Battery Module Venting and Filtration for Thermal Runaway Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional battery modules are vulnerable to thermal runaway events, which can lead to the propagation of gas, flame, and foreign substance discharge, potentially causing chain reactions and safety hazards.

Innovation Solution

A battery module design featuring a venting unit with a filter unit that includes a moisture-absorbing material, capable of generating carbon dioxide, to control gas and flame discharge, block external substances, and suppress thermal runaway propagation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If a venting hole is provided in the module case to discharge venting gas, then gas discharge control is improved, but foreign substances such as water may be introduced through the discharge path

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveventing gas discharge controlVSAvoidforeign substance introduction
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A venting unit is introduced as an intermediary component between the module case and the external environment. This venting unit includes a discharge path that guides venting gas away from the module case, and a filter unit positioned within this discharge path to filter out foreign substances before they can enter through the venting hole

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The filter unit is nested within the venting unit's discharge path. The filter unit is positioned inside the venting unit structure, creating a nested configuration where the inner filter unit is protected by and integrated with the outer venting unit structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Quantity of substance

If battery modules are connected in a battery pack to increase capacity, then energy storage is improved, but thermal runaway propagation between modules increases risk

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy storage capacityVSAvoidthermal runaway resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The venting unit acts as a mediator between individual battery modules in the battery pack. When thermal runaway occurs in one module, the venting unit controls and directs the discharge of gas and flame away from adjacent modules, preventing thermal runaway propagation while allowing the battery pack to maintain high energy storage capacity through modular configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Effectively controls gas and flame discharge, blocks external emissions, and prevents foreign substance introduction, thereby enhancing safety and suppressing thermal runaway chain reactions.

Implementation Method 1

a filter unit at least partially located inside the venting unit and configured to filter substances introduced into the venting unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

capable of generating carbon dioxide, to control gas and flame discharge, block external substances, and suppress thermal runaway propagation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP4325646B1Battery module with reinforced safety
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4325646B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4325646B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4325646B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a battery module with an improved structure to appropriately control the discharge of gas or flame generated inside the battery module and effectively block the introduction of external foreign substances. The battery module includes a cell assembly having at least one battery cell; a module case configured to accommodate the cell assembly in an inner space thereof and having a venting hole formed therein to discharge a venting gas generated from the cell assembly; a venting unit located at an outer side of the module case and configured so that the venting gas discharged from the venting hole is introduced therein and discharged to the outside; and a filter unit at least partially located inside the venting unit and configured to filter substances introduced into the venting unit.