Energy storage assembly for an aerosol generating device

Abstract

The present invention provides an energy storage component device for an aerosol generating device, which includes: a shell, which is intended to accommodate a battery; a vent component, which is configured to discharge pressurized gas from the shell when a predetermined pressure is reached in the shell; whereby the shell has an elongated shape; and the shell includes a first plurality of holes on the circumference of the shell, at a first end that is not filled with batteries inside, which are blinded by a blinding member, and the first plurality of holes and the blinding member are each part of the vent component.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of aerosol-generating devices, and more particularly to the safety aspects of using batteries in aerosol-generating devices. Background Art

[0002] Prior art reference US2017 / 0170439 A1 generally relates to an energy storage device. More specifically, it relates to an energy storage device assembly constructed with the following: a housing or container; a current interruption device, which is constructed with the housing to electrically disconnect the energy storage assembly from passing a conductive current through its components; and a vent component / device, which is configured to exhaust pressurized gas. The vent area substrate is configured to be attached to the housing (e.g., a cover and / or a body), and the vent is configured to open in a predetermined manner so that the substrate is torn / separated along a predetermined path across / around at least a portion of the substrate. In the disclosure of this document, the vent includes a vent panel (e.g., an area of reduced thickness compared to the body and / or cover) so that the vent area / vent panel is configured to tear / rupture at the location of reduced thickness.

[0003] However, aerosol-generating devices inherently present challenges in the design of vents due to the relatively small space available in the body of the aerosol-generating device and certain aspects relating to the appearance of the aerosol-generating device.

[0004] Furthermore, the design of the aerosol-generating device and its energy storage components should minimize any risk of injury to the user.

[0005] The present invention aims to overcome the above-mentioned challenges of vent design. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention provides an energy storage component device for an aerosol generating device, which includes: a shell, which is intended to accommodate a battery; a vent component, which is configured to discharge pressurized gas from the shell when a predetermined pressure is reached in the shell; whereby the shell has an elongated shape; and the shell includes a first plurality of holes on the circumference of the shell, at a first end that is not filled with batteries inside, which are blinded by a blinding member, and the first plurality of holes and the blinding member are each part of the vent component.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment, the blinding member has a first visual aspect towards the first plurality of apertures that differs from and contrasts with a second visual aspect of the housing as visible from the outside in such a way that any blinding member modification is easily visually detectable by the intended user.

[0008] In a further preferred embodiment, each hole of the first plurality of holes has an oval shape, the oval shape being oriented according to the longitudinal direction of the elongated shape.

[0009] In a further preferred embodiment, the housing comprises a second plurality of holes blinded by a second blinding member on the circumference of the housing at a second end opposite to the first end the interior of which is not filled with batteries, the second plurality of holes and the second blinding member each being part of a venting component.

[0010] In a further preferred embodiment, the blinding member blinds the plurality of holes from the interior of the housing.

[0011] In a further preferred embodiment, the blinding member comprises a sleeve configured to deform upon occurrence of a predetermined pressure inside the housing to open the plurality of holes.

[0012] In a further preferred embodiment, the blinding member is configured to be pushed away from the plurality of holes in the event of a predetermined pressure occurring inside the housing to open at least a portion of the plurality of holes.

[0013] In a further preferred embodiment, the blinding member comprises a carrier configured to carry a printed circuit board assembly, the printed circuit board assembly being connected to the battery via a breakable electrical connection.

[0014] In a further preferred embodiment, the interior of the housing comprises a plurality of fixing points configured to fix the blinding member to the interior of the housing.

[0015] In a further preferred embodiment, the blinding member blinds the plurality of holes from the outside of the housing.

[0016] In a further preferred embodiment, the blinding member comprises a material from the list comprising a sheet of material with a water-resistant coating, such as silicone rubber or aluminium.

[0017] In a further preferred embodiment, the blinding member is made of the same material as the wall of the shell; further, the first wall thickness of the shell wall portion corresponding to the blinding member blinding the first plurality of holes is less than the second normal wall thickness of the shell, so as to achieve a preferential rupture point at the location of the first plurality of holes.

[0018] In a further preferred embodiment, the energy storage assembly further includes a battery housed in the housing, the battery including a vent configured to vent pressurized gas from an interior of the battery. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The present invention will be better understood through the detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

[0020] Figure 1 An exemplary embodiment of an energy storage assembly arrangement for an aerosol-generating device according to the present invention is schematically illustrated in cross-section;

[0021] Figure 2 Schematic diagram showing how to proceed after the battery is expected to be vented. Figure 1 An example embodiment of the energy storage assembly arrangement shown in ;

[0022] Figure 3 An exemplary embodiment of an energy storage assembly arrangement for an aerosol-generating device according to the present invention is schematically illustrated in cross-section;

[0023] Figure 4 Schematic showing the expected battery venting and Figure 3 The same example embodiment as in;

[0024] Figure 5 An exemplary embodiment of an energy storage assembly for an aerosol generating device is schematically illustrated in cross-section, similar to Figure 1 Example embodiments of;

[0025] Figure 6 Schematic diagram showing how to proceed after the battery is expected to be vented. Figure 5 An example embodiment of the energy storage assembly arrangement shown in ;

[0026] Figure 7 and Figure 8 Schematic cross-sectional views of example embodiments of energy storage assembly arrangements for an aerosol-generating device according to the present invention are shown, respectively, under normal use and battery venting conditions;

[0027] Figure 9 and Figure 10 Schematic diagrams and external views of example embodiments of energy storage assembly arrangements according to the present invention are shown;

[0028] Figure 11 and Figure 12 Schematic cross-sectional views of example embodiments of energy storage assembly arrangements for an aerosol-generating device according to the present invention are shown, respectively, under normal use and battery venting conditions;

[0029] Figure 13 A schematic cross-sectional view of an example embodiment of an energy storage assembly for an aerosol generating device is shown, similar to Figure 11 The example embodiment shown in ;

[0030] Figure 14 An example of a first plurality of holes and a second plurality of holes in a housing according to the present invention is shown in a "spread out" representation;

[0031] Figure 15 A further example of the first plurality of holes and the second plurality of holes in a housing according to the present invention is shown in a "spread out" representation;

[0032] Figure 16 An example according to the invention is shown wherein the wall thickness of the housing between each of the first plurality of apertures is reduced compared to a normal wall thickness of the housing; and

[0033] Figure 17 Schematically shows the Figure 16 A cross-section of the housing along the plane indicated by arrow C.

[0034] In the following description, the same reference numerals will be used to denote the same or similar features. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] If a battery cell is damaged inside an energy storage device, it may generate gases through a venting process (also known as thermal runaway), which may increase the pressure inside the energy storage device and cause overheating. If the energy storage device is used inside an aerosol-generating device, harm to the intended user should be avoided at all costs. To avoid this, it is important to release the gases to the outside of the battery and energy storage device. One obvious way to release the gases is to provide one or more vents in the energy storage device, allowing the gases to flow to the outside. However, such vents pose a safety risk because they can allow water or liquids (e.g., e-cigarette liquid) to enter the energy storage device and potentially cause safety issues (such as short circuits). In addition, the one or more vents may not provide the intended user with any indication that the battery cell has been vented, unless the battery cell becomes completely inoperable after venting. Such an indication can inform the user of the battery's health status, so that the user can be notified to replace the battery or stop using the device, thereby avoiding dangerous usage situations.

[0036] The present invention provides a solution for implementing vent holes in energy storage devices, where these holes are blinded by a blinding member during normal operation. During venting, the vent holes are opened by gas pressure, as the blinding member is compressed by the pressure. The user is expected to observe the open holes, thereby providing information that the battery cell has been vented and the device must be discarded.

[0037] The blinding member may comprise a material such as, for example, a sheet of material, silicone rubber, aluminum with a waterproof coating, thereby achieving a waterproof seal during normal operation.

[0038] refer to Figure 1 , which schematically illustrates in cross-section an exemplary embodiment of an energy storage assembly 1 for an aerosol generating device (the aerosol generating device is Figure 1 The energy storage assembly device 1 comprises a housing 2 intended to house the intended battery 3, which is shown in FIG. Figure 1The battery is shown in FIG, but it is not necessarily part of the present invention. The exhaust components 4, 5 are configured to exhaust the pressurized gas from the housing 2 when a predetermined pressure is reached in the housing 2 (the gas is in the Figure 1 not shown). Figure 1 Further shown are electrical contacts 6 which can be configured to contact the intended battery 3. Such electrical contacts 6 can be considered standard equipment for any energy storage assembly device. The housing 2 has an elongated shape. Figure 1 In the example shown, the elongated shape is somewhat rectangular when viewed in the cross-section shown. The energy storage device assembly is a 3-dimensional device, which may be, for example, a hollow rectangular rod or a cylinder.

[0039] The housing 2 comprises, on its circumference, at a first end A not filled internally with batteries 3 , a plurality of holes 5 blinded by a blinding member 4 , both of which are part of the venting component.

[0040] Herein, the end refers to the area between the position where the battery 3 is intended to be arranged and the end of the housing. Accordingly, the end A is not limited to the farthest part of the housing toward the end A, but also includes Figure 1 In addition, the plurality of holes 5 can be replaced by a single hole 5.

[0041] The blinding member 4 has, at least towards the plurality of holes 5, a first visual aspect which differs from and contrasts with a second visual aspect of the housing 2 as visible from the outside in such a way that any modification of the blinding member is easily visually detectable by the intended user (visual aspect and the intended user's Figure 1 The visual aspect may be an effect perceptible to the human eye, such as, for example, the angle at which light is reflected, the surface pattern, the color. In this example, the blinding member 4 is inside the housing 2 and is made of a relatively soft material, for reasons discussed in Figure 2 It will become obvious when.

[0042] refer to Figure 2 , which schematically illustrates how the battery 3 is discharged after it has been exhausted. Figure 1 , an exemplary embodiment of an energy storage assembly device 1 is shown in FIG. Exhaust causes the generation of pressurized gas that exerts pressure toward first end A (as indicated by thick arrow 20). If a predetermined pressure is established within housing 2 and exceeded, blinding member 4 is pushed toward first end A, thereby deforming blinding member 4, which is relatively easy due to the soft material of which it is made. Exhaust holes 5 are opened, allowing exhaust gas 21 to escape through them. In other words, blinding member 4 is configured to be pushed away from the plurality of holes 5 when a predetermined pressure is established within housing 2, thereby opening at least a portion of the plurality of holes 5.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment, the first visual aspect and the second visual aspect are a first color and a second color, respectively.

[0044] In a further preferred embodiment, the blinding member 4 may be a sleeve.

[0045] refer to Figure 3 , which schematically illustrates a further example embodiment of an energy storage assembly arrangement in cross-section. Figure 3 Compared to the example shown in FIG. 1 , one difference is that, in addition to the plurality of holes 5, the exhaust component 5, 31 further comprises a carrier 31 that carries or holds a PCBA 32 (printed circuit board assembly). The PCBA 32 may, for example, be configured to perform control of the aerosol generating device (other components of the aerosol generating device are shown in FIG. 1 ). Figure 3 ). Similar to Figure 1 A known blinding member 4 , a carrier 31 , is configured to blind the plurality of holes 5 during normal operation of the energy storage assembly. The PCBA 32 is connected to the electrical contacts 6 by means of breakable electrical connections 33 .

[0046] Similar to the blinding member 4, the carrier 31 has, at least towards the plurality of holes 5, a first visual aspect which differs from and contrasts with a second visual aspect of the housing 2 as visible from the outside in such a way that any carrier modification is easily visually detectable by the intended user (visual aspect and intended user's Figure 3 Visual aspects may be effects perceptible to the human eye, such as, for example, the angle at which light is reflected, surface pattern, color.

[0047] The carrier 31 may be, for example, a plastic frame.

[0048] refer to Figure 4 , which schematically illustrates how the battery 3 is discharged after it has been exhausted. Figure 3 , an exemplary embodiment of an energy storage assembly is shown in FIG. Venting causes the generation of pressurized gas that exerts pressure toward the first end A (as illustrated by thick arrow 20), and if a predetermined pressure is present and exceeded within the housing 2, the carrier 31 is pushed toward the first end A, thereby disconnecting the breakable electrical connection 33. The vent holes 5 are opened, thereby allowing the exhaust gas 21 to escape through them. In other words, the carrier 31 is configured to be pushed away from the plurality of holes 5 when a predetermined pressure is present within the housing 2, thereby opening at least a portion of the plurality of holes 5. Simultaneously, the PCBA 32 is disconnected because the breakable electrical connection 33 is broken, which has the effect of disconnecting the PCBA 32 from the battery, and thus rendering the aerosol-generating device inoperable, thereby preventing any potential adverse effects of operating the energy storage assembly and also preventing hazardous usage situations where the battery has been vented and continued operation is unhealthy.

[0049] Alternatively, the carrier 31 does not necessarily contain or hold a PCBA and merely performs its function without carrying any PCBA. In this embodiment, there is also no breakable electrical connection.

[0050] refer to Figure 5 , which schematically illustrates in cross-section an example embodiment of an energy storage assembly 1 for an aerosol generating device, similar to Figure 1 Again, for better understanding, Figure 5 3. In FIG, a battery 3 is shown which is intended, but which need not be part of the present invention. In addition, the interior of the housing 2 comprises a plurality of fixing points 30 for fixing the blinding member 4 to the interior of the housing 2.

[0051] refer to Figure 6 , which schematically illustrates how the battery 3 is discharged after it has been exhausted. Figure 5 An exemplary embodiment of an energy storage assembly arrangement 1 is shown in FIG. Figure 6 It is clearly shown how the fixing points 30 contribute to retaining the blinding member 4 when it is deformed under the effect of the pressurized gas.

[0052] refer to Figure 7 and Figure 8 , which show schematic cross-sectional views of example embodiments of energy storage assembly arrangements for an aerosol-generating device, respectively, under normal use and battery venting conditions. Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the blinding member 70 covers the first plurality of holes 5 from the outside of the sealed housing 2. Figure 10 In the event of battery venting, the pressurized gas pushes against the blinding member 70 and opens at least some of the first plurality of holes 5 to escape from the interior of the housing 2 .

[0053] refer to Figure 9 and Figure 10 , which show schematic diagrams and external views of an example embodiment of an energy storage assembly device 50, wherein the housing 2 is not filled with batteries on the circumference of the housing 2 (the batteries are in Figure 9 and Figure 10 The second end B opposite to the filled first end A comprises a second plurality of holes 51 blinded from the inside by a second blinding member 52, both of which are part of the exhaust component.

[0054] Herein, the end refers to the area between the position where the battery 3 is intended to be arranged and the end of the housing. Accordingly, the end B is not limited to the farthest part of the housing toward the end B, but also includes Figure 9 Furthermore, the plurality of holes 51 may be replaced by a single hole 51 .

[0055] Figure 9 and Figure 10 It is further shown that the first plurality of holes 5 is Figure 9 In the embodiment, the first plurality of holes is covered from the inside by the blinding member 4, but in Figure 10 In the case of battery (battery in Figure 9 and Figure 10 Due to venting of the battery (not shown), only a portion of the first plurality of holes 5 remains covered from the inside by the blinding member 4, while one hole 53 of the first plurality of holes 5 is no longer covered but is open to allow gas to escape therethrough. This one hole 53 is clearly identifiable by the intended user and indicates that the battery has vented and the device should be discarded.

[0056] Each of the first plurality of holes 5 or the second plurality of holes 51 may have a shape suitable for the amount of gas to be exhausted in the event of battery exhaust, including a circular shape, an elliptical shape, a rectangular shape, a polygonal shape, etc. (some of these shapes are not shown in FIG. Figure 9 and Figure 10 not shown).

[0057] In a preferred embodiment, each hole of the first plurality of holes 5 has an oval shape oriented according to the longitudinal direction of the elongated shape. Figure 9 and Figure 10 The situation shown in .

[0058] The energy storage assembly is assembled into the aerosol-generating device in such a manner that the first end A corresponds to or is adjacent to the non-inhalation end of the aerosol-generating device, which is the end opposite the inhalation side of the aerosol-generating device. This is because the pressurized gas is hot and dangerous to the user, and is safer to be discharged away from the inhalation side.

[0059] refer to Figure 11 and Figure 12 , which show schematic cross-sectional views of an energy storage assembly arrangement for an aerosol generating device under normal usage and battery venting conditions, respectively. Figure 11 and Figure 12 Shows that already Figure 9 and Figure 10 The use case scenario of the first plurality of holes 5 and the second plurality of holes 51 shown in Figure 11 and Figure 12 In the embodiment, no blinding member is shown, which has been explained according to the previous examples, in which the blinding member covers the hole either from the inside or from the outside. Any of the previously described particularities can be implemented in the present structure in which the hole is arranged on both ends.

[0060] During thermal runaway / malfunction of the battery 3, the malfunction may be a bulge, e.g. Figure 11and Figure 12 At the position 90 indicated in the figure, the battery 3 is only bulged in the Figure 12 As can be seen in the figure, any gaps between the battery 3 and the housing 2 are thus filled and the gas is potentially blocked without any possible release in the area of the housing 2. Having holes at both ends of the housing 2 (for example embodied as the first plurality of holes 5 and the second plurality of holes 51) allows the gas to escape in any case and avoids gas blockage.

[0061] refer to Figure 13 , which shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an example embodiment of an energy storage assembly arrangement for an aerosol generating device, similar to Figure 11 . It should be noted that in the event of thermal runaway / malfunction of the battery 3, and even if the first plurality of holes 5 and the second plurality of holes 51 are present in the housing 2, it may happen that a certain volume of gas generated cannot be released from the housing 2 quickly enough, thereby overpressurizing the battery 3 and / or the housing 2, which in turn may cause either the battery or the housing to rupture in an unpredictable manner. Therefore, in particular when using the energy storage assembly device in an aerosol-generating device, it is important to create a predefined rupture scheme (i.e., a weak point) in the housing 2 (preferably opposite the face of the intended user) by means of a machining process.

[0062] Many different rupture strategies can be realized, which relate not only to the size, shape and distribution of the holes, but also to the type of blinding member and the thickness of the wall(s).

[0063] Figure 14 An example of the first plurality of holes 5 and the second plurality of holes 51 in the housing 2 is shown in a "spread out" representation. The holes in the second plurality of holes 51 have a smaller diameter than the holes in the first plurality of holes 5, while the second plurality of holes 51 and the first plurality of holes 5 have the same count. Thus, the blinding member (in Figure 14 The first surface (not shown) is larger than the second surface presented by the second plurality of holes 51, so that in the event of a pressure buildup, gas will be more likely to escape at a greater rate through the first plurality of holes 5, and further so that this side is located in the aerosol-generating device away from the face of the intended user (the aerosol-generating device and the intended user's face are in the same direction as the first surface). Figure 14 (not shown in the figure). This is because the pressurized gas is hot and dangerous to the user, and is safer to exhaust away from the suction side. Moreover, and importantly, less material of the housing 2 remains around the first plurality of holes 5 than around the second plurality of holes 51, making it more likely that the housing 2 will rupture in the area of the first plurality of holes 5 if extreme pressure builds up inside the housing 2.

[0064] The first plurality of holes 5 may be restricted to a determined section 141 and cover a surface of the first hole corresponding to, for example, 50% of the determined section 141. This percentage may vary to be larger or smaller, depending on the design of the aerosol generating device.

[0065] The second plurality of holes 51 may be restricted to the second defined section 142 and cover a surface of the second hole corresponding to, for example, 25% of the second defined section 142. This percentage may vary to be larger or smaller, depending on the design of the aerosol generating device.

[0066] Figure 15 A further example of the first plurality of holes 5 and the second plurality of holes 51 in the housing 2 is shown in a "spread out" representation. The holes in the second plurality of holes 51 have similar diameters to the holes in the first plurality of holes 5 and are the same in number. Thus, the blinding member (in the case of the first plurality of holes 5) is represented by Figure 15 The first surface (not shown) is substantially identical to the second surface presented by the second plurality of holes 51, so that in the event of a pressure buildup, gas will likely escape through the first plurality of holes 5 at a similar rate to the second plurality of holes 51. However, as Figure 16 As shown in , it is possible to design each of the first plurality of holes 5 to be blinded by a wall 140, for example by making the wall 140 thinner than the normal wall thickness of the housing 2, thereby making it more likely that the wall will rupture at the thinner portion in the event of an extreme pressure buildup. Figure 17 Schematically shows the shell 2 along the Figure 16 , which shows the extent to which the thickness w of the wall 140 is less than the normal wall thickness h of the housing 2. When designing an aerosol-generating device, the side of the housing 2 where the apertures connected by the thinner wall are located should be oriented away from the face of the intended user in order to reduce the risk of injury.

Claims

1. An energy storage assembly for an aerosol generating device, the energy storage assembly comprising: a housing intended to house a battery; an exhaust component configured to exhaust pressurized gas from within the housing when a predetermined pressure is reached within the housing; whereby the housing has an elongated shape; and The housing includes a first plurality of holes blinded from the outside of the housing by a blinding member at a first end of the housing where the interior is not filled with the batteries, on the circumference of the housing, wherein the first plurality of holes is located in a region between a position where the batteries are arranged and an end of the housing in the bottom direction. The first plurality of holes and the blinding member are each part of the exhaust component.

2. The energy storage assembly device according to claim 1, wherein: The blinding member has a first visual aspect toward the first plurality of apertures that differs from and contrasts with a second visual aspect of the housing visible from the exterior in a manner that any blinding member modification is readily visually detectable by an intended user.

3. The energy storage assembly according to claim 2, in, Each hole of the first plurality of holes has an oval shape oriented according to a longitudinal direction of the elongated shape.

4. The energy storage assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in, The housing includes a second plurality of holes blinded by a second blinding member on the circumference of the housing at a second end opposite the first end whose interior is not filled with the batteries, the second plurality of holes and the second blinding member each being part of the vent component.

5. The energy storage assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in, The blinding member blinds the plurality of holes from an interior of the housing.

6. The energy storage assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in, The blinding member includes a sleeve configured to deform to open the plurality of holes when the predetermined pressure occurs inside the housing.

7. The energy storage assembly according to claim 6, in, The blinding member is configured to be pushed away from the plurality of holes when the predetermined pressure occurs inside the housing to open at least a portion of the plurality of holes.

8. The energy storage assembly according to claim 7, in, The blinding member includes a carrier configured to carry a printed circuit board assembly connected to the battery via a breakable electrical connector.

9. The energy storage assembly according to claim 5, in, The interior of the housing includes a plurality of securing points configured to secure the blinding member to the interior of the housing.

10. The energy storage assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in, The blinding member comprises a material from the list comprising a sheet of material with a water-resistant coating.

11. The energy storage assembly according to claim 1, in, The blinding member is made of the same material as the wall of the housing; Further wherein a first wall thickness of the shell wall portion corresponding to the blinding member blinding the first plurality of holes is less than a second normal wall thickness of the shell so as to achieve preferential rupture points at the locations of the first plurality of holes.

12. The energy storage assembly of any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a battery housed in the housing, the battery including a vent configured to vent pressurized gas from an interior of the battery.

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