Secondary Battery Degassing Hinge Structure for Obstructed Vent Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing degassing devices in secondary batteries are often obstructed by battery module components, limiting gas discharge area and potentially causing short circuits or damage, and do not adequately open to release gas during pressure buildup.
Innovation Solution
A degassing device with a central portion, bonding portion, peripheral portion, main hinge, and sub-hinges that facilitate sufficient gas discharge by allowing controlled opening and expansion when pressure exceeds a threshold, featuring specific cross-sectional shapes and thicknesses to prevent separation from the battery case.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the degassing device is opened by gas pressure to discharge gas, then gas discharge function is achieved, but the degassing device may be caught by battery structures (busbar, housing, gas/heat discharge passage) and cannot open sufficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The degassing device is divided into multiple independent hinges (main hinge and sub-hinges) that can rotate separately. This segmentation allows different parts of the device to navigate around obstacles independently, preventing the device from being caught by battery structures while maintaining reliable gas discharge function.
Solution Approach 2:
The degassing device employs multiple rotatable hinges that provide dynamic movement capability. When gas pressure builds up, the device can dynamically adjust its opening angle and path through the hinges, allowing it to overcome obstructions from busbars, housing, or gas/heat discharge passages and achieve sufficient opening for gas discharge.
2Area of stationary object
If the degassing device opens sufficiently to discharge gas, then gas discharge area is increased, but the degassing device may damage wires, cause short circuits, or block gas/heat discharge passage
Solution Approach 1:
The degassing device features local quality variations through its hinge structure, where the main hinge and sub-hinges create different movement characteristics at different locations. This allows the device to open sufficiently for gas discharge while controlling the opening path to avoid damaging wires or blocking gas/heat discharge passages.
3Ease of manufacture
If the degassing device structure is simplified with fewer components, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but the device cannot achieve sufficient opening when caught by battery structures
Solution Approach 1:
The degassing device uses multiple hinges (main hinge and sub-hinges) that can be manufactured using standard components and processes. While the structure has multiple parts, each hinge is a simple, easily manufactured element that collectively provides the necessary opening capability when the device is caught by battery structures.
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
Ensures a sufficient gas discharge area without causing short circuits or damage, effectively releasing gas when pressure exceeds a certain threshold, thereby preventing battery explosion.
Implementation Method 1
a notch is ruptured due to pressure of gas, which is generated by the overcharging or abnormal operation of a battery, to discharge the gas to the outside
Implementation Method 2
a main hinge on a line defined by the notch, and one or more sub-hinges parallel to the main hinge at one or more locations spaced apart from the main hinge
Data Source
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AI summary
A secondary battery includes a case with an opening therein, an electrode assembly accommodated in the case, a cap plate bonded to the opening of the case, a degassing device bonded to a gas discharge hole in one of the case and the cap plate to discharge gas from inside the case, wherein the degassing device includes a central portion exposed to an outside of the case through the gas discharge hole, a bonding portion bonded to a circumferential periphery of the gas discharge hole, a peripheral portion that is a surface for connecting the bonding portion and the central portion, a notch in the peripheral portion along an outline of the bonding portion, a main hinge on a line defined by the notch, and one or more sub-hinges parallel to the main hinge at one or more locations spaced apart from the main hinge.