Battery Cell Case With Melt-Directed Cap Plate Venting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thermal runaway events in battery assemblies can lead to serious safety issues due to heat or flame propagation between neighboring cells, posing a risk of widespread ignition and damage.
Innovation Solution
A battery cell design featuring a case with a high-melting-point material and a cap plate with a lower melting point, directing heat or flame generated by ignition towards the cap plate, thereby preventing propagation to adjacent cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a uniform high-melting-point material is used for the entire case, then structural strength and thermal resistance are improved, but heat cannot be effectively directed away from the battery cell, reducing thermal runaway safety
Solution Approach 1:
The case is constructed with different materials having different melting points at different locations. The first case portion (e.g., sidewall) uses a high-melting-point material for structural strength, while the second case portion (e.g., top/cap area) uses a low-melting-point material to facilitate heat ejection. This local differentiation allows each portion to perform its specific function optimally.
Solution Approach 2:
The case is divided into multiple segments with different thermal properties. The first case portion and second case portion are separated and can be independently selected from different materials, allowing the structure to segment the thermal management function from the structural support function.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a uniform low-melting-point material is used for the entire case, then heat ejection capability is improved, but structural strength and mechanical integrity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The low-melting-point material is strategically applied only to the second case portion where heat ejection is needed, while the high-melting-point material maintains the first case portion's structural integrity. This localized application ensures heat ejection capability without compromising overall mechanical strength.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the cap plate covers a large area of the opening, then heat direction control is improved, but manufacturing complexity and material selection constraints increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cap plate serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical closure for the battery cell, acts as a heat ejection surface due to its low-melting-point material composition, and directs heat away from neighboring cells through its extended coverage. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated heat management components.
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 design effectively contains and directs thermal events away from neighboring cells, reducing the likelihood of thermal runaway and enhancing safety by controlling the ejection path of heat or flame.
Implementation Method 1
the case includes a first material, the cap plate includes a second material, and a melting point of the second material is lower than a melting point of the first material
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a battery cell. A battery cell according to an embodiment includes a case including a sidewall portion having a cylindrical shape and including a receiving space, and an opening provided at one end of the sidewall portion, an electrode assembly received in the receiving space, and a cap plate covering the opening, in which the case includes a first material, the cap plate includes a second material, and a melting point of the second material is lower than a melting point of the first material.