Battery Module Thermal Runaway Suppression via Endothermic Heat Absorber

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Battery modules used in high-output applications, such as vehicle power sources, are prone to performance deterioration due to overheating, where excessive heat from one battery can transfer to adjacent batteries, leading to a chain reaction that decreases overall module performance.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a heat transfer suppression member between adjacent batteries and a heat absorber containing an endothermic agent that initiates a reaction at a temperature higher than or equal to a predetermined value, which intervenes between the battery stack and a heat conductor, such as a cooling plate, to absorb and manage heat effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If batteries are stacked closely to increase power source density, then productivity and power output are improved, but heat transfer between adjacent batteries increases causing chain overheating and performance deterioration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower outputVSAvoidheat transfer

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A heat absorber containing endothermic agent is introduced as an intermediary substance between the battery stack and the cooling plate. This heat absorber intercepts heat transfer paths, absorbing excessive heat through endothermic reactions when batteries overheat, thereby preventing chain overheating while maintaining close stacking for high power output

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The thermal properties of the system are dynamically adjusted by incorporating a heat absorber with temperature-dependent endothermic reactions. When battery temperature reaches a critical threshold, the heat absorber undergoes phase change or chemical reaction to absorb heat, effectively changing the thermal parameter of the system to suppress harmful heat transfer

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Temperature

If heat conductor is used to improve cooling efficiency, then temperature control is improved, but heat transfer suppression between adjacent batteries becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidheat transfer between batteries

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The heat absorber serves as a thermal intermediary layer between the battery stack and the heat conductor (cooling plate). During normal operation, it allows efficient heat conduction for cooling; during overheating events, it activates endothermic reactions to absorb excess heat, thereby mediating between cooling efficiency and heat transfer suppression

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If separator is disposed between adjacent batteries to provide insulation, then electrical insulation is improved, but heat transfer suppression is insufficient to prevent chain overheating

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical insulationVSAvoidheat transfer

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The thermal management system uses composite functionality: the separator provides electrical insulation while the heat absorber with endothermic agent provides active thermal management. This composite approach combines passive insulation with active heat absorption to address both electrical and thermal isolation requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 configuration effectively suppresses the chain of overheating, preventing performance deterioration and ensuring stable operation even during thermal runaway conditions by reducing heat transfer between batteries and maintaining insulation.

Implementation Method 1

a heat absorber that intervenes between the battery stack and the heat conductor and contains an endothermic agent that is to start endothermic reaction at a temperature higher than or equal to a predetermined temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEndothermic reaction: Endothermic Reaction

Data Source

PatentUS11437664B2Battery module

Publication Date: 2022.09.06 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

A battery module includes a battery stack having a plurality of batteries that are stacked and a heat transfer suppression member disposed between adjacent two of the batteries, a heat conductor that extends in stacking direction X of the batteries and is adjacent to the battery stack, and a heat absorber that intervenes between the battery stack and the heat conductor and contains an endothermic agent that is to start endothermic reaction at a temperature higher than or equal to a predetermined temperature.