Battery Pack Cover Venting Layout for Thermal Runaway Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery packs are vulnerable to accidents such as fire or explosion due to high-temperature venting gas discharge from one battery module affecting adjacent modules, leading to a chain reaction and increased pressure, which can cause significant damage.

Innovation Solution

A battery pack design with additional venting channels and barriers to control the flow of venting gas, directing it away from adjacent modules and safely discharging it outside, using a pack cover with side and center venting channels and barriers to isolate accommodation spaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If battery modules are densely arranged to increase energy density, then productivity and energy density are improved, but the risk of thermal runaway propagation and safety deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy densityVSAvoidsafety
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The battery pack is divided into multiple independent accommodation spaces separated by barriers. Each space can contain one or more battery modules, and the barriers prevent thermal runaway propagation between spaces while maintaining dense arrangement. This segmentation allows high energy density while ensuring safety through isolation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Barriers are introduced as intermediary structures between battery modules. These barriers include venting channels that allow controlled gas discharge while physically separating adjacent battery modules. The barriers act as mediators that enable dense packing while preventing harmful thermal propagation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If venting channels are added to direct high-temperature gas discharge, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The barriers serve multiple functions: they physically separate battery modules, provide venting channels for controlled gas discharge, and guide hot gas flow away from adjacent modules. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while improving safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The venting channels are integrated into the barrier structures rather than being separate components. The barriers combine the functions of physical separation and controlled venting, merging multiple safety functions into a single structural element to minimize complexity increase.

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

Effectively controls the discharge direction of venting gas, preventing the spread of high-temperature gas and reducing fire risk, ensuring safety and maintaining energy density without additional space for wiring, applicable to vehicles.

Implementation Method 1

controlling the flow of a venting gas in a desired direction by adding an additional venting channel formation structure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas flow: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP4311007B1Battery pack and vehicle including the same
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4311007B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4311007B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4311007B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present disclosure discloses a battery pack configured to discharge a high-temperature gas to the outside of the battery pack without affecting other adjacent battery modules when the gas is generated inside the battery module. The battery pack according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a pack housing; a battery module; and a pack cover having a first side venting channel, a second side venting channel and a center venting channel configured to guide a venting gas generated from the battery module at a position corresponding to the battery module, the pack cover being configured to cover the battery modules by being coupled to the pack housing.