Battery Pack Venting Frame Layout for Thermal Runaway Containment

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for an electric vehicle battery pack that prevents thermal runaway and reduces heat transfer between battery cells when a fire occurs in the battery module, as existing technologies do not effectively manage fluid generation and heat dissipation in such scenarios.

Innovation Solution

The battery pack includes a battery module and a housing with a venting frame and pack cover that guide fluid generated in the battery module outside the pack, using a combination of venting holes, guide parts, and discharge holes to manage heat and fluid flow effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a venting system is added to discharge fluid from the battery module, then thermal runaway prevention is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal runaway preventionVSAvoidventing system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The venting frame is integrated with the pack cover to form a unified venting system. The venting frame includes venting holes and guide parts that are structurally merged with the cover, allowing fluid discharge and guidance functions to be achieved without adding separate complex components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The venting frame serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the pack cover, creates venting holes for fluid discharge, includes guide parts for directing fluid flow, and integrates with the side members to form discharge holes. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Temperature

If venting holes and guide parts are integrated in the pack cover, then heat dissipation efficiency is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipation efficiencyVSAvoidventing passage alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The venting passage is pre-formed by integrating the guide parts into the pack cover during manufacturing. The guide parts are positioned to extend from the venting holes toward the discharge holes, creating predetermined fluid flow paths that ensure proper alignment without requiring complex post-assembly adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The venting system is divided into discrete functional elements: venting holes in the venting frame, guide parts extending from the venting holes, and discharge holes in the side members. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and assembled separately with standardized tolerances, reducing overall manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining effective fluid guidance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If the venting passage extends horizontally through the pack cover, then fluid discharge effectiveness is improved, but the risk of particle discharge increasing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid discharge effectivenessVSAvoidparticle discharge risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The guide parts act as intermediary structures that channel fluid through the venting passage from the venting holes to the discharge holes. These guide parts are positioned to direct the flow path, serving as a mediator between the internal battery module environment and the external discharge opening, helping to control what is discharged.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The venting system employs localized features at different positions: venting holes are positioned to capture fluid at the source, guide parts are shaped to direct flow horizontally through the pack cover, and discharge holes are positioned at the exit. Each location has optimized local characteristics that together achieve effective fluid discharge while minimizing particle ejection through controlled flow direction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

This solution effectively prevents thermal runaway and delays heat transfer between battery cells, improving safety by ensuring that high-temperature gases are discharged outside the battery pack while preventing particle discharge that could damage other vehicle components.

Implementation Method 1

a venting passage extending horizontally together with the venting frame... to guide fluid generated in the battery module outside of the battery pack

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

a separation part disposed in the area facing the guide hole and separated from the cover part by a pressure of the fluid generated in the any one of the battery cells

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS20250192355A1Battery pack

Publication Date: 2025.06.12 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

An embodiment battery pack includes a battery module and a battery pack housing covering the battery module, the battery pack housing including a venting frame disposed on an upper side of the battery module and including a venting hole configured to discharge a fluid generated in the battery module and a pack cover disposed on an upper side of the venting frame and communicated with the venting hole to include a venting passage extending horizontally together with the venting frame.