Battery Module Vent Orientation to Limit Thermal Runaway Spread
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Solution Overview
Problem
In battery modules, thermal runaway can lead to a chain reaction due to high-temperature substances being ejected from explosion-proof openings, affecting adjacent cells and causing widespread damage.
Innovation Solution
The battery module design features cell layers where more than half of the explosion-proof openings in one layer face one direction and more than half in adjacent layers face a different direction, reducing the impact of thermal runaway on adjacent cells by directing high-temperature ejections away from each other.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If explosion-proof openings of cells are arranged to face towards the same direction, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but thermal runaway can spread to other cells causing chain reaction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by arranging explosion-proof openings in adjacent cell layers to face different directions. Specifically, in any two adjacent cell layers, more than half of the explosion-proof openings in one layer face a first direction while more than half in the other layer face a second direction different from the first. This asymmetric arrangement prevents high-temperature substances from directly impacting adjacent cells, thereby stopping chain reactions while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional planar arrangement to a three-dimensional spatial arrangement by considering the directional orientation of explosion-proof openings across multiple cell layers. By controlling the spatial direction of openings in adjacent layers to differ, the patent creates a three-dimensional safety architecture that prevents thermal runaway propagation without complicating the manufacturing process.
2Ease of manufacture
If explosion-proof openings face the same direction, then manufacturing is simplified, but high-temperature substances can spray to adjacent cells causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses asymmetry to orient explosion-proof openings in adjacent cell layers toward different directions. This ensures that when one cell experiences thermal runaway and ejects high-temperature substances, the asymmetric orientation prevents direct impact on adjacent cells, thereby reducing damage while keeping the manufacturing process simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary anti-action by pre-arranging the directional orientation of explosion-proof openings during manufacturing. This preliminary configuration prevents the harmful effect of high-temperature substance spray before it can occur, as the openings are already positioned to redirect ejections away from adjacent cells.
3Volume of moving object
If all cells are arranged in parallel layers, then space utilization is improved, but thermal runaway can propagate through the battery module
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains the parallel layer structure for efficient space utilization but introduces asymmetry in the orientation of explosion-proof openings across adjacent layers. This asymmetric directional arrangement prevents thermal runaway propagation while preserving the compact parallel configuration, achieving both space efficiency and safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a directional dimension to the parallel layer arrangement by controlling the orientation of explosion-proof openings in three-dimensional space. This dimensional enhancement prevents thermal runaway propagation through the battery module while maintaining the space-efficient parallel structure.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses a battery module, a power battery, and a vehicle. The battery module includes a plurality of cell layers laminated on each other and a fixation bracket. Each cell layer includes a plurality of cells arranged in parallel. Each cell has an explosion-proof opening. For every two adjacent cell layers of the cell layers, more than half the number of the explosion-proof openings in one cell layer face towards a first direction, and more than half the number of the explosion-proof openings in the other one cell layer face towards a second direction. The first direction is different from the second direction. The fixation bracket is located at each of two sides of the cell layers. Each of both ends of each cell is fixed to the fixation bracket that is on a same side as the end.