Battery Pack Downward Venting for Compact Passenger Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery packs suffer from a large size, reduced energy density, and safety hazards due to gas emission during overheating or fire situations, posing risks to drivers and passengers.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack design with a vent portion directing gas outwards, a pack case exposing the vent to the lower side, and a compact structure incorporating a pack cover with integrated cooling channels and heat sinks, along with a safety space below the pack case to guide gas and flame away from the vehicle interior.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional plate members are used to constitute the pack case, then the battery pack can accommodate battery cells, but the total size of the battery pack increases and energy density decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The pack case is integrated as a single molded housing structure that combines the functions of containment, support, and protection, eliminating the need for separate plate members. This merging of structural elements reduces the total volume occupied by structural components and increases the proportion of active materials, thereby improving energy density.
Solution Approach 2:
The pack case serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the outer housing, provides structural support, accommodates battery cells, and integrates cooling channels. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional separate components, reducing overall pack size while maintaining all necessary functions.
2Quantity of substance
If additional members such as top cover and heat sink are added to the battery pack, then cooling and protection functions are provided, but the total energy density is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The heat sink is integrated directly into the pack case structure, forming a unified component rather than a separate attachment. The cooling channels are molded directly into the pack case, eliminating the need for separate cooling plates or heat sink assemblies. This integration reduces the number of parts while maintaining effective thermal management.
Solution Approach 2:
The pack case is designed to perform multiple functions: structural containment, thermal management through integrated cooling channels, and mechanical protection. By making the pack case multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for separate top covers, heat sinks, and protective housings, thereby increasing energy density.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the vent portion faces the upper part of the battery pack, then gas can be emitted, but safety of drivers and passengers is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of directing the vent portion upward as in conventional designs, the patent inverts the orientation by directing gas emission downward through the bottom of the pack case. This reversal ensures that hazardous gases are expelled away from the vehicle interior and occupants, improving safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The venting function, which could potentially harm occupants by directing gas upward, is converted into a safety feature by orienting the vent downward. The harmful gas emission is redirected to safely exit through the bottom, transforming a potential hazard into a protective mechanism.
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 achieves a more compact structure with increased energy density and improved safety by directing hazardous gases and flames away from the vehicle interior, enhancing passenger safety and reducing the risk of damage.
Implementation Method 1
a pack cover which is coupled to the pack case and covers the at least one battery cell on a side opposite to the vent portion
Implementation Method 2
The pack cover may have a cooling channel inside to cool the at least one battery cell
Implementation Method 3
The pack cover may include a bottom heat sink positioned in contact with the at least one battery cell; and a top heat sink coupled to the bottom heat sink to form the cooling channel inside
Data Source
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AI summary
A battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes at least one battery cell including a vent portion to force gas out; and a pack case which accommodates the at least one battery cell such that the vent portion faces a lower side of the battery pack, with the vent portion exposed from the battery pack.