Battery Module Barrier Structure for Thermal Runaway Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Secondary battery cells generate heat during charging and discharging, leading to increased internal pressure and potential ignition, which can cause explosions and flame propagation when mounted together in energy storage systems.
Innovation Solution
A battery module structure featuring a cell support member, case, and barriers with protrusions that enclose and seal battery cells, incorporating air gaps and gas passages to prevent heat and flame transfer between adjacent cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple secondary battery cells are mounted together in an energy storage system, then energy storage capacity is improved, but heat propagation and flame spread between cells increases safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The battery module is divided into multiple independent sub-pack units, each containing one or more battery cells. These sub-pack units are separated by barrier structures that include air gaps and heat dissipation channels. This segmentation isolates individual cells within their own compartments, preventing direct heat and flame propagation between cells while maintaining high energy storage capacity through parallel arrangement of multiple sub-pack units.
Solution Approach 2:
Barrier structures with air gaps and heat dissipation channels are introduced as intermediary elements between adjacent battery cells. These barriers act as thermal and flame barriers, interrupting the direct transmission path of heat and flames. The air gaps provide thermal insulation, while the heat dissipation channels guide heat away from adjacent cells, effectively mediating the thermal interaction between cells.
2Quantity of substance
If battery cells are closely arranged to increase energy density, then space utilization is improved, but sealing performance and heat isolation between cells deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The case structure is designed with nested C-shaped configurations that wrap around battery cells or groups of cells. Each case forms a protective enclosure that is nested within the overall battery module structure. This nested design provides effective sealing and heat isolation for individual cells while allowing compact arrangement of multiple nested units, thereby maintaining high energy density without compromising reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of adding barriers only in the horizontal plane between cells, the design introduces vertical dimension heat dissipation channels and three-dimensional barrier structures. The heat dissipation channels extend in multiple directions (horizontal and vertical), creating a three-dimensional heat management system. This dimensional expansion allows effective heat isolation and sealing while maintaining compact cell arrangement for high energy density.
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
The structure effectively reduces heat conduction and flame propagation, enhancing safety by containing and dissipating heat, thereby preventing cell-to-cell ignition and explosion.
Implementation Method 1
a first barrier (120) disposed on a first side of the battery sub-module, wherein the at least one battery cell is enclosed and sealed by the cell support member and the case, and the first barrier includes a first protrusion configured to press a part of the case inwardly of the battery sub-module
Implementation Method 2
The first barrier may include an air gap therein
Implementation Method 3
a gas passage is formed from the gap to an outer surface of the battery module
Data Source
AI summary
A battery module includes a battery sub-module including a cell support member, at least one battery cell accommodated in the cell support member, and a case provided to partially surround the at least one battery cell, and a first barrier disposed on a first side of the battery sub-module, wherein the at least one battery cell is enclosed and sealed by the cell support member and the case, and the first barrier includes a first protrusion configured to press a part of the case inwardly of the battery sub-module.