Pouch Cell Module Venting Structure for Thermal Runaway Pressure Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery modules are prone to rapid pressure increase and potential explosion during thermal events, leading to uncontrollable fire spread and secondary damage.
Innovation Solution
A battery module design featuring pouch-type cells, a module case with venting holes, and a cell cover that supports and partially surrounds cells, with protrusions inserted into the venting holes to direct gas and particles away from the module.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large amount of gas is generated due to thermal runaway of battery cells, then internal pressure of module case rapidly increases, but this results in collapse or explosion of battery module
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful gas and particles from the enclosed module space by providing venting holes in the module case. These venting holes allow the thermal runaway products to be discharged outward, preventing pressure accumulation that would lead to module collapse or explosion.
Solution Approach 2:
The cell cover acts as an intermediary component with protrusions that are inserted into the venting holes. This intermediary structure controls and directs the flow of gas and particles through the venting holes, managing the pressure release process and preventing uncontrolled explosion while maintaining cell support function.
2Reliability
If high-temperature gas and particles are ejected during thermal runaway, then thermal damage is caused to other battery cells, but heat rapidly propagates between battery cells
Solution Approach 1:
The venting holes in the module case extract and discharge high-temperature gas and particles generated during thermal runaway to the external environment. By removing these thermal hazards from the enclosed module space, the patent prevents heat propagation to adjacent battery cells and maintains thermal safety.
3Reliability
If venting holes are provided in module case, then gas can be discharged, but structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The cell cover with its protrusions creates an asymmetric configuration where the protrusions are selectively inserted into the venting holes. This asymmetric design allows the venting function to be localized to specific positions while the rest of the module case maintains its structural integrity and strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusions of the cell cover are nested into the venting holes of the module case, creating a nested structure. This nesting arrangement allows the venting function to be integrated within the overall structural framework, maintaining case integrity while enabling controlled gas discharge through the nested protrusion-hole configuration.
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 design effectively reduces internal pressure rise and prevents explosion, controlling thermal propagation to adjacent modules by directional venting of gases and particles.
Implementation Method 1
when a thermal event occurs in the battery module, an increase in internal pressure may be delayed. Also, internal pressure of a battery module may be safely and effectively relieved by directionally venting venting gas to the outside
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a battery module, and a battery pack and a vehicle including the same. The battery module includes a plurality of pouch-type battery cells, a module case in which the plurality of pouch-type battery cells are accommodated and a venting hole is formed, and a cell cover at least partially surrounding and supporting at least some of the plurality of pouch-type battery cells, in an inner space of the module case, wherein at least a portion of the cell cover is inserted into the venting hole.