Battery Module Venting and Fire Suppression for Thermal Runaway

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional battery modules face issues with flame propagation and increased pressure during ignition, leading to continuous ignition affecting adjacent cells, as the internal structure does not effectively suppress flames or discharge internal gases.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a fire extinguishing member between the module frame upper part and the battery cell stack, along with a venting part in the module frame upper part that penetrates towards the cell stack, to suppress flames and discharge internal gases during ignition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the battery module uses a sealed structure with module frames to house battery cells, then the structural integrity and protection from external impact is improved, but flame propagation and heat transfer between adjacent cells is accelerated during ignition

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidflame propagation

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The module frame is segmented into multiple parts including a first module frame, a second module frame, and a partition plate. The partition plate divides the internal space into first and second spaces, separating battery cells into groups. This segmentation prevents flame propagation from one cell group to another while maintaining structural integrity through the distributed frame structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A fire extinguishing member is introduced as an intermediary component between the battery cells and the module frame. This member contains a fire extinguishing agent that suppresses flames and heat transfer during ignition events. The fire extinguishing member acts as a mediator that protects battery cells from harmful thermal and chemical effects while allowing the sealed structure to maintain its protective function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the battery module is sealed to protect battery cells, then protection from external environmental factors is improved, but pressure buildup and gas discharge during ignition becomes problematic

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from environmental factorsVSAvoidinternal pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The module frame is pre-designed with gas discharge holes formed in the partition plate and communication holes in the first and second module frames before ignition occurs. These holes are positioned and sized in advance to enable controlled gas discharge when pressure builds up during thermal runaway events, preventing dangerous pressure accumulation while maintaining the sealed structure's protective function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The partition plate and module frames incorporate porous features in the form of gas discharge holes and communication holes. These porous structures allow selective passage of gases during pressure events while maintaining the overall sealed structure for environmental protection during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

3Reliability

If fire extinguishing members are added to suppress flames, then safety during ignition is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety during ignitionVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fire extinguishing member is merged with the module frame structure, and the gas discharge holes are integrated into the partition plate and frame design. This combining of functions reduces the number of separate components needed while achieving both flame suppression and pressure relief functions within a unified structural system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

The solution effectively suppresses flame intensity and delays heat propagation, improving safety by using a fire extinguishing agent and venting mechanism to manage pressure and gas discharge.

Implementation Method 1

The solution effectively suppresses flame intensity and delays heat propagation, improving safety by using a fire extinguishing agent and venting mechanism to manage pressure and gas discharge.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFire extinguishing agent:

Implementation Method 2

The venting part penetrates the module frame upper part toward the battery cell stack... effectively discharges internal gases during ignition... venting mechanism to manage pressure and gas discharge.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure discharge: Depressurisation

Data Source

PatentUS20240039114A1Battery module and battery pack including the same

Publication Date: 2024.02.01 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

AI summary

Discussed is battery module that may include a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked, a module frame that houses the battery cell stack and including a module frame upper part, and a fire extinguishing member located between the module frame upper part and an upper part of the battery cell stack, wherein the module frame upper part includes a venting part located between a central part of the module frame upper part and a peripheral part of the module frame upper part, wherein the venting part penetrates the module frame upper part toward the battery cell stack.