Battery Module Heat-Absorbing Layout for Abnormal Temperature Rise

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Solution Overview

Problem

In battery packs with high energy density, abnormal temperature increases can significantly affect surrounding batteries, leading to potential safety issues due to inefficient heat management.

Innovation Solution

A battery module design incorporating lithium secondary batteries with a heat absorbing material placed between the batteries and their holder, utilizing an inorganic substance that decomposes through an endothermic reaction to manage and reduce temperature increases during abnormal conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the batteries are arranged in close contact to increase energy density, then the energy density of the battery module is improved, but the heat generated during abnormal conditions cannot be dissipated efficiently, leading to larger temperature increase width

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy densityVSAvoidtemperature increase width

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

A heat absorbing material is introduced as an intermediary substance between adjacent lithium secondary batteries. This material serves as a thermal buffer that absorbs excess heat during abnormal conditions, preventing direct heat transfer between batteries. The heat absorbing material is disposed in contact with side surfaces of the batteries, creating a protective thermal barrier that mitigates the temperature increase width while maintaining the close-contact arrangement for high energy density.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Volume of stationary object

If the batteries are arranged in close contact, then the space utilization is improved, but the heat transfer to surrounding batteries during abnormality increases, reducing safety

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidheat transfer to surrounding batteries

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The heat absorbing material acts as a thermal intermediary that blocks harmful heat transfer between batteries. It is positioned in the gaps between adjacent batteries, absorbing heat during abnormal conditions and preventing it from propagating to surrounding batteries. This allows the batteries to be arranged in close contact for optimal space utilization while the heat absorbing material provides thermal protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The heat absorbing material converts the harmful effect of heat generation during abnormality into a beneficial thermal management function. By absorbing the excess heat that would otherwise spread to surrounding batteries, the material transforms the potential hazard of close-contact arrangement into an opportunity for active thermal protection, thereby improving safety without sacrificing space utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 battery module effectively suppresses temperature increases during abnormal conditions, enhancing safety by quickly releasing heat and reducing the impact on surrounding batteries.

Implementation Method 1

a heat absorbing material disposed in contact with side surfaces of the plurality of lithium secondary batteries... utilizing an inorganic substance that decomposes through an endothermic reaction to manage and reduce temperature increases during abnormal conditions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEndothermic reaction: Endothermic Reaction

Implementation Method 2

at the negative electrode, a lithium metal deposits during charge and the lithium metal dissolves during discharge

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLithium metal deposition and dissolution: Electrolysis

Data Source

PatentUS20240021907A1Battery module

Publication Date: 2024.01.18 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

A battery module, including: a plurality of lithium secondary batteries aligned side by side; and a heat absorbing material disposed in contact with side surfaces of the plurality of lithium secondary batteries, wherein the lithium secondary battery includes an electrode plate group, a non-aqueous electrolyte having lithium ion conductivity, and a battery case housing the electrode plate group and the non-aqueous electrolyte, the electrode plate group includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and at the negative electrode, a lithium metal deposits during charge and the lithium metal dissolves during discharge. This can suppress the increase in battery temperature in the event of abnormality.