Variable-Width Battery Module Venting for Oxygen Ingress Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery modules face challenges in effectively discharging large amounts of venting gas while minimizing the introduction of oxygen, which can exacerbate ignition risks due to contact with flame or high-temperature sparks.
Innovation Solution
A battery module design featuring a plate-shaped gas venting panel with a variable-width gas discharge path, controlled by a passage width adjusting unit, that opens to discharge gas externally while reducing oxygen ingress, using mechanisms like coil springs, leaf springs, or actuators to manage gas flow based on pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the width of the gas discharge path is increased to rapidly discharge a large amount of venting gas, then the gas discharge efficiency is improved, but oxygen is easily introduced inward from the outside which promotes ignition more rapidly and greatly
Solution Approach 1:
The gas discharge path width is made dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. The passage width adjusting unit changes the discharge path width based on gas pressure conditions, allowing the system to optimize between rapid discharge (when needed) and oxygen prevention (when gas pressure is low).
Solution Approach 2:
The physical parameter of the discharge path width is changed based on operating conditions. When gas pressure exceeds a threshold, the path width increases to enable rapid discharge; when pressure is normal, the width decreases to prevent oxygen ingress and potential ignition.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the width of the gas discharge path is kept small to prevent oxygen introduction, then ignition risk is reduced, but a large amount of venting gas cannot be discharged efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static discharge path design to a dynamic one where the passage width adjusting unit actively modifies the opening size based on real-time gas pressure, enabling the system to adapt to varying discharge requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The passage width adjusting unit operates automatically in response to gas pressure changes without external intervention. When gas pressure increases, the mechanism self-activates to widen the discharge path, and when pressure normalizes, it automatically closes the path to prevent oxygen ingress.
3Device complexity
If a fixed-width gas discharge path is used, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot effectively discharge large amounts of gas while preventing oxygen introduction
Solution Approach 1:
The gas venting panel incorporates a dynamic element (passage width adjusting unit) that transforms a static structure into an adaptive system, allowing the discharge path width to vary based on gas pressure conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The passage width adjusting unit provides automatic control functionality, sensing gas pressure changes and adjusting the discharge path width accordingly without requiring external control systems or manual intervention.
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 design efficiently discharges venting gas, reducing the risk of external ignition by minimizing oxygen contact with internal sparks, thereby preventing chain reactions and explosions.
Implementation Method 1
a width of a gas discharge path may be greatly increased according to the amount of gas generated when there is internal ignition of the battery module
Data Source
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AI summary
A battery module includes a plurality of battery cells, a module case in which the plurality of battery cells are accommodated, the module case including a gas venting hole on at least one side, and a gas venting panel including a gas discharge path communicating with the gas venting hole and configured to guide a flow of gas to an outside along a predetermined path, the gas venting panel being coupled to an outer side of the module case, wherein the gas venting panel includes a passage width adjusting unit configured to variably adjust a width of the gas discharge path according to pressure of gas.