Battery cell support assembly with integrated thermal runaway mitigation

A cell support assembly with thermal runaway mitigation for a multi-cell rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) having a plurality of battery cells with respective cell vents for expelling gases, the cell support assembly comprising:

• a cell holder configured to support the plurality of battery cells and having a holder body defining a plurality of apertures arranged in rows, wherein each aperture is configured to align and be in fluid communication with the cell vent of one of the plurality of battery cells;
• a plurality of thermal-barrier strips adhered to the cell holder, wherein each thermal-barrier strip extends parallel to a respective row of apertures and is configured to thermally insulate corresponding battery cells from gases expelled by neighboring battery cells during a thermal runaway;
• and
• a plurality of potting elements, wherein each potting element is arranged in one of the plurality of apertures between a respective battery cell and a corresponding thermal-barrier strip and configured to adhere to the battery cell and to the corresponding thermal-barrier strip to maintain position of the battery cell on the cell holder.

A motor vehicle comprising:

• a power-source configured to generate power-source torque;
• and
• a multi-cell rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) configured to supply electrical energy to the power-source, the RESS including:
• a plurality of battery cells, wherein each battery cell includes a respective cell vent configured to expel gases;
• and
• a cell support assembly with thermal runaway mitigation, including:
• a cell holder configured to support the plurality of battery cells and having a holder body defining a plurality of apertures arranged in rows, wherein each aperture is configured to align and be in fluid communication with the cell vent of one of the plurality of battery cells;
• a plurality of thermal-barrier strips adhered to the cell holder, wherein each thermal-barrier strip extends parallel to a respective row of apertures and is configured to thermally insulate corresponding battery cells from gases expelled by neighboring battery cells during a thermal runaway;
• and
• a plurality of potting elements, wherein each potting element is arranged in one of the plurality of apertures between a respective battery cell and a corresponding thermal-barrier strip and configured to adhere to the battery cell and to the corresponding thermal-barrier strip to maintain position of the battery cell on the cell holder.