Battery Module Thermal Blocking Structure for Runaway Gas Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Secondary batteries are prone to thermal runaway, leading to ignition and electrical short circuits due to high-temperature gases and flames, which can spread uncontrollably and cause further damage to adjacent cells.
Innovation Solution
A battery module design incorporating thermal blocking members made of materials like mica, ceramic wool, or aerogel, which block heat propagation and guide high-temperature gases or flames along a safe path, preventing them from spreading between neighboring cells and reducing the risk of electrical short circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If thermal blocking members are added to block heat propagation and guide high-temperature gases, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery module is divided into discrete functional units: battery cells, thermal blocking members, busbars, and housing. Each component performs a specific function, allowing the thermal blocking members to be independently designed and positioned to block heat propagation paths without redesigning the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
Thermal blocking members are introduced as intermediary components between battery cells to block heat propagation and guide high-temperature gases. These mediators prevent direct thermal interaction between adjacent cells, solving the safety problem by adding a protective layer without requiring fundamental changes to cell design.
2Temperature
If thermal blocking members are positioned to block heat propagation between cells, then heat propagation is reduced, but gas flow blocking capability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal blocking members have different structural properties in different regions: the first thermal blocking member has a body portion facing the electrode accommodating portion for heat blocking, while extending blocking portions guide gas flow in a controlled direction. This local differentiation allows simultaneous achievement of heat propagation blocking and gas flow management.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal blocking members extend in multiple directions (first direction between cells, second direction for gas guidance) to address both heat propagation and gas flow issues in different spatial dimensions, transforming a one-dimensional heat blocking function into a multi-dimensional protective system.
3Reliability
If blocking portions extend to guide gas flow away from busbars, then electrical short circuit risk is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal blocking member integrates multiple functions into a single component: heat blocking (body portion), gas flow guidance (extending blocking portions), and structural support. This merging reduces the number of separate components needed and simplifies assembly, offsetting the increased complexity from the multi-functional design.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal blocking member serves multiple purposes simultaneously: blocking heat propagation between cells, guiding high-temperature gas flow away from busbars, and providing structural positioning. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, balancing the manufacturing complexity with enhanced safety functionality.
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 contains and directs high-temperature gases or flames away from the cell stack, preventing sequential ignition and short circuits, thereby mitigating thermal runaway situations and enhancing safety and stability in battery modules.
Implementation Method 1
a body portion disposed to face the electrode accommodating portion and configured to block heat propagation between the plurality of battery cells
Implementation Method 2
a blocking portion extending from the body portion in a second direction, perpendicular to the first direction, and configured to at least partially block gas flow in the first direction
Data Source
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AI summary
A battery module includes a housing that includes an internal space, a cell stack accommodated in the internal space and including a plurality of battery cells and a plurality of thermal blocking members stacked in a first direction, a plurality of busbars electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells, and a busbar frame supporting the plurality of busbars, wherein each of the plurality of battery cells includes an electrode assembly and an electrode accommodating portion accommodating the electrode assembly, wherein at least one of the plurality of thermal blocking members includes: a body portion configured to face the electrode accommodating portion and blocking heat propagation between the plurality of battery cells, and one or more blocking portions extending from the body portion in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction, and configured to at least partially block gas flow in the first direction.