HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY MODULE TO REDUCE THERMAL RUNAWAY PROPAGATION

A battery pack module for an electric vehicle high voltage (HV) battery system includes a housing having a top cover, a plurality of battery cells disposed within the battery pack module housing, a plurality of venting slots formed within the top cover and configured to vent gases and particles during a thermal runaway event, and a flange extending upwardly from an exterior surface of the top cover and at least partially surrounding each venting slot. The flange creates a raised venting passage configured to direct the gases and particles from the venting slot upward and away from the top cover to prevent the gases and particles from re-entering the venting slot from which they originated or entering an adjacent venting slot.