Energy-Storage Unit Venting Channels for Thermal Runaway Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
In energy-storage devices, thermal runaway can lead to the rapid spread of high-temperature flammable gas, causing insulation failure and short circuits due to the melting of insulation layers on wire harnesses and electrical connectors, compromising safety and stability.
Innovation Solution
The energy-storage device incorporates a guide channel formed by a combination of first and second thermal insulators and an isolation plate, which directs high-temperature gases to the external environment, preventing them from filling the internal space and reducing the risk of insulation failure and short circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple energy-storage units are arranged in sequence to increase storage capacity, then the energy storage capacity is improved, but the risk of thermal runaway spread and insulation failure increases due to rapid gas filling
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage device is divided into multiple independent compartments using isolation plates between adjacent energy storage units. Each compartment can contain thermal runaway gases locally, preventing rapid spread to other units. The isolation plates create physical segmentation that maintains insulation reliability while allowing multiple units to be arranged for increased capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
Thermal insulators are introduced as intermediary components between energy storage units and electrical components (wire harnesses, connectors). These thermal insulators act as protective barriers that prevent high-temperature gases from directly contacting and melting insulation layers on electrical components, thereby maintaining insulation reliability even when multiple units are densely arranged.
2Reliability
If thermal insulators are added to protect electrical components from high-temperature gases, then the insulation reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal insulators are integrated with the isolation plates to form a combined protective structure. The isolation plate and thermal insulator work together as a unified component system, where the thermal insulator is positioned on the energy storage unit side of the isolation plate. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall structure while maintaining insulation reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The isolation plates serve multiple functions: they provide physical separation between energy storage units, support the thermal insulators, and help guide thermal runaway gases into designated channels. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving reliable protection.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If guide channels are created to direct high-temperature gases externally, then the safety is improved by preventing gas filling, but the device complexity increases due to additional structural components
Solution Approach 1:
The guide channels are formed by creating segmented pathways between adjacent isolation plates. Each guide channel is a simple void space defined by the isolation plates and thermal insulators, rather than a complex manufactured component. This segmentation approach provides effective gas direction while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide channels utilize the natural pressure and flow of thermal runaway gases to automatically direct them toward the external environment through the isolation plate gaps. No additional active control mechanisms or complex structures are needed - the system uses the inherent properties of the thermal runaway process itself to achieve gas direction, thereby minimizing added complexity.
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 configuration effectively prevents the spread and expansion of thermal runaway, enhancing the safety and stability of the energy-storage device by efficiently discharging high-temperature gases and reducing the risk of sparking and ignition.
Implementation Method 1
the first thermal insulator, the second thermal insulator, and the isolation plate cooperatively define a guide channel. Two opposite ends of the guide channel are both in communication with an external environment and a space in which each of the multiple explosion-proof valves faces the isolation plate
Implementation Method 2
The first thermal insulator and the second thermal insulator are both located at one side of the isolation plate away from the multiple energy-storage units. The first thermal insulator, the second thermal insulator, and the isolation plate cooperatively define a guide channel
Data Source
AI summary
An energy-storage device, an electricity-consumption system, and an energy-storage system are provided in the disclosure. The energy-storage device includes multiple energy-storage units, an isolation plate, a first thermal insulator, and a second thermal insulator. The multiple energy-storage units are sequentially arranged in a first direction. Each of the multiple energy-storage units includes an explosion-proof valve. The isolation plate is located at one side of each of the multiple energy-storage units where the explosion-proof valve is located, extends in the first direction, and defines multiple vents arranged at intervals in the first direction. Each of the multiple vents is at least partially aligned with a corresponding explosion-proof valve, and different explosion-proof valves are aligned with different vents. The first thermal insulator and the second thermal insulator are both located at one side of the isolation plate away from the multiple energy-storage units.