Battery Cartridge Venting Structure for Thermal Propagation Mitigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery modules are prone to thermal propagation, leading to increased heat transfer between cells and a higher risk of fires due to inadequate heat dissipation.

Innovation Solution

A cartridge design for secondary batteries featuring a cooling plate and outer frame with strategically positioned communication holes to facilitate the discharge of high-temperature gases, reducing the risk of thermal runaway by allowing gas communication between the inside and outside of the battery module.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a battery module uses a sealed structure without communication holes, then structural integrity and sealing are improved, but heat dissipation and gas venting capabilities deteriorate, leading to thermal propagation risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidthermal propagation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling portion is divided into multiple functional regions: a coupling hole for mechanical fastening and separate first communication holes for gas venting. This segmentation allows the structure to simultaneously maintain integrity through the coupling hole while providing dedicated pathways for thermal management through the communication holes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first communication holes act as intermediary pathways that connect the interior of the cell accommodating case to the exterior environment. These holes serve as mediators for gas and heat discharge, allowing thermal energy to escape without compromising the overall structural integrity of the sealed battery module.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If communication holes are added to the coupling portion, then gas venting and heat dissipation are improved, but structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal propagationVSAvoidcoupling portion structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling portion is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: mechanical coupling through the coupling hole, gas venting through the first communication holes, and potential electrical connection. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby managing structural complexity while achieving comprehensive thermal management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling portion merges the fastening function (coupling hole) and the venting function (first communication holes) into a single integrated component. This combination eliminates the need for separate venting structures, simplifying the overall design while maintaining both structural integrity and thermal management capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Temperature

If the cartridge design includes both cooling plate and communication holes, then thermal management is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipationVSAvoidcartridge assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling plate is pre-integrated into the cell accommodating case during cartridge manufacturing, with communication holes already positioned and configured. This preliminary integration ensures that thermal management pathways are established before assembly, simplifying the overall manufacturing process while maintaining effective heat dissipation and gas venting capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 mitigates the risk of catastrophic fires in electric or hybrid vehicles by efficiently venting high-temperature gases, thereby enhancing safety and reducing the chances of thermal propagation.

Implementation Method 1

a cell accommodating case comprising a cooling plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a coupling portion connected to the cell accommodating case and having a coupling hole through which a bolt, when inserted therethrough, passes in a direction in which the cell accommodating case is stacked, wherein the coupling portion may include a first communication hole formed in a direction different from the direction in which the bolt passes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas discharge through communication holes: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS20240170760A1Cartridge for secondary battery, battery module, and cartridge module

Publication Date: 2024.05.23 SK ON CO LTD

AI summary

A cartridge for a secondary battery in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a cell accommodating case comprising a cooling plate and an outer frame formed along an outer edge of the cooling plate; and a coupling portion connected to the cell accommodating case and having a coupling hole through which a bolt, when inserted therethrough, passes in a direction in which the cell accommodating case is stacked, wherein the coupling portion may include a first communication hole formed in a direction different from the direction in which the bolt passes.