Battery Module Partition Wall Venting for Thermal Runaway Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery modules with pouch-shaped cells are prone to thermal runaway, leading to the spread of fire and ignition due to the movement of flare, spark, and heat to neighboring cell stacks, as conventional thermal insulation layers fail to effectively contain and discharge vent gases and heat.
Innovation Solution
A battery module design featuring partition walls and thermal insulation layers that include bent and curved structures to interrupt the movement of flare and spark, and discharge vent gases and heat externally through perforated portions, ensuring the module's safety by preventing fire spread.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional thermal insulation layer is used between battery cells, then thermal insulation is provided, but it fails to effectively contain and discharge vent gases and heat, allowing fire spread to neighboring cell stacks
Solution Approach 1:
The partition wall is divided into multiple functional segments: a base partition wall structure, bent walls at opposite ends forming air pockets, and perforated portions for gas discharge. This segmentation allows each part to perform specific functions - the air pockets contain thermal runaway effects while the perforated portions enable controlled discharge of vent gases, collectively preventing fire spread to neighboring cells
Solution Approach 2:
Air pockets are introduced as an intermediary medium between battery cells. These air-filled spaces act as thermal insulators and gas containment chambers, intercepting flare, spark, and vent gases generated during thermal runaway before they can reach neighboring cells, while the perforated portions provide controlled release pathways
2Reliability
If partition walls are added between cell stacks to prevent fire spread, then fire inhibition is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The partition wall is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides thermal insulation, contains vent gases, directs heat away from neighboring cells, and structures the battery module. The bent walls and air pockets are integrated into the partition wall itself rather than being separate components, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining fire inhibition functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The partition wall integrates multiple protective functions into a single structure: thermal insulation layer, air pocket containment chambers, and perforated gas discharge pathways are combined in one component. This merging eliminates the need for separate protective components, simplifying the overall module structure while achieving comprehensive fire inhibition
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 outbreaks by containing thermal runaway effects within the module, minimizing heat transfer to neighboring cell stacks, and rapidly discharging vent gases and heat, thereby maintaining safety and stability.
Implementation Method 1
an air thermal insulation layer being provided between the cell stacks or between the cell stack and the side cover
Implementation Method 2
air is captured in a thermal insulation layer, and therefore the thermal insulation layer does not properly function when thermal runaway occurs in a cell
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a battery module having a partition wall and a thermal insulation layer for thermal runaway prevention, and more particularly to a battery module configured such that a cell module assembly including two or more cell stacks, in each of which a plurality of battery cells is stacked in a vertical direction, is received in a space portion defined in a protective case and such that one more partition walls are provided in at least one of between neighboring ones of the cell stacks and between the cell stacks and the protective case.