Vehicle Battery Cell Case with Impact-Activated Neutralizing Agent
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current battery cell structures in vehicle traction batteries face issues with thermal and mechanical stress, particularly due to electrode expansion and damage from impacts, which existing pouch and metal cases fail to adequately address.
Innovation Solution
A traction battery cell assembly with a cell case featuring a support layer of polygonal support chambers between the inner and outer walls, including a phase change material and a neutralizing agent, designed to absorb and distribute impact forces and manage thermal conditions by releasing the agent upon impact and transitioning from solid to liquid to absorb heat.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional pouch or metal cases are used for battery cells, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the structure cannot accommodate electrode expansion or damage from vehicle impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The cell case is divided into an inner wall, an outer wall, and a support layer with multiple polygonal support chambers disposed between them. This segmentation allows each component to serve specific functions: the inner wall contains the battery cell, the outer wall provides additional protection, and the support chambers absorb impact forces while accommodating electrode expansion.
Solution Approach 2:
The support chambers are designed with specific geometric parameters (polygonal shapes with angles greater than ninety degrees) that enable them to effectively distribute and absorb impact forces. The chambers can deform under impact while maintaining structural integrity, changing their physical state to absorb energy.
2Strength
If the cell case structure is made more robust to withstand impacts, then protection improves, but the weight and complexity of the case increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support chambers are formed with flexible membranes that can deform under impact forces. These flexible structures absorb impact energy through controlled deformation rather than requiring heavy rigid materials, thereby providing impact resistance while minimizing weight increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The support chambers are pre-configured with geometric shapes designed to absorb impact forces. The polygonal structure with angles greater than ninety degrees is specifically designed to distribute impact loads before the force can reach the battery cell, providing beforehand cushioning that protects the cell without requiring additional heavy protective materials.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If neutralizing agent is contained in support chambers, then thermal and chemical safety is improved upon impact, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support chambers serve dual functions: providing mechanical support and impact absorption, and containing the neutralizing agent for thermal and chemical safety. This merging of functions reduces the need for separate safety systems and simplifies the overall manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The polygonal support chambers are designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: structural support, impact energy absorption, and containment of neutralizing agent. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components for each function, thereby simplifying manufacturing while improving safety.
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 mitigates mechanical stress and thermal conditions by distributing impact forces and managing heat, enhancing the durability and reliability of battery cell assemblies.
Implementation Method 1
The phase change material may be selected based on phase change properties related to temperature. The selected phase change material may absorb heat and transition from a solid state to a liquid state when exposed to a temperature above a predetermined threshold.
Implementation Method 2
The support chambers are arranged within the layer such that puncturing the one of the support chambers releases the neutralizing agent.
Data Source
AI summary
A traction battery cell assembly including a battery cell and a cell case is provided. The cell case defines a cavity sized for receiving the battery cell and includes an inner wall, an outer wall, and a plurality of support chambers disposed between the inner wall and the outer wall. Each of the support chambers defines a polygon having multiple sides. The sides are arranged with one another to define an agent cavity to house neutralizing agent. The plurality of support chambers is arranged with the inner wall and the outer wall such that an impact to one of the walls causes a puncture to one of the sides of the support chambers releasing the neutralizing agent. Each of the support chambers may include five or more sides and adjacent sides may define an angle therebetween greater than ninety degrees.