Battery Module Partition Wall With Closable Openings for Thermal Runaway
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery modules in large devices face risks of secondary ignition or explosion due to thermal runaway, which can cause fires to spread to adjacent batteries, necessitating improved safety measures.
Innovation Solution
A battery module design featuring a blocking member that includes a partition wall with openings and a movable closing portion to block gas or heat from spreading, combined with a refrigerant passage and venting mechanisms to manage and discharge excess heat and gas effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If multiple secondary batteries are electrically connected in series and/or in parallel to increase capacity and output power, then the energy storage capacity and power output are improved, but the risk of thermal runaway spreading to adjacent batteries increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the battery module into multiple cell assemblies with blocking members positioned between them. These blocking members create physical segmentation that prevents thermal runaway from spreading between adjacent batteries while allowing the batteries to be electrically connected in series and/or parallel configurations for increased power output.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking member acts as an intermediary element between adjacent secondary batteries. It includes a refrigerant passage that allows refrigerant to flow between cell assemblies for cooling, while the partition wall with opening and closing portion serves as a barrier that can close to prevent thermal runaway propagation, thus mediating between the need for thermal management and safety isolation.
2Reliability
If a blocking member with partition wall and opening/closing portion is introduced to prevent thermal runaway spread, then the safety against secondary ignition is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking member incorporates a dynamic opening and closing portion that can transition between open and closed states based on thermal conditions. This dynamic feature allows the structure to adapt to different operational states, providing safety when needed while minimizing complexity during normal operation by maintaining an open state for refrigerant flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking member serves multiple functions: it acts as a physical barrier to prevent thermal runaway spread, provides a pathway for refrigerant flow through the partition wall opening, and includes an opening and closing portion that responds to thermal conditions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby managing complexity while achieving high reliability.
3Temperature
If the partition wall opening is kept open to allow refrigerant flow, then the thermal management efficiency is improved, but the risk of heat and gas transmission between cell assemblies increases
Solution Approach 1:
The partition wall opening is designed to be dynamic rather than static. It remains open during normal operation to allow refrigerant flow and effective thermal management, but can close automatically when thermal runaway is detected, thereby preventing heat and gas transmission between cell assemblies at critical moments.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening and closing portion changes its state based on thermal parameters. When temperature or pressure exceeds predetermined thresholds indicating thermal runaway, the opening closes to block heat and gas transmission. This parameter-based control allows the system to optimize thermal management efficiency during normal operation while preventing harmful transmission during abnormal conditions.
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 prevents fire or thermal runaway from spreading to other cell assemblies, enhancing safety by blocking and managing thermal events within the module.
Implementation Method 1
an opening and closing portion configured to move by the gas pressure more than the predetermined gas pressure or the heat more than the predetermined temperature
Implementation Method 2
an opening and closing portion configured to move by the gas pressure more than the predetermined gas pressure or the heat more than the predetermined temperature
Implementation Method 3
a refrigerant passage configured to make a refrigerant introduced from an outside move in the accommodation space
Implementation Method 4
an extension structure located in the opening and extending in both directions to be movable in both directions; and a stopper structure formed on each of extended both ends of the extension structure
Implementation Method 5
a stopper structure formed on each of extended both ends of the extension structure and configured to block at least a part of the opening when moving in a direction in which the opening is located
Data Source
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AI summary
A battery module that reduces the risk of secondary ignition or explosion is provided. The battery module includes a plurality of cell assemblies including a plurality of secondary batteries; a module housing including an accommodation space configured to accommodate the plurality of cell assemblies; and a blocking member configured to, when a gas pressure more than a predetermined gas pressure or a heat more than a predetermined temperature is generated in at least some cell assemblies among the plurality of cell assemblies, block the generated gas or heat from moving to the other cell assemblies.