Battery Container Silicon Oxide Filter Neutralizing HF Vapors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery containers for electric vehicles do not effectively mitigate the release of harmful hydrofluoric acid vapors during accidental combustion of lithium hexafluorophosphate-based energy accumulators, posing risks to humans and the environment.

Innovation Solution

A battery container with a filter made from silicon oxide (SiO2) that traps hydrofluoric acid vapors through chemical reaction and adsorption, integrated within the container design to reduce emissions and serve as a thermal insulator, potentially enhanced with calcium gluconate or calcium sulfate for increased filtering power.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a filter comprising silicon oxide material is added to the battery container, then hydrofluoric acid vapor emissions are reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehydrofluoric acid vapor emissionsVSAvoidcontainer structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter is nested within the battery container structure by placing an inner casing containing the silicon oxide filter material between the outer casing and the housing. This nested arrangement integrates the filtration function into the existing container geometry without requiring a completely separate external filtration system, thereby reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining effective HF vapor capture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The silicon oxide filter material serves multiple functions: it chemically reacts with and adsorbs hydrofluoric acid vapors, provides thermal insulation for the battery housing, and structurally integrates as an inner casing component. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby simplifying the overall device structure despite adding filtration capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Temperature

If the inner casing completely surrounds the housing with filter material, then thermal insulation is improved, but the volume of the container increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal insulation performanceVSAvoidcontainer volume
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The filter material is applied selectively in the form of an inner casing that completely surrounds the housing rather than uniformly thick insulation throughout. This localized application provides thermal insulation precisely where needed around the battery housing while minimizing the overall volume increase compared to uniform thick-wall construction. The inner casing geometry optimizes insulation efficiency per unit volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If glass wool is used as filter material, then manufacturing ease is improved, but the filtering power increases device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter material fabricationVSAvoidfiltering mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Glass wool is selected as the filter material because it is inexpensive, easily manufactured, and readily available in fibrous form suitable for forming into an inner casing. The material's low cost and ease of fabrication allow for simple manufacturing processes without requiring complex filtering mechanisms, thereby maintaining manufacturing ease while providing effective HF vapor filtration through the material's inherent adsorption properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 silicon oxide filter significantly reduces hydrofluoric acid concentrations in emissions, providing a dual function as both a vapor trap and thermal insulator, effectively containing and neutralizing hazardous vapors during battery combustion.

Implementation Method 1

The origin of the decrease in the concentration of HF after filtration by the filter is partly explained by the adsorption of hydrofluoric acid on the surface of the filter (hydrofluoric acid and silicate materials (or silica) are affins)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

by a chemical reaction of hydrofluoric acid with silicon dioxide (SiO2), called silica, according to the following reaction: SiO2 + 6HF → H2SiF6 + 2H2O

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

the filter has two functions because it can also be used as a thermal insulator in the battery pack. Glass wool, for example, serves as thermal insulation and as a filter for hydrofluoric acid vapors

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP2831936B1Battery container comprising a means for neutralising hydrofluoric acid vapours
Publication Date: 2017.05.10 RENAULT SA
  • EP2831936B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The invention concerns a battery container (11) comprising an outer casing (3) surrounding a housing (1) intended to receive at least one electric energy accumulator (2) comprising Lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6), the container comprising a filter (4) comprising a silicon oxide-based material (SiO2) capable of filtering hydrofluoric acid (HF) vapours. According to the invention, the filter including an inner casing (5) disposed between the outer casing (3) and the housing (1) of the container, the outer casing comprising an inner face (10) against which the inner casing is secured, the inner casing completely surrounds the housing.