Battery Module Ventilation Structure for Thermal Runaway Debris Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy storage apparatuses face challenges in preventing the propagation of heat, flammable oil mist, flames, and debris between battery cells, especially during thermal runaway, which can cause secondary damage to adjacent cells or modules.
Innovation Solution
The energy storage apparatus incorporates a ventilation unit with louver units and a duct system to guide flames and debris away from adjacent battery cells while blocking debris from flowing back, thereby preventing secondary damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a direct spray system is used to spray fire extinguishing agent directly into battery cell vents, then fire suppression capability is improved, but response time is delayed causing heat propagation to adjacent cells
Solution Approach 1:
The patent installs pre-positioned spray nozzles within the battery module structure that are ready to immediately discharge fire extinguishing agent upon detection of thermal runaway. This preliminary positioning eliminates the time delay associated with deploying spray systems after failure detection, allowing instant suppression action directly at the vent opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a fire suppression agent as an intermediary substance between the thermal runaway event and adjacent battery cells. This agent acts as a barrier that intercepts and suppresses the propagation of heat, flames, and debris before they can reach neighboring cells, resolving the time response issue by providing immediate chemical intervention.
2Productivity
If battery cells are arranged closely to increase energy density, then productivity is improved, but heat propagation risk to adjacent cells increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the battery module into segmented compartments using thermal barriers and spray zones. Each battery cell or group of cells is isolated by fire-resistant partitions and positioned within dedicated spray coverage areas. This segmentation allows high energy density through close arrangement while preventing heat propagation between segments through physical and chemical barriers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs fire extinguishing agent as an intermediary protective layer between closely spaced battery cells. The spray system creates a protective atmosphere that mediates the thermal interaction between adjacent cells, allowing them to be positioned closer together while the agent prevents direct heat transfer and flame propagation during thermal runaway events.
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
This solution effectively reduces heat propagation and prevents flames and debris from spreading to adjacent battery cells, thereby minimizing secondary damage and enhancing the safety and reliability of the energy storage apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
guide flames ejected from the vent of one of the battery cells in the first direction
Implementation Method 2
block debris ejected from the one of the battery cells from flowing into adjacent ones of the battery cells
Implementation Method 3
configured to provide a fire extinguishing agent directly to the vents of the battery cells
Data Source
AI summary
An energy storage apparatus includes: a battery module including a plurality of battery cells arranged in a first direction, each of the battery cells having a vent; and a ventilation unit mounted on the battery module and configured to guide flames ejected from the vent of one of the battery cells in the first direction and to block debris ejected from the one of the battery cells from flowing into adjacent ones of the battery cells.