Stellantis has filed a patent for a system designed to eject an overheating battery from an electric vehicle. This system would allow the battery to be physically removed from the car, while the driver and passengers remain inside. The patent was reportedly brought to attention by CarBuzz.
The rationale behind this concept addresses the issue of thermal runaway in lithium-ion batteries. This process involves a rapid increase in temperature that can spread between cells, making resulting fires difficult to control. Stellantis's proposed solution aims to separate a hot battery from the rest of the vehicle to mitigate this risk.
The patented system would involve a quick-release switch, which could be a lever, button, touchscreen control, or toggle. Upon activation, a controller would electrically disconnect the high-voltage battery and mechanically release it from the vehicle. The patent describes various release mechanisms, including a sliding frame or pyrotechnic fasteners that break apart to free the battery.
After the high-voltage pack is disconnected, the vehicle would switch to a separate low-voltage battery. This secondary battery could power the electric motor for a short distance, allowing the car to move away from the discarded high-voltage pack. However, the practical implications of ejecting a potentially dangerous battery in public, such as on a highway, are considerations that would need to be addressed.