Battery Module Outlet Closure for Rapid Thermal Runaway Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-capacity battery modules face significant risks of thermal runaway and subsequent ignition or explosion due to internal temperature increases from venting, necessitating rapid and effective fire extinguishing and cooling measures.
Innovation Solution
A battery module design featuring a sub-module with a cell stack, bus bar frames, a module housing with air inlet and outlet, a sprinkler system, and an outlet closure mechanism that uses buoyancy from cooling water to rapidly increase cooling fluid levels and close the air outlet for enhanced cooling and fire suppression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a high-capacity battery module is designed to increase capacity and output, then the energy storage capability is improved, but the risk of thermal runaway and temperature increase is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The battery module is divided into multiple battery cells arranged in a structured configuration with dedicated cooling channels between them. This segmentation allows individual cooling of each cell or group of cells, preventing heat accumulation that could lead to thermal runaway while maintaining high overall capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
A cooling fluid is introduced as an intermediary substance to transfer heat away from the battery cells. The cooling fluid flows through channels positioned between the battery cells, acting as a heat transfer medium that prevents temperature increase while allowing the high-capacity battery module to operate safely.
2Reliability
If rapid cooling is implemented to prevent thermal runaway, then fire safety is improved, but the complexity of the cooling system is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is designed to automatically respond to temperature increases without requiring external control systems. When the temperature rises due to venting, the system self-activates to provide rapid cooling, eliminating the need for complex sensors, controllers, and monitoring systems while maintaining high fire safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system utilizes hydraulic principles where cooling fluid is rapidly introduced through channels between battery cells. This hydraulic approach enables quick and efficient heat removal through the natural flow properties of liquids, achieving rapid cooling without complex mechanical moving parts or control mechanisms.
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 solution enables rapid cooling and fire extinguishing by quickly increasing the level of cooling fluid and closing the air outlet, effectively mitigating the risk of thermal runaway and associated hazards in high-capacity battery modules.
Implementation Method 1
an outlet closure configured to move by a buoyancy generated by a cooling water introduced into the module housing through the sprinkler so that the air outlet is closed
Data Source
AI summary
A battery module includes a sub module including a cell stack having a plurality of battery cells and a pair of bus bar frames respectively coupled to one side and the other side of the cell stack; a module housing configured to accommodate the sub module and configured to have an air inlet and an air outlet formed to circulate air; a sprinkler provided through the module housing at one side of the cell stack in a stacking direction; and an outlet closing device configured to move by a buoyancy generated by a cooling water introduced into the module housing through the sprinkler so that the air outlet is closed.