Battery Pack Drain and Meltable Thermal Interface for Runaway Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery packages fail to effectively dissipate heat during normal operation and are prone to rapid thermal propagation and chain reactions during thermal runaway, increasing the risk of ignition and explosion.
Innovation Solution
A battery package design featuring a thermally conductive member that melts at a predetermined temperature, forming an insulation space between the battery module and the drain, along with a drain system and barrier beams to prevent thermal energy transmission and isolate modules during thermal runaway.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If thermal resin with high thermal conductivity is used to dissipate heat during normal operation, then heat dissipation performance is improved, but thermal propagation speed during thermal runaway increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal resin is disposed only at specific locations between the battery module lower surface and the pack case lower plate, rather than uniformly across the entire surface. This localized placement allows heat dissipation where needed during normal operation while limiting thermal propagation pathways during thermal runaway events.
Solution Approach 2:
A firewall is introduced as an intermediary component between battery modules to block thermal propagation. The firewall acts as a thermal barrier that prevents flames and heat from spreading to neighboring modules, counteracting the high thermal conductivity of the thermal resin during thermal runaway while maintaining heat dissipation functionality during normal operation.
2Temperature
If thermal resin is disposed between battery module and pack case to transmit thermal energy, then heat dissipation is improved, but thermal runaway chain reaction risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The firewall serves as a protective intermediary that blocks thermal energy transmission during thermal runaway events. It is positioned between battery modules to prevent flames and heat from the affected module from reaching neighboring modules, thus preventing chain reactions while allowing the thermal resin to continue functioning for heat dissipation during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The firewall is pre-installed between battery modules to provide preliminary protection against thermal runaway propagation. This preventive measure is in place before any thermal event occurs, ready to block thermal energy transmission and prevent chain reactions before they can spread to adjacent modules.
3Temperature
If heat dissipation structures are added to improve thermal management, then heat dissipation performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal resin serves multiple functions: it provides heat dissipation during normal battery operation and acts as a controlled thermal management layer during thermal events. The firewall similarly serves dual purposes as both a structural separator and a thermal barrier. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated components, thereby limiting complexity increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal management functionality is merged with the existing structural components of the battery pack. The thermal resin is integrated into the space between the battery module and pack case, and the firewall is combined with the module separation structure. This merging approach allows heat dissipation improvement without adding separate, independent heat dissipation systems that would increase 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
Improves heat dissipation during normal operation and prevents thermal energy from spreading to neighboring modules, thereby reducing the risk of chain reactions and maintaining stability during thermal runaway.
Implementation Method 1
a thermally conductive member under the battery module... The thermally conductive member is configured to melt at a predetermined temperature or higher
Implementation Method 2
The thermally conductive member is configured to melt at a predetermined temperature or higher... forming an insulation space between the battery module and the drain
Implementation Method 3
forming an insulation space between the battery module and the drain... block the chain reaction of thermal runaway
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A battery package is disclosed. The battery package of the present invention includes:: pack case; a plurality of battery modules accommodated in an accommodating space of the pack case; a drain arranged under the plurality of battery modules; and a thermally conductive member arranged between the plurality of battery modules and the drain, the thermally conductive member melting at a predetermined temperature or higher and flowing down to the drain.