Battery Pack Venting Structure to Contain Thermal Runaway
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery packs face the risk of thermal runaway propagation between modules due to uncontrolled thermal energy transfer, leading to potential fires or explosions.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack design featuring a pack case with a venting path and a module case that includes a venting hole with an opening/closing member to discharge venting gas externally, guided by a cross-beam and partitioned path to minimize thermal energy transfer and prevent propagation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If battery modules are arranged closely to increase energy density, then space utilization is improved, but thermal runaway propagation risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack is divided into multiple battery modules that are spatially separated by partition walls. Each module is further segmented into battery cell groups with individual venting paths. This segmentation isolates thermal events to specific modules, preventing propagation to adjacent modules while maintaining high space utilization through optimized modular arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
Partition walls with controlled venting paths act as intermediary structures between adjacent battery modules. These partition walls with selective venting openings serve as mediators that allow controlled thermal energy dissipation while blocking uncontrolled thermal propagation, thus protecting adjacent modules from thermal runaway.
2Reliability
If venting paths are opened to discharge thermal energy, then thermal runaway propagation is prevented, but thermal energy transfer to adjacent modules increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the battery pack structure have different venting characteristics. Partition walls between modules have controlled venting paths with specific opening areas, while the outer pack case has larger venting openings. This local differentiation allows controlled thermal energy discharge that prevents module-to-module propagation while minimizing harmful thermal transfer to adjacent modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The venting system is segmented into module-level venting paths and pack-level venting paths. Each battery module has its own dedicated venting route through the partition wall, ensuring that thermal energy from one module is discharged locally rather than propagating to other modules, thus preventing thermal runaway spread.
3Productivity
If multiple venting paths are provided for each battery module, then thermal energy discharge efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple venting functions are merged into a unified partition wall structure. The partition wall simultaneously provides structural separation between modules and incorporates integrated venting paths that serve multiple adjacent modules. This merging reduces overall system complexity while maintaining efficient thermal energy discharge capabilities across all modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition wall structure serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical separation between battery modules, establishes controlled venting paths for thermal energy discharge, and acts as a protective barrier against thermal runaway propagation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated venting components for each module, simplifying the overall device structure.
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 minimizes thermal energy transfer and prevents thermal runaway propagation, ensuring safety and reliability by quickly discharging high-temperature gases and flames, thereby preventing events like fire or explosion.
Implementation Method 1
a venting hole formed in the module case to discharge venting gas generated from the battery cell to the outside
Implementation Method 2
the opening/closing member may be configured to guide the venting gas in one direction of the venting path when opened
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a battery pack including: a pack case having an inner space formed therein and a venting path configured to communicate the inner space and the outer space; and a battery module accommodated in the inner space of the pack case and including a plurality of battery cells, a module case configured to accommodate the plurality of battery cells and having a venting hole formed to discharge venting gas generated from the battery cell to the outside, and an opening/closing member configured to open and close the venting hole and cause the venting hole to communicate with the venting path when opened.