Segmented BEV Battery Modules for Thermal Propagation Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) with unsegregated battery cell packs are at risk of thermal propagation, where an overheated cell can cause a thermal event that spreads across the pack, leading to vehicle malfunction or shutdown, potentially stranding occupants.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system with distinct battery cell module groups, each separately providing power, monitored by a computerized controller that detects abnormal events such as overtemperature or thermal issues, and controls the vehicle's operation, including using a chiller module to manage heat and communicating with emergency services if necessary, to prevent thermal runaway.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If battery cells are connected in series to increase voltage, then power output is improved, but thermal propagation risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack is divided into multiple independent battery modules, each with its own thermal management system. This segmentation allows thermal events to be contained within individual modules rather than propagating through the entire series-connected battery pack, thus maintaining high voltage output while reducing thermal propagation risk.
Solution Approach 2:
Thermal management devices are introduced as intermediary components between battery modules. These devices actively manage heat transfer and can isolate thermal events, preventing direct thermal coupling between series-connected battery cells while maintaining electrical connectivity for power output.
2Reliability
If thermal management devices are added to prevent thermal propagation, then safety is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal management system is segmented into modular units corresponding to individual battery modules. Each module has its own simplified thermal management device, avoiding the need for a single complex system that would manage the entire battery pack, thus improving safety while controlling overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal management devices are designed to perform multiple functions: active cooling, thermal isolation, and fault detection. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated systems for each function, thereby improving safety without proportionally increasing system complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If battery modules are physically separated to prevent thermal runaway, then thermal propagation is reduced, but energy density decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Battery modules are arranged in a three-dimensional configuration with strategic spacing that provides thermal separation in critical dimensions while maximizing space utilization. This dimensional arrangement prevents thermal propagation pathways while maintaining high energy density through optimized spatial packaging.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple battery modules are nested or stacked in configurations that provide thermal isolation between modules while minimizing overall volume. The nested arrangement allows heat to dissipate from each module independently while maintaining compact form factor, thus preventing thermal propagation without sacrificing energy density.
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
This solution effectively mitigates thermal propagation by isolating affected modules, maintaining vehicle functionality, and ensuring safe operation by controlling heat transfer and alerting authorities, thereby preventing complete system failure and ensuring occupant safety.
Implementation Method 1
controlling operation of a chiller module operable to transfer heat away from the plurality of distinct battery cell module groups
Data Source
AI summary
A method to manage thermal propagation in an energy storage device of a battery electric vehicle is provided. The method includes operating the battery electric vehicle with a plurality of distinct battery cell module groups each separately providing electrical power to the battery electric vehicle. The method further includes, within a computerized battery cell module groups controller, monitoring conditions within the distinct battery cell module groups, determining occurrence of an abnormal event within one of a plurality of the distinct battery cell module groups based upon the monitored conditions, and controlling operation of the battery electric vehicle based upon the determined occurrence of the abnormal event.