Battery Pack Venting Assembly With Sealed Module Exhaust Trunk

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery pack designs face challenges in effectively containing and discharging vent byproducts from battery cells, which can lead to thermal energy transfer to non-venting modules and inefficient venting processes.

Innovation Solution

A battery pack venting assembly is introduced, featuring a sealed system with module enclosure assemblies, exhaust branches, and an exhaust trunk. This design ensures that vent byproducts are contained and communicated directly from the module enclosures to the exhaust trunk, preventing backflow and facilitating efficient venting outside the battery pack.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If vent byproducts are released into the battery pack interior, then the venting process is simple, but thermal energy transfers to non-venting modules causing safety issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveventing process simplicityVSAvoidthermal energy transfer to non-venting modules

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The battery pack is divided into isolated modules, each with its own sealed enclosure and dedicated exhaust branch. This segmentation prevents thermal energy from one module from affecting other modules, while maintaining simple venting operation within each isolated section.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A sealed exhaust trunk acts as an intermediary conduit that collects vent byproducts from multiple modules and transports them outside the battery pack. This intermediary structure prevents direct thermal transfer to other modules while maintaining efficient venting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If multiple exhaust outlets are provided for each module, then venting efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveventing efficiencyVSAvoidexhaust system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple exhaust branches from different modules are merged into a single centralized exhaust trunk that leads outside the battery pack. This combining approach maintains venting efficiency by providing dedicated pathways for each module while simplifying the overall structure by using a common exit point.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The exhaust trunk serves as a universal conduit that handles vent byproducts from multiple modules simultaneously. This multi-functional structure eliminates the need for separate external exhaust systems for each module, reducing overall complexity while maintaining venting efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250192351A1Battery pack venting assembly and venting method

Publication Date: 2025.06.12 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

A battery pack venting assembly includes a battery pack enclosure assembly providing an battery pack interior, and cell stacks within the battery pack interior. Each cell stack includes a plurality of battery cells. Module enclosure assemblies are also within the battery pack interior. Each of the module enclosure assemblies houses one or more of the cell stacks. An exhaust trunk extends through the battery pack enclosure assembly from the battery pack interior to an area outside the battery pack interior. Exhaust branches within the battery pack interior each extend from one of the module enclosure assemblies to the exhaust trunk.