configured to house the first and second battery cells. The battery system additionally includes a collection bag housed within the battery system enclosure and fixed to each battery cell. The collection bag is configured to capture high-temperature gases and/or debris vented by at least one of the battery cells. The collection bag is also configured to divert the captured high-temperature gases and/or debris of each battery cell away from the other battery cell. The collection bag thereby reduces transfer of the high-temperature gases and/or debris between the battery cells and mitigates propagation of a thermal runaway event in the battery system. The collection bag is further configured to expel the captured high-temperature gases and/or debris to the external environment.