Battery Cell Storage Case With External Discharge and Gas Venting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Secondary batteries face instability issues during storage, leading to potential ignition and explosion due to decomposition reactions under abnormal conditions, necessitating a method to prevent such incidents and ensure safety.

Innovation Solution

A storage device for battery cells incorporating a discharge unit and vents to safely discharge energy and gases, featuring a case with a hollow structure, connection terminals, and a switch unit to control discharge, along with partition walls and exhaust units for gas release, using flame retardant or insulating materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If battery cells are stored in a closed container, then protection from external impact is improved, but heat and gas accumulation leading to ignition and explosion risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection from external impactVSAvoidheat and gas accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The storage case uses a sealed container structure with flexible sealing mechanisms that maintain closure for impact protection while incorporating pressure relief features. The case body is designed with integrated vent channels that allow gas escape without compromising the overall sealed structure, resolving the contradiction between closed containment and gas accumulation prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary pressure relief valve or vent mechanism between the closed storage case and the external environment. This intermediary component allows controlled gas release while maintaining the sealed protective enclosure, preventing direct communication between the battery cell environment and external atmosphere while still relieving pressure buildup.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-generated harmful factors

If battery cells are stored in an open container, then gas release is improved, but protection from external impact and contamination decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas releaseVSAvoidprotection from external impact
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The storage case employs a sealed container with integrated pressure relief features rather than an open structure. The case maintains a closed protective environment while incorporating controlled venting mechanisms that allow gas release without exposing the battery cell to external impacts or contamination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

A vent valve or pressure relief mechanism serves as an intermediary between the sealed storage case and external environment, enabling controlled gas release while maintaining the protective sealed enclosure. This intermediary allows gas escape without requiring an open container structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If discharge unit is integrated inside the storage case, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedischarge controlVSAvoidcase structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge unit is extracted from the internal storage case structure and positioned externally. The case includes openings or access points that allow the discharge unit to be operated from outside the sealed enclosure, maintaining ease of operation while simplifying the internal case structure and avoiding integration complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The discharge unit is designed as a separate external component that can be applied to multiple battery cell configurations. By positioning it outside the storage case, the same discharge mechanism can serve multiple storage containers without requiring custom integration for each case, reducing overall system complexity.

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 ignition and explosion by completely discharging battery cells and safely venting gases, ensuring stability and safety during storage.

Implementation Method 1

a discharge unit configured to be electrically connected to the case and disposed outside the case to discharge the battery cell

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBattery (electricity): Battery (electricity)

Implementation Method 2

exhaust units configured to be formed on at least one portion selected from the group consisting of an upper surface, a lower surface and a side surface of the chamber and discharge gas generated from the battery cell to an outside

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas generation from decomposition: Decomposition (biological)

Data Source

PatentEP3806225B1Battery cell storage case and storage device including same
Publication Date: 2023.08.23 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

AI summary

A battery cell storage case according to the present invention may comprise: a case in which battery cells are stored; and a discharge unit which is electrically connected to the case, is disposed outside the case, and discharges the battery cells, wherein the case comprises: an upper case which has a hollow structure and is open on one side thereof; and a lower case which has a hollow structure and is open on the side facing the open portion of the upper case.