Battery Module Gas Venting Structure for Thermal Runaway Containment

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Solution Overview

Problem

High capacity battery packs in electric vehicles are prone to gas explosions and thermal runaways, which can propagate to adjacent modules, increasing the scale and danger of accidents.

Innovation Solution

A battery module design with exit ports and a gas venting member that guides gas away from adjacent modules, featuring multiple channels and outlets to dissipate high temperature gas and sparks, and a reinforcement beam to separate cell groups.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If high capacity battery packs are used to increase energy storage, then energy density is improved, but the risk of gas explosion and thermal runaway propagation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy storage capacityVSAvoidthermal runaway propagation risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The battery pack is divided into multiple independent battery modules, each with its own module housing and gas venting system. This segmentation isolates thermal runaway events to individual modules, preventing propagation to the entire pack while maintaining high overall capacity through the aggregation of multiple modules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A gas venting member with gas channels is introduced as an intermediary system between battery cells and the external environment. This mediator captures and redirects high-temperature gas and sparks through controlled pathways, preventing direct contact with adjacent modules and eliminating the harmful propagation effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If multiple battery cells are arranged closely to increase capacity, then productivity is improved, but the spread of thermal runaway between cells increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery capacity densityVSAvoidthermal runaway resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful high-temperature gas and sparks are extracted from the confined space between closely arranged battery cells through dedicated gas venting channels. This extraction removes the propagation medium before it can affect neighboring cells, enabling close arrangement without compromising safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The gas venting system introduces a new spatial dimension for hazard management by creating vertical or lateral escape pathways through the module housing. This dimensional approach allows close horizontal cell arrangement while maintaining safety through three-dimensional gas redirection paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If gas venting channels are designed to redirect high temperature gas away from adjacent modules, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexplosion propagation preventionVSAvoidgas venting system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The module housing serves multiple functions: it provides structural containment for battery cells, acts as a barrier to thermal propagation, and incorporates integrated gas venting channels for hazard redirection. This multi-functionality achieves safety without adding separate dedicated components, thereby limiting complexity increase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The gas venting member is merged with the module housing structure, combining the protective enclosure and gas redirection functions into a single integrated component. This merging eliminates the need for separate venting apparatus, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining explosion propagation prevention capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Minimizes thermal runaway and explosion propagation by directing gas and sparks away from adjacent modules, enhancing safety and mechanical protection.

Implementation Method 1

a gas venting member configured to cover at least one side of the module housing, the gas venting member having at least one gas channel along which the gas coming out of the exit port moves

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas flow direction control:

Data Source

PatentUS12586865B2Battery module, and battery pack and vehicle comprising the same

Publication Date: 2026.03.24 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

AI summary

A battery module includes a plurality of battery cells having electrode leads on at least one side; a module housing having an accommodation space in which the plurality of battery cells is received, the module housing including an exit port on the at least one side having the electrode leads of the plurality of battery cells, the exit port through gas vented from the plurality of battery cells exits; and a gas venting member configured to cover at least one side of the module housing, the gas venting member having a passage along which the gas coming out of the exit port moves.