Battery Module Housing Vents to Limit Thermal Runaway Spread
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the event of a battery fault, such as during an accident, lithium-ion batteries can experience thermal runaway, leading to the escape of gases that pose a danger to occupants and other components.
Innovation Solution
The battery device incorporates a battery module housing with strategically positioned vents that are assigned a first closure arrangement, allowing for controlled venting of gases directly from the battery module housing, thereby reducing the risk of damage to surrounding battery cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If battery cells are arranged close to the battery module housing wall, then the installation space is reduced and cooling capacity is increased, but the risk of surrounding battery cells being damaged by hot gas during thermal runaway increases
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful hot gas is extracted from the battery module interior and directed outward through dedicated venting paths. The venting elements in the housing wall provide extraction paths that lead hot gas away from surrounding battery cells, allowing close arrangement of cells while preventing damage propagation.
Solution Approach 2:
The venting elements and venting paths act as intermediary structures between the failing battery cell and surrounding cells. These intermediaries channel and control the flow of hot gas, preventing direct contact with adjacent cells while maintaining the compact arrangement.
2Reliability
If venting paths are separated for individual battery cells, then the risk of damage spreading is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The venting system is segmented into multiple independent venting paths, with each path associated with specific battery cells. The housing wall contains multiple venting elements that create separate channels, allowing individual cell failures to be contained without affecting other cells through gas propagation.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing wall structure serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, contains venting elements for gas extraction, and creates separated venting paths. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated components, thereby limiting complexity while achieving reliable separation of venting paths.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a large void is provided between battery cells and battery module housing, then cooling capacity is reduced and installation space is increased, but the risk of thermal runaway propagation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of relying on large voids for protection, the harmful hot gas is actively extracted through venting elements in the housing wall. This extraction approach allows compact cell arrangement while preventing thermal runaway propagation through controlled gas venting paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The venting elements and venting paths serve as intermediary structures that replace the need for large protective voids. These intermediaries provide controlled pathways for gas escape, achieving protection against thermal runaway propagation while maintaining compact installation space.
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 design effectively reduces the risk of thermal runaway propagation and minimizes damage to surrounding battery cells by providing a direct and controlled venting path for gases, enhancing safety and reducing the risk of fire or explosion.
Implementation Method 1
the first closure arrangement closes an assigned battery-module housing vent (36) in a first state and opens it in a second state in order to allow at least partial venting of gas from the battery module housing through the assigned battery-module housing vent (36) in the second state of the first closure arrangement
Implementation Method 2
In the event of a battery fault, for example if a vehicle is involved in an accident, gases may escape. This is referred to as thermal runaway. In particular in the case of lithium-ion batteries, gases at high temperatures may then occur.
Data Source
AI summary
A battery device has at least one battery module including a battery module housing, in which battery module housing battery cells are provided. The battery cells each have a cell envelope with a cell vent. The battery module housing has a battery-module housing wall with battery-module housing vents. The battery-module housing vents are respectively assigned a first closure arrangement, which first closure arrangement closes the assigned battery-module housing vent in a first state (Z1) and opens it in a second state (Z2), in order to allow at least partial venting of gas from the battery module housing through the assigned battery-module housing vent in the second state (Z2) of the first closure arrangement. At least two of the cell vents respectively lie opposite an assigned battery-module housing vent, at least in certain regions.