Battery Pack Venting Layout for Thermal Runaway Backflow Prevention

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Battery packs face challenges in maintaining structural stability during thermal events, as high temperature and pressure venting gases can lead to flame propagation and potential fires or explosions, especially when thermal runaway occurs in multiple modules without proper venting paths.

Innovation Solution

The battery pack design includes a pack housing with opening/closing members that vent venting gases or flames out through a flow path and exit port, guided by a side frame and partition, preventing backflow and enhancing stability by rapidly releasing pressure and preventing oxygen re-entry.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If battery modules are closely packed to increase energy density, then productivity and space utilization improve, but thermal propagation risk increases when thermal runaway occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy densityVSAvoidthermal propagation risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The battery pack is divided into multiple independent module receiving portions, each capable of containing thermal events separately. The partition structure segments the pack into isolated compartments that prevent fire propagation between modules while maintaining high overall energy density through efficient space utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Opening/closing members act as intermediary components between module receiving portions and the external environment. These members provide controlled venting pathways that allow thermal events to be safely discharged without propagating to adjacent modules, serving as a mediator between the harmful thermal event and the surrounding battery system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If venting paths are added to suppress thermal propagation, then safety improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidventing system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The opening/closing members serve multiple functions simultaneously: they act as venting pathways for thermal events, serve as structural components of the pack housing, and function as isolation barriers between modules. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated venting components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The venting system is merged with the pack housing structure itself. The opening/closing members are integrated into the partition walls and housing framework, combining the venting function with the structural support function. This integration avoids adding separate complex venting mechanisms while providing effective thermal event management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If opening/closing members are used to vent thermal events, then fire suppression improves, but structural stability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire suppressionVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The opening/closing members are strategically positioned and dimensioned to provide adequate venting capacity only where thermal events are most likely to occur and propagate. The structural material properties and thickness are optimized locally around these opening/closing members to maintain overall structural stability while providing sufficient venting area for fire suppression.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

This configuration allows for effective venting of gases and flames, suppressing fire causes and enhancing structural stability by preventing venting gas and flame backflow into the pack housing, thereby reducing the risk of multiple simultaneous fires.

Implementation Method 1

In an event where thermal runaway occurs in the battery module, the opening/closing member is configured to vent venting gas or flame vented from the battery module out of the module receiving portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

In case where a thermal event occurs in the battery module, high temperature and high pressure venting gas can occur in the battery module

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentUS20240372208A1Battery pack and vehicle including the same

Publication Date: 2024.11.07 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

AI summary

The battery pack includes a battery module, and a pack housing accommodating the battery module in a module receiving portion, and including an opening/closing member configured to vent a venting gas or flame out of the module receiving portion in an event of thermal runaway in the battery module.