Battery Module Check-Valve Venting for Flame Confinement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery modules are vulnerable to thermal runaway and fire propagation due to direct discharge of flames between adjacent modules, which can lead to explosions and further fires.
Innovation Solution
A battery module design featuring check valves installed at each corner of the module case to delay flame discharge and uniformly vent gases to the outside, using a gas discharge unit with check valves that include a spherical ball and spring mechanism to control gas pressure and confine flames within the module.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If venting units are attached to both side surfaces of the battery module to delay thermal runaway, then flame discharge is delayed, but discharged flames are directly sprayed to surrounding battery modules
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single venting unit into multiple venting holes distributed across different surfaces of the module case. Specifically, venting holes are formed at four corners of the upper surface and one or more venting holes are formed at the lower surface, segmenting the flame discharge paths to prevent direct flame spray to surrounding modules while maintaining thermal runaway delay functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional venting approach (venting units on side surfaces) to a three-dimensional distributed venting system. Venting holes are positioned at the upper surface corners and lower surface, utilizing vertical and horizontal spatial distribution to redirect flame paths away from surrounding modules, effectively adding dimensional complexity to the venting strategy
2Reliability
If venting units are attached to delay flame discharge, then thermal runaway is delayed, but gases are not uniformly discharged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the gas discharge function into multiple venting holes positioned at different locations (upper surface corners and lower surface). This segmentation allows gases generated during thermal runaway to be discharged uniformly from multiple points rather than concentrated through a single venting unit, improving both uniformity and effectiveness of gas discharge while maintaining thermal runaway delay
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 solution effectively prevents the propagation of fire to surrounding modules by uniformly discharging gases while confining flames, thereby enhancing safety and reducing the risk of thermal runaway.
Implementation Method 1
a gas discharge member that opens the first opening when an internal gas pressure of the module case is greater than a certain pressure
Implementation Method 2
an upper unit having an opening (hereinafter, a second opening) formed therein and provided above the lower unit; an intermediate member surrounding a portion of the lower unit and the upper unit between the lower unit and the upper unit; and a gas discharge member that is provided between the first opening and the second opening
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a battery module and a battery pack including the same, and more specifically, to a battery module capable of uniformly discharging gases to the outside of the module case while confining flames inside the module case when flames and gases are generated inside the battery module case, and a battery pack including the same. A battery module according to the present disclosure includes a battery cell, a module case accommodating a plurality of battery cells, and a module gas discharge unit that delays the discharge of flames among flames and gases generated inside the module case and discharges gases to the outside, wherein the module gas discharge unit includes check valves installed at each corner portion of the upper surface of the module case, thereby uniformly discharging gases inside the module case to the outside while confining flames inside the module case, which may prevent the propagation of fire to the surroundings.