Battery Module End Plate Recesses for Thermal Runaway Venting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery modules do not effectively prevent or manage heat propagation during thermal runaway of battery cells, which can lead to dangerous conditions.
Innovation Solution
A battery module design featuring end plates with expansion inducing portions recessed to induce controlled expansion of battery cells, allowing gases and flames to be discharged through vents, and incorporating insulating sheets and side plates for safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If battery cells are arranged closely to increase energy density, then productivity and space utilization improve, but heat propagation risk increases during thermal runaway
Solution Approach 1:
The end plate is segmented into multiple functional regions: a first region with an expansion inducing portion that creates a cavity for controlled expansion, and a second region that contacts the battery cell surface. This segmentation allows the structure to simultaneously maintain compact arrangement and provide localized safety functions for heat and expansion management.
Solution Approach 2:
The expansion inducing portion acts as an intermediary structure between the battery cell and the external environment. It provides a controlled cavity that mediates the thermal runaway process by directing expansion and gas discharge through designated vents, preventing uncontrolled heat propagation to adjacent cells while maintaining close packing.
2Reliability
If expansion inducing portions are added to end plates to manage thermal runaway, then safety improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The end plate is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides structural support, localized expansion management through the expansion inducing portion, and thermal runaway containment via integrated vents. This universal design consolidates multiple safety functions into a single structure, improving reliability without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
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 effectively manages thermal runaway by directing expansion and discharge of gases and flames, preventing uncontrolled heat propagation and enhancing safety.
Implementation Method 1
an expansion inducing portion spaced apart from the second surface and configured to induce expansion of the battery cell
Data Source
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AI summary
A battery module includes a plurality of battery cells, each including a vent in a first surface, and arranged along a first direction, and an end plate arranged along the first direction to face a second surface of a battery cell of the plurality of battery cells and comprising an expansion inducing portion spaced apart from the second surface and configured to induce expansion of the battery cell. According the present disclosure, as an expansion inducing portion spaced apart from a central portion of a battery cell and a lower portion where a vent is located is formed in an end plate disposed to face the battery cell such that the central portion and the lower portion of the battery cell expand when the battery cell swells, flames, gas, and the like generated inside the battery cell can be induced to be discharged to the lower portion of the battery cell through the vent.