Battery Module Case Segmentation for Thermal Runaway Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Secondary batteries generate heat during discharge and charge, which can lead to thermal runaway and potential fires, particularly in devices or vehicles equipped with them, due to inadequate heat dissipation.

Innovation Solution

A battery module design featuring a first case with through regions and heat conducting members that expose battery cell surfaces, coupled with a second case made of a metal material, allowing for improved heat dissipation through increased contact area with heat conducting members.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If battery cells are enclosed in a sealed case, then protection and structural integrity are improved, but heat dissipation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveprotectionVSAvoidheat dissipation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The case is divided into multiple sections with through regions that allow heat conducting members to contact the battery cell surfaces. This segmentation enables the case to simultaneously provide protection and heat dissipation pathways.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Heat conducting members are introduced as intermediary elements between the battery cells and the case structure. These members facilitate heat transfer from the battery cells through the case walls to the external environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If heat conducting members are added to increase contact area, then heat dissipation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipationVSAvoidstructure

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The case structure serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical protection, structural support, and acts as a heat dissipation pathway. The through regions are integrated into the case design, allowing the same structure to fulfill both protective and thermal management roles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The heat conducting members are integrated with the case structure rather than being separate components. The case walls themselves serve as heat conduction pathways, merging the protective enclosure with the thermal management 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 design enhances heat dissipation by increasing the contact area between battery cells and heat conducting members, effectively reducing the temperature of the battery cells and preventing thermal runaway.

Implementation Method 1

a first heat conducting member between the first battery cell and the second case... heat dissipation by increasing the contact area between battery cells and heat conducting members

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP4614675A1Battery module

Publication Date: 2025.09.10 SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD

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AI summary

A battery module (800) includes: a first battery cell (812); a first case (130, 410) to accommodate the first battery cell (812), and having a first through region (832) to expose a portion of a surface of the first battery cell (812) therethrough; a second case (140, 420) to accommodate at least a portion of the first case (130, 410); and a first heat conducting member (822) between the first battery cell (812) and the second case (140, 420).