Battery Module Top Plate Venting for Thermal Runaway Delay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery modules face challenges in preventing thermal runaway propagation between battery cells due to uncontrolled heat transfer and gas/flame spread, which can lead to dangerous chain reactions.
Innovation Solution
A battery module design featuring a top plate with venting paths and partitions that separate and guide venting gas away from adjacent cells, incorporating a blocking member to further isolate cells and ensure safe discharge of gases and flames.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If battery cells are densely stored inside module housing, then space utilization is improved, but thermal propagation risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The top plate is divided into multiple independent venting paths, each serving a specific battery cell. This segmentation ensures that thermal events in one cell are contained within its own venting path, preventing propagation to adjacent cells while maintaining dense packing arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
Partition walls are introduced as intermediary structures between adjacent battery cells within the same venting path. These partitions act as physical barriers that delay and suppress thermal propagation, allowing heat to be managed locally without immediately affecting neighboring cells.
2Reliability
If venting paths are provided for each battery cell, then thermal runaway propagation is suppressed, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple venting paths are integrated into a single top plate structure, combining several safety functions into one component. This merging approach provides individual venting for each battery cell while avoiding the complexity of separate venting devices for each cell, simplifying the overall module design.
3Reliability
If partition walls are added to separate venting paths, then thermal propagation is delayed, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The top plate is segmented into multiple venting paths with partition walls, creating physically separated channels for each battery cell. This segmentation provides thermal isolation while maintaining a unified manufacturing approach where the entire top plate can be produced as a single integrated component.
Solution Approach 2:
The top plate serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural closure for the module housing, contains multiple independent venting paths, and incorporates partition walls for thermal isolation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, simplifying the overall manufacturing process.
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
Effectively prevents and delays thermal runaway propagation by ensuring gases and flames are directed away from adjacent cells, enhancing safety and reliability of the battery module.
Implementation Method 1
a top plate coupled to the upper opening of the module case and having a plurality of venting paths configured such that venting gas generated from the battery cell flow therethrough
Implementation Method 2
The top plate may include a partition configured to partition the venting path into a plurality of parts
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a battery module including: a plurality of battery cells; a module case having an upper opening and configured to accommodate the plurality of battery cells; and a top plate coupled to the upper opening of the module case and having a plurality of venting paths configured such that venting gas generated from the battery cell flow therethrough, and separated from each other.