Battery Module Leakage Pockets for Thermal Runaway Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery modules are prone to thermal runaway due to overheating, which can lead to explosions, as heat from an abnormal battery cell is transferred to adjacent cells, posing significant safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A battery module design featuring leakage prevention pockets and a fire extinguishing agent injection unit within the module case to contain and extinguish flames or sparks, preventing thermal runaway through both passive and active mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If battery cells are connected in series/parallel to achieve higher output voltage and charge/discharge capacity, then the battery pack's electrical performance is improved, but the risk of thermal runaway increases due to heat transfer between adjacent cells
Solution Approach 1:
The module case is segmented into multiple compartments by partition walls, with each compartment housing one or more battery cells. This segmentation physically isolates heat transfer between adjacent cells, preventing thermal runaway propagation while maintaining the required series/parallel battery cell configurations for high power output.
Solution Approach 2:
Heat dissipation members are introduced as intermediary components between adjacent battery cells. These members act as thermal barriers that conduct heat away from battery cells, reducing the temperature rise in abnormal situations and preventing heat transfer that would cause thermal runaway, thereby enabling safe high-power battery configurations.
2Device complexity
If conventional battery modules are used without thermal management structures, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to prevent thermal runaway and fire is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The module case is pre-equipped with heat dissipation members, partition walls, and fireproof materials during manufacturing, creating a passive thermal management system that automatically activates during thermal runaway events. This preliminary preparation enables fire prevention without requiring complex active control systems, maintaining structural simplicity while enhancing safety.
Solution Approach 2:
Fireproof materials and heat dissipation members create a thermally inert environment within the module case, reducing oxygen availability and heat transfer to flame-producing temperatures. This inerting effect suppresses fire propagation while maintaining a relatively simple module structure without requiring complex fire suppression systems.
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 reduces the risk of thermal runaway and fire by containing flames and sparks, and actively injecting a fire extinguishing agent to suppress dangerous situations, enhancing safety in battery packs and energy storage systems.
Implementation Method 1
a fire extinguishing agent injection unit provided to the at least one leakage prevention pocket and configured to inject a fire extinguishing agent into the module case in the event of the abnormal situation
Implementation Method 2
the plurality of leakage prevention pockets may have a predetermined space capable of accommodating the flame or spark
Data Source
AI summary
A battery module includes at least one battery cell, a module case accommodating the at least one battery cell, at least one leakage prevention pocket provided in the module case to prevent leakage of flame or spark in case of an abnormal situation of the at least one battery cell, and a fire extinguishing agent injection unit provided to the at least one leakage prevention pocket and configured to inject a fire extinguishing agent into the module case in the event of the abnormal situation.