Battery Module Venting Compartments to Protect Adjacent Cells

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery module designs fail to effectively contain and direct venting products, such as hot gas and particles, from a thermal runaway event, leading to potential damage and fire propagation within the battery module.

Innovation Solution

A battery module design that subdivides the venting space into compartments using separator means and a back separator, guiding venting products into a dedicated direction to prevent overall deposition and minimize damage to adjacent cells.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If venting space is left open in conventional battery modules, then venting products can escape freely, but hot gas and particles propagate to adjacent battery cells causing damage and secondary thermal events

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedamage to adjacent battery cellsVSAvoidventing space structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The venting space is segmented into multiple compartments using separator means (baffles) that extend transversely across the venting space. These separators divide the originally continuous venting space into discrete compartments, confining venting products within specific zones and preventing their propagation to adjacent battery cells while maintaining overall system functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Separator means act as intermediary structures between the venting outlets and the adjacent battery cells. These separators intercept and redirect venting products (hot gas and particles) before they can reach neighboring cells, serving as a protective barrier that manages the flow of potentially harmful substances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If separator means are added to subdivide venting space, then venting products are contained and directed, but structural complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainment of venting productsVSAvoidassembly of separator means

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The separator means are designed as thin-walled structures that can be made from lightweight materials. These thin-film separators are easier to manufacture and assemble compared to bulky rigid partitions, reducing manufacturing complexity while still providing effective compartmentalization of the venting space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The separator means extend in the transverse direction (perpendicular to the stacking direction), creating a new spatial dimension for containment. This transverse arrangement allows for effective compartmentalization without adding excessive height or length to the battery module, maintaining compact dimensions while improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP4618270B1Sectional venting gas guidance in a battery module

Publication Date: 2026.05.06 SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD

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AI summary

The present disclosure refers to a battery module that reduces a propagation of venting products along a battery cell stack included in the battery module. Further, the present disclosure relates to a to a battery system including one or more of said battery modules. Also, the present disclosure relates to a vehicle including at least one of said battery modules and/or at least one of said battery systems.