Battery Module Venting and Cooling Flow Paths for Thermal Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large-sized battery modules face challenges in enhancing cooling performance and venting efficiency while maintaining space efficiency, which can lead to overheating and safety issues due to increased temperature and potential ignition phenomena.
Innovation Solution
A battery module design featuring a heat sink with cooling flow paths and a venting cover, along with a module frame that includes U-shaped frames and extension parts for improved heat transfer and gas discharge, forming both cooling and venting flow paths to enhance thermal management and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the battery module size is increased to provide higher power and capacity, then the power and capacity are improved, but the cooling performance deteriorates due to increased temperature deviation between battery cells
Solution Approach 1:
The battery module is divided into multiple battery cell assemblies arranged in a specific configuration. By segmenting the battery module into manageable units with dedicated cooling channels, the patent achieves improved heat dissipation across the entire module while maintaining high power capacity. Each cooling flow path serves specific battery cells, preventing temperature deviation even as the module scales up in size.
2Power
If the battery module size is increased to provide higher power and capacity, then the power and capacity are improved, but the cooling performance deteriorates due to larger module dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces cooling flow paths that extend in multiple dimensions within the module structure. By utilizing vertical and horizontal cooling channels, the system achieves effective heat dissipation without proportionally increasing the module's external dimensions. The cooling paths are integrated into the module frame in a three-dimensional arrangement that maximizes cooling efficiency while maintaining compact size.
3Quantity of substance
If the battery module capacity is increased to improve mileage, then the capacity is improved, but the safety deteriorates due to potential overvoltage, overcurrent or overheat states
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a venting cover with venting flow paths as a preliminary safety measure. This structure is designed in advance to handle potential overvoltage, overcurrent, or overheat conditions by providing a dedicated escape route for gases and flames. The venting cover is positioned and configured to activate before critical failure occurs, allowing controlled discharge of harmful substances and preventing catastrophic safety incidents even as capacity increases.
4Strength
If a module frame with opened front and rear surfaces is used to protect the battery cell stack, then the protection performance is improved, but the venting performance deteriorates due to limited gas discharge pathways
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the protective module frame structure with the venting function by integrating the venting cover into the frame assembly. The module frame's opened front and rear surfaces provide structural protection while the integrated venting cover adds gas discharge capability. This combination allows the same structural elements to serve dual purposes: protecting the battery cell stack from external impact while providing controlled pathways for harmful gas and flame discharge during abnormal conditions.
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 design effectively enhances cooling performance and venting efficiency, reducing temperature deviations and ensuring safer operation by efficiently dissipating heat and discharging gases, thereby improving the lifespan and safety of the battery module.
Implementation Method 1
a heat sink that is located on the module frame, but also includes a plurality of cooling flow paths
Implementation Method 2
The plurality of cooling flow paths protrude toward the venting cover with respect to the bottom surface of the heat sink
Implementation Method 3
a venting cover that is located on the heat sink... a space between two cooling flow paths adjacent to each other among the plurality of cooling flow paths may form a venting flow path
Data Source
AI summary
A battery module includes a battery cell assembly in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked; a module frame that houses the upper and lower surface and both side surfaces of the battery cell assembly and is opened in its front and rear surfaces; a heat sink that is located on the module frame, but also includes a plurality of cooling flow paths; and a venting cover that is located on the heat sink, wherein the battery cell assembly includes a first battery cell assembly and a second battery cell assembly, and wherein the first battery cell assembly and the second battery cell assembly are arranged separately in a direction facing each other.