Battery Cell Pressure Relief Insulation for Thermal Runaway Venting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery cells face reliability issues due to the insulating member blocking high-temperature and high-pressure substances during thermal runaway, leading to delayed pressure relief and potential safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a pressure relief mechanism with a first insulating member featuring through holes and weak parts that allow timely discharge of high-temperature and high-pressure substances, and optionally a blocking member to prevent active substance shedding, enhancing the reliability of the battery cell.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an insulating member is placed between the pressure relief mechanism and the electrode assembly, then electrical insulation is improved, but the discharge of high-temperature and high-pressure substances is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating member is designed with through holes that allow high-temperature and high-pressure substances to pass through while maintaining electrical insulation between the pressure relief mechanism and the electrode assembly. This porous structure with through holes enables simultaneous achievement of insulation and substance discharge functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating member is segmented into multiple regions including through holes and weak parts, allowing different portions to serve different functions: the through holes enable substance passage while the main body maintains insulation, and the weak parts provide controlled rupture paths.
2Speed
If a weak part is designed in the pressure relief mechanism, then rapid pressure relief is improved, but the risk of premature rupture is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating member acts as an intermediary protective layer over the weak part, preventing premature contact with active substances that could cause corrosion or premature rupture. The through holes in the insulating member allow controlled passage of substances while the weak part remains protected until needed for rapid pressure relief.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating member provides beforehand protection to the weak part by isolating it from the electrode assembly and active substances. This pre-protection prevents premature degradation of the weak part, ensuring it remains intact until thermal runaway occurs and rapid pressure relief is needed.
3Reliability
If the insulating member is made solid without through holes, then electrical insulation is maximized, but the discharge efficiency of high-temperature and high-pressure substances is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating member incorporates through holes that enable high-temperature and high-pressure substances to pass through efficiently during thermal runaway, while the remaining solid portions of the insulating member maintain electrical insulation between the pressure relief mechanism and the electrode assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the insulating member have different properties: the through holes provide high permeability for substance discharge, while the surrounding insulating material provides electrical insulation. This local differentiation of properties allows simultaneous optimization of both insulation and discharge efficiency.
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 ensures timely pressure relief and reduces the risk of explosion by facilitating efficient discharge of high-temperature and high-pressure substances, thereby improving the overall reliability of the battery cell.
Implementation Method 1
When the high-temperature and high-pressure substances pass through the first through hole, the high temperature acts on the hole wall of the first through hole and melts the first insulating member, so as to increase the liquid passage area of the first through hole
Data Source
AI summary
A battery cell comprises a housing, an electrode assembly, a pressure relief mechanism, and a first insulating member, wherein the housing comprises a wall portion; and the electrode assembly is accommodated in the housing. The pressure relief mechanism is arranged on the wall portion, and the pressure relief mechanism comprises a pressure relief body and a first weak portion arranged around the pressure relief body, the pressure relief body and the first weak portion forming a first pressure relief area. At least part of the first insulating member is arranged between the first pressure relief area and the electrode assembly, the first insulating member is provided with a first through hole, and in the direction of thickness of the wall portion, the projection of the first through hole is located in the projection of the first pressure relief area.