Battery Module Inter-Cell Barriers for Heat and Flame Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium secondary battery modules are vulnerable to thermal events, which can lead to thermal runaway, causing heat, gas, and flame propagation, potentially resulting in fires or explosions, especially in densely packed configurations like those in electric vehicles, posing risks to property and human safety.
Innovation Solution
A battery module design incorporating a blocking member with a heat transfer preventing unit and a flame transfer preventing unit, where the heat transfer preventing unit has lower thermal conductivity and the flame transfer preventing unit has a higher melting point, arranged to prevent heat and flame propagation between adjacent battery cells, allowing for sequential event control during thermal events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If battery cells are densely packed to increase output and capacity, then productivity and energy density are improved, but the risk of thermal chain reaction increases due to reduced spacing between cells
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces blocking members that divide the battery module into multiple regions, physically segmenting the densely packed battery cells. These blocking members create thermal isolation zones between adjacent cells, preventing thermal runaway propagation while maintaining high cell density for improved productivity and capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking members act as intermediary structures positioned between adjacent battery cells. These intermediaries serve as thermal barriers that block heat transfer and flame propagation pathways, allowing the system to maintain dense cell packing while introducing protective elements that prevent thermal chain reactions.
2Reliability
If blocking members are added to prevent thermal propagation, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking members are designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: they provide thermal insulation to prevent heat transfer, block flame propagation pathways, and serve as structural support elements within the battery module. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate safety components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while improving safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking members are constructed using composite materials that combine thermal insulation properties with structural strength. This allows a single component to provide both safety functions (thermal and flame blocking) and mechanical support, reducing the number of separate parts needed and minimizing the increase in device complexity.
3Temperature
If heat transfer preventing units with low thermal conductivity are used, then thermal isolation is improved, but flame transfer prevention may be insufficient without additional high melting point materials
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking members utilize composite material structures that combine low thermal conductivity materials for heat isolation with high melting point materials for flame resistance. This composite approach allows the single blocking member to address both thermal and flame hazards simultaneously, preventing heat transfer while also blocking flame propagation without requiring separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking members exhibit local quality variations with different regions having different material properties: portions facing adjacent battery cells use low thermal conductivity materials for heat blocking, while other portions incorporate high melting point materials for flame resistance. This localized material differentiation allows the structure to address multiple harmful effects with a unified component.
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
Effectively blocks heat and flame transfer between battery cells, preventing explosive chain reactions and reducing the risk of fires or explosions, thereby ensuring safer operation by providing time for evacuation and minimizing human damage.
Implementation Method 1
a heat transfer preventing unit configured to prevent heat transfer between the adjacent battery cells
Implementation Method 2
a flame transfer preventing unit provided to an inner side of the heat transfer preventing unit and configured to block a flame from spreading between the adjacent battery cells
Data Source
AI summary
Discussed is a battery module with an improved structure to reinforce safety when a thermal event occurs inside the battery module. The battery module includes a plurality of battery cells stacked in at least one direction; a module case having an inner space and configured to accommodate the plurality of battery cells; and a blocking member interposed between adjacent battery cells of the plurality of battery cells and including a heat transfer preventing unit configured to prevent heat transfer between the adjacent battery cells and a flame transfer preventing unit provided to an inner side of the heat transfer preventing unit and configured to block a flame from spreading between the adjacent battery cells.