Battery Module Venting Unit with Composite Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The propagation of thermal runaway events between battery modules can lead to explosions or fires, and the discharge of gas or flame can exacerbate this issue, necessitating a structure that stabilizes the venting of gases and flames to prevent chain reactions.
Innovation Solution
A battery module design featuring a venting unit with an outer and inner housing made of different materials, where the inner housing has varying thicknesses and is designed to channel venting gases and flames away from the module, with the inner housing having a higher melting point to withstand high temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If a venting hole is formed in the module case to discharge venting gas, then the gas can be discharged from the battery module, but the gas or flame may be discharged toward other battery modules causing thermal chain reaction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a venting unit as an intermediary component between the battery module and the external environment. This venting unit includes a venting hole and a protective structure that mediates the discharge process, allowing gas to vent while preventing flame and hot gas from directly reaching adjacent battery modules, thus resolving the contradiction between necessary gas discharge and prevention of thermal chain reaction
Solution Approach 2:
The venting unit is nested within the module case structure, with the venting hole formed in the module case and the protective structure integrated into this opening. This nested configuration allows the protective function to be incorporated without adding significant external complexity, enabling controlled discharge while preventing thermal propagation to surrounding modules
2Device complexity
If the venting unit uses a single material housing, then the structure is simple, but it cannot withstand high temperatures and maintain structural integrity during thermal runaway
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material construction for the venting unit, combining a first housing made of a first material with a second housing made of a second material. This composite structure leverages the complementary properties of different materials to achieve both structural integrity under high temperature conditions and controlled venting functionality, while maintaining reasonable manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the venting unit are made from different materials with properties optimized for their specific functions. The first housing and second housing use materials selected for their respective roles in withstanding thermal conditions and controlling gas discharge, allowing each local region to have the quality needed for its specific function
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 the propagation of thermal runaway by maintaining venting control and preventing heat transfer to adjacent modules, ensuring structural integrity even under extreme conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the venting gas discharged from the venting hole is introduced therein to flow along a surface of the inner housing and is discharged to the outside
Implementation Method 2
the venting unit being configured such that the venting gas discharged from the venting hole is introduced therein to flow along a surface of the inner housing and is discharged to the outside
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a battery module with an improved structure so that gas or flame generated inside the battery module may be discharged stably. The battery module includes a cell assembly having at least one battery cell; a module case configured to accommodate the cell assembly in an inner space thereof and have a venting hole formed therein to discharge a venting gas generated from the cell assembly; and a venting unit provided at an outer side of the module case and configured to include an outer housing and an inner housing made of different materials, the venting unit being configured such that the venting gas discharged from the venting hole is introduced therein to flow along a surface of the inner housing and is discharged to the outside.