Laminate Battery Module Venting to Limit Overheat Spread

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery modules do not adequately prevent the spread of abnormal overheating from one battery to adjacent batteries, leading to potential damage and insufficient consideration for heat conduction and gas exhaust paths.

Innovation Solution

A battery module design featuring a battery case filled with mold resin, where each laminate battery has an exhaust part protruding beyond the body, allowing for a gas discharge path between the battery case and the mold resin, which helps in preventing overheating spread and reserving an exhaust path for gas release.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If a resin cut-away portion is provided in the battery case to serve as a gas exhaust path, then gas exhaust function is improved, but heat conduction between adjacent batteries occurs causing overheat spread

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas exhaust functionVSAvoidheat conduction and overheat spread

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The battery case is divided into multiple independent battery accommodating spaces separated by partition walls. Each partition wall includes its own independent exhaust path, isolating the exhaust functions of adjacent batteries. This segmentation prevents heat conduction between batteries while maintaining gas exhaust capability through the partition walls.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Partition walls serve as intermediary structures between adjacent batteries. These partition walls include embedded exhaust paths that provide gas exhaust functionality while physically separating the batteries to prevent direct heat conduction. The partition wall acts as a mediator that enables exhaust while blocking heat transfer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If batteries are closely arranged to increase energy density, then productivity is improved, but heat insulation between batteries is reduced leading to overheat spread risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy densityVSAvoidheat insulation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The battery case is segmented into multiple independent spaces by partition walls, allowing batteries to be closely arranged for high energy density while maintaining physical separation. Each partition wall creates an isolated thermal zone that prevents heat spread between adjacent batteries despite close spacing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Partition walls with embedded exhaust paths serve as intermediary structures between closely arranged batteries. These intermediaries enable close spacing for productivity while providing thermal isolation and gas exhaust pathways to prevent overheat spread.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If partition walls with exhaust paths are used to prevent heat spread, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of overheat spreadVSAvoidbattery case structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The partition wall and exhaust path are merged into a single integrated structure. The exhaust path is formed within the partition wall itself rather than as a separate component, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining the dual functions of thermal isolation and gas exhaust.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The partition wall serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural separation between batteries, acts as a thermal barrier to prevent heat spread, and contains embedded exhaust paths for gas venting. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-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

This design effectively prevents the expansion of battery damage due to overheating and ensures a reserved exhaust path for gas discharge, enhancing safety by reducing heat conduction and allowing for controlled gas release during abnormal conditions.

Implementation Method 1

the battery case is filled with a mold resin with a distal end of the exhaust part left exposed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal Insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

the exhaust path may be disposed between an inner surface of the battery case and an upper surface of the mold resin filled into the battery case

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure Gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS20240283074A1Battery module

Publication Date: 2024.08.22 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

A battery module according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a battery case and a plurality of laminate batteries stored in the battery case. Each of the plurality of laminate batteries includes an electrode assembly, a container that accommodates the electrode assembly, and a seal portion that seals a periphery of the container. The container includes an exhaust part and a body. The inside of the battery case is filled with a mold resin with a distal end of the exhaust part left exposed.