Layered Battery Pack Partitioning for Thermal Runaway Isolation

Solution Overview

Problem

Lithium secondary battery packs used in vehicles and devices face challenges with thermal runaway, leading to potential fires or explosions due to inadequate heat dissipation and the propagation of thermal runaway phenomena across densely packed battery modules.

Innovation Solution

A battery pack design featuring a two-layer structure with a partition member comprising an insulating sheet for thermal and electrical insulation, separating battery module groups to sequentially propagate thermal runaway events and prevent simultaneous ignition or explosion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple battery modules are densely packed to increase capacity and output, then productivity and energy density are improved, but heat dissipation becomes difficult and thermal runaway propagation risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapacity and outputVSAvoidheat dissipation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The battery pack is divided into multiple battery module groups (first group 100Ga and second group 100Gb) arranged in different layers, with partition members inserted between them. This segmentation creates physical and thermal separation, allowing heat from one group to be isolated from others, thus improving heat dissipation while maintaining high capacity through dense overall packing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a single-layer arrangement to a multi-layer three-dimensional configuration. Battery module groups are stacked vertically with partition members between layers, utilizing the vertical dimension to improve heat dissipation pathways and thermal management while maintaining high spatial utilization for capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If multiple battery modules are densely packed to increase capacity and output, then productivity and energy density are improved, but the risk of thermal runaway propagation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapacity and outputVSAvoidthermal runaway propagation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The battery pack is divided into multiple battery module groups (first group 100Ga and second group 100Gb) arranged in different layers, with partition members inserted between them. This segmentation creates physical and thermal separation, allowing heat from one group to be isolated from others, thus improving heat dissipation while maintaining high capacity through dense overall packing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Partition members (1300) comprising insulating sheets (1310) are introduced as intermediary elements between battery module groups. These partition members act as thermal barriers and electrical insulators, preventing direct thermal and electrical contact between groups, thereby blocking thermal runaway propagation while allowing the system to maintain high capacity through dense packing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Temperature

If battery modules are arranged in a single layer, then heat dissipation is easier, but space utilization and capacity are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipationVSAvoidspace utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a single-layer arrangement to a multi-layer three-dimensional configuration. Battery module groups are stacked vertically with partition members between layers, utilizing the vertical dimension to improve heat dissipation pathways and thermal management while maintaining high spatial utilization for capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The battery pack is divided into multiple battery module groups (first group 100Ga and second group 100Gb) arranged in different layers, with partition members inserted between them. This segmentation creates physical and thermal separation, allowing heat from one group to be isolated from others, thus improving heat dissipation while maintaining high capacity through dense overall packing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If partition members are inserted between battery module groups, then thermal insulation and electrical insulation are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal and electrical insulationVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Partition members (1300) comprising insulating sheets (1310) are introduced as intermediary elements between battery module groups. These partition members act as thermal barriers and electrical insulators, preventing direct thermal and electrical contact between groups, thereby blocking thermal runaway propagation while allowing the system to maintain high capacity through dense packing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The partition members serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide thermal insulation between layers, electrical insulation to prevent short circuits, structural support for the multi-layer configuration, and pathways for thermal management. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

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

The design effectively suppresses heat propagation between battery module layers, delaying and reducing the intensity of thermal runaway, thereby preventing fires or explosions in the battery pack even if thermal runaway occurs in one battery cell.

Implementation Method 1

a partition member is arranged between the first battery module group and the second battery module group, and the partition member comprises an insulating sheet having thermal insulation and electrical insulation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

a partition member is arranged between the first battery module group and the second battery module group, and the partition member comprises an insulating sheet having thermal insulation and electrical insulation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical insulation: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentUS20240063474A1Battery pack and device including the same

Publication Date: 2024.02.22 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

AI summary

A battery pack includes a battery modules including a plurality of battery cells and a pack frame in which the battery modules are housed. At least two battery modules gather to form a first battery module group. At least two battery modules gather to form a second battery module group. The second battery module group is located on an upper part of the first battery module group. A partition member is arranged between the first battery module group and the second battery module group. The partition member includes an insulating sheet having thermal insulation and electrical insulation.