Battery Module Vent Cover for Thermal Runaway Pressure Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery modules face challenges in managing heat energy discharge, suppressing inner pressure increases, and reducing the risk of ignition due to the sealed housing structure, which can accelerate overheating and explosion.
Innovation Solution
A battery module design featuring a vent hole mechanism with a top cover movable by an elastic member, opening when the inner temperature or pressure exceeds preset levels, allowing rapid discharge of heat and flame through a vent hole.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the housing is sealed to protect battery cells, then protection against external contaminants is improved, but heat discharge performance deteriorates and inner pressure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The top cover is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically respond to internal pressure changes. When pressure exceeds a threshold, the elastic member pushes the top cover to move outward, opening the vent hole for heat and gas discharge, thus resolving the contradiction between sealed protection and heat dissipation.
Solution Approach 2:
The venting mechanism changes the housing's sealing parameter dynamically. The housing transitions from a sealed state (top cover closed) to a vented state (top cover opened) based on internal pressure parameters, allowing optimal balance between protection and heat discharge under different operating conditions.
2Strength
If the housing is sealed to maintain structural integrity, then structural strength is improved, but inner pressure buildup accelerates explosion risk
Solution Approach 1:
The top cover serves as a dynamic pressure relief mechanism. It remains closed to maintain structural integrity under normal conditions but moves outward when internal pressure exceeds safe thresholds, providing a controlled escape path for pressure buildup without compromising the overall housing structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member acts as an intermediary between the internal pressure and the top cover. It translates pressure buildup into mechanical force that moves the top cover, providing a controlled response to pressure increases and preventing catastrophic failure while maintaining structural integrity.
3Reliability
If insulating material is added between pouch cells to prevent ignition spread, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding insulating materials between cells, the invention extracts the fire containment function to the housing level. The movable top cover and venting mechanism contain thermal runaway at the module level by controlling pressure and heat discharge, eliminating the need for additional insulating materials between individual cells.
4Temperature
If cooling structures are added to suppress overheating, then temperature control is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding complex active cooling structures, the invention converts the harmful pressure buildup from thermal runaway into a useful signaling mechanism. The elastic member and movable top cover use the pressure generated by overheating to automatically open the vent, transforming the harmful effect into a passive safety response that simplifies the cooling system requirements.
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 delays temperature and pressure increases, preventing rapid explosions by discharging heat and flame externally, thereby enhancing safety and reducing ignition risk.
Implementation Method 1
when the inner temperature or the inner pressure of the housing is equal to or higher than a preset temperature or a preset pressure, the contractile force of the elastic member increases to be greater than the rigidity of the stopper. Accordingly, as the stopper loses the support capability for the top cover, the elastic member may move the top cover to open the vent hole portion
Data Source
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AI summary
A battery module is disclosed in the present invention. The battery module of the present invention comprises: a housing which accommodates a plurality of battery cells therein, and has a vent-hole portion formed therein; a top cover which is movably installed on the housing so as to open/close the vent-hole portion; an elastic member which is installed to apply an elastic force to the top cover in a direction in which the top cover opens the vent-hole portion; and a stopper which supports the top cover so that the top cover maintains the closed state of the vent-hole portion, and loses the force of supporting the top cover due to changes in the temperature or pressure.