Battery Cooling Plate Venting Path for Thermal Runaway Gas Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery systems pose a danger of burns and fires due to hot, toxic venting gases released during thermal runaway, as these gases exit the system at high temperatures without sufficient cooling, potentially igniting and harming bystanders.
Innovation Solution
A battery system design that redirects venting products from a thermal runaway through a longer path within the system, allowing them to transfer thermal energy to a cooling plate and channel walls before exiting, thereby cooling down the gases before they reach the environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If venting products are released directly from battery cells to environment, then venting speed is fast, but temperature of venting products remains high causing safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a third spatial dimension by routing venting products through a guiding channel that extends in the longitudinal direction of the battery pack, rather than allowing direct lateral discharge. This dimensional extension creates a longer thermal pathway without significantly increasing the cross-sectional area, enabling effective cooling while maintaining compact packaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The guiding channel acts as an intermediary structure between the battery cells and the external environment. It provides a controlled transition zone where venting products can gradually transfer thermal energy to the channel walls before reaching the outside, mediating the temperature reduction while maintaining continuous flow.
2Temperature
If venting path is extended to cool venting products, then temperature of venting products decreases, but path length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding channel utilizes the longitudinal dimension of the battery pack to extend the venting path. By routing gases along the length of the pack rather than across its width or height, the design achieves a longer thermal pathway within the existing packaging envelope, cooling venting products effectively without proportionally increasing overall path length.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling effect is concentrated in specific zones along the guiding channel where thermal contact with the channel walls is maximized. The channel geometry is designed to provide enhanced thermal interaction in critical cooling regions while maintaining streamlined flow in other sections, optimizing the balance between path length and cooling efficiency.
3Temperature
If cooling structure is added to battery system, then cooling effect of venting products improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding channel serves multiple functions simultaneously: it directs venting products away from critical areas, provides a thermal pathway for cooling, and acts as a structural component of the battery pack assembly. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated cooling structures, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effective cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling function is merged with the venting guidance function in a single integrated structure. Rather than adding a separate cooling system to the existing venting pathway, the design combines thermal management and gas direction into one unified guiding channel structure, simplifying the overall system 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 design effectively reduces the temperature of venting products before they exit the system, minimizing the risk of burns and fires, and does so without requiring additional cooling elements or fluids, thus enhancing safety at a minimal additional cost.
Implementation Method 1
redirects venting products from a thermal runaway through a longer path within the system, allowing them to transfer thermal energy to a cooling plate and channel walls before exiting, thereby cooling down the gases
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A battery system (10) for an electric vehicle, comprising a plurality of battery cells (12) and a battery housing (20) enclosing the battery cells (12) in a cell chamber (22), wherein the battery cells (12) comprise a venting side (14) with venting exits through which venting products exit the battery cells (12) in case of a thermal runaway and a cooling side (16) opposite the venting side (14) in thermal connection with a first side (18a) of a cooling plate (18), the battery system (10) further comprising a guiding channel (32), formed between a second side (18b) of the cooling plate (18) opposite the first side (18a) and a channel wall (34) facing the second side (18b) of the cooling plate (18), and a passage (36) connecting the cell chamber (22) with the guiding channel (32), wherein the battery system (10) is adapted such that in case of a thermal runaway the venting products leaving the battery cells (12) at the venting side (14) into the cell chamber (22) are directed along a venting path (V) from the cell chamber (22) through the passage (36) into the guiding channel (32), through the guiding channel (32) and via a system exit (38) to an environment (40) of the battery system (10).