Battery Module Flame Venting With Hinged Exhaust Path Partition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery modules lack a flexible structure to adjust gas and flame exhaust paths, which can vary in length and direction due to changes in battery cell voltage and capacity, posing safety risks when gas leakage and flaming occur.
Innovation Solution
A battery module design featuring a variable partition structure using hinges, allowing for adjustable gas and flame exhaust paths without requiring replacement of the module housing, with the partition structure capable of rotating and being assembled in various configurations to extend the flame movement path and prevent external exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the module housing is designed with a fixed flame movement path, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it cannot adapt to different battery cell configurations and capacities
Solution Approach 1:
The module housing is divided into a fixed part and a movable partition structure. The partition can be independently adjusted within the housing to create different flame movement path lengths, allowing adaptation to various battery cell configurations without redesigning the entire housing structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition structure is designed to be movable rather than fixed, enabling dynamic adjustment of the flame movement path length. This allows the same housing to adapt to different battery module capacities and cell arrangements by simply repositioning the partition.
2Reliability
If the flame movement path is made long to prevent flames from reaching the gas vent hole, then safety is improved, but the space required in the module housing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The partition structure is designed with a curved or inclined surface that directs flames in a zigzag path toward the gas vent hole. This curved configuration increases the flame movement path length within a compact space, improving safety without significantly increasing the housing volume.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of extending the flame path horizontally, the partition structure utilizes vertical and diagonal dimensions to create a multi-dimensional flame movement path. This allows the flame to travel a longer distance through a three-dimensional space, enhancing safety while maintaining compact housing dimensions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the partition structure is made fixed, then the manufacturing cost is lower, but the ability to adjust exhaust paths for different capacities is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The partition structure incorporates a movable design with simple guiding features that allow easy repositioning. This dynamic element adds minimal manufacturing complexity while providing significant adaptability for adjusting exhaust paths according to different battery module capacities.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition structure can be repositioned to change the geometric parameters of the flame movement path, such as the path length and angle. This parameter adjustment capability allows the same structure to adapt to different capacities without requiring complex mechanisms or multiple components.
Data Source
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AI summary
A battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a sub module including a plurality of battery cells, a lower housing to receive the sub module therein and having an opening, a first housing cover coupled to the lower housing, covering the opening of the lower housing, and having a gas inlet, a second housing cover coupled to the first housing cover from above to form a gas receiving space therebetween, and having a gas outlet, and a variable partition structure using hinges installed in the gas receiving space to partition the gas receiving space to define a gas exhaust path to increase a movement path of a flame entering together with gas occurred in the sub module and entering the gas receiving space through the gas inlet.