Battery Pack Leak Containment and Gas Venting Structure

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Solution Overview

Problem

The risk of short-circuits and fire propagation due to cooling liquid leakage in battery packs, particularly in large-capacity packs used in vehicles, is a significant safety concern.

Innovation Solution

A battery pack design featuring side covers with integrated pipe receivers and cooling liquid receivers that contain and redirect leaked cooling liquid, along with gas discharge structures to prevent accumulation and minimize temperature rise, and a stopper mechanism to control gas discharge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cooling liquid leakage occurs in a battery pack, then cooling liquid accumulates in the pack housing, but this causes electrical short-circuit between battery modules

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety of battery packVSAvoidshort-circuit risk from cooling liquid
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The battery pack is divided into separate functional zones: a cooling liquid receiving space isolated from battery modules, and a gas discharge space. This segmentation prevents cooling liquid from reaching electrical components while allowing gas to be discharged separately, resolving the contradiction between maintaining pack integrity and preventing short-circuits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A receiving space acts as an intermediary zone between the cooling liquid passage and battery modules. This intermediate space captures and contains leaking cooling liquid, preventing it from contacting electrical components. The space serves as a buffer that isolates the harmful effect (cooling liquid) from vulnerable components (battery modules).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If fire or thermal runaway occurs in some battery modules, then propagation to adjacent battery modules occurs, but this reduces overall pack safety

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire propagation resistanceVSAvoidthermal runaway propagation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The battery pack structure creates physical separation between battery modules through the tray and side covers. This segmentation limits the propagation path of fire and thermal runaway, containing incidents within individual modules or adjacent compartments while preventing widespread damage across the entire pack.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If cooling liquid leaks from damaged cooling member, then cooling liquid contacts battery modules, but this causes electrical short-circuit

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against short-circuitVSAvoidcooling liquid contact with battery modules
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving space functions as an intermediary barrier between the cooling liquid passage and battery modules. When cooling liquid leaks from damaged cooling members, it enters the receiving space which is specifically designed to contain such leaks, preventing direct contact with electrical components and eliminating short-circuit risk.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful cooling liquid is extracted from the cooling circulation system and isolated in a dedicated receiving space. This separation removes the hazardous substance from proximity to vulnerable components, allowing the cooling system to continue functioning while containing potential leakage risks in a controlled environment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4087040B1Battery pack, and automotive vehicle comprising same
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4087040B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4087040B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4087040B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A battery pack according to the present disclosure includes: a plurality of battery modules; a cooling pipe configured to supply a cooling liquid to the plurality of battery modules; and a tray comprising a cooling liquid receiver into which a cooling liquid leaking out from the cooling pipe flows, the plurality of battery modules being seated on the tray.