Battery Module Vent Flow Paths for Thermal Runaway Gas Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery modules are not designed to effectively discharge gases generated during thermal runaway events in battery cells, leading to potential safety hazards and external impact risks.
Innovation Solution
A battery module design featuring a first module case with vent flow paths that communicate with vent portions of the battery cells, allowing for efficient gas discharge and particle trapping, while also providing structural support and protection through additional components like insulating sheets and end plates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional module case is used to support battery cells, then structural support is provided, but gas discharge capability during thermal runaway is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The module case is segmented into multiple functional flow paths: a first vent flow path for receiving gas from battery cell vent portions, and multiple second vent flow paths for discharging gas to the exterior. This segmentation allows the case to simultaneously provide structural support and effective gas discharge capability during thermal runaway events.
Solution Approach 2:
The first vent flow path acts as an intermediary component that receives gas from battery cell vent portions and directs it through the second vent flow paths to the exterior. This intermediary structure enables controlled gas discharge while maintaining the integrity of the module case.
2Reliability
If vent flow paths are added to the module case, then gas discharge capability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first vent flow path and multiple second vent flow paths are merged into a single integrated module case structure. This combining approach allows the case to provide both structural support and multi-path gas discharge functionality without requiring separate components, thereby improving thermal runaway response while maintaining ease of manufacture.
3Ease of operation
If the module case supports battery cells directly, then assembly is simplified, but protection from external impacts is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The module case provides localized protection through strategically positioned flow paths and structural features. The first vent flow path is positioned to receive gas from battery cell vent portions, while second vent flow paths are positioned to discharge gas to the exterior, providing both support and protection without complicating assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A battery module includes: battery cells arranged in a first direction that include vent portions; and a first module case extending in the first direction and supporting the battery cells. The first module case includes a first vent flow path communicating with the vent portions, and projecting away from the battery cells and extending in the first direction, and second vent flow paths spaced from each other in a second direction traversing the first direction, extending in the first direction to support the battery cells, and directly communicating with the first vent flow path. The first vent flow path is between the second vent flow paths.