Immersed Battery Venting Layout for Thermal Runaway Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The safety performance of batteries is compromised due to heat generation during use, leading to potential thermal runaway, ignition, and explosion, which existing technologies have not adequately addressed.
Innovation Solution
A battery design featuring a first and second box portion that accommodate a battery cell with an electrode terminal closer to the first box portion and a pressure relief mechanism, submerged in an insulating liquid. The pressure relief mechanism is activated when internal pressure or temperature thresholds are reached, releasing pressure and high-temperature gas, preventing ignition and reducing temperature through heat exchange with emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the battery operates normally, then energy storage and power supply functions are achieved, but heat is generated leading to thermal runaway risk
Solution Approach 1:
An insulating liquid is introduced as an intermediary substance between the battery cell and the external environment. This liquid serves multiple functions: it provides electrical insulation to prevent short circuits, absorbs heat through convection and conduction to reduce thermal runaway risk, and suppresses flame propagation. The liquid medium acts as a buffer that mitigates the harmful thermal effects while allowing the battery to maintain its energy storage and power supply functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery is placed in an enclosed box structure that creates a controlled environment. This enclosure limits the spread of thermal runaway by containing heat and preventing oxygen supply to flames. The combination of the enclosed space and insulating liquid creates an inert-like atmosphere that suppresses combustion reactions and protects adjacent battery cells from thermal propagation.
2Reliability
If a pressure relief mechanism is added to release internal pressure, then thermal runaway spread is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure relief mechanism is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it releases internal pressure when thermal runaway occurs, provides an additional pathway for heat dissipation, and maintains structural integrity under normal operating conditions. This multi-functional design achieves improved reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the same structural element serves multiple protective functions.
3Ease of operation
If the electrode terminal is positioned closer to the first box portion, then electrical connection is optimized, but space for pressure relief mechanism is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The battery box is designed with a three-dimensional configuration where the electrode terminal is positioned closer to the first box portion along one dimension, while the pressure relief mechanism is accommodated in a different spatial dimension or region. This dimensional arrangement allows both components to coexist without significant space conflict, optimizing electrical connection while maintaining adequate space for pressure relief functionality.
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
Enhances safety performance by preventing internal ignition, reducing battery cell temperature, and preventing thermal runaway from spreading to adjacent cells or the entire battery, thereby improving safety and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
the insulating liquid can exchange heat with the emissions discharged from the battery cell, reducing the temperature of the discharged emissions
Implementation Method 2
the insulating liquid can enter the battery cell through the pressure relief mechanism, cutting off the contact between combustible materials in the battery cell and air
Data Source
AI summary
A battery and an electric device are provided. The battery includes a first box portion, a second box portion, a battery cell, and an insulating liquid. The first box portion and the second box portion fit together to define an accommodating space. The battery cell is accommodated in the accommodating space. The battery cell is provided with an electrode terminal and a pressure relief mechanism. The electrode terminal is closer to the first box portion relative to the pressure relief mechanism. The pressure relief mechanism is configured to be actuated when an internal pressure or temperature of the battery cell reaches a threshold, to release the internal pressure or high-temperature gas. The insulating liquid is provided in the accommodating space and immerses the pressure relief mechanism. When the insulating liquid is provided in the accommodating space, the first box portion is located above the second box portion.