Battery Module Exhaust Path for Gas Venting and Flame Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium secondary batteries are prone to fire and explosion due to overcharging, and when a flame occurs in a battery cell, it can leak out of the case, posing a dangerous situation.
Innovation Solution
A battery module design with a case that includes discharge holes and an exhaust path member to allow gas to escape while preventing flame discharge, using a mica plate for heat insulation and a cover with separate discharge holes to direct gas flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If discharge holes are formed in the case to release pressure and gas, then gas discharge capability is improved, but flame may leak through the discharge holes
Solution Approach 1:
A mica plate is introduced as an intermediary material between the discharge hole and the external environment. The mica plate has sufficient porosity to allow gas molecules to pass through while its physical structure and heat resistance prevent flame propagation, thus mediating between the need for pressure relief and flame containment
Solution Approach 2:
The discharge hole structure is designed with non-uniform properties: the mica plate covering the hole has specific porosity characteristics that differ from the surrounding case structure. This local differentiation allows gas to pass through the porous mica while the overall structure maintains flame containment through the combination of mica's heat resistance and the case's structural integrity
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the case is made completely flame-proof to prevent flame leakage, then flame containment is improved, but gas discharge capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The mica plate is utilized as a porous material with specific pore size and distribution. The porosity allows gas molecules to diffuse through the material, providing pressure relief, while the material's heat resistance and pore structure prevent flame propagation, thus simultaneously achieving both gas discharge and flame containment
3Productivity
If discharge holes are made larger to improve gas discharge efficiency, then gas discharge capability is improved, but flame leakage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mica plate's porous structure provides a large surface area with numerous small pores, enabling efficient gas discharge through diffusion and flow without creating large openings that would allow flame passage. The porous structure maintains discharge efficiency while inherently limiting flame propagation
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 discharges gas without allowing flames to escape, ensuring safety by containing the fire within the module.
Implementation Method 1
a mica plate for heat insulation
Data Source
AI summary
A battery module includes a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked; a case configured to accommodate the battery cell stack and having a first discharge hole formed to discharge gas; an exhaust path member having a hole formed to communicate with the first discharge hole and mounted to the case to provide a discharge path of the gas so as to discharge the gas and prevent flame from leaking; and a cover coupled to the case to cover the exhaust path member and having a second discharge hole through which the gas moving through the exhaust path member is discharged.