Battery Pack Venting Channels for Adjacent Module Heat Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Large lithium secondary battery packs face risks of fire and explosion due to venting gas and high temperature sparks, which can cause thermal damage to adjacent modules, necessitating a safe and efficient gas venting path.

Innovation Solution

A battery pack design featuring a gas venting channel with a hollow duct structure, gas inlets, and outlets, integrated with the pack frame, allowing venting gas to escape while preventing high temperature sparks from entering, and minimizing impact on other modules.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a large number of lithium secondary batteries are used to increase output or capacity, then the energy source capability is improved, but the risk of fire and explosion increases due to thermal damage from venting gas and sparks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy source capabilityVSAvoidfire and explosion risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The battery pack is divided into multiple battery modules, each with its own gas venting channel. This segmentation allows isolated venting of gas from individual modules without affecting other modules, reducing the spread of harmful factors while maintaining high energy capacity through the aggregation of multiple modules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A gas venting channel acts as an intermediary structure between the battery module interior and exterior. This channel provides a controlled path for venting gas and sparks to escape safely away from other modules, mediating the harmful effects by directing them through a designated route rather than allowing uncontrolled dispersion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stress or pressure

If venting gas and sparks are allowed to escape from a battery module, then the pressure release function is improved, but thermal damage to adjacent battery modules occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure releaseVSAvoidthermal damage to adjacent modules

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Each battery module has a dedicated gas venting channel that is spatially separated from other modules. This segmentation ensures that pressure release from one module does not directly impact adjacent modules, as the venting path is isolated and directed away from other battery components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful venting gas and sparks are extracted from the battery module interior through the gas venting channel and directed outward. By taking out the harmful factors through a controlled channel rather than allowing them to remain or spread within the pack case, the thermal damage risk to adjacent modules is minimized.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If a separate gas venting structure is added to the battery pack, then the gas venting function is improved, but the device complexity and assembly difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas venting functionVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The gas venting channel is merged with the module housing structure, forming an integrated component rather than a separate attachment. This merging eliminates the need for additional assembly steps while maintaining the gas venting function, as the channel is already part of the housing that encloses the battery cells.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The module housing serves multiple functions: it encloses the battery cells for structural protection and simultaneously provides the gas venting channel for pressure release. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining effective gas venting capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables quick and safe discharge of venting gas, reducing the risk of thermal damage to adjacent modules and simplifying assembly by integrating the gas venting path within the pack frame, thus enhancing safety and space utilization.

Implementation Method 1

a gas venting channel (150) attached to the exterior of the module housing (120) or integrally formed with the module housing (120), and in communication with an inside of the module housing (120)... allowing venting gas to flow out of a pack case quickly and safely

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas flow: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS20230299415A1Battery pack having gas venting path

Publication Date: 2023.09.21 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

AI summary

A battery pack includes a plurality of battery modules, each including battery cells, a module housing accommodating the battery cells and a gas venting channel in communication with an inside of the module housing; and a pack case accommodating the plurality of battery modules, and having a gas movement passage within a pack frame which forms a wall. The gas venting channel of each battery module is in communication with the gas movement passage.