Pouch Cell Cover Venting for Battery Thermal Runaway Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery packs face challenges in preventing thermal runaway events from cascading and causing ignition or explosion, which can lead to significant damage and safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack design that incorporates a cell cover to stabilize and protect pouch-type battery cells, allowing them to be stacked without a module case, and features a directional venting structure to control gas discharge and minimize thermal propagation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a battery pack is designed to fit into a small space, then the volume is reduced, but the heat dissipation capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack is segmented into multiple battery modules arranged in a specific configuration. Each module can be independently managed for thermal control, allowing heat to be distributed and dissipated more effectively across the compact volume rather than concentrated in a single large block.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional horizontal stacking to a vertical arrangement of battery modules. This dimensional change optimizes the use of vertical space, reducing the horizontal footprint while maintaining adequate spacing for heat dissipation pathways and airflow channels in the vertical dimension.
2Volume of moving object
If battery modules are tightly arranged to maximize space utilization, then the volume efficiency is improved, but the heat accumulation increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the battery pack are designed with different thermal management characteristics. Areas with higher heat generation density are provided with enhanced cooling pathways and thermal conduction structures, while lower heat generation areas maintain compact arrangement. This localized optimization allows tight packing overall while preventing heat accumulation in critical zones.
Solution Approach 2:
Thermal management components such as heat sinks, thermal conductive materials, and cooling channels are introduced as intermediary elements between battery modules. These intermediaries facilitate heat transfer from the tightly packed battery cells to the external environment, enabling compact arrangement without excessive heat accumulation.
3Ease of manufacture
If the battery pack structure is simplified to reduce manufacturing cost, then the manufacturing complexity is reduced, but the thermal management performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The battery module design integrates multiple functions into single components. For example, the module housing serves both structural support and thermal management functions by incorporating integrated cooling channels and heat dissipation surfaces. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining effective thermal management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the thermal management system with the structural framework of the battery pack. Cooling channels are integrated into the module housings and mounting structures, eliminating the need for separate thermal management assemblies. This merging reduces part count and assembly complexity while ensuring effective heat dissipation throughout the compact battery pack.
Data Source
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AI summary
A battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of cell units arranged side by side in one direction, and a pack case which houses the plurality of the cell units, wherein each of the cell units includes at least one battery cell and a cell cover covering a part of the battery cell, and wherein the cell cover has a shape in which the upper part is inclined.