Battery Module Closure Element for Gas Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium-ion batteries in modules can experience disruptions due to improper electrochemical reactions, leading to increased internal resistance, heat generation, gas and vapor emission, and potential destruction, which can cause chain reactions and pose health and environmental hazards.
Innovation Solution
A battery module with a housing, monitoring device, and closure elements at inlet and outlet openings that detect and respond to battery conditions by sealing the module fluid-tight in case of a disruption, using a tempering fluid for cooling/heating and a shutoff element to disconnect electrical connections, preventing further heating and gas escape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If batteries are equipped with overpressure valves to release gases and vapors, then pressure buildup is prevented, but hazardous substances escape into the environment causing damage to other batteries and health risks
Solution Approach 1:
A closure element is introduced as an intermediary component between the battery and the external environment. This closure element selectively blocks the escape path of hazardous gases and vapors while allowing the overpressure valve to function, thereby mediating between pressure relief needs and environmental protection requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful function (gas escape) is extracted from the system by removing the escape path through the closure element, while preserving the useful function (pressure relief) through the overpressure valve mechanism
2Reliability
If melting elements are used to disconnect batteries from electrical lines at high temperatures, then electrical current is shut off, but poisonous gases and vapors still emerge causing environmental damage
Solution Approach 1:
The closure element serves as an additional intermediary that addresses the environmental harm issue that the melting element alone cannot resolve. It works in conjunction with the electrical shutoff function to provide comprehensive protection
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical protection function (melting element) and environmental protection function (closure element) are merged into a unified safety system, where both functions operate simultaneously to address multiple hazards
3Use of energy by moving object
If batteries are allowed to undergo exothermic reactions during disruption, then electrochemical energy is released, but temperature increases cause destruction and chain reactions
Solution Approach 1:
The closure element converts the potentially harmful exothermic reaction into a contained process by blocking the escape of reactants and products. This containment transforms the uncontrolled destructive reaction into a controlled energy release that can be managed within the battery module
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
Prevents damage by containing hazardous gases and vapors within the module, preventing environmental and health risks, and ensuring the battery module remains sealed even during exothermic processes, thereby limiting oxygen availability and halting harmful chemical reactions.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one inlet opening and/or the at least one outlet opening is closable by at least one closure element in a disruption condition of at least one battery detected by the at least one monitoring device, so that substances, in particular gases, escaping from the at least one battery with the disruption condition cannot escape from the battery module
Implementation Method 2
The tempering fluid serves to cool and/or heat the at least one battery
Implementation Method 3
at least one monitoring device includes at least one sensor for detecting the electrical voltage and/or the temperature of the at least one battery
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a battery module, in particular for a motor vehicle, which includes a housing, at least one battery disposed in the housing, at least one inlet opening for introducing a tempering fluid into the housing, at least one outlet opening for discharging the tempering fluid from the housing, and at least one monitoring device for detecting a state of the at least one battery. According to the invention, the at least one inlet opening and the at least one outlet opening can be sealed by at least one closure element in the event of a disruption condition of the at least one battery, so that materials exiting the at least one battery, in particular gases, during the disruption state can not escape from the battery module.