Vented Battery Module Cover Assembly for Thermal Runaway Fire Spread
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium-ion battery modules in electric vehicles are prone to thermal runaway, leading to rapid fire spread due to their vulnerability, making it difficult to apply existing fire prevention methods like power blocking and external fire extinguishing systems due to weight, volume, and cost constraints.
Innovation Solution
A battery module cover assembly with a base plate and cover featuring heat transfer delay spaces, vent holes, and a heat block sheet to prevent flame and heat transfer, coupled with a clamp for secure attachment, which delays heat discharge and blocks external heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fire extinguishing devices are installed outside the battery to prevent thermal runaway spread, then fire prevention capability is improved, but weight, volume, and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fire prevention function from external fire extinguishing devices and integrates it into the battery module's own structure. The cover assembly itself becomes the fire containment barrier, eliminating the need for separate external fire suppression systems while maintaining fire prevention capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery module's cover assembly is designed to automatically contain fire and heat through its inherent structural features (heat transfer delay space and vent holes) without requiring external intervention or additional active fire suppression systems. The structure serves its own fire containment needs.
2Reliability
If fire extinguishing devices are installed outside the battery to prevent thermal runaway spread, then fire prevention capability is improved, but volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fire containment function with the existing cover assembly structure. The heat transfer delay space and vent holes are integrated into the cover's design, combining structural support and fire prevention functions into a single component rather than adding separate external devices.
3Reliability
If fire extinguishing devices are installed outside the battery to prevent thermal runaway spread, then fire prevention capability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a cost-effective cover assembly design with heat transfer delay space and vent holes that provides adequate fire containment for the battery's operational lifetime without requiring expensive external fire suppression systems. The structural features are implemented using materials and designs suitable for battery manufacturing cost constraints.
4Reliability
If heat transfer delay space is formed between base plate and cover, then heat transfer is delayed and fire spread is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cover assembly into distinct functional zones: the base plate, the heat transfer delay space, and the cover with vent holes. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining overall structural simplicity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat transfer delay space utilizes the vertical dimension between the base plate and cover to create thermal barrier functionality. By exploiting the third dimension (height/space) rather than adding lateral complexity, the design achieves heat containment without increasing planar footprint or overall structural complexity.
5Temperature
If vent holes are formed in the cover for heat discharge, then heat is effectively discharged, but flame may escape to outside
Solution Approach 1:
The heat transfer delay space acts as an intermediary barrier between the battery cells and the external environment. It delays heat transfer while the vent holes provide a controlled path for heat discharge, and the heat block sheet serves as an intermediary that blocks flame while allowing heat to pass through to the vent holes.
Solution Approach 2:
The vent holes are designed to facilitate the phase transition of heat from the confined space to the external environment through controlled discharge. The heat block sheet allows thermal energy to transition from blocked to discharged state through the vent holes while maintaining flame containment.
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 prevents fire spread within battery modules during thermal runaway, minimizing vehicle damage and ensuring passenger safety by containing heat and flames through the use of heat transfer delay spaces and vent holes.
Implementation Method 1
a heat transfer delay space formed between a base plate and a cover to delay transfer of heat
Implementation Method 2
in which at least one vent hole for discharging heat is formed
Implementation Method 3
A heat block sheet which blocks a flame and heat from being transferred to an outside may be disposed on an upper surface of the base plate
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a battery module cover assembly and a battery module including the same. A battery module cover assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure can include a base plate and a cover which is coupled to the base plate with a heat transfer delay space formed therebetween to delay transfer of heat and in which at least one vent hole for discharging heat is formed.