Battery Module Insulation Structure for Thermal Runaway Heat Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thermal insulation materials fail to effectively prevent heat transfer between battery cells after thermal runaway occurs, maintaining high temperatures and potentially causing further damage.
Innovation Solution
A battery module with a thermal insulation member having a composite structure, featuring a plastic outer portion and a heat-resistant support member, which maintains its shape during thermal runaway to form an air layer and minimize contact, thereby insulating and cooling adjacent cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a conventional thermal insulation material is disposed in tight contact with a battery cell, then it can prevent direct contact between battery cells, but it is difficult to discharge heat generated from the battery cell, whereby the battery cell is maintained in a high temperature state and heat may be transferred to adjacent battery cells
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal insulation member is designed with a porous structure containing multiple air spaces. This porous configuration allows heat to be dispersed and discharged through the air spaces rather than being trapped, while still maintaining thermal insulation properties and preventing direct contact between battery cells.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal insulation member comprises a composite structure combining a heat-resistant base material with an air-space-containing layer. This composite design integrates the heat resistance of the base material with the heat dissipation capability of the air spaces, resolving the contradiction between insulation and heat discharge.
2Temperature
If a conventional thermal insulation material performs the function of a heat absorbing material, then it can respond to heat generated when thermal runaway occurs, but it is not possible to support battery cells and interrupt heat transfer between battery cells after thermal runaway occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal insulation member is segmented into distinct functional layers: a heat-resistant base material layer that maintains structural integrity, and an air-space-containing layer that provides thermal insulation and heat dissipation. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function independently, ensuring both heat absorption and structural support capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal insulation member is designed to undergo controlled parameter changes during thermal runaway, specifically changing its thermal insulation properties while maintaining structural support capability through the heat-resistant base material. The air spaces expand or adjust to enhance heat dissipation while the base material continues to provide mechanical support.
3Quantity of substance
If battery cells are disposed densely in the case to increase energy density, then energy density is improved, but when thermal runaway occurs in a specific battery cell, heat may be transferred to battery cells adjacent thereto
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal insulation member acts as an intermediary component disposed between adjacent battery cells. It includes air spaces that serve as thermal barriers, interrupting direct heat transfer pathways while allowing the battery cells to maintain dense arrangement for high energy density.
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 composite structure effectively insulates and cools battery cells by forming an air layer, maximizing heat insulation and cooling effects while maintaining distance between cells, preventing further heat transfer.
Implementation Method 1
an outer portion made of plastic having a lower melting point than temperature when thermal runaway occurs
Implementation Method 2
a support member provided in an inner portion of the thermal insulation member, the support member being made of a heat-resistant material having a higher melting point than the temperature when the thermal runaway occurs
Implementation Method 3
the thermal insulation member being configured to interrupt heat transfer between adjacent ones of the battery cells
Data Source
AI summary
A battery module preventing prevents heat transfer to an adjacent battery cell when thermal runaway occurs. The battery module includes a plurality of battery cells, each battery cell having electrode leads, a case configured to receive the plurality of battery cells, and a thermal insulation member located between the plurality of battery cells, the thermal insulation member being configured to interrupt heat transfer between adjacent ones of the battery cells. The thermal insulation member is configured to have a composite structure including an outer portion made of plastic having a lower melting point than temperature when thermal runaway occurs and a support member provided in an inner portion of the thermal insulation member, the support member being made of a heat-resistant material having a higher melting point than the temperature when the thermal runaway occurs.