Battery End Cover Venting Structure for Smooth Gas Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing energy-storage apparatuses face issues with unsmooth gas circulation, which affects the function of the stimulus-response member, leading to potential battery explosions and fires.

Innovation Solution

The energy-storage apparatus includes a housing with a recess and a vent hole in the lower plastic assembly, allowing gas to flow smoothly and preventing direct contact between the stimulus-response member and the vent hole, thereby ensuring safe operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the stimulus-response member is disposed directly on the end cover assembly, then the structure is simple, but gas circulation becomes unsmooth affecting the member's function

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidstimulus-response member function
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a lower plastic assembly as an intermediary component between the end cover assembly and the electrode assembly. This mediator includes a recess that positions the stimulus-response member and ensures smooth gas circulation, thereby maintaining both structural simplicity and functional reliability without direct contact issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the recess is completely open, then gas flow is unobstructed, but the stimulus-response member may contact obstructions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas flow efficiencyVSAvoidstimulus-response member protection
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lower plastic assembly implements local quality by creating a recess with specific geometric characteristics. The recess provides localized protection for the stimulus-response member while maintaining overall gas flow efficiency. The specific shape and positioning of the recess ensure that gas can flow unobstructed while the member is shielded from potential obstructions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 ensures smooth gas circulation, preventing short circuits and explosions by maintaining the functionality of the stimulus-response member, thus enhancing safety and reliability.

Implementation Method 1

The first stimulus-response member is configured to deform in response to a pressure increase in the energy-storage apparatus

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure-induced deformation: Deformation

Implementation Method 2

The first vent hole is defined in a recess bottom-wall of the first recess and penetrates through the recess bottom-wall and the first surface in a thickness direction of the first-lower-plastic-member body. The vent passage is in communication with the first vent hole.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas flow through venting structure:

Data Source

PatentEP4415143B1Energy-storage apparatus and electricity-consumption device
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 HITHIUM TECH HK LTD
  • EP4415143B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4415143B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4415143B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An energy-storage apparatus and an electricity-consumption device are disclosed in the present disclosure. The energy-storage apparatus includes a housing having an opening, an electrode assembly, an end cover assembly sealing the opening, and a first connector. The housing defines an accommodating cavity. The end cover assembly includes a top cover and a lower plastic assembly. The lower plastic assembly is disposed between the top cover and the electrode assembly. The lower plastic assembly is located between the top cover and the first connector. The top cover includes a first stimulus-response member. The lower plastic assembly includes a first-lower-plastic-member body, a first recess, and a first vent hole. The first-lower-plastic-member body has a first surface and a second bottom surface. The first recess is recessed from the second surface to the first surface. The first vent hole is defined in a recess bottom-wall of the first recess and penetrates through the recess bottom-wall and the first surface. The first vent hole is opposite to the first stimulus-response member in a thickness direction of the end cover assembly. The first connector is connected between the end cover assembly and the electrode assembly. A part of the first recess is blocked by the first connector, and the rest of the first recess exposed beyond the first connector forms a vent passage. The vent passage is in communication with the first vent hole.