Systems and methods are described for thermal management, detection of abnormal cell heating, prevention of thermal runaway in the failing battery as well as the prevention of thermal runaway propagation and fire spread in battery systems. Battery systems and modules under the present disclosure can comprise deformation elements that deform when heated by a battery experiencing some type of failure. The deformation can be used to puncture a coolant tube, activate a nozzle, or otherwise release coolant onto the failing battery. The direct contact heat transfer, such as under boiling conditions, can quickly dissipate the heat using less coolant than prior art systems. Electrical circuits can automatically detect the deformation and disconnect the failing module or battery from a larger system.

A battery module includes features to optimize cooling while providing electrical isolation and cell gas-venting channels. The battery module can include the integration of a heatsink in order to improve thermal performance. Thermally conductive pads can be provided to create an electrically isolated interface between a plurality of series-connected battery-cell lead plates, at different potentials, and the heatsink. Optimization, by stacking thin and thick thermally conductive pads, allows for creation of gas-venting channels along the positive cell terminal locations. In some arrangements, a plurality of fluid paths are disposed between the inlet and the outlet of the battery module to provide heat convective airflow through the battery module.

A battery module includes features to optimize cooling while providing electrical isolation and cell gas-venting channels. The battery module can include the integration of a heatsink in order to improve thermal performance. Thermally conductive pads can be provided to create an electrically isolated interface between a plurality of series-connected battery-cell lead plates, at different potentials, and the heatsink. Optimization, by stacking thin and thick thermally conductive pads, allows for creation of gas-venting channels along the positive cell terminal locations. In some arrangements, a plurality of fluid paths are disposed between the inlet and the outlet of the battery module to provide heat convective airflow through the battery module.

A battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a battery cell laminated body in which a plurality of battery cells each including an electrode assembly are stacked; a U-shaped frame that accommodates the battery cell laminated body and has an opened upper part;

and an upper plate covering the battery cell laminated body on the opened U-shaped frame, wherein the U-shaped frame includes a bottom part and two side parts facing each other, the side part includes a depressed part that is depressed inward toward the battery cell laminated body, and the area of the depressed part is equal to or larger than the area of the electrode assembly.

A main object of the present disclosure is to provide a battery module capable of restraining heat conductivity among battery cells in rising temperature. The present disclosure achieves the object by providing a battery module including a plurality of a battery cell arranged along with a thickness direction, the battery module including: an elastic member between the battery cell neighboring; a thermally expandable resin composition body is arranged in the elastic member; in a plan view along with the thickness direction, the resin composition body is arranged to include a center of the battery cell; a temperature at which the resin composition body starts to expand is 80° C. or more; and heat conductivity after expansion of the resin composition body is 0.5 W/m.Math.K or less.

A main object of the present disclosure is to provide a battery module capable of restraining heat conductivity among battery cells in rising temperature. The present disclosure achieves the object by providing a battery module including a plurality of a battery cell arranged along with a thickness direction, the battery module including: an elastic member between the battery cell neighboring; a thermally expandable resin composition body is arranged in the elastic member; in a plan view along with the thickness direction, the resin composition body is arranged to include a center of the battery cell; a temperature at which the resin composition body starts to expand is 80° C. or more; and heat conductivity after expansion of the resin composition body is 0.5 W/m.Math.K or less.

A battery pack for an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle may include a housing, a stack of battery cells disposed within the housing, and a cooling subassembly. The housing typically holds the cell stack together, and the cooling subassembly typically cools the cell stack to prevent damage to the battery cells and to maintain the performance of the battery cells. The cooling subassembly may include a cold plate defining a liquid flow channel and one or more thermoelectric devices (TEDs) that are operable to cool the cell stack when current is supplied thereto. Heat spreaders may be employed within the battery pack, and exemplary configurations of components to thermally and mechanically couple the cooling subassembly are described.

A battery pack for an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle may include a housing, a stack of battery cells disposed within the housing, and a cooling subassembly. The housing typically holds the cell stack together, and the cooling subassembly typically cools the cell stack to prevent damage to the battery cells and to maintain the performance of the battery cells. The cooling subassembly may include a cold plate defining a liquid flow channel and one or more thermoelectric devices (TEDs) that are operable to cool the cell stack when current is supplied thereto. Heat spreaders may be employed within the battery pack, and exemplary configurations of components to thermally and mechanically couple the cooling subassembly are described.

A battery pack includes a plurality of cells, a plurality of heat releasing members, and a restraining unit. Each of the plurality of cells includes a pair of planar portions opposed to each other, and the plurality of cells are arranged such that planar portions of each adjacent pair of the cells are in a face-to-face relationship. The plurality of heat releasing members are disposed intermittently between adjacent pairs of cells along a direction in which the plurality of cells are arranged, and each of the plurality of heat releasing members juts out from the planar portions of the adjacent cells in regions where the plurality of heat releasing members are disposed. The restraining unit includes a pair of restraining members and a support member supporting the pair of restraining members, the pair of restraining members restraining opposite ends of the plurality of cells arranged with the plurality of heat releasing members interposed.

A battery pack includes a plurality of cells, a plurality of heat releasing members, and a restraining unit. Each of the plurality of cells includes a pair of planar portions opposed to each other, and the plurality of cells are arranged such that planar portions of each adjacent pair of the cells are in a face-to-face relationship. The plurality of heat releasing members are disposed intermittently between adjacent pairs of cells along a direction in which the plurality of cells are arranged, and each of the plurality of heat releasing members juts out from the planar portions of the adjacent cells in regions where the plurality of heat releasing members are disposed. The restraining unit includes a pair of restraining members and a support member supporting the pair of restraining members, the pair of restraining members restraining opposite ends of the plurality of cells arranged with the plurality of heat releasing members interposed.