Battery Module Venting Structure for Flame and Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery modules face issues with flame propagation and increased pressure during ignition, leading to continuous ignition phenomena affecting adjacent cells, necessitating improved safety measures to suppress flames and discharge internal gases effectively.
Innovation Solution
A battery module design featuring a fire extinguishing member between the module frame upper part and the battery cell stack, combined with a venting part on the module frame upper part that penetrates towards the cell stack, allowing for effective flame suppression and gas discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the battery module uses a sealed structure with module frames to house the battery cell stack, then the structural integrity and protection from external impact is improved, but flame propagation and heat transfer between adjacent cells increases during ignition
Solution Approach 1:
The module frame is divided into an upper frame and a lower frame that are separated by a predetermined distance, creating a segmented structure. This segmentation prevents complete flame propagation between adjacent battery cells while maintaining structural support, as the gap acts as a fire barrier that interrupts continuous heat and flame transfer paths.
Solution Approach 2:
A fireproof member is introduced as an intermediary component between the upper frame and the battery cell stack. This fireproof member serves as a thermal and flame barrier that protects the battery cells from direct exposure to flames rising from adjacent cells, while still allowing the module frame to provide structural integrity and housing functions.
2Strength
If the battery module uses a sealed structure to protect battery cells, then protection from external impact is improved, but pressure buildup during ignition increases due to inability to discharge internal gases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the gas discharge function from the sealed module structure by creating a dedicated venting path through the module frame. The upper frame is designed with a venting hole that provides an escape route for gases generated during battery ignition, allowing the module to maintain a mostly sealed protective structure while incorporating a specific opening for pressure relief.
Solution Approach 2:
The module frame is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support and protection from external impact, houses the battery cell stack, enables controlled venting of internal gases through integrated venting holes, and acts as a fire barrier through its segmented design. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between sealing for protection and opening for pressure relief.
3Reliability
If continuous ignition occurs in the battery module, then the harmful effects spread to adjacent battery modules, but sealing the module frame prevents gas discharge that would otherwise mitigate pressure buildup
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of pressure buildup during ignition into a beneficial outcome by designing the venting system to safely discharge these pressures. The venting holes in the upper frame allow gases to escape in a controlled manner, preventing explosive pressure buildup that would cause catastrophic failure and continuous ignition spreading to adjacent modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The segmented frame structure with separated upper and lower frames creates physical barriers that segment the fire propagation paths. Combined with venting holes that provide controlled pressure relief, this segmentation prevents uncontrolled continuous ignition from spreading to adjacent battery modules, isolating the ignition event to specific zones.
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 suppresses flames and discharges internal gases during ignition, enhancing safety by delaying flame and heat propagation, and improving the overall safety of the battery module.
Implementation Method 1
a fire extinguishing member (170) located between the module frame upper part (400) and the upper part of the battery cell stack (120)
Implementation Method 2
effectively suppresses flames and effectively discharges internal gases during ignition
Implementation Method 3
a venting part (410) which is located between a central part of the module frame upper part (400) and a peripheral part of the module frame upper part (400), and penetrates toward the battery cell stack (120)
Data Source
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AI summary
A battery module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked; a module frame that houses the battery cell stack; and a fire extinguishing member located between the module frame upper part and the upper part of the battery cell stack, wherein the battery module upper part includes a venting part that is located between a central part of the module frame upper part and a peripheral part of the module frame upper part, and penetrates toward the battery cell stack.