Exhaust valve and battery cover plate assembly

Abstract

The utility model belongs to secondary battery safety technical field discloses an exhaust valve and battery apron subassembly, this exhaust valve includes inner valve body and valve bonnet, the inner valve body has hollow cavity, the both ends of inner valve body are provided with first opening and second opening with hollow cavity intercommunication, first opening is used for with the exhaust port of gas production equipment intercommunication arrangement, valve bonnet sets up at second opening place and is sealedly connected with inner valve body. This exhaust valve simple structure can discharge the gas that electrolyte reaction in the cell interior produces in time, stabilizes internal air pressure, and can guarantee that internal pressure will not excessively rise when the gas production equipment slowly produces gas, avoids the problem that the gas production equipment is caused by the little gas and is inflated, deforms, and the exhaust mode is gentle, will not destroy the structure of gas production equipment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of secondary battery safety technology, specifically relating to an exhaust valve and battery cover assembly. Background Technology

[0002] The demand and capacity of rechargeable batteries are increasing daily, leading to a growing problem of gas generation within them. As the amount of gas generated inside rechargeable batteries increases, if it cannot be released in time, it will gradually cause the batteries to swell and deform, and in severe cases, excessive internal pressure may lead to an explosion.

[0003] To address the issue of internal gas generation in secondary batteries, an explosion-proof valve is typically installed on the battery cover assembly. When the internal thermal runaway gas pressure reaches a certain threshold, the explosion-proof valve ruptures, creating a vent on the top cover to release pressure and prevent an explosion due to excessive internal pressure. However, the explosion-proof valve primarily functions when there is a large amount of gas generated inside the secondary battery. It cannot solve problems such as bulging, deformation, and increased pressure caused by slow or small amounts of gas generation. Furthermore, the explosion-proof valve is a disposable component; its activation can damage the battery structure. Therefore, its limitations are significant, and it still affects the safety of the secondary battery. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of the above-mentioned defects or deficiencies in the prior art, it is desirable to provide an exhaust valve and battery cover assembly.

[0005] A first aspect of this utility model provides an exhaust valve, comprising:

[0006] The inner valve body has a hollow cavity, and the two ends of the inner valve body are provided with a first opening and a second opening that communicate with the hollow cavity. The first opening is used to communicate with the exhaust port of the gas generating equipment.

[0007] A valve cap is disposed at the second opening and is sealed to the inner valve body.

[0008] The exhaust valve provided by this utility model has a simple structure and can promptly discharge the gas generated by the electrolyte reaction inside the battery cell to stabilize the internal gas pressure. It can also ensure that the internal pressure does not rise excessively when the gas generating equipment slowly generates gas, avoiding bulging and deformation caused by a small amount of gas generated by the gas generating equipment. Moreover, the exhaust method is gentle and will not damage the structure of the gas generating equipment.

[0009] In some embodiments, the valve cap includes a waterproof and breathable membrane.

[0010] In some embodiments, the waterproof and breathable membrane includes one or more of polytetrafluoroethylene membrane, polyimide membrane, polypropylene membrane, or polyurethane membrane.

[0011] In some embodiments, the exhaust valve further includes an outer valve body, which is sleeved outside the inner valve body, and the valve cap is located between the inner valve body and the outer valve body. The outer valve body has an exhaust hole.

[0012] In some embodiments, the sidewall of the inner valve body is recessed towards the hollow cavity to form a recessed portion, and the outer valve body is provided with a claw portion that engages with the recessed portion.

[0013] In some embodiments, the recess includes a plurality of grooves spaced apart along the circumference of the inner valve body, or the recess includes an annular groove along the circumference of the inner valve body.

[0014] In some embodiments, the claw portion is provided with a chamfered structure.

[0015] In some embodiments, the inner valve body includes a conical base portion, the recessed portion is disposed at one end of the conical base portion near the first opening, and the sidewall thickness of the conical base portion decreases sequentially from the first opening to the second opening.

[0016] A second aspect of this utility model provides a battery cover assembly, including a cover body, wherein an exhaust port is provided on the cover body, and an exhaust valve as described in any embodiment of this application is provided at the exhaust port.

[0017] In some embodiments, the cover has a protrusion at the vent port on a side away from the cover, the vent port is located inside the protrusion, and the inner valve body is sleeved on the protrusion; the vent port is the battery's electrolyte inlet.

[0018] Additional aspects and advantages of this invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Other features, objects, and advantages of this application will become more apparent from the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0020] Figure 1 A perspective view of the exhaust valve provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0021] Figure 2 A perspective view of the exhaust valve provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0022] Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the exhaust valve provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0023] Figure 4A schematic diagram illustrating the fit between the inner valve body and the valve cap provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0024] Figure 5 This is a perspective structural diagram of the inner valve body provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0025] Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of the inner valve body provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0026] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the valve cap provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0027] Figure 8 This is a perspective view of the external valve body provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0028] Figure 9 This is a perspective view of the external valve body provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0029] Figure 10 A cross-sectional view of the outer valve body provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0030] Figure 11 A top view of the battery cover assembly provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0031] Figure 12 A cross-sectional view of the battery cover assembly provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0032] Figure 13 for Figure 12 Enlarged view of a portion of point A in the middle.

[0033] In the above image:

[0034] 100 Exhaust valve; 110 Inner valve body; 111 Conical base; 1110 Hollow cavity; 1111 First opening; 1112 Second opening; 112 Recess;

[0035] 120 Valve Cap;

[0036] 130 Outer valve body; 131 Exhaust port; 132 Claw portion; 1320 Chamfered structure;

[0037] 200 Battery cover assembly; 210 Cover body; 211 Protrusion; 212 Vent; 220 Explosion-proof valve; 221 Protective patch. Detailed Implementation

[0038] The present application will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the relevant utility model and not intended to limit the scope of the utility model. Furthermore, it should be noted that, for ease of description, only the parts relevant to the utility model are shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0039] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in this application can be combined with each other. This application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0040] The terminology used in this application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application. The singular forms “a,” “the,” and “the” as used in this application and the appended claims are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term “and / or” as used herein refers to and includes any or all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0041] Unless the context otherwise requires, throughout the specification and claims, the term "comprising" is interpreted as open and encompassing, that is, "including, but not limited to".

[0042] In the description of this specification, the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "exemplary embodiment," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., are intended to indicate that a particular feature, structure, material, or characteristic associated with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of this disclosure. The illustrative representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics mentioned may be included in any suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.

[0043] The terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of embodiments of this disclosure, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0044] The first aspect of this utility model, with reference to... Figures 1 to 10 A vent valve 100 is provided, comprising:

[0045] The inner valve body 110 has a hollow cavity 1110. The two ends of the inner valve body 110 are provided with a first opening 1111 and a second opening 1112 that communicate with the hollow cavity 1110. The first opening 1111 is used to communicate with the exhaust port 212 of the gas generating equipment.

[0046] Valve cap 120 is disposed at the second opening 1112 and is sealed to the inner valve body 110.

[0047] Specifically, the inner valve body 110 has a hollow cavity 1110, and its two ends along the axial direction have a first opening 1111 and a second opening 1112 communicating with the hollow cavity 1110. The first opening 1111 of the inner valve body 110 is connected to the exhaust port 212 of a gas-generating device (such as a battery). A valve cap 120 is provided at the second opening 1112, and the valve cap 120 is sealed to the inner valve body 110 to seal the exhaust port 212 of the gas-generating device. When the gas-generating device slowly or in small amounts releases gas, the valve cap 120 can discharge the gas released by the gas-generating device to the external environment.

[0048] The exhaust valve 100 provided by this utility model has a simple structure and can ensure that the internal pressure of the gas generating equipment will not rise excessively when the gas generating equipment is slowly producing gas, thus avoiding the problems of bulging and deformation caused by the small amount of gas produced by the gas generating equipment. Moreover, the exhaust method is gentle and will not damage the structure of the gas generating equipment.

[0049] It should be noted that the first opening 1111 and the second opening 1112 have the same cross-sectional area. Those skilled in the art can set the shape of the first opening 1111 and the second opening 1112 according to actual needs. For example, the first opening 1111 and the second opening 1112 can be circular openings or polygonal openings (such as square openings, pentagonal openings, etc.). The cross-sectional area of ​​the valve cap 120 at least covers the second opening 1112, so that the valve cap 120 can seal with the inner valve body 110 at the second opening 1112.

[0050] In some embodiments, the valve cap 120 includes a waterproof and breathable membrane.

[0051] Specifically, the waterproof and breathable membrane can be fixedly connected to the inner valve body 110 using an adhesive such as double-sided tape. The waterproof and breathable membrane possesses both air permeability and liquid resistance, effectively preventing the intrusion of foreign matter. That is, it allows gas permeation (air permeability) through its microporous structure while relying on surface tension to block liquid electrolyte (liquid resistance), effectively preventing the risk of short circuits caused by battery electrolyte leakage. During the venting process, the waterproof and breathable membrane only allows gas to pass through, while liquid cannot pass through to the outside, avoiding severe corrosion of the surrounding environment and equipment by the liquid, and improving the safety of the gas-generating equipment. The liquid discharged from the gas-generating equipment can be electrolyte, etc.

[0052] Furthermore, the waterproof and breathable membrane includes one or more of the following: polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membrane, polyimide (PI) membrane, polypropylene (PP) membrane, polyurethane (PU) membrane, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) membrane, or modified polyurethane (TPU / PU) membrane.

[0053] Waterproof and breathable membranes can be single-layer or multi-layer membranes. Single-layer membranes have simple processing technology and low cost; multi-layer membranes have high reliability and can prevent the failure of a certain membrane layer from causing the valve cap 120 to lose its function.

[0054] It should be noted that the waterproof and breathable membrane is a one-way breathable membrane, meaning that the one-way breathable membrane only allows gas to be discharged from the gas generating equipment to the outside, while outside gas cannot enter the gas generating equipment through the one-way breathable membrane. The waterproof and breathable membrane can also burst to release gas when the pressure in the gas generating equipment is too high.

[0055] In some implementations, reference Figures 1 to 3 , Figures 8 to 10 The exhaust valve 100 also includes an outer valve body 130, which is sleeved outside the inner valve body 110. The valve cap 120 is located between the inner valve body 110 and the outer valve body 130. An exhaust hole 131 is provided on the outer valve body 130.

[0056] Specifically, the outer valve body 130 can be fitted over the inner valve body 110, and the valve cap 120 is located between the inner valve body 110 and the outer valve body 130. The outer valve body 130 serves as a protective shell, which can prevent the waterproof and breathable membrane from being mechanically damaged (such as by collision or puncture), and can also guide the gas discharged from the waterproof and breathable membrane to the outside through the exhaust port 131.

[0057] The outer valve body 130 and the inner valve body 110 can be manufactured by general forming processes such as injection molding, compression molding, and cutting. The inner valve body 110 and the valve cap 120 can preferably be made of thermoplastic resins such as polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyamide (PA), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

[0058] In some implementations, reference Figures 3 to 6 The inner valve body 110 has a recessed portion 112 formed by the outer side wall facing the hollow cavity 1110, and the outer valve body 130 is provided with a claw portion 132 that engages with the recessed portion 112.

[0059] Specifically, the bottom end of the side wall of the inner valve body 110 is recessed towards the hollow cavity 1110 to form a recessed portion 112, and the bottom end of the side wall of the outer valve body 130 extends towards the hollow cavity 1110 to form a claw portion 132. When the outer valve body 130 is slidably sleeved on the inner valve body 110, the claw portion 132 can be engaged in the recessed portion 112, thereby achieving a fixed connection between the inner valve body 110 and the outer valve body 130.

[0060] In some embodiments, the recess 112 includes a plurality of grooves spaced apart circumferentially along the inner valve body 110, or the recess 112 includes an annular groove spaced circumferentially along the inner valve body 110.

[0061] Specifically, the recessed portion 112 includes a plurality of grooves spaced apart circumferentially along the inner valve body 110, and the retaining claw portion 132 on the outer valve body 130 is correspondingly arranged in the grooves, so that when the outer valve body 130 is assembled onto the inner valve body 110, the retaining claw portion 132 can be engaged in the grooves one by one. Or, refer to Figure 5 The recessed portion 112 includes an annular groove arranged circumferentially along the inner valve body 110, and the outer valve body 130 is provided with at least two claw portions 132, which can be engaged in the annular groove, making the assembly of the outer valve body 130 and the inner valve body 110 more flexible and convenient.

[0062] In some implementations, reference Figure 3 , Figure 9 and Figure 10 The claw portion 132 is provided with a chamfered structure 1320.

[0063] Specifically, the claw portion 132 is provided with a 30~60° chamfer structure 1320 on the side near the inner valve body 110, which is used to provide guidance when the inner valve body 110 and the outer valve body 130 are assembled, to avoid rigid collision between the claw portion 132 and the inner valve body 110, so that when the outer valve body 130 is slidably assembled on the outside of the inner valve body 110, the assembly resistance can be reduced.

[0064] It should be noted that the end face of the claw portion 132 away from the chamfer structure 1320 has a horizontal surface that mates with the recessed portion 112. This horizontal surface can abut against the recessed portion 112 to ensure a stable connection between the inner valve body 110 and the outer valve body 130.

[0065] In some implementations, reference Figures 3 to 6 The inner valve body 110 includes a conical base portion 111, and a recessed portion 112 is disposed at one end of the conical base portion 111 near the first opening 1111. The sidewall thickness of the conical base portion 111 decreases sequentially from the first opening 1111 to the second opening 1112.

[0066] Specifically, the bottom end of the conical base portion 111 is recessed towards the hollow cavity 1110 to form a recessed portion 112. The side wall of the conical base portion 111 located above the recessed portion 112 forms a conical structure that is narrow at the top and wide at the bottom, which facilitates the outer valve body 130 to slide into the outside of the inner valve body 110, reduces the resistance of the outer valve body 130 being assembled into the outside of the inner valve body 110, and facilitates the insertion of the claw portion 132 into the recessed portion 112.

[0067] Among them, reference Figures 8 to 10The outer valve body 130 includes an annular sidewall and a top wall, which together form a structure with an internal cavity. The bottom end of the annular sidewall extends toward the cavity to form a claw portion 132. An exhaust port 131 may be provided on the annular sidewall and / or the top wall. There may be multiple exhaust ports 131. For example, see reference. Figure 8 Multiple exhaust holes 131 are evenly distributed in a ring at intervals along the center of the top wall. The evenly distributed exhaust holes 131 can achieve uniform exhaust of the gas generating equipment and ensure the stability of the gas pressure of the gas generating equipment.

[0068] The second aspect of this utility model, with reference to... Figures 11 to 13 A battery cover assembly 200 is provided, including a cover body 210, on which an exhaust port 212 is provided, and an exhaust valve 100 as described in any embodiment of this application is provided at the exhaust port 212.

[0069] Specifically, the cover 210 is provided with an exhaust port 212, and the inner valve body 110 of the exhaust valve 100 is connected to the exhaust port 212. This ensures that the gas-generating equipment, such as a secondary battery, can exhaust gas in a timely manner when it slowly generates gas, so that its internal pressure remains constant within a certain range. It also ensures that the explosion-proof valve 220 will not fail to burst in time due to the release of too much gas, thereby improving the safety of the secondary battery. Furthermore, the liquid is not discharged during the exhaust process, avoiding serious corrosion to the surrounding environment and equipment, improving the safety of the gas-generating equipment, and ensuring the performance of the gas-generating equipment.

[0070] It should be noted that the specific technical features and technical effects of the battery cover assembly 200 provided in this application embodiment are the same as those of the exhaust valve 100, and will not be repeated in this application embodiment.

[0071] In some implementations, reference Figure 13 The cover 210 forms a protrusion 211 at the vent 212 on the side away from the cover 210, the vent 212 is located inside the protrusion 211, and the inner valve body 110 is sleeved on the protrusion 211; the vent 212 is the battery filling port.

[0072] Specifically, the gas-generating device can be a battery. The location of the battery's vent 212 can be implemented in various ways. For example, the battery's vent 212 can also be its electrolyte inlet. Through this inlet, both venting and electrolyte filling operations can be performed without additional drilling, thus reusing the inlet and reducing costs. Alternatively, the vent 212 can be located on the battery's cover 210 or on the terminal post, avoiding the electrolyte inlet. Those skilled in the art can configure it according to actual needs.

[0073] For example, the cover 210 extends outward from the side away from the battery at the liquid injection port to form a protrusion 211 with a top opening. The inner valve body 110 can be assembled onto the protrusion 211 to realize the connection and fixation between the exhaust valve 100 and the protrusion 211. The inner valve body 110 and the protrusion 211 can be connected and fixed by welding, screwing or plugging (sleeving) to ensure the sealing of the connection between the exhaust valve 100 and the battery.

[0074] The exhaust valve 100 provided in this application embodiment has an inner valve body 110 that slides into the protrusion 211 at the exhaust port 212 of the battery, and an outer valve body 130 that slides into the outside of the inner valve body 110, making the entire exhaust valve 100 easy to assemble, inexpensive, and easy to operate.

[0075] Understandably, reference Figure 11 and Figure 12 The cover 210 is also equipped with an explosion-proof valve 220, which is equipped with a protective patch 221, etc. The explosion-proof valve 220 serves as a safety outlet when the gas pressure suddenly increases. When the battery produces a large amount of gas, the explosion-proof valve 220 can burst to release the gas.

[0076] A third aspect of this utility model provides a battery, which includes the exhaust valve 100 described in any embodiment of this application, or the battery cover assembly 200 described in any embodiment of this application.

[0077] Specifically, the exhaust valve 100 can promptly discharge the gas generated by the electrolyte reaction inside the battery cell, stabilizing the internal gas pressure of the battery cell. The specific technical features and effects of the battery are consistent with those of the exhaust valve 100, and will not be repeated in the embodiments of this application. The battery can be a lithium-ion battery, etc.

[0078] A fourth aspect of this utility model provides an electrical device, the electrical device including the battery described in any embodiment of this application.

[0079] Specifically, the technical features and effects of the electrical equipment are consistent with those of the exhaust valve 100, and will not be repeated in the embodiments of this application.

[0080] It should be noted that electrical equipment can include vehicles, mobile phones, portable devices, laptops, ships, spacecraft, electric toys, and power tools, etc. Vehicles can be gasoline-powered cars, natural gas-powered cars, or new energy vehicles; new energy vehicles can be pure electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, or range-extended electric vehicles, etc. Spacecraft include airplanes, rockets, space shuttles, and spacecraft, etc. Electric toys include stationary or mobile electric toys, such as game consoles, electric car toys, electric ship toys, and electric airplane toys, etc. Power tools include metal cutting power tools, grinding power tools, assembly power tools, and railway power tools, such as electric drills, electric grinders, electric wrenches, electric screwdrivers, electric hammers, impact drills, concrete vibrators, and electric planers, etc. This utility model embodiment does not impose any special limitations on the above-mentioned electrical equipment.

[0081] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application and an explanation of the technical principles employed. Those skilled in the art should understand that the scope of the utility model involved in this application is not limited to the technical solutions formed by specific combinations of the above-described technical features, but should also cover other technical solutions formed by arbitrary combinations of the above-described technical features or their equivalents without departing from the inventive concept. For example, technical solutions formed by substituting the above features with (but not limited to) technical features with similar functions disclosed in this application.

Claims

1. An exhaust valve (100), characterized in that, include: The inner valve body (110) has a hollow cavity (1110). The two ends of the inner valve body (110) are provided with a first opening (1111) and a second opening (1112) communicating with the hollow cavity (1110). The first opening (1111) is used to communicate with the exhaust port (212) of the gas generating equipment. Valve cap (120) is disposed at the second opening (1112) and is sealed to the inner valve body (110).

2. The exhaust valve (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The valve cap (120) includes a waterproof and breathable membrane.

3. The exhaust valve (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The waterproof and breathable membrane includes one or more of polytetrafluoroethylene membrane, polyimide membrane, polypropylene membrane, or polyurethane membrane.

4. The exhaust valve (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The exhaust valve (100) also includes an outer valve body (130), which is sleeved on the outside of the inner valve body (110). The valve cap (120) is located between the inner valve body (110) and the outer valve body (130), and an exhaust hole (131) is provided on the outer valve body (130).

5. The exhaust valve (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The side wall of the inner valve body (110) is recessed into the hollow cavity (1110) to form a recess (112), and the outer valve body (130) is provided with a claw (132) that engages with the recess (112).

6. The exhaust valve (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The recess (112) includes a plurality of grooves spaced apart circumferentially along the inner valve body (110), or the recess (112) includes an annular groove spaced circumferentially along the inner valve body (110).

7. The exhaust valve (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The claw portion (132) is provided with a chamfered structure (1320).

8. The exhaust valve (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The inner valve body (110) includes a conical base portion (111), and the recessed portion (112) is disposed at one end of the conical base portion (111) near the first opening (1111). The sidewall thickness of the conical base portion (111) decreases sequentially from the first opening (1111) to the second opening (1112).

9. A battery cover assembly (200), characterized in that, The battery cover assembly (200) includes a cover (210), on which an exhaust port (212) is provided, and an exhaust valve (100) as described in any one of claims 1-8 is provided at the exhaust port (212).

10. The battery cover assembly (200) according to claim 9, characterized in that, The cover (210) forms a protrusion (211) on the side away from the cover (210) at the vent (212), the vent (212) is located inside the protrusion (211), and the inner valve body (110) is sleeved on the protrusion (211); the vent (212) is the liquid injection port of the battery.

Images