Battery Module Gas Valve Venting for Thermal Runaway Containment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium secondary batteries are vulnerable to thermal events, which can lead to thermal propagation, fire, or explosion, especially in battery modules used in medium- and large-scale devices like electric vehicles, posing risks to human safety and economic loss.
Innovation Solution
A battery module with a gas valve system that includes a cover movable in the X-axis direction, a spring for restoring force, and a spark pocket to trap fire debris and sparks, ensuring controlled venting and containment of thermal events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple battery cells are packed in a narrow space to increase output and capacity, then productivity and energy density are improved, but the risk of thermal propagation and thermal runaway increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery module is segmented into multiple independent battery cell compartments, each capable of containing thermal events independently. The partition walls between compartments act as thermal barriers, preventing thermal propagation while allowing high-density packing of cells to maintain high output and capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
Heat dissipation plates are introduced as intermediary components between battery cells. These plates act as thermal mediators that actively manage heat transfer between cells, preventing thermal runaway propagation while allowing close spacing of cells for high productivity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a gas valve is provided to vent gas during thermal events, then thermal propagation is prevented, but fire debris and sparks may escape causing external fire hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful fire debris and sparks are extracted from the venting gas stream through a separation mechanism. The gas valve is designed to separate combustible particles from the vented gas, allowing safe discharge of non-combustible gas while containing or neutralizing fire debris and sparks within the module.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas valve structure converts the potentially harmful venting process into a beneficial safety mechanism. By designing the valve to specifically vent non-combustible gases while containing combustion byproducts, the system transforms a potential fire hazard into an effective thermal runaway containment mechanism.
3Stress or pressure
If a cover is made movable to vent gas during thermal events, then pressure buildup is prevented, but control over venting process is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is designed as a dynamic component that automatically adjusts its position based on internal pressure conditions. At normal operating pressures, the cover remains in a closed position for containment. During thermal events when pressure exceeds a threshold, the cover automatically moves to an open position to vent gas, providing pressure relief while maintaining operational control through passive pressure-responsive actuation.
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 system effectively releases heat, prevents fire debris and sparks from escaping, and reduces the risk of thermal propagation, enhancing safety and stability in battery modules.
Implementation Method 1
a spring (350) provided in the cover (320) and having a restoring force in the -X axis direction
Implementation Method 2
the plurality of batteries (200) are disposed in the internal space (111) The gas valve system ensures controlled venting and containment of thermal events
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Disclosed is a battery module. The battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a case which has an opening on a front side and provides an internal space; a battery cell disposed in the internal space; and a gas valve including a seating portion which is installed in the opening and has an outlet and a cover which is movable in a front-rear direction and opens and closes the outlet, wherein the cover includes a first part of which diameter increases in a direction facing away from the outlet.