Battery Module Barrier Venting to Limit Thermal Runaway Rebound
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery modules and packs face challenges in preventing the rebound effect, heat transmission, and heat runaway between modules, which can lead to explosions and insulation breakdown due to flames, gases, and conductive particles.
Innovation Solution
A battery module and pack design incorporating a module housing with internal and external barriers featuring deformable venting portions and through-holes, along with buffer pads to manage pressure and discharge gases, flames, and conductive particles, while using materials like glass fiber, silicon, ceramic, and aerogel for insulation and heat resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a pack cover is used to cover battery modules, then the structural integrity and protection of battery modules is improved, but flames and gases discharged from battery modules are reflected and transmitted to other battery modules causing rebound effect
Solution Approach 1:
A barrier member is introduced as an intermediary component between the battery modules and the pack cover. This barrier member includes through-holes that allow gases to pass through while blocking flames and conductive particles. The barrier member intercepts discharged substances before they can reflect off the pack cover and cause rebound effect on adjacent modules, thus resolving the contradiction between structural protection and harmful factor prevention.
2Reliability
If venting holes are provided in the module housing to discharge gases, then pressure release and safety are improved, but heat transmission between battery modules increases
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier member is positioned specifically at the venting holes of the module housing, creating a localized quality difference. The barrier member allows gas passage through its through-holes while providing thermal insulation at the critical venting locations. This selective placement ensures pressure release safety while minimizing heat transmission to adjacent modules through the same venting pathways.
3Reliability
If barriers with through-holes are added to prevent rebound effect and heat transmission, then safety between battery modules is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier member is designed as a thin plate-like structure with through-holes, resembling a flexible shell or film. This simple geometric form can be easily manufactured and integrated into the existing battery module structure. The thin plate design provides effective thermal and flame blocking without adding significant structural complexity or volume to the battery pack system.
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 design effectively prevents the rebound effect, delays heat transmission, and reduces the risk of heat runaway, ensuring safety by managing pressure and discharging hazardous substances, thereby enhancing the safety and reliability of battery packs.
Implementation Method 1
a first barrier disposed on an inner surface of the module housing and including a plurality of first venting portions configured to deform based on pressure inside the module housing
Implementation Method 2
using materials like glass fiber, silicon, ceramic, and aerogel for insulation and heat resistance
Data Source
AI summary
A battery module includes a cell assembly including a plurality of battery cells; a module housing accommodating the cell assembly and including a plurality of venting holes; a first barrier disposed on an inner surface of the module housing and including a plurality of first venting portions configured to deform based on pressure inside the module housing; and a second barrier disposed on an outer surface of the module housing and including a plurality of through-holes. At least a portion 10 of gas generated in the cell assembly is configured to be discharged to an outside of the module housing through the plurality of first venting portions, the plurality of venting holes, and the plurality of through-holes.