Battery Case Venting Structure for Condensate-Safe Pressure Balance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Batteries face safety hazards in high-temperature and high-humidity environments due to condensate formation, which can affect electrical connections and lead to safety issues.

Innovation Solution

A battery case with a thermal management component and heat conducting component that condenses incoming gases on a wall away from electrical connections, using a pressure balancing mechanism and fin to enhance condensation, and a cover-like structure to shield the through hole and guide condensate to a thermal management component for safe discharge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a through hole is provided in the battery case wall to communicate gas inside and outside the case, then pressure balance is improved, but condensate formation occurs inside the case causing safety hazards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure balanceVSAvoidcondensate formation

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A heat conducting component is introduced as an intermediary between the thermal management component and the case wall. This component conducts heat to the wall surface to prevent condensate formation, while the through hole maintains pressure balance. The intermediary solves both the pressure balance requirement and the condensate prevention requirement simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The heat conducting component performs preliminary heating of the case wall surface before humid gas enters through the through hole. By pre-heating the wall surface to above dew point temperature, the system prevents condensate formation in advance, eliminating the safety hazard before it can occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If thermal management component is used to adjust battery temperature, then battery performance is improved, but condensate forms on the thermal management component surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery performanceVSAvoidcondensate on component surface

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The heat conducting component acts as a mediator between the thermal management component and the external environment. It transfers heat to the case wall to prevent condensate formation, allowing the thermal management component to maintain battery performance without suffering from condensate-related safety issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the first wall condenses gas flowing into the case, then condensate is formed away from electrical connections improving safety, but additional heat conducting component is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecondensate locationVSAvoidheat conducting component

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heat conducting component serves multiple functions: it conducts heat to prevent condensate formation on the thermal management component, conducts heat to warm the case wall surface to prevent condensate formation inside the case, and maintains structural integrity. By making one component multi-functional, the patent avoids adding excessive complexity while achieving condensate prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution effectively prevents condensate from reaching electrical connections, enhancing battery safety by ensuring dry conditions and facilitating the safe discharge of condensate or leaked fluids, thereby reducing the risk of safety hazards.

Implementation Method 1

a heat conducting component attached to the thermal management component and the first wall, the heat conducting component being configured to conduct heat of the thermal management component to the first wall

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

the first wall condenses a gas flowing from the outside of the case to the inside of the case through the through hole

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 3

a thermal management component configured to adjust temperature of a battery cell accommodated in the case

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal management: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS11926225B2Case of battery, battery, power consumption device, and method and device for producing battery

Publication Date: 2024.03.12 JIANGSU CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECH LTD

AI summary

Embodiments of the present application provide a case for a battery, a battery, a power consumption device, and a method and device for producing a battery. The case includes: a thermal management component configured to adjust temperature of a battery cell accommodated in the case; a first wall provided with a through hole, the through hole being configured to communicate a gas inside and outside the case; and a heat conducting component attached to the thermal management component and the first wall, the heat conducting component being configured to conduct heat of the thermal management component to the first wall, so that the first wall condenses a gas flowing from the outside of the case to the inside of the case through the through hole. According to the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the safety of the battery can be enhanced.