Battery Module Venting Structure to Prevent Thermal Re-Entry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thermal propagation in battery modules can lead to a re-entering phenomenon where gas, flames, or foreign matter discharged through a vent hole collide with external components and re-enter the module, posing safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A battery module design featuring a venting portion with a weakened portion that melts at a set temperature to discharge gas, flames, or foreign matter externally, and includes a heat-resistant member with a melting guide to manage high-temperature heat, preventing re-entry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a vent hole is provided in the upper cover to discharge gas, flames, or foreign matter during thermal runaway, then safety is improved by allowing pressure relief, but the re-entering phenomenon occurs where discharged materials collide with external components and re-enter the module
Solution Approach 1:
A weakened portion is pre-formed in the venting portion at a location that will melt at a specific temperature. This preliminary structural preparation ensures that when thermal runaway occurs and the temperature reaches the melting point, the weakened portion automatically melts to create an outward discharge path, preventing the re-entering phenomenon before it can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The venting portion includes a weakened portion with reduced thickness that undergoes a phase change from solid to liquid at a predetermined temperature. This parameter change (thickness reduction through melting) dynamically opens the vent hole at the appropriate moment during thermal runaway, allowing controlled discharge of hazardous materials in one direction only.
2Strength
If the upper cover is made thick to provide structural strength and protection, then mechanical strength is improved, but the ability to melt and vent at set temperature becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The upper cover is designed with non-uniform thickness: the main body maintains sufficient thickness for structural strength, while a specific localized region (the weakened portion in the venting portion) has reduced thickness. This local quality differentiation allows the thick cover to provide overall protection while the thin weakened portion can melt at the predetermined temperature to enable venting.
Solution Approach 2:
The upper cover is segmented into different functional regions with different thickness characteristics. The base plate and main structural portions maintain adequate thickness for strength, while the venting portion contains a weakened portion with specifically reduced thickness. This segmentation allows simultaneous achievement of structural integrity and thermal response capability.
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
Effectively discharges hazardous materials to the outside and prevents their re-entry into the module, enhancing safety by managing thermal runaway situations.
Implementation Method 1
the venting portion includes a weakened portion formed to be at least partially melted at or above a set temperature
Implementation Method 2
a heat-resistant member with a melting guide to manage high-temperature heat
Data Source
AI summary
A battery module includes a cell array including a plurality of battery cells and a module housing accommodating the cell array, wherein the module housing includes a lower frame and an upper cover, the upper cover includes a venting portion, and the venting portion includes a weakened portion formed to be at least partially melted at or above a set temperature.