Battery Module Active Venting for Thermal Runaway Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery modules face issues with passive pressure relief valves failing to open during thermal runaway, leading to uncontrolled internal pressure buildup and potential fire or explosion.
Innovation Solution
A battery module with an active pressure relief system that includes a detection unit to proactively open a pressure relief port and air inlet mechanism to release internal pressure and introduce external air when thermal runaway is detected, preventing pressure buildup and alleviating thermal runaway.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a passive pressure relief valve is used, then the structure is simple, but the pressure relief valve may fail to open during thermal runaway, causing internal pressure buildup
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by detecting thermal runaway conditions (temperature, gas composition) before pressure buildup becomes critical, and proactively opening the pressure relief valve in advance. This prevents the situation where pressure builds up too quickly for a passive valve to respond effectively, thereby resolving the contradiction between simple structure and reliable pressure relief.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using sensors to continuously monitor temperature and gas composition inside the housing, and using this information to control the pressure relief valve. This closed-loop control ensures the valve opens reliably when thermal runaway is detected, overcoming the unreliability of passive valves while maintaining reasonable system complexity.
2Reliability
If an active pressure relief system with detection unit is added, then pressure relief reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by designing the control unit to perform multiple functions: analyzing data from temperature sensors and gas composition sensors, determining thermal runaway conditions, and controlling the pressure relief valve. This consolidates multiple functions into a single control unit, improving reliability without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies self-service by using the detection units and control unit to automatically monitor conditions and operate the pressure relief valve without external intervention. This automation improves reliability of pressure relief while keeping the system compact, as the intelligence is distributed across modular components that work together autonomously.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If air inlet mechanism is added to introduce external air, then thermal runaway alleviation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the pressure relief function and air intake function into a coordinated system controlled by the same control unit. The pressure relief valve and air inlet mechanism work together as an integrated air management system, allowing the system to simultaneously relieve pressure and introduce cooling air, thereby alleviating thermal runaway without requiring separate complex control systems for each function.
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 active pressure relief system effectively manages thermal runaway by actively releasing internal pressure and introducing external air, preventing fires and explosions, and improving safety by accurately detecting thermal runaway conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The first detection unit is mounted on the housing and is configured to detect predetermined object. The first detection unit, in response to detecting thermal runaway of the cell...
Implementation Method 2
the pressure relief mechanism is opened to expose the pressure relief port... effectively manages thermal runaway by actively releasing internal pressure
Implementation Method 3
the air intaking mechanism is opened to expose the first air inlet, such that external air may enter the receiving space, further alleviating the thermal runaway of the cell
Data Source
AI summary
A battery module includes: a housing, a cell, and a first detection unit. The housing defines a receiving space, a pressure relief port communicated with the receiving space, and a first air inlet communicated with the receiving space. A pressure relief mechanism is arranged in the pressure relief port, an air intaking mechanism is arranged in the first air inlet. The cell is received in the receiving space. The first detection unit is mounted on the housing and configured to detect a predetermined object. The first detection unit is electrically connected to the pressure relief mechanism. When the first detection unit detects that the cell has thermal runaway, the pressure relief mechanism exposes the pressure relief port. When the first detection unit detects that a pressure in the receiving space is less than or equal to a pressure threshold, the air intaking mechanism exposes the first air inlet.