Pouch Cell Module Cooling Walls and Ejection Sides for Thermal Runaway

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Solution Overview

Problem

Rechargeable battery modules face challenges in managing thermal runaway events, where excessive heat generated by chemical reactions can spread across adjacent cells, leading to uncontrolled temperature increases and potential cell rupture, posing risks to the entire battery array.

Innovation Solution

A pouch battery cell module with a thermally conductive and compliant material element between cells, housed in a container with structured lateral walls and coolant passages to absorb and dissipate heat, and non-structural sides to eject debris and gases during a thermal runaway event, minimizing the propagation of heat and damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If battery cells are arranged in close proximity to increase energy density, then productivity and space utilization are improved, but thermal runaway can spread to adjacent cells causing harmful effects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy densityVSAvoidthermal runaway propagation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The container is divided into multiple compartments with partition walls between adjacent battery cells. These partition walls create physical separation that prevents thermal runaway from spreading to neighboring cells, while still allowing close proximity arrangement for high energy density.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Thermal barrier layers are introduced as intermediary elements between adjacent battery cells. These layers act as heat shields that block thermal propagation while maintaining the compact cell arrangement necessary for high energy density.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If structural walls are added to contain and direct debris during thermal runaway, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety during thermal runawayVSAvoidcontainer structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The container walls serve multiple functions: they provide structural support for the battery cells, act as thermal barriers to prevent heat spread, and function as containment structures that direct debris and gases away from adjacent cells during thermal runaway events.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The partition walls and containment structures are integrated into the overall container design, combining several safety functions into a unified structural system rather than adding separate components for each function.

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

The solution effectively localizes thermal runaway events within individual cells, reducing the risk of heat transfer to neighboring cells and preventing damage by directing debris and gases out of the module, thereby enhancing safety and stability of the battery array.

Implementation Method 1

a battery module container configured to house the first and second pouch battery cells, wherein the battery module container includes first, second, third, and fourth lateral walls that define at least one coolant passage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

Each of the first through fourth lateral walls is configured to provide structural support for the first and second pouch battery cells

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

a thermally conductive and compliant or compressible material element arranged between the first and second pouch battery cells

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 4

non-structural fifth and sixth sides configured to eject to an external environment the debris and gases directed by the first through fourth lateral walls

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS20240014466A1Integrated cooling and thermal runaway mitigation container for pouch battery cells

Publication Date: 2024.01.11 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

A pouch battery cell module includes a battery cell stack having first and second pouch battery cells and a thermally conductive and compliant material arranged between the battery cells. The module also includes a module container housing the first and second pouch battery cells and providing structural support therefor and including first, second, third, and fourth lateral walls, with each wall defining at least one coolant passage. Each of the first through fourth lateral walls is configured to direct out of the battery module container debris and gases emitted by at least one of the first and second pouch battery cells undergoing a thermal runaway event. The module container also includes non-structural fifth and sixth sides configured to eject to an external environment the debris and gases directed by the first through fourth lateral walls. A method of assembling a pouch battery cell module is also disclosed.