Battery Module Venting Barrier for Thermal Runaway Isolation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery modules face issues with thermal runaway propagation, where high-temperature gas and flame from one module can ignite adjacent modules, causing widespread damage.

Innovation Solution

A battery module design featuring cell barrier structures with venting passages and inflow portions that open and close based on pressure, allowing gases and flames to be quickly discharged externally, while isolating unaffected areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a battery module is designed to accommodate multiple battery cells, then the battery module can achieve higher energy density and better thermal management, but the structural complexity and difficulty of ensuring uniform compression force increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery cell capacityVSAvoidmodule structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The battery module is divided into multiple compression units, each independently compressing adjacent battery cells. This segmentation allows each unit to focus on compressing only its adjacent cells, ensuring uniform compression force while managing the complexity of accommodating multiple cells through modular organization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The compression members are nested within the module structure, with first compression members positioned between first and second battery cells, and second compression members positioned between second and third battery cells. This nesting approach integrates the compression function directly into the cell arrangement, reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining effective compression of multiple cells

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If compression members are added to ensure uniform compression force on battery cells, then contact resistance is reduced and electrical connection is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoidassembly process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The compression members are integrated with the heat dissipation plate, merging the compression function with the thermal management function into a single component. This combination reduces the number of separate parts, simplifying the manufacturing and assembly process while ensuring reliable electrical connection through uniform compression

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The compression members serve multiple functions: they provide uniform compression force to reduce contact resistance, ensure good electrical connection between cells, and work in conjunction with the heat dissipation plate for thermal management. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, easing manufacturing while improving reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If the battery module structure is simplified to reduce manufacturing cost, then production efficiency increases, but the ability to manage heat dissipation and maintain uniform compression decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing efficiencyVSAvoidheat dissipation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The heat dissipation plate is integrated with the compression members, combining thermal management and mechanical compression functions into a single component. This merger simplifies the overall structure, improving manufacturing efficiency while maintaining effective heat dissipation and uniform compression capabilities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The heat dissipation plate serves as both a thermal management component and a structural element that provides compression force to the battery cells. This multi-functionality allows the module to maintain effective heat dissipation and uniform compression with fewer parts, increasing productivity without sacrificing thermal management performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4318767B1Battery module and battery pack including the same
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4318767B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4318767B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4318767B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A battery module includes battery cell stacking bodies including battery cells; a frame member for receiving the battery cell stacking bodies; and at least one cell barrier structure body disposed between the battery cell stacking bodies. The cell barrier structure body includes two planar members in parallel to the battery cell, and a venting passage formed by the two planar members, and the respective planar members include an inflow portion that is opened and closed.