Battery Module Venting Structure for Thermal Runaway Gas Discharge

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional battery modules and packs face challenges in effectively dissipating heat and venting gases, leading to potential overheating, deterioration, and increased risk of explosion or ignition, especially in high-temperature conditions.

Innovation Solution

A battery module design featuring a module frame with venting holes, a spacer assembly, and end plates that include a support part and spacers to create a venting path, ensuring structural robustness and safe discharge of gases.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If multiple battery cells are stacked to increase output capacity, then the energy storage and power output are improved, but heat dissipation becomes more difficult and temperature rises excessively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoutput capacityVSAvoidheat dissipation
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The battery module is divided into multiple battery cell stacks arranged in parallel, with each stack being an independent unit with its own cooling channels. This segmentation allows heat from each stack to be dissipated independently, preventing heat accumulation in a single large structure while maintaining high overall output capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A cooling plate is introduced as an intermediary component between the battery cell stacks and the cooling fluid flow paths. The cooling plate conducts heat away from the battery cells and transfers it to the cooling fluid, facilitating efficient heat dissipation without requiring direct contact between battery cells and cooling systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If battery modules are concentratedly arranged to increase vehicle mileage, then the energy density is improved, but flame or heat propagation between adjacent modules increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy densityVSAvoidflame propagation
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The battery pack is segmented into multiple independent battery modules, each enclosed in a separate housing with fire-resistant materials. These modular units are arranged with thermal insulation barriers between them, allowing high energy density through close packing while preventing flame propagation between adjacent modules through the segmented fire-resistant structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If venting holes are added to discharge high-temperature gas and flames, then safety is improved, but structural robustness may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidstructural robustness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Venting holes and fire-resistant treatments are applied locally at specific critical positions where thermal runaway risks are highest, rather than uniformly across the entire structure. This localized approach provides safety functionality where most needed while preserving the overall structural robustness of the battery module housing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The battery module housing incorporates composite materials that combine structural strength with fire-resistant and heat-resistant properties. These composite materials maintain structural robustness while providing inherent fire protection and controlled venting capabilities, eliminating the need to compromise strength for safety features.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP4697473A1Battery module and battery pack including same
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4697473A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4697473A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4697473A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a battery module and a battery pack including the same, and the battery module capable according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked; a module frame housing the battery cell stack; and end plates covering the front and rear surfaces of the battery cell stack, wherein the module frame is positioned while covering the battery cell stack, and includes an upper cover containing a plurality of holes, which are venting holes, and wherein a spacer assembly is positioned on the upper cover.