Battery Cell End Cover Venting Through Differential Weld Strength

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery technologies face safety concerns due to thermal runaway, leading to increased internal pressure and potential explosions, while existing explosion-proof mechanisms increase manufacturing costs and require additional space and assembly processes.

Innovation Solution

A battery cell design with a first connection area having lower weld penetration and strength than a second connection area, allowing it to rupture and release pressure when internal thresholds are exceeded, reducing the need for separate explosion-proof valves and optimizing manufacturing and space usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a battery cell is designed for high energy density with large electrode pieces, then the energy storage capacity is improved, but the mass transport distance increases causing non-uniform current distribution and localized overheating

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy storage capacityVSAvoidtemperature uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode is divided into multiple smaller electrode pieces instead of using a single large electrode. This segmentation reduces the mass transport distance for ions and electrons, enabling more uniform current distribution across the battery cell while maintaining high energy density. The multiple electrode pieces are arranged in a specific pattern to optimize thermal and electrical uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Quantity of substance

If the battery cell size is increased to improve energy density, then the energy storage capacity is improved, but the cooling system complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy storage capacityVSAvoidcooling system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling approach transitions from a complex three-dimensional cooling system to a simplified two-dimensional planar cooling structure. The cooling plates are positioned between battery cell groups in a layered arrangement, providing efficient heat dissipation across the battery pack without requiring complex cooling channels or multiple cooling zones.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Power

If battery cells are connected in series to increase voltage, then the operating voltage is improved, but the voltage imbalance between cells increases leading to reduced productivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating voltageVSAvoidcharging/discharging efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The battery pack is divided into multiple groups of battery cells, with each group containing cells connected in series. By configuring multiple groups in parallel, the system achieves high operating voltage while reducing voltage imbalance issues. This segmented arrangement allows for better voltage matching and reduces the impact of individual cell variations on overall system performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

This design enhances safety by effectively releasing pressure without additional components, while lowering manufacturing costs and reducing assembly complexity.

Implementation Method 1

a cooling plate (30) arranged between two battery cells (20) in a battery pack (100)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP4261987B1Battery cell, battery and electric device
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY (HONG KONG) LIMITED
  • EP4261987B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4261987B1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP4261987B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Embodiments of the present application provide a battery cell, a battery, and an electrical device. The battery cell comprises: a case with an opening; an electrode assembly accommodated within the case; and an end cover closing the opening, wherein the end cover is in sealed connection with the case through a first connection area and a second connection area, the strength of the first connection area is less than the strength of the second connection area, and the first connection area is configured to be actuated to release an internal pressure of the battery cell when the internal pressure exceeds a threshold. The battery cell, battery, and electrical device provided in the present application is capable of reducing the manufacturing cost of battery cells while ensuring the safety of batteries, and further reducing the assembly processes of the battery cells.