Battery Module Venting Filter for Thermal Runaway Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery modules are vulnerable to thermal runaway propagation, leading to potential explosions or fires, and lack effective control over gas or flame discharge, as well as protection against external foreign substances.
Innovation Solution
A battery module design featuring a venting unit with a filter unit containing moisture-absorbing materials that can generate carbon dioxide, strategically positioned to control gas or flame discharge and block external substances, while maintaining the internal configuration intact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If a venting hole is formed in the module case to discharge venting gas, then gas discharge control is improved, but external foreign substances can be introduced through the discharge path
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 outward while incorporating a filter unit to block foreign substances. The venting unit serves as a mediator that allows necessary gas discharge while preventing harmful external substances from entering the battery module.
Solution Approach 2:
The venting unit is constructed using composite material principles, combining different functional layers including a filter unit with moisture-absorbing materials and flame-retardant materials. This composite structure enables the venting unit to simultaneously perform multiple functions: gas discharge, foreign substance blocking, moisture absorption, and flame suppression.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If thermal runaway occurs in one battery module, then gas or flame is discharged, but thermal runaway can propagate to other battery modules causing chain reactions
Solution Approach 1:
The filter unit containing moisture-absorbing materials and flame-retardant materials converts the harmful discharged gas and flame into a beneficial safety mechanism. When thermal runaway occurs and gas/flame is discharged through the venting unit, the flame-retardant materials suppress flame propagation and the moisture-absorbing materials reduce thermal energy, thereby preventing thermal runaway from spreading to other battery modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter unit is pre-equipped with flame-retardant materials and moisture-absorbing materials that are positioned to counteract thermal runaway effects before they can propagate. These materials are prepared in advance within the venting unit to immediately suppress flame and absorb thermal energy when thermal runaway occurs, preventing chain reactions before they can spread to adjacent modules.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a filter unit is added to block foreign substances, then protection against external substances is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The venting unit is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously performs gas discharge, foreign substance blocking, moisture absorption, and flame suppression. By consolidating multiple protective functions into a single integrated venting unit, the design avoids the need for separate components for each function, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving comprehensive protection.
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 suppresses thermal runaway propagation, prevents external emissions of flames or sparks, and ensures occupant safety by controlling gas venting and filtering out moisture, thereby enhancing fire suppression and electrical safety.
Implementation Method 1
a filter unit at least partially located inside the venting unit and configured to filter substances introduced into the venting unit
Implementation Method 2
a filter unit containing moisture-absorbing materials that can generate carbon dioxide
Data Source
AI summary
A battery module has 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.