Battery Module Corner Venting for Thermal Runaway Dispersion
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Solution Overview
Problem
When thermal runaway occurs in a battery module, the high-temperature gas and flame emitted can damage adjacent battery modules, posing a safety risk.
Innovation Solution
A battery module design featuring a rectangular tube-shaped module frame with first vent holes at the corners, which disperses the high-temperature gas and flame, minimizing the impact on adjacent modules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a battery module uses a sealed structure to protect internal components, then structural integrity and protection of battery cells is improved, but thermal runaway can cause high-temperature gas and flame to damage adjacent modules
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful high-temperature gas and flame from the sealed module structure by providing dedicated vent holes that channel these byproducts away from adjacent battery modules, preventing their propagation to neighboring cells
Solution Approach 2:
The vent holes act as an intermediary mechanism between the sealed battery module interior and the external environment, allowing controlled release of thermal runaway byproducts through specific pathways that direct gas and flame away from adjacent modules
2Reliability
If vent holes are added to the module frame to release thermal runaway byproducts, then safety of adjacent modules is improved, but structural integrity and sealing capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The module frame maintains different properties in different regions: most areas remain sealed and structurally intact, while specific localized regions (corner portions) contain vent holes for controlled gas release, achieving both sealing and safety requirements
3Strength
If the module frame is made more robust to contain thermal runaway, then protection of battery cells is improved, but the ability to disperse high-temperature gas and flame to adjacent modules deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful high-temperature gas and flame generated during thermal runaway into a controlled release mechanism by designing vent holes that direct these byproducts away from adjacent modules, transforming a dangerous propagation risk into a controlled safety feature
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 design effectively disperses high-temperature gas and flame, reducing the risk of damage to adjacent battery modules and enhancing safety during thermal runaway events.
Implementation Method 1
when thermal runaway occurs due to abnormal operation such as overcharging in some of the plurality of battery modules, a high temperature gas and a flame are emitted
Data Source
AI summary
A battery module includes: a battery cell assembly including one or more battery cells, a rectangular tube-shaped module frame configured so as to house the battery cell assembly and cover four surfaces of the battery cell assembly; and a plurality of first vent holes formed at a corner part where two of the four surfaces meet.