Battery Pack Venting Path Structure for Thermal Runaway Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
In battery packs, high-temperature gas and flame generated during thermal runaway can directly discharge outside, posing a risk of flames due to contact with oxygen, necessitating effective cooling before discharge.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack design featuring a venting path formed by inner and side frames, with venting holes and a blocking mechanism, allowing high-temperature gas and flame to be cooled and safely discharged through a prolonged path, utilizing a venting valve for controlled release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If high-temperature gas and flame are directly discharged from battery modules, then the discharge path is short and simple, but the gas and flame contact oxygen and cause external flames
Solution Approach 1:
The venting path is segmented into multiple sections including vertical channels, horizontal passages, and cooling zones. The battery module is divided into active and passive regions with separate venting paths, allowing gas to traverse through extended routes that increase cooling effectiveness while managing the thermal runaway hazard
Solution Approach 2:
The venting path transitions from a simple linear discharge to a multi-dimensional pathway involving vertical上升 channels, horizontal distribution passages, and three-dimensional cooling structures. This dimensional expansion increases the path length and cooling surface area without significantly increasing the overall device footprint
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a long venting path is created to cool the gas and flame, then cooling effectiveness improves, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The venting structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides a discharge path for gas, acts as a cooling channel through contact with package surfaces, functions as a flame barrier, and distributes pressure uniformly across the battery pack. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function
Solution Approach 2:
The venting path is merged with the structural package framework, using the package sides and internal supports as integral parts of the cooling and discharge structure. This integration eliminates the need for separate venting components and reduces overall structural complexity while maintaining extended path length
3Duration of action of moving object
If venting holes are added to inner beams to extend the cooling path, then cooling time increases, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Venting holes are strategically positioned at specific locations on inner beams where they provide maximum cooling effectiveness, such as areas with high gas flow velocity or proximity to thermal sources. Not all beams require holes, and the holes are placed at optimized positions rather than uniformly distributed, reducing the number of precision-critical features
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 design effectively cools and safely discharges high-temperature gas and flame, reducing the risk of external flames and enhancing safety by extending the cooling time and ensuring controlled venting.
Implementation Method 1
the generated high-temperature gas and flame are cooled through a venting path formed relatively long
Data Source
AI summary
A battery pack includes a lower pack frame and an upper pack frame located in the battery module. At least two inner beams and side frames that serve as venting paths through which gas generated from the battery module moves are formed on the bottom surface of the lower pack frame. The side frame extends along the edge of the bottom surface of the lower pack frame. The at least two inner beams are spaced apart from each other. An end part of the inner beam and an inner surface of the side frame are in contact with each other, with at least one first connection part being formed in which the end part of the inner beam and the inner surface of the side frame communicate with each other. The inner beam includes at least one vent passing through a side surface of the inner beam.