CN117691258A

CN117691258A - Thermal barrier assembly for traction battery pack

Info

Publication number: CN117691258A
Application number: CN202311105491.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: ***雷萨·埃夫特哈里; K·D·伯德; 坎查纳·佩鲁马尔拉; J·S·达尔
Original assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
Current assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
Priority date: 2022-09-02
Filing date: 2023-08-30
Publication date: 2024-03-12

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a thermal barrier assembly for a traction battery pack. An exemplary thermal barrier assembly may be configured to block or even prevent thermal energy associated with a battery thermal event from moving from cell to cell, from compartment to compartment, and/or from cell stack to cell stack within the traction battery pack. The thermal barrier assembly may include features such as a protective housing and a thermally insulating barrier disposed within the protective housing. For example, the protective housing may be made of a metal, ceramic or polymeric material. For example, the thermal insulation barrier may comprise aerogel, foam, or inorganic paper.

Description

Thermal barrier assembly for traction battery pack

Cross Reference to Related Applications

The present disclosure claims priority from U.S. provisional application No. 63/403,445 filed on 9/2, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to traction battery packs and, more particularly, to a thermal barrier assembly for blocking movement of thermal energy within traction battery packs.

Background

An motorized vehicle includes a traction battery pack for powering the vehicle's motor and other electrical loads. The traction battery pack includes a plurality of battery cells and various other battery internal components that support propulsion of the electric vehicle.

Disclosure of Invention

According to one exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a traction battery pack includes, among other things: a cell stack comprising a plurality of battery cells; and a thermal barrier assembly disposed between a first battery cell and a second battery cell of the plurality of battery cells. The thermal barrier assembly includes a protective housing and a thermally insulating barrier disposed within the protective housing. The thermal insulation barrier comprises aerogel material, foam material, or inorganic paper.

In yet another non-limiting embodiment of the foregoing traction battery pack, the plurality of battery cells are stacked between a first cross member beam and a second cross member beam.

In yet another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing traction battery packs, the protective case is composed of stainless steel foil and the thermal insulation barrier comprises the aerogel material.

In yet another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing traction battery packs, the thermal barrier assembly further comprises fins.

In yet another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing traction battery packs, the first fin section of the fins is disposed inside the protective housing and the second fin section of the fins extends outside the protective housing.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing traction battery packs, the second fin section extends at a lateral angle relative to the first fin section and is fixedly secured to a housing cover of the traction battery pack.

In yet another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing traction battery packs, the fins are entirely external to the protective housing.

In yet another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing traction battery packs, the protective housing is made of stainless steel and the thermally insulating barrier comprises the aerogel material.

In yet another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing traction battery packs, a heat dissipating fin is mounted to the protective housing and to an outer case cover of the traction battery pack.

In yet another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing traction battery packs, the protective housing is comprised of stainless steel.

In yet another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing traction battery packs, the thermal insulation barrier comprises the inorganic paper.

In yet another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing traction battery packs, the protective housing is composed of a mica material.

In yet another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing traction battery packs, the protective case is made of a polymeric material and the thermal insulation barrier comprises the aerogel material or the foam material.

According to another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a traction battery pack includes, among other things: a battery cell stack; and a thermal barrier assembly arranged to divide the battery cell stack into at least a first compartment and a second compartment. The thermal barrier assembly includes a protective housing and a thermally insulating barrier disposed within the protective housing. The thermal insulation barrier comprises an aerogel material or a foam material.

In yet another non-limiting embodiment of the foregoing traction battery pack, the protective housing is made of stainless steel foil and the thermal insulation barrier comprises the aerogel material.

In yet another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing traction battery packs, the protective housing is made of stainless steel and the thermally insulating barrier comprises the foam material.

In yet another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing traction battery packs, the protective case is made of a polymeric material and the thermal insulation barrier comprises the aerogel material.

In yet another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing traction battery packs, the protective housing is made of a polymeric material and the thermally insulating barrier comprises the foam material.

In yet another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing traction battery packs, the thermal barrier assembly further comprises a fin secured to a housing cover of the traction battery pack with an adhesive.

The embodiments, examples and alternatives of the foregoing paragraphs, claims or the following description and drawings (including any of their various aspects or corresponding individual features) may be employed independently or in any combination. Features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments unless such features are incompatible.

Various features and advantages of this disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows.

Drawings

Fig. 1 schematically shows an electrically powered vehicle.

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a traction battery pack for an electrically powered vehicle.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view through section 3-3 of fig. 2.

Fig. 4 illustrates a thermal barrier assembly of the traction battery pack of fig. 2 and 3.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the thermal barrier assembly of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 illustrates another example thermal barrier assembly.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the thermal barrier assembly of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 illustrates another exemplary thermal barrier assembly.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the thermal barrier assembly of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 illustrates another example thermal barrier assembly.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the thermal barrier assembly of FIG. 10.

Detailed Description

The present disclosure describes in detail a thermal barrier assembly for a traction battery pack. An exemplary thermal barrier assembly may be configured to block or even prevent thermal energy associated with a battery thermal event from moving from cell to cell, from compartment to compartment, and/or from cell stack to cell stack within the traction battery pack. The thermal barrier assembly may include features such as a protective housing and a thermally insulating barrier disposed within the protective housing. For example, the protective housing may be made of a metal, ceramic or polymeric material. For example, the thermal insulation barrier may comprise aerogel, foam, or inorganic paper. These and other features are discussed in more detail in the following paragraphs of this detailed description.

Fig. 1 schematically illustrates an electrically powered vehicle 10. The motorized vehicle 10 may include any type of motorized driveline. In one embodiment, the motorized vehicle 10 is a Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV). However, the concepts described herein are not limited to BEVs and are extendable to other motorized vehicles, including, but not limited to, hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), fuel cell vehicles, and the like. Thus, although not specifically shown in the exemplary embodiment, the powertrain of the motorized vehicle 10 may be equipped with an internal combustion engine that may be employed alone or in combination with other power sources to propel the motorized vehicle 10.

In the illustrated embodiment, the motorized vehicle 10 is depicted as a sedan. However, the motorized vehicle 10 may alternatively be a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), van, pick-up truck, or any other vehicle configuration. Although specific component relationships are shown in the drawings of the present disclosure, the illustrations are not intended to limit the disclosure. The placement and orientation of the various components of the motorized vehicle 10 are schematically illustrated and may vary within the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, the various figures attached to this disclosure are not necessarily drawn to scale, and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to emphasize certain details of particular components or systems.

In the illustrated embodiment, the motorized vehicle 10 is a pure electric vehicle propelled solely by electric power (such as by one or more electric machines 12) without the assistance of an internal combustion engine. The electric machine 12 may operate as an electric motor, a generator, or both. The electric machine 12 receives electrical power and may convert the electrical power into torque for driving one or more wheels 14 of the motorized vehicle 10.

The voltage bus 16 may electrically couple the motor 12 to a traction battery pack 18. Traction battery pack 18 is an exemplary motorized vehicle battery. Traction battery pack 18 may be a high voltage traction battery pack assembly including a plurality of battery cells capable of outputting electrical power to power motor 12 and/or other electrical loads of electric vehicle 10. Other types of energy storage devices and/or output devices may alternatively or additionally be used to power the motorized vehicle 10.

The traction battery pack 18 may be secured to an underbody 20 of the motorized vehicle 10. However, it is within the scope of the present disclosure that traction battery pack 18 may be located elsewhere on electric vehicle 10.

Fig. 2 and 3 show further details associated with the traction battery pack 18 of the motorized vehicle 10. The traction battery pack 18 may include a plurality of cell stacks 22 housed within an interior region 30 of the housing assembly 24. The housing assembly 24 of the traction battery pack 18 may include a housing cover 26 and a housing tray 28. The housing cover 26 may be secured (e.g., bolted, welded, adhered, etc.) to the housing tray 28 to provide an interior region 30 for housing the cell stack 22 and other cell internal components.

Each cell stack 22 may include a plurality of battery cells 32. The battery cells 32 of each cell stack 22 may be stacked side-by-side with respect to one another along a cell stack axis a. The battery cells 32 store and supply electrical power for powering the various components of the motorized vehicle 10. Although a particular number of cell stacks 22 and battery cells 32 are shown in the various figures of the present disclosure, the traction battery pack 18 may include any number of cell stacks 22, with each cell stack 22 having any number of individual battery cells 32.

In one embodiment, the battery cells 32 are lithium ion pouch cells. However, battery cells having other geometries (cylindrical, prismatic, etc.) and/or chemistries (nickel-metal hydride, lead acid, etc.) may alternatively be utilized within the scope of the present disclosure. The example battery cell 32 may include tab terminals extending from the battery cell housing. For example, an aluminum film may provide the battery cell housing.

The battery cells 32 of each cell stack 22 may be disposed between a pair of cross-member beams 38. The cross-member beam 38 may be configured to retain the battery cells 32 and at least partially identify the cell stack 22.

Immediately adjacent cross-member beams 38 may establish cross-member assemblies 40 disposed between adjacent cell stacks 22 of the traction battery pack 18. For example, the cross member assembly 40 may be configured to transfer loads applied to the sides of the motorized vehicle 10. Each cross member beam 38 of the cross member assembly 40 may be a structural beam that may help accommodate tensile as well as compressive loads from expansion of the battery cells 32. Thus, the cross member assembly 40 is configured to increase the structural integrity of the traction battery pack 18.

The cross member assembly 40 may also establish a battery pack ventilation system for conveying battery cell ventilation byproducts from the traction battery pack 18 during battery thermal events. For example, the cross-member assembly 40 may establish a channel 42 (best shown in fig. 3) that may convey cell ventilation byproducts from the cell stack 22 toward a location where the cell ventilation byproducts may be exhausted from the traction battery pack 18.

In exemplary embodiments, adjacent first and second cross-member beams 38 may establish first and second sides, respectively, of a channel 42 of the cross-member assembly 40. Further, a vertically upper side of the channel 42 may be established by the housing cover 26 (see fig. 3), and a vertically lower side of the channel 42 may be established by the heat exchanger plates 44 positioned against the housing tray 28 (see fig. 3). In another embodiment, the heat exchanger plates 44 may be omitted and the vertically underside of the channels 42 may be established by the housing tray 28. For purposes of this disclosure, vertical and horizontal are the general orientations of the ground-referenced and traction battery pack 18 when installed within the motorized vehicle 10 of fig. 1.

Each cross-member beam 38 may include one or more openings (not shown) for conveying battery cell ventilation byproducts through the beam and into the channel 42. Thus, the openings provide a path for the cell vent byproducts to travel to the channels 42 as needed. Each cross-member beam 38 may additionally include one or more openings (not shown) for receiving the cell tabs of the battery cells 32.

The cross member beams 38 may be adhesively secured to the housing cover 26 and the heat exchanger plates 44 and/or the housing tray 28. The adhesive may seal these interfaces to inhibit battery cell venting byproducts from escaping the channel 42 through these areas.

In one embodiment, the cell stack 22, the cross member assembly 40, and the corresponding channels 42 extend longitudinally in the transverse direction of the vehicle. However, other configurations are also contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure.

One or more thermal barrier assemblies 34 may be disposed along a respective cell stack axis a of each cell stack 22. The thermal barrier assembly 34 may divide or segregate each cell stack 22 into two or more groupings or compartments 36 of battery cells 32. For example, if a battery thermal event occurs in one of the cell stacks 22, the thermal barrier assembly 34 may block or even prevent thermal energy associated with the thermal event from moving from cell to cell, from compartment to compartment, and/or from cell stack to cell stack, thereby inhibiting thermal propagation within the traction battery pack 18.

Each compartment 36 may hold one or more of the battery cells 32 within one of the cell stacks 22. In one embodiment, the battery cells 32 of each cell stack 22 are held within one of the four compartments 36. However, other configurations are possible within the scope of the present disclosure, including configurations utilizing a greater or lesser number of thermal barrier assemblies 34 and compartments 36.

Fig. 4 and 5 show further details associated with one of the thermal barrier assemblies 34 of the traction battery pack 18. The additional thermal barrier assembly of the traction battery pack 18 may include the same design as the thermal barrier assembly 34 shown in fig. 4-5.

The exemplary thermal barrier assembly 34 may include a protective housing 46, a thermally insulating barrier 48 within the protective housing 46, and fins 50 connected to the protective housing 46. The thermal insulation barrier 48 may be enclosed inside the protective housing 46 and thus protected by the protective housing 46.

The protective housing 46 may be made of a metallic material. In one embodiment, the protective housing 46 is configured as a stainless steel foil. However, other materials and configurations are also contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure.

The thermal insulation barrier 48 may have a relatively high thermal resistance (and thus a low thermal conductivity) to slow or even prevent heat propagation within the traction battery pack 18. In one embodiment, for example, the thermal insulation barrier 48 may comprise an aerogel material, such as a silica-based aerogel. In another embodiment, for example, the thermal insulation barrier 48 may comprise a foam material, such as silicone foam. However, other materials or combinations of materials may be utilized to construct the thermal insulation barrier 48 within the scope of the present disclosure.

In one embodiment, the thermal insulation barrier 48 includes a thickness between about 1mm and about 10 mm. In another embodiment, the thermal insulation barrier 48 includes a thickness between about 2mm and about 4 mm. In yet another embodiment, the thermal insulation barrier 48 includes a thickness between about 3mm and about 4 mm. In this disclosure, the term "about" means that the expressed amount or range need not be exact, but may be approximate and/or larger or smaller, reflecting acceptable tolerances, conversion factors, measurement errors and the like. Those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure will understand how to select the optimal thickness of the thermal insulation barrier 48 to provide any desired level of thermal resistance.

The fins 50 may be made of a metallic material. In one embodiment, fins 50 are made of stainless steel. In another embodiment, fins 50 are made of aluminum. The fins 50 may be coated with a high temperature resistant and thermally non-conductive coating to avoid heat transfer shorting. However, it is within the scope of the present disclosure that other materials including high temperature resistant thermoplastic and thermoset composites may be utilized to construct the fins 50.

The fins 50 may include a first fin section 52 disposed inside the protective housing 46 and a second fin section 54 disposed outside the protective housing 46. A thermally insulating barrier 48 may be disposed around the first fin section 52 of the fin 50. In one embodiment, the second fin section 54 extends at a transverse angle relative to the first fin section 52.

The second fin section 54 may interface with the housing cover 26. In one embodiment, the second fin section 54 is fixedly secured to the housing cover 26 to increase the overall rigidity of the traction battery pack 18.

The second fin section may be secured to the housing cover 26 using a thermal adhesive 56. For example, the thermal adhesive 56 may be an epoxy-based adhesive or a polyurethane-based adhesive.

The protective housing 46 may also include a locator 58 disposed on an end of the protective housing 46 opposite the second fin section 54. For example, the retainer 58 may be made of solid plastic or compliant rubber. The locator 58 may be configured to interface with the heat exchanger plate 44 and may serve as an assembly aid for sealing the thermal barrier/heat exchanger plate interface and increasing the overall rigidity of the heat exchanger plate 44. The heat exchanger plate 44 may include one or more slots 60 sized to receive the locators 58. In addition to acting as a locating feature for locating the thermal barrier assembly 34 relative to the heat exchanger plates 44, the locator 58 may also establish thermal isolation between adjacent battery cells of the cell stack in which the thermal barrier assembly 34 is disposed.

In one embodiment, the locator 58 includes a T-shaped cross-section. However, other cross-sectional shapes are contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure.

Fig. 6-7 illustrate another exemplary thermal barrier assembly 134 that may be utilized within the traction battery pack 18 of the electric vehicle 10. The exemplary thermal barrier assembly 134 may include a protective housing 146, a thermally insulating barrier 148 within the protective housing 146, and fins 150 connected to an outer surface of the protective housing 46. The thermal insulation barrier 148 may be enclosed inside the protective housing 146 and thus protected by the protective housing 146.

The protective housing 146 may be made of a metallic material or a high temperature resistant polymer composite. In one embodiment, the protective housing 146 is made of stainless steel. However, other materials are further contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure.

The thermal insulation barrier 148 may have a relatively high thermal resistance (and thus a low thermal conductivity) to slow or even prevent heat propagation within the traction battery pack 18. In one embodiment, for example, the thermal insulation barrier 148 may comprise an aerogel material, such as a silica-based aerogel. In another embodiment, for example, the thermal insulation barrier 148 may comprise a foam material, such as silicone foam. However, other materials or combinations of materials may be utilized to construct the thermal insulation barrier 148 within the scope of the present disclosure.

In this implementation, the entire fin 150 is disposed outside of the protective housing 146. Thus, in this embodiment, fins 150 do not interface with thermally insulating barrier 148. The fins 150 may be integrally formed with the protective housing 146. For example, the fins 150 may be made of a metallic material (such as stainless steel). In one embodiment, fins 150 are L-shaped, but other shapes are contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure.

Fins 150 may interface with housing cover 26. In one embodiment, fins 150 are fixedly secured to housing cover 26 to increase the overall rigidity of traction battery pack 18 and prevent the transfer of battery ventilation byproducts from one compartment 36 to another compartment 36.

The fins 150 may be secured to the housing cover 26 with an adhesive 156. For example, the adhesive 56 may be an epoxy-based adhesive or a polyurethane-based adhesive, and may be thermally conductive or thermally non-conductive.

The protective housing 146 may also include a locator 158 disposed on an end of the protective housing 146 opposite the fins 150. The locator 158 may be configured to interface with the heat exchanger plate 44. The heat exchanger plate 44 may include one or more slots 60 sized to receive the locators 158. In addition to acting as a locating feature for locating the thermal barrier assembly 134 relative to the heat exchanger plates 44, the locator 158 may also establish thermal isolation between adjacent battery cells of the cell stack in which the thermal barrier assembly 134 is disposed.

Fig. 8-9 illustrate another exemplary thermal barrier assembly 234 that may be utilized within the traction battery pack 18 of the electric vehicle 10. The example thermal barrier assembly 234 may include a protective housing 246 and a thermally insulating barrier 248 within the protective housing 246. The thermal insulation barrier 248 may be enclosed inside the protective housing 246 and thus protected by the protective housing 246.

In one embodiment, for example, the protective housing 246 is made of a metallic material (such as stainless steel). In another embodiment, for example, the protective housing 246 is made of a ceramic material (such as mica). However, other materials are further contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure.

The thermal insulation barrier 248 may have a relatively high thermal resistance (and thus a low thermal conductivity) to slow or even prevent heat propagation within the traction battery pack 18. In one embodiment, the thermal insulation barrier 248 may comprise an inorganic paper having a honeycomb core 264. However, it is within the scope of the present disclosure that other materials or combinations of materials may be utilized to construct the thermal insulation barrier 248.

The protective housing 246 may be configured to interface with the housing cover 26. For example, the upper flange 262 of the protective housing 246 may interface with the housing cover 26. The upper flange 262 may be fixedly secured to the housing cover 26 to increase the overall rigidity of the traction battery pack 18.

The upper flange 262 may be secured to the housing cover 26 with an adhesive 256. For example, adhesive 256 may be an epoxy-based adhesive or a polyurethane-based adhesive, and may be thermally conductive or thermally non-conductive.

The protective housing 246 may also include a locator 258 disposed on an end of the protective housing 246 opposite the upper flange 262. The locator 258 may be configured to interface with the heat exchanger plate 44. The heat exchanger plate 44 may include one or more slots 60 sized to receive the locators 258. In addition to acting as a locating feature for locating the thermal barrier assembly 234 relative to the heat exchanger plate 44, the locator 258 may also establish a thermal break between adjacent cell cells of the cell stack in which the thermal barrier assembly 234 is disposed.

Fig. 10-11 illustrate yet another exemplary thermal barrier assembly 334 that may be utilized within the traction battery pack 18 of the electric vehicle 10. The exemplary thermal barrier assembly 334 may include a protective housing 346, a thermally insulating barrier 348 within the protective housing 346, and fins 350 connected to the protective housing 346. The thermal insulation barrier 348 may be enclosed inside the protective housing 346 and thus protected by the protective housing 346.

Protective housing 346 may be made of a polymeric material. In one embodiment, protective housing 346 is made of polypropylene, polyethylene, polycarbonate, or polyamide composite materials, or the like, with glass or carbon fibers and high temperature resistant additives. However, other polymeric materials are contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure. Protective housing 346 may be injection molded or injection transfer molded around thermally insulating barrier 348.

The thermal insulation barrier 348 may have a relatively high thermal resistance (and thus a low thermal conductivity) to slow or even prevent heat propagation within the traction battery pack 18. In one embodiment, for example, thermal insulation barrier 348 may comprise an aerogel material, such as a silica-based aerogel. In another embodiment, for example, the thermal insulation barrier 348 may comprise a foam material, such as silicone foam. However, other materials or combinations of materials may be utilized to construct the thermal insulation barrier 48 within the scope of the present disclosure.

In this implementation, the entire fin 350 is disposed outside of the protective housing 346. Thus, in this embodiment, the fins 350 do not interface with the thermal insulation barrier 348. In one embodiment, fins 350 are integrally formed with protective housing 346. For example, the fins 350 may be made of a metallic material (such as stainless steel). In one embodiment, fin 350 is L-shaped, although other shapes are contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure.

Fins 350 may interface with housing cover 26. In one embodiment, fins 350 are fixedly secured to housing cover 26 to increase the overall rigidity of traction battery pack 18.

The fins 350 may be secured to the housing cover 26 using a thermal adhesive 356. For example, the thermal adhesive 356 may be an epoxy-based adhesive or a polyurethane-based adhesive.

Protective housing 346 may also include a locator 358 disposed on an end of protective housing 346 opposite fins 350. The locator 358 may be configured to interface with the heat exchanger plate 44. The heat exchanger plate 44 may include one or more slots 60 sized to receive a locator 358. In addition to acting as a locating feature for locating the thermal barrier assembly 334 relative to the heat exchanger plate 44, the locator 358 may also establish thermal isolation between adjacent cell cells of the cell stack in which the thermal barrier assembly 334 is disposed.

The exemplary thermal barrier assemblies of the present disclosure are designed to mitigate or even prevent heat propagation inside the traction battery pack. The system may provide a number of advantages over known solutions including, but not limited to, novel configurations that exhibit cell-to-cell, compartment-to-compartment, and/or cell stack-to-cell stack transfer that significantly slow or even prevent battery thermal events.

Although various non-limiting embodiments are shown with specific components or steps, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to these specific combinations. It is possible to use some of the features or components from any one of the non-limiting embodiments in combination with features or components from any one of the other non-limiting embodiments.

It should be understood that the same reference numerals indicate corresponding or similar elements throughout the several views. It should be understood that while particular component arrangements are disclosed and illustrated in the exemplary embodiments, other arrangements may benefit from the teachings of this disclosure.

The above description should be construed as illustrative and not in any limiting sense. A worker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this disclosure. For these reasons, the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A traction battery pack, comprising:

a cell stack comprising a plurality of battery cells; and

a thermal barrier assembly disposed between a first battery cell and a second battery cell of the plurality of battery cells,

wherein the thermal barrier assembly comprises a protective housing and a thermally insulating barrier disposed within the protective housing,

wherein the thermal insulation barrier comprises aerogel material, foam material, or inorganic paper.

2. The traction battery pack of claim 1, wherein the plurality of battery cells are stacked between a first cross-member beam and a second cross-member beam.

3. The traction battery pack of claim 1 or 2, wherein the protective housing is comprised of stainless steel foil and the thermally insulating barrier comprises the aerogel material.

4. The traction battery pack of any preceding claim, wherein the thermal barrier assembly further comprises a fin, and optionally wherein a first fin section of the fin is disposed inside the protective housing and a second fin section of the fin extends outside the protective housing.

5. The traction battery pack of claim 4, wherein the second fin section extends at a lateral angle relative to the first fin section and is fixedly secured to a housing cover of the traction battery pack.

6. The traction battery pack of claim 4, wherein the fins are entirely external to the protective housing.

7. The traction battery pack of any preceding claim, wherein the protective housing is comprised of stainless steel and the thermally insulating barrier comprises the aerogel material, and optionally the traction battery pack comprises heat dissipating fins mounted to the protective housing and an outer cover of the traction battery pack.

8. The traction battery pack of any preceding claim, wherein the protective housing is comprised of stainless steel, and optionally wherein the thermally insulating barrier comprises the inorganic paper.

9. The traction battery pack of any preceding claim, wherein the protective housing is comprised of a mica material, and optionally wherein the thermally insulating barrier comprises the inorganic paper.

10. The traction battery pack of any preceding claim, wherein the protective housing is comprised of a polymeric material and the thermally insulating barrier comprises the aerogel material or the foam material.

11. A traction battery pack, comprising:

a battery cell stack; and

a thermal barrier assembly arranged to divide the battery cell stack into at least a first compartment and a second compartment,

wherein the thermal insulation barrier comprises an aerogel material or a foam material.

12. The traction battery pack of claim 11, wherein the protective housing is comprised of stainless steel foil and the thermally insulating barrier comprises the aerogel material or the foam material.

13. The traction battery pack of claim 11 or 12, wherein the protective housing is comprised of a polymeric material and the thermally insulating barrier comprises the aerogel material.

14. The traction battery pack of any one of claims 11-13, wherein the protective housing is comprised of a polymeric material and the thermally insulating barrier comprises the foam material.

15. The traction battery pack of any one of claims 11-14, wherein the thermal barrier assembly further comprises a fin secured to a housing cover of the traction battery pack with an adhesive.