Traction Battery Coolant Path Around Charging Port for Thermal Runaway
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions for containing thermal runaway in traction batteries of plug-in hybrid or electric motor vehicles, such as flooding with a coolant, face challenges including delayed access and user confusion due to the placement of access points near the charging port, which can lead to mishandling during electrical connections.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a charging port, power connectors, electric cables, and cellular cavities around the charging port and battery, with a duct in fluidic communication, designed to receive coolant quickly and safely during thermal runaway, minimizing user risk and improving access for firefighters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If access to the battery is provided via an orifice and duct paralleling the vehicle electric charging network, then the battery can be flooded with coolant to contain fire and thermal runaway, but this creates a risk of confusion and mishandling by the user when connecting the charging port
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the access points into two distinct locations: a first plurality of cellular cavities arranged around the charging port and a second plurality of cellular cavities arranged around the power connector. This segmentation separates the fire suppression function from the charging function, eliminating user confusion while maintaining fire containment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
A duct is introduced as an intermediary element that connects the first plurality of cellular cavities (around charging port) to the second plurality of cellular cavities (around power connector). This duct serves as a conduit for coolant flow, allowing the system to provide both direct access for firefighters and protected access that prevents user mishandling.
2Reliability
If the access point is placed underneath the rear seat of the vehicle, then the battery can be accessed for fire suppression, but this delays intervention until the fire has rendered this part accessible
Solution Approach 1:
The system prepares multiple access points (first plurality around charging port, second plurality around power connector) in advance, positioned in locations that are immediately accessible during thermal runaway events. This preliminary positioning of access points eliminates the need to wait for fire conditions to expose hidden access routes, enabling immediate intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single hidden access point underneath the rear seat to multiple access points distributed in different spatial dimensions - around the charging port and around the power connector. This multi-dimensional distribution of access points provides firefighters with multiple entry routes for coolant delivery, reducing intervention time.
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
Enables rapid and direct cooling of the traction battery, reducing fire risk and gas release while avoiding user confusion during electrical recharging, by allowing coolant to flow effectively around the charging port and battery, even in high-temperature conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a duct arranged around the electric cable and in fluidic communication with the first plurality of cellular cavities... intended to receive coolant in the event of thermal runaway
Implementation Method 2
flood with a coolant all of the battery elements inside the battery casing in order to limit the combustion of these elements
Data Source
AI summary
A system for cooling a traction battery of a motor vehicle has a charging port. The traction battery has at least one power connector fixed to a surface. At least one electric cable connects the charging port to the power connector. The system further includes a first plurality of cells arranged around the charging port, a conduit arranged around the electric cable and in fluidic communication with the first plurality of cells, a second plurality of cells arranged in the aforementioned surface, around the power connector, and in fluidic communication with the conduit. The first and second pluralities of cells and the conduit are intended to receive a cooling fluid in the event of thermal runaway of the traction battery.