Thermal Barrier Assembly Layout for Battery Pack Heat Propagation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traction battery packs face challenges in preventing thermal energy propagation from cell-to-cell and compartment-to-compartment, leading to potential thermal events that can affect the performance and safety of electrified vehicles.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a thermal barrier assembly within the traction battery pack, comprising a protective housing and a thermal insulating barrier made of materials such as aerogel, foam, or inorganic paper, along with a fin structure that is secured to the enclosure cover, effectively blocks thermal energy transfer by creating compartments and providing thermal resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If thermal barrier assembly with aerogel material is implemented, then thermal propagation is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A thermal barrier assembly is introduced as an intermediary component between battery cells to block thermal propagation. The assembly includes a protective housing containing aerogel material, which acts as a thermal insulator to prevent heat transfer from one cell to another, thereby reducing thermal propagation while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal barrier assembly utilizes composite materials, specifically aerogel material within a protective housing. The aerogel provides superior thermal insulation properties, while the housing provides structural protection. This composite approach effectively reduces thermal propagation through the combination of materials with complementary properties.
2Temperature
If protective housing with aerogel material is used, then thermal insulation is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal barrier assembly is segmented into distinct components: a protective housing and an aerogel material insert. This segmentation allows for independent manufacturing of each component, with the aerogel material being pre-formed and then housed within a separately manufactured protective structure, simplifying the overall manufacturing process compared to creating an integrated complex structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective housing is designed as a thin-walled structure that encloses the aerogel material. This thin-film approach provides adequate protection while minimizing material usage and simplifying manufacturing, as the housing serves both protective and structural functions without requiring thick or complex wall constructions.
3Reliability
If thermal barrier assembly is added between battery cells, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack is segmented into discrete compartments by placing thermal barrier assemblies between individual battery cells. Each assembly is an independent unit that provides safety isolation, allowing the overall system to maintain safety through modular repetition of simple units rather than requiring a complex integrated safety system.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal barrier assembly serves as an intermediary safety component between battery cells, providing thermal isolation without requiring complex active safety systems. This passive intermediary structure blocks thermal propagation through physical insulation, enhancing safety while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.
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 significantly reduces thermal propagation within the battery pack, enhancing the safety and performance of electrified vehicles by preventing thermal events from spreading between cells and compartments, thereby maintaining optimal operating conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal insulating barrier that is disposed within the protective housing. The thermal insulating barrier includes an aerogel material, a foam material, or an inorganic paper
Data Source
AI summary
Thermal barrier assemblies are provided for traction battery packs. An exemplary thermal barrier assembly may be configured to block or even prevent thermal energy associated with a battery thermal event from moving from cell-to-cell, compartment-to-compartment, and/or cell stack-to-cell stack within the traction battery pack. The thermal barrier assembly may include features such as a protective housing and a thermal insulating barrier provided within the protection housing. The protecting housing may be made of a metallic, ceramic, or polymeric material, for example. The thermal insulating barrier may include an aerogel, a foam, or an inorganic paper, for example.