Battery Cell Chamber Venting for Thermal Runaway Containment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery assemblies fail to effectively contain and manage the propagation of thermal runaway from one battery cell to others, risking fire or explosion due to uncontrolled gas release.

Innovation Solution

A battery assembly design with individual battery cell chambers, each equipped with a vent connected to a common gas discharge channel featuring thermal shields and a compression system with gas outlets, utilizing polymer-based materials and thermal protection panels to manage and control gas discharge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a common gas discharge channel is used for all battery cells, then the device complexity is reduced, but the thermal runaway propagation risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas discharge channel structureVSAvoidthermal runaway containment

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The battery module is divided into individual battery cell chambers separated by separation plates, with each chamber having its own vent. This segmentation isolates thermal runaway events to specific chambers while maintaining a common discharge channel for gas evacuation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A compression system with compression plates is introduced as an intermediary component between the battery cells and the common discharge channel. The compression plates apply uniform pressure to prevent cell swelling and maintain proper sealing, enabling the common channel to function safely.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If individual battery cell chambers with separate vents are used, then thermal runaway containment is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal runaway containmentVSAvoidbattery module structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple individual vents from separate battery cell chambers are merged into a single common gas discharge channel. This combining approach maintains the isolation benefits of individual chambers while simplifying the overall gas discharge architecture through a shared exit path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Temperature

If thermal shields are added to the discharge channel, then thermal management is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat propagation controlVSAvoiddischarge channel structure

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Thermal shields are selectively positioned at specific locations within the common gas discharge channel where heat exposure is most critical. This localized protection approach provides thermal management where needed without adding shields throughout the entire channel structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The compression system incorporates compression plates made from materials with appropriate thermal and mechanical properties to withstand both compression forces and thermal exposure from discharged gases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 minimizes the spread of thermal runaway by effectively containing and discharging gases, enhancing safety and durability through controlled gas release and thermal management.

Implementation Method 1

a lower wall made up of a plate configured to form a thermal shield, an upper wall made up of a plate configured to form a thermal shield

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal shielding: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

the flexibility of said channel to withstand significant temperature and pressure stresses associated with the discharging of gases generated by thermal runaway

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 3

the battery module comprises a compression system provided with at least one gas outlet in fluid connection with the gas discharge channel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentUS20260011862A1Battery assembly

Publication Date: 2026.01.08 PLASTIC OMNIUM CLEAN ENERGY SYST RES

AI summary

A battery assembly includes a battery module having an alignment of a plurality of battery cells. Each battery cell is placed in an individual battery cell chamber and separated from each other by a separation plate. Each individual battery cell chamber includes a vent communicating with a discharge channel for discharging the gases generated by thermal runaway arranged in an upper portion of the battery module. The discharge channel is common for the plurality of battery cells and includes a lower wall made up of a plate configured to form a thermal shield, an upper wall made up of a plate configured to form a thermal shield and two side edges including a polymer-based material. The battery module includes a compression system provided with a gas outlet in fluid connection with the gas discharge channel.