Electronic Battery Venting Valves for Uniform Thermal Runaway Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery systems face challenges in securely managing thermal runaway events, where mechanical venting valves may not uniformly open during pressure increases, leading to incomplete gas discharge and potential fire or damage.
Innovation Solution
A battery system with electronically controlled venting valves that open concurrently or simultaneously in response to a thermal runaway event, backed by a mechanical backup venting element, ensuring timely and complete gas discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If mechanical venting valves are used, then the structure is simple, but the valves may not uniformly open during pressure increases leading to incomplete gas discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical venting valve system with an electronically controlled system. Sensors detect thermal runaway conditions and trigger electronic actuators to open the venting valves, ensuring reliable and uniform opening across all valves during pressure events, thereby completing gas discharge while maintaining acceptable structural complexity.
2Reliability
If electronic venting valves are used to ensure uniform opening, then the gas discharge completeness improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The venting system is segmented into multiple independently controlled valves, each equipped with its own electronic actuator. This segmentation allows each valve to be controlled individually, ensuring uniform opening and complete gas discharge, while the modular structure manages the overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Electronic actuators serve as intermediaries between the control system and the venting valves. These actuators receive electronic signals from sensors and convert them into mechanical motion to open the valves, bridging the gap between electronic control and mechanical venting functions.
3Loss of time
If electronic actuators are used to control venting valves, then the venting timing is precise, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors continuously monitor conditions and detect thermal runaway events in advance, triggering the electronic actuators to open the venting valves before pressure reaches dangerous levels. This preliminary action ensures rapid venting response while minimizing the duration and total energy consumption of the actuators.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors that automatically detect thermal runaway conditions and trigger the venting sequence without external intervention. The electronic actuators are activated only when needed, and the system self-regulates the venting process, optimizing energy usage by avoiding unnecessary actuator operation.
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 system effectively manages thermal runaway by ensuring rapid and uniform venting, maintaining low internal pressures, and preventing overheating, thus enhancing safety and reducing the risk of fire or damage.
Implementation Method 1
The electronic actuator may include an electro-magnetic element for holding a valve cap of the electronic venting valves in the closed position upon being powered
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure refers to a battery system including a battery housing, battery cells in the battery housing, electronic venting valves at the battery housing, and configured to be adjusted between an open position and a closed position via an electronic actuator, and a control unit configured to control the electronic venting valves to concurrently or substantially simultaneously open during a thermal runaway.