Battery Pack Frame Venting Channels for Thermal Runaway Pressure Relief
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The insufficient space for gas discharge in battery packs leads to excessive pressure due to temperature rise, compromising safety and thermal stability, and existing designs can damage control panels and cooling systems during thermal runaway.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack design with additional discharging channels inside the frame and strategically positioned explosion-proof valves that directly face discharge channels, combined with deflectors to guide gas flow efficiently, reducing pressure and enhancing thermal stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the battery pack uses a compact structure to achieve high energy density, then the energy density is improved, but the space for gas discharge becomes insufficient leading to excessive pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The gas discharge system is segmented into multiple independent channels: first discharging channels formed by spaces between adjacent battery modules, and a second discharging channel formed inside the hollow frame structure. This segmentation allows gas to be discharged through multiple parallel pathways, preventing pressure buildup while maintaining compact battery pack dimensions for high energy density.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where the second discharging channel is formed within the hollow frame structure, and explosion-proof valves are arranged within the frame. The frame's hollow structure contains the second discharging channel, which in turn contains the explosion-proof valves. This nested arrangement maximizes space utilization, allowing multiple functional elements to coexist in a compact configuration that maintains high energy density while providing adequate gas discharge pathways.
2Productivity
If explosion-proof valves are positioned close to battery modules for rapid gas discharge, then gas discharge efficiency is improved, but thermal damage to control panels and cooling systems may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the gas discharge function from the traditional front-facing position and relocates it to the rear of the battery pack through the second discharging channel formed inside the hollow frame. Gas is discharged through discharging openings defined on the rear of the frame, away from the front-mounted control panels and cooling systems. This extraction eliminates the harmful thermal effects on sensitive components while maintaining rapid gas discharge efficiency through the dedicated rear discharge pathway.
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow frame structure serves as an intermediary element between the battery modules and the external environment. The second discharging channel within the frame acts as a mediator that receives gas from the battery modules through explosion-proof valves and directs it to rear discharging openings. This intermediary structure protects sensitive front-mounted components from thermal damage while enabling efficient gas discharge through the frame's hollow space.
3Reliability
If the frame structure is made hollow to create additional discharging channels, then gas discharge capability is improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow frame structure performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the structural support for the battery pack, creates the second discharging channel for gas escape, and houses the explosion-proof valves. By making the frame hollow, the design achieves multi-functionality where a single structural element serves both mechanical support and gas discharge purposes, reducing the need for additional separate components and thereby limiting the increase in overall system 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
The design improves gas discharge efficiency, reduces pressure buildup, prevents thermal damage, and maintains energy density, ensuring safer operation and improved thermal stability.
Implementation Method 1
when the temperature inside the battery pack increases, which is not conducive to fast releasing of gas when the temperature inside the battery pack increases, thereby leading to excessive pressure inside the battery pack
Implementation Method 2
combined with deflectors to guide gas flow efficiently
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the field of energy storage and provide a battery pack and an energy storage system. The battery pack includes a bottom plate, a frame, and a plurality of explosion-proof valves. The bottom plate and the frame are configured to form an accommodating chamber for receiving battery modules, and space between every two adjacent battery modules of the battery modules forms a respective first discharging channel. The plurality of explosion-proof valves are arranged on the frame, and each explosion-proof valve of at least some of the plurality of explosion-proof valves is arranged to directly face to a corresponding first discharging channel.