Battery Module Coolant Venting Structure for Thermal Propagation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing secondary battery modules fail to effectively stop the spread of fire from one battery cell to adjacent cells due to delayed coolant delivery and inadequate venting of high temperature gas, particularly in water-cooled systems with air-tight structures.
Innovation Solution
A battery module design featuring a module case with upper and lower plates made of dissimilar materials, incorporating channels for coolant flow, melting spots for immediate coolant delivery, and vent holes with mesh structures for gas exit, integrated with a heatsink for combined cooling and fire extinguishing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If water-cooled battery modules use an air-tight structure, then cooling efficiency is improved, but high temperature gas cannot be vented smoothly leading to faster thermal propagation
Solution Approach 1:
The module case is designed with differentiated local properties: the first plate maintains an air-tight structure for efficient cooling, while the second plate incorporates a vent hole for gas release. This local quality differentiation allows the system to simultaneously achieve both cooling efficiency and thermal safety by addressing different functional requirements in different locations of the same structure.
2Reliability
If a water valve is opened to feed water into the battery pack, then fire extinguishing is achieved, but there is a predetermined time delay before water contacts the affected battery cell
Solution Approach 1:
The module case is pre-configured with a channel that directly connects the interior cavity to the external environment through the vent hole. This preliminary action ensures that when thermal runaway occurs, the coolant can immediately flow through the pre-established path to the affected battery cell without requiring valve activation or system response time, thereby eliminating the time delay inherent in conventional fire extinguishing systems.
3Quantity of substance
If battery cells are densely packed to improve energy density, then space utilization is improved, but thermal runaway propagation to adjacent cells occurs more easily
Solution Approach 1:
The module case acts as an intermediary structure between adjacent battery cells. By incorporating a vent hole and channel system, it provides a controlled pathway for thermal management that prevents uncontrolled thermal propagation while maintaining dense packing. The case structure mediates the interaction between cells, allowing heat and gas to be managed in a controlled manner rather than allowing direct cell-to-cell thermal runaway.
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 enables rapid coolant delivery to the affected cell and efficient venting of high temperature gas, preventing thermal propagation and improving safety by combining cooling and fire extinguishing functions in a single component, enhancing energy density and reducing component count.
Implementation Method 1
each of the upper plate and the lower plate include a melting spot which melts when heated in the first plate
Implementation Method 2
The upper plate and the lower plate may comprise a heatsink
Implementation Method 3
a module case accommodating the plurality of battery cells, wherein the module case includes an upper plate positioned on the plurality of battery cells and a lower plate positioned below the plurality of battery cells, each of the upper plate and lower plate have a first plate and a second plate forming a channel in which a coolant flows
Data Source
AI summary
A battery module includes a plurality of battery cells; and a module case accommodating the plurality of battery cells, wherein the module case include an upper plate positioned on the plurality of battery cells and a lower plate positioned below the plurality of battery cells, each having a channel in which a coolant flows, the upper plate and the lower plate include a melting spot which melts when heated in a first plate in contact with the plurality of battery cells, and the upper plate includes a vent hole and a first sealing cap in a second plate which faces the first plate, the vent hole through which gas is forced out, and the first sealing cap configured to seal the vent hole and made of a thermomeltable material.