Battery Module Vent Hole Offset for Thermal Runaway Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery modules face issues with thermal runaway propagation and moisture/foreign substance ingress due to vent hole alignment and design, leading to potential explosions and short circuits in large-capacity battery systems.
Innovation Solution
A battery module design featuring misaligned vent holes on cover plates and a venting sheet with a deformable base layer that opens at critical temperatures to discharge high-temperature gases while preventing external moisture and foreign substances, using a waterproof and air-permeable material to manage pressure and prevent chain reactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If vent holes are provided in the cover plates to discharge high-temperature gas/particles during thermal runaway, then the pressure inside the module is relieved and thermal runaway can be discharged, but external moisture or foreign substances can penetrate through the vent holes during normal operation, causing short circuits and explosions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible membrane structure that selectively permits gas passage while blocking moisture. The membrane is designed to remain intact during normal operation, preventing external moisture and foreign substances from entering through the vent holes, while allowing thermal runaway gases to pass through when activated by heat or pressure
Solution Approach 2:
The vent hole structure undergoes parameter changes based on temperature and pressure conditions. During normal operation, the vent holes remain closed or filtered to prevent moisture ingress. During thermal runaway, the high temperature and pressure cause the membrane to deform, melt, or rupture, opening the vent holes for gas discharge
2Productivity
If vent holes are aligned between adjacent battery modules for efficient discharge, then the discharge efficiency is improved, but high-temperature gas/particles from one module can flow directly into adjacent modules, propagating thermal runaway
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces asymmetric positioning of vent holes between adjacent modules. The vent holes in neighboring modules are deliberately offset from each other, creating a staggered arrangement that prevents direct alignment. This asymmetric configuration allows thermal runaway gases to be discharged efficiently while blocking the direct pathway that would enable propagation to adjacent modules
Solution Approach 2:
The misaligned vent hole configuration acts as an intermediary barrier between adjacent modules. By positioning vent holes offset from each other, the design creates a geometric barrier that interrupts the direct flow path of high-temperature gases, forcing them to change direction and preventing direct entry into neighboring modules
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
Effectively prevents thermal runaway propagation to adjacent modules and minimizes damage by ensuring safe discharge of high-temperature gases and exclusion of external contaminants, enhancing the operational stability and safety of battery modules.
Implementation Method 1
a venting sheet (300) covering the vent holes (200)... The base layer (310) may be deformed at a critical temperature to open the vent holes (200)
Implementation Method 2
using a waterproof and air-permeable material to manage pressure and prevent chain reactions
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a battery module including a battery cell stack and a module housing accommodating the battery cell stack, wherein the module housing includes: a lower housing supporting a lower surface and both side surfaces of the battery cell stack; as upper plate disposed on an upper surface of the battery cell stack and coupled to the lower housing; and a first cover plate disposed on a front surface of the battery cell stack and a second cover plate disposed on a rear surface of the battery cell stack, each of the first cover plate and the second cover plate is coupled. to the lower housing, each of the first cover plate and the second cover plate includes a plurality of vent holes, and the vent holes included in the first cover plate are misaligned with the vent holes included in the second cover plate.