Integrated Battery Module Venting and Cooling to Cut Assembly Volume

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing battery modules require separate gas venting and cooling devices, which are inefficient in terms of process, cost, time, and size optimization, necessitating a combined solution to simplify assembly and reduce costs and volume.

Innovation Solution

A battery module with a single component that integrates a gas venting channel and a cooling channel, formed into a channel plate with a cover plate, allowing for both gas venting and heat dissipation in a unified structure, attached to the module case using welding, bolting, or adhesion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate gas venting device and cooling device are used, then fire safety and heat dissipation functions are achieved, but device complexity and assembly cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire safetyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the gas venting device and cooling device into a single integrated component called a 'cooling and venting unit'. This unit includes a cover plate with a gas venting channel that allows venting gas to pass through, and a cooling channel formed between the cover plate and channel plate. The integration maintains both fire safety (through gas venting) and heat dissipation functions while reducing the number of separate components and simplifying assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling and venting unit serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both a gas venting device for fire safety and a cooling device for heat dissipation. The cover plate with gas venting channel provides the venting function, while the cooling channel between the cover plate and channel plate provides the cooling function, allowing a single component to fulfill multiple safety and operational roles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If separate gas venting device and cooling device are used, then required safety functions are provided, but manufacturing cost and assembly time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire safetyVSAvoidassembly efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the gas venting device and cooling device into a single cooling and venting unit, the patent reduces the number of assembly steps. Instead of separately installing two distinct devices, the integrated unit is installed as one component, directly improving assembly efficiency and reducing manufacturing time while maintaining both safety functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-functional cooling and venting unit allows a single assembly operation to provide both gas venting for fire safety and cooling channels for heat dissipation, eliminating the need for separate assembly processes and reducing overall assembly time and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If separate gas venting device and cooling device are used, then functional requirements are met, but battery module volume increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire safetyVSAvoidbattery module volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The integration of gas venting and cooling functions into a single cooling and venting unit eliminates the need for two separate devices, thereby reducing the overall volume occupied by safety and thermal management components in the battery module.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling channel is formed in the space between the cover plate and channel plate, effectively utilizing the available volume. The gas venting channel is integrated into the cover plate structure, allowing the cooling and venting functions to be nested within the same component footprint rather than requiring separate spatial allocation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 integrated solution simplifies the assembly process, reduces costs and time, and minimizes the final product's volume while effectively preventing fire propagation and maintaining optimal battery cell temperatures.

Implementation Method 1

a cooling channel (314) forms a movement path of a cooling medium... absorb heat from battery cells by indirect contact between the cooling water and the battery cells

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a gas venting channel (312) forms a movement path of gas in communication with the gas venting hole

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas flow: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS12255301B2Battery module having gas venting channel combined with cooling channel, battery pack including the same, and method for manufacturing the battery module

Publication Date: 2025.03.18 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

AI summary

A battery module includes a plurality of battery cells; a module case accommodating the plurality of battery cells and having a gas venting hole on at least one side; and a cooling and venting unit including a gas venting channel and a cooling channel integrally formed in a single body, and disposed on an outer side of the module case, wherein the gas venting channel forms a movement path of gas in communication with the gas venting hole, and the cooling channel forms a movement path of a cooling medium.