Battery Cell Holder Venting for Thermal Event Pressure Relief

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Solution Overview

Problem

High capacity battery packs in vehicles generate heat and internal pressure when under load, which can negatively affect battery efficiency and lifespan, and may lead to battery pack failure during thermal events.

Innovation Solution

A battery assembly design that includes a cell holder with a holder base and legs, featuring a plurality of cell vents through the holder base to relieve pressure during thermal events, thereby preventing battery pack failure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If high capacity battery packs are used to increase energy storage, then the energy capacity is improved, but heat generation and internal pressure increase during operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy capacityVSAvoidheat generation and internal pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the harmful buildup of internal pressure by introducing cell vents that allow gas to escape from the battery cell during thermal events, thereby removing the harmful accumulation while preserving the high capacity battery design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The cell holder with integrated vents acts as an intermediary structure between the battery cell and the external environment, mediating the pressure relief process by providing a controlled pathway for gas escape without requiring modification to the battery cell itself

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If internal pressure is allowed to build up during thermal events, then the battery cell structure remains intact, but battery pack failure occurs due to excessive pressure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery cell structure integrityVSAvoidbattery pack operation reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cell vents are pre-configured in the holder base before thermal events occur, establishing pressure relief pathways in advance so that when thermal events happen, pressure can be immediately relieved without compromising structural integrity or causing failure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The vent structure provides beforehand protection by allowing controlled pressure release, cushioning against the harmful effects of pressure buildup that would otherwise lead to catastrophic battery pack failure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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

The cell vents effectively relieve internal pressure in the battery cell during thermal events, preventing battery pack rupture and enhancing battery operation by managing heat and pressure effectively.

Implementation Method 1

The plurality of cell vents are configured to relieve a pressure of the battery cell in the occurrence of a thermal event

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure relief: Depressurisation

Data Source

PatentUS20250062479A1Pressure relief of battery cell of vehicle

Publication Date: 2025.02.20 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

A battery assembly of a vehicle includes a battery cell, and a cell holder in which the battery cell is located. The cell holder includes a holder base, and one or more holder legs extending downwardly from the holder base. A plurality of cell vents extend through the holder base. The plurality of cell vents are configured to relieve a pressure of the battery cell in the occurrence of a thermal event.