Integrated Battery Can Feedthrough Vent Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Battery cell manufacturing faces challenges in preventing moisture ingress and effectively releasing effluents, particularly in lithium-ion and lithium-polymer batteries, where small moisture leaks can degrade performance and conventional designs struggle with miniaturization of feedthroughs and vents.

Innovation Solution

A battery can design with an integrated conductive feedthrough and vent, where the feedthrough is incorporated into the cover, allowing for reduced dimensions without compromising the seal, and the vent opens to release pressure and effluents when internal pressure exceeds a threshold, using a hermetic seal to prevent moisture ingress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If conventional separate feedthrough and vent designs are used, then electrical connection and pressure release functions are provided, but device complexity and dimensions increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeedthrough and vent structureVSAvoidseal integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the feedthrough and vent into a single integrated component where the feedthrough structure incorporates both the electrical connection function and the pressure release function. The feedthrough includes a body with a vent channel that communicates with the interior cavity, allowing simultaneous electrical conduction and pressure equalization through one component rather than separate parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The feedthrough component performs multiple functions: it provides electrical connection between internal and external circuits, maintains hermetic sealing to prevent moisture ingress, and includes an integrated vent channel for pressure release. This multi-functional design reduces overall device complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Volume of moving object

If miniaturization of feedthrough and vent is implemented, then device dimensions are reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery cell sizeVSAvoidseal and vent alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating the vent channel directly into the feedthrough body as a single molded or machined feature, the patent eliminates the need for separate vent components and their associated alignment requirements. This reduces the number of parts and assembly steps while maintaining compact dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The feedthrough incorporates a seal member with specific dimensional parameters that can be optimized during manufacturing. The integrated design allows for controlled parameter variations within tolerance ranges while maintaining functional performance, reducing the stringency of precision requirements compared to multi-component assemblies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If hermetic seal is enhanced to prevent moisture ingress, then reliability improves, but effluent release capability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture protectionVSAvoideffluent accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The vent channel acts as an intermediary pathway that allows pressure equalization and effluent release without compromising the hermetic seal. The channel is configured to open to the exterior environment, providing a controlled release path that prevents moisture ingress while allowing internal pressure buildup to be relieved safely.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The seal member provides localized hermetic sealing at the critical interface between the feedthrough body and the battery can, while the vent channel provides localized pressure relief functionality. This spatial separation of sealing and venting functions within the integrated component allows both requirements to be satisfied simultaneously.

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 enhances the seal integrity while allowing for efficient release of effluents, addressing the challenges of moisture prevention and miniaturization in battery cell manufacturing, thereby maintaining performance and adaptability to varying pressure thresholds.

Implementation Method 1

using a hermetic seal to prevent moisture ingress

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHermetic sealing:

Implementation Method 2

the vent opens to release pressure and effluents when internal pressure exceeds a threshold

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure-driven flow: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS10938071B2Battery can feedthrough with integrated vent

Publication Date: 2021.03.02 APPLE INC

AI summary

The disclosed technology relates to a battery cell that includes a battery can having a receptacle and a cover. The battery cell also includes multiple electrode layers that are disposed within the receptacle, wherein a first layer of the plurality of electrode layers is coupled to the cover, and a second layer of the plurality of electrode layers is coupled to the receptacle. In some aspects, the cover includes a conductive feedthrough having a vent. A battery-powered device and method of manufacturing a battery cell are also provided.