Battery Module Thermal Barriers for Runaway Gas Redirection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery modules lack effective mechanisms to manage high-temperature gases or flames generated during thermal runaway, which can lead to electrical short circuits and further exacerbate the thermal runaway situation.
Innovation Solution
The battery module incorporates a housing with thermal blocking members between battery cells, which are designed to block heat propagation and guide high-temperature gases or flames along a preset path, preventing them from spreading between neighboring cells and avoiding electrical short circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If thermal blocking members are added between battery cells to block heat propagation and guide high-temperature gases, then safety and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal blocking member is divided into multiple functional segments: a body portion for heat blocking between cells, and blocking portions extending perpendicular to the cell stack direction for guiding high-temperature gases. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function efficiently, resolving the contradiction by enabling comprehensive safety protection through structured division of functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal blocking member is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously performs heat blocking between adjacent cells and gas flow guidance in the perpendicular direction. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby improving safety without proportionally increasing device complexity.
2Reliability
If blocking portions are added to the thermal blocking member to guide gas flow, then electrical short circuit prevention is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking portions are integrated directly into the thermal blocking member as an integral structure, combining the heat blocking function and gas guidance function into a single manufactured component. This merging approach ensures electrical short circuit prevention while maintaining manufacturing efficiency through unified production rather than assembly of multiple separate parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal blocking member is made from materials with appropriate thermal and mechanical properties that can withstand high-temperature environments while maintaining structural integrity. The use of suitable composite materials enables the member to perform both heat blocking and gas guidance functions without compromising manufacturing feasibility.
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 contains and directs high-temperature gases or flames, preventing them from igniting adjacent battery cells and reducing the risk of electrical short circuits, thereby mitigating the thermal runaway situation.
Implementation Method 1
a body portion disposed to face the electrode accommodating portion and configured to block heat propagation between the plurality of battery cells
Implementation Method 2
one or more blocking portions extending from the body portion in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction, the one or more blocking portions configured to at least partially block a gas flow in the first direction
Data Source
AI summary
A battery module includes a housing that includes an internal space, a cell stack accommodated in the internal space and including a plurality of battery cells stacked in a first direction and a plurality of thermal blocking members disposed between battery cells in the plurality of battery cells, a plurality of electrically conductive members electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells, and a frame supporting the plurality of electrically conductive members. Each battery cell includes an electrode assembly and an electrode accommodating portion accommodating the electrode assembly. At least one of the thermal blocking members includes: a body portion configured to face the electrode accommodating portion and blocking 10 heat propagation between the plurality of battery cells, and one or more blocking portions extending from the body portion in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and configured to at least partially block gas flow in the first direction.