Lithium Battery Container Venting for Thermal Runaway Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft devices, such as stand-alone smoke detectors, face damage from battery thermal runaway due to high specific power density lithium batteries, which can cause fires and explosions upon mechanical damage or short circuiting, compromising their reliability and safety.
Innovation Solution
A non-flammable sealed battery container with discharge holes is used to safely vent expanding gases during thermal runaway, preventing explosions and fires by allowing the electrolyte to escape harmlessly, while the battery housing is made of lightweight conductive materials for protection and electrical connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If lithium batteries with high specific power density are used, then power supply duration is improved, but thermal runaway risk increases causing fires and explosions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful thermal runaway process into a beneficial controlled venting process. The battery container is designed with discharge holes that allow the thermal runaway gases and electrolyte to escape in a controlled manner, transforming the dangerous uncontrolled expansion into a safe controlled discharge that prevents fires and explosions while maintaining the high power density benefits of lithium batteries
2Reliability
If battery container is sealed to prevent leakage, then reliability is improved, but thermal runaway pressure buildup increases causing explosions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a differentiated seal structure: the battery container is sealed in most areas to prevent leakage and maintain reliability, but includes localized discharge holes at specific positions to safely release thermal runaway pressure. This localized opening strategy maintains overall seal integrity while providing controlled pressure relief pathways
3Power
If battery housing is made of conductive material for electrical connectivity, then electrical performance is improved, but fire risk increases during thermal runaway
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials strategy by combining conductive materials for electrical connectivity with fire-resistant materials for structural protection. The battery housing uses materials that provide both electrical conductivity for power transmission and fire resistance for safety, creating a composite structure that addresses both electrical performance and fire hazard requirements
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 solution effectively prevents fires and explosions by discharging the electrolyte during thermal runaway, ensuring the safety of aircraft devices and structures without compromising the high power density benefits of lithium batteries, thereby extending battery life and maintaining device functionality.
Implementation Method 1
the specific power density of lithium batteries can cause the battery to enter thermal runaway if compromised by mechanical damage and/or internal or external short circuiting
Data Source
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AI summary
A battery container includes a battery housing and an end cap. The battery housing is configured to house a battery. The battery housing comprises an opening configured to receive the battery into the battery housing. The end cap is configured to seal the opening of the battery housing. The end cap comprises two or more discharge holes configured to release expanding gas from the battery housing.