Battery Housing Pressure Equalization via Segmented Piston
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery housing designs fail to effectively prevent moisture penetration and adequately manage pressure fluctuations, leading to potential short circuits and fires due to limitations in emergency degassing and pressure equalization mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A battery housing with a pressure equalization device featuring a chamber with a separating member that allows volume change, connected to both the battery chamber and the outside via a venting path, incorporating a gas- and moisture-impermeable membrane and a piston for sealing, along with an overpressure and vacuum valve for emergency relief.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a gas-permeable membrane is used for emergency degassing, then gas can be released to relieve overpressure, but rapid pressure build-up cannot be relieved quickly enough and the battery housing bursts
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure equalization device is segmented into multiple functional components: a pressure equalization chamber separated by a piston into a first chamber region (connected to battery chamber) and a second chamber region (connected to outside environment). This segmentation allows different regions to perform different functions - the first region handles rapid pressure equalization while the second region provides controlled venting, resolving the contradiction between rapid relief and controlled degassing.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston acts as an intermediary element between the battery chamber and the outside environment. It mediates pressure transmission by moving in response to pressure differences, allowing rapid pressure equalization without direct exposure to the external environment. This intermediary mechanism enables fast pressure relief while maintaining sealed protection during normal operation.
2Reliability
If the battery housing is sealed to prevent moisture penetration, then moisture protection is improved, but pressure fluctuations between the battery chamber and outside cannot be compensated
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure equalization chamber with piston serves as an intermediary pressure compensation system. It allows pressure equalization between the sealed battery chamber and outside environment without creating direct pathways for moisture penetration. The piston moves to equalize pressure while maintaining the sealed barrier, resolving the contradiction between moisture protection and pressure stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealed housing is segmented into functionally independent regions: the battery chamber (sealed for moisture protection) and the pressure equalization chamber (for pressure compensation). This segmentation allows each region to fulfill its specific function - the battery chamber remains hermetically sealed while the pressure equalization chamber handles pressure fluctuations through piston movement.
3Reliability
If a rupture disk is used for venting, then overpressure can be relieved by bursting, but the device does not establish constant pressure equalization between battery chamber and outside
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static rupture disk protection to dynamic pressure equalization. The piston moves dynamically in response to pressure differences, continuously adjusting to maintain pressure balance. This dynamic mechanism provides both overpressure protection and constant pressure equalization, resolving the contradiction between emergency relief and ongoing pressure stability.
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 solution ensures effective pressure equalization during normal operation, prevents destruction from rapid pressure changes, and maintains a moisture-free environment, thereby enhancing safety and reliability of the battery housing.
Implementation Method 1
the separating member is arranged which is sealed off from the inner wall of the pressure equalization chamber, wherein the fluid connection opens into the battery chamber in a first chamber region of the pressure equalization chamber which is separated by the separating member from a second chamber region, said separating member permitting a volume change in the one chamber region given a corresponding volume change in the other chamber region
Implementation Method 2
a pressure equalization device to compensate for pressure fluctuations between the battery chamber and the outside thereof
Data Source
AI summary
A battery housing having a battery chamber sealed to prevent the penetration of moisture and which accommodates at least one battery module, and a pressure equalization device to compensate for pressure fluctuations between the battery chamber and its outside environment. The pressure equalization device comprises a pressure equalization chamber fluidly connected to the battery chamber and a separating member arranged therein. The separating member is sealed off from the inner wall of the pressure equalization chamber, wherein the fluid connection with the battery chamber opens in a first chamber region of the pressure equalization chamber which is separated by the separating member from a second chamber region. The separating member permits a volume change in one of the chamber regions given a corresponding volume change in the other chamber region. The second chamber region is in fluid communication with the outside of the battery chamber via a venting path.