Rechargeable Battery Dual Vent Depth Configuration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Rechargeable batteries face challenges in preventing explosions due to abnormal operations, such as gas buildup and uneven expansion, which can lead to vent failure and potential explosions, especially when vents are not strategically positioned or designed to rupture effectively under varying internal pressures.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates first and second vents on different surfaces and at different depths of the battery can, with specific depth and thickness ratios to ensure that at least one vent ruptures when internal pressure exceeds a predetermined level, thereby releasing gas and preventing explosion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single vent is provided in the battery can, then the structure is simple, but the vent may fail to rupture under uneven expansion or specific pressure conditions leading to potential explosion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevent rupture reliabilityVSAvoidvent configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The single vent is divided into multiple vents (first vent and second vent) positioned at different locations and depths on the battery can. This segmentation ensures that if one vent fails to rupture due to uneven expansion or pressure distribution, the other vent(s) can still function to release internal pressure and prevent explosion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The vents are positioned at different depths within the battery can structure, creating a three-dimensional distribution rather than a single-plane configuration. This dimensional approach ensures that vents are exposed to internal pressure at different levels, increasing the likelihood that at least one vent will rupture under varying pressure conditions.

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

2Reliability

If vents are positioned at uniform depth in the battery can, then the manufacturing is easier, but the vents may not effectively handle uneven expansion during abnormal operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure release effectivenessVSAvoidvent depth positioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Different vents are positioned at different depths (first vent at a first depth, second vent at a second depth) rather than uniform depth. This local variation in vent positioning allows the battery to handle uneven expansion more effectively, as vents at different depths experience different pressure conditions during abnormal operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the vent depth is not optimized relative to can thickness, then the manufacturing is simpler, but the vent may not rupture at appropriate pressure levels

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevent rupture timingVSAvoiddepth to thickness ratio precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The vent depth is specifically designed as a proportion of the battery can thickness (depth-to-thickness ratio within 0.3 to 0.7). This parameter optimization ensures that vents are positioned at appropriate depths to experience sufficient internal pressure to rupture at the right moment for pressure relief, while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 configuration ensures that the battery can safely release internal pressure and prevent explosions even during uneven expansion, enhancing operational stability and reliability by ensuring vents rupture at appropriate pressure levels.

Implementation Method 1

at least one vent ruptures when internal pressure exceeds a predetermined level, thereby releasing gas and preventing explosion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure rupture: Fracture Mechanics

Data Source

PatentEP2763209B1Rechargeable battery
Publication Date: 2022.09.07 SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD
  • EP2763209B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2763209B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2763209B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A rechargeable battery (100) includes an electrode assembly (110) including a first electrode plate (111), a second electrode plate (112), and a separator (113) between the first electrode plate (111) and the second electrode plate (112), a can (120) having an opening (OP) at one side thereof through which the electrode assembly (110) is inserted, the electrode assembly (110) being accommodated in the inside of the can (120), and a cap plate (130) that seals the opening (OP) of the can (120). The can (120) includes a first vent (121) on a first side surface (120s1) of the can (120), and a second vent (122) on a second side surface (120s2) of the can (120).