Shangjie Z7 EV uses upright cell architecture for enhanced battery safety
The Shangjie Z7 electric vehicle features an upright battery cell architecture, positioning terminals upward. IT Home, the reporting entity, explains this design choice enhances safety by preventing damage and potential thermal runaway.
Chinese technology media IT Home reports that the Shangjie Z7 electric vehicle employs an upright battery cell architecture. This design places the battery cells' positive and negative terminals and connection busbars at the bottom of the battery pack, aiming to mitigate damage risk from external impacts.
The Shangjie Z7 and Z7T models are equipped with Huawei's "Giant Whale" battery platform. According to IT Home, the upright cell design keeps the terminals away from high-risk impact zones, helping to prevent thermal runaway. The battery incorporates a 15-layer protection system utilizing materials like aerogel and mica boards. This is complemented by a 24/7 cloud-based BMS (Battery Management System) designed to proactively identify and address potential safety risks.
IT Home states that the upright cell architecture was chosen for safety reasons, contrasting it with inverted designs seen in some other vehicles. In an inverted structure, the terminals are at the bottom, making them more susceptible to damage from ground impacts. Such damage could lead to deformation of the casing and insulation failure, potentially causing high-voltage arcing and thermal runaway. The upright configuration, conversely, positions the terminals away from these high-risk areas.
Furthermore, IT Home notes that the upright cell architecture is a mature and well-validated technology with established production processes. This facilitates consistent quality and reliability in mass production, potentially reducing unforeseen safety issues compared to newer, less-proven designs.