Battery Cell Insulating Member with Rupture Paths for Pressure Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery cells face safety challenges due to obstruction of high-temperature and high-pressure substances during thermal runaway, leading to delayed pressure release and potential hazards.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a pressure relief mechanism with an insulating member featuring weak portions that rupture to create channels for substance discharge, reducing obstruction and enabling timely pressure release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an insulating member is placed between the pressure relief mechanism and the electrode assembly to prevent conduction, then safety against short circuit is improved, but the insulating member obstructs the discharge path of high-temperature and high-pressure substances during thermal runaway
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating member is segmented into multiple parts: a first insulating member with a first weak portion and a second insulating member with a second weak portion. These weak portions are strategically positioned to rupture under thermal runaway conditions, creating discharge channels while the remaining insulating structures continue to provide electrical isolation between the pressure relief mechanism and electrode assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the insulating member have different properties: the weak portions are designed with lower strength to rupture easily during thermal runaway, while other regions maintain sufficient strength and insulation properties. This local differentiation allows the insulating member to simultaneously provide electrical isolation and enable substance discharge when needed.
2Reliability
If the insulating member is made robust to ensure insulation, then electrical isolation is improved, but pressure release during thermal runaway is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
Weak portions are pre-designed and pre-positioned in the insulating member before assembly. These weak portions are strategically located at critical points where rupture will create effective discharge channels. When thermal runaway occurs, these pre-positioned weak portions rupture immediately, eliminating the time delay that would otherwise be required for the insulating member to fail under pressure.
3Volume of moving object
If the pressure relief mechanism is positioned close to the electrode assembly for compact design, then device compactness is improved, but the risk of conduction between positive and negative electrodes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating member acts as an intermediary component positioned between the pressure relief mechanism and the electrode assembly. It provides electrical isolation, preventing conduction between the positive and negative electrodes while allowing the pressure relief mechanism to function. The insulating member with its weak portions also enables controlled discharge of high-temperature and high-pressure substances during thermal runaway.
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 reduces the risk of explosion and fire by allowing timely discharge of high-temperature and high-pressure substances, enhancing the safety of battery cells.
Implementation Method 1
When thermal runaway of the electrode assembly occurs and high-temperature and high-pressure substances are released
Implementation Method 2
the first weak portion of the insulating member ruptures under the impact of the high-temperature and high-pressure substances, forming a channel for the high-temperature and high-pressure substances to pass through
Implementation Method 3
the insulating member can insulate and isolate the pressure relief mechanism from the electrode assembly, to reduce risk of the pressure relief mechanism conducting positive and negative electrodes of the electrode assembly
Implementation Method 4
the high-temperature and high-pressure substances act on the pressure relief mechanism, then actuate the pressure relief mechanism, and are discharged to an outside of the battery cell through the pressure relief mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments provide cell, a battery and an electricity consuming device. The battery cell includes a shell, a pressure relief mechanism, an electrode assembly and an insulating member. The pressure relief mechanism is disposed on the shell. The electrode assembly is accommodated within the shell. The insulating member is accommodated within the shell, at least a portion of the insulating member is located between the pressure relief mechanism and the electrode assembly, and a portion of the insulating member located between the pressure relief mechanism and the electrode assembly is provided with a first weak portion.