Battery Housing Valve Venting for Pressure Equalization and Hot Gas Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery housing rupture membranes are sensitive to environmental influences, leading to potential damage and penetration of environmental factors into the battery interior, compromising the integrity of the battery components.
Innovation Solution
A valve apparatus with a valve body that can move between reversible and irreversible open positions, using a resetting device and fixing device to manage pressure equalization and emergency degassing, ensuring robust operation against environmental influences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rupture membrane with high sensitivity is used for reliable hot gas discharge, then the hot gas discharge reliability is improved, but the membrane can yield undesirably due to environmental influences such as water action
Solution Approach 1:
The valve apparatus is divided into distinct functional components: a valve body with sealing element for pressure equalization, and a separate rupture membrane for hot gas discharge. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function - the valve body handles normal pressure variations reversibly, while the rupture membrane provides irreversible hot gas discharge only when truly needed, preventing environmental damage from premature activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve body acts as an intermediary between the external environment and the battery interior. It provides a controlled interface that can reversibly open for pressure equalization while protecting the more sensitive rupture membrane from environmental influences. The valve body's sealing element against the housing wall creates a protective barrier that prevents water and other environmental factors from directly contacting the rupture membrane.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a rupture membrane is used for pressure equalization and hot gas discharge, then both functions can be performed, but the membrane cannot distinguish between reversible pressure equalization needs and irreversible hot gas discharge events
Solution Approach 1:
The valve apparatus segments the dual function into two separate mechanisms: the valve body with movable sealing element handles pressure equalization (reversible function), while the rupture membrane handles hot gas discharge (irreversible function). This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific activation characteristics - the valve body can open and close repeatedly for normal pressure variations, while the rupture membrane remains intact until truly needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the valve apparatus have different local qualities optimized for their specific functions. The valve body features a movable sealing element with specific friction characteristics for reversible operation, while the rupture membrane has high strength and low sensitivity to environmental factors for reliable irreversible activation. This local differentiation ensures each component responds appropriately to its intended activation conditions.
3Device complexity
If a single rupture membrane is used for both pressure equalization and hot gas discharge, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to prevent environmental damage is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The valve apparatus segments protection functions by introducing a valve body with sealing element that acts as a protective barrier for the rupture membrane. This additional component, while increasing structural complexity, provides crucial protection by preventing environmental factors from contacting the rupture membrane, thereby ensuring reliable hot gas discharge functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve body with its sealing element provides beforehand cushioning protection for the rupture membrane against environmental influences. By positioning the sealing element between the external environment and the rupture membrane, the system preemptively protects the sensitive membrane from water and other harmful factors before they can cause damage.
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 valve apparatus effectively protects the battery from environmental damage by reliably equalizing pressure and discharging hot gases, maintaining the battery's integrity and preventing undesired closure during emergency degassing.
Implementation Method 1
The valve body can be moved out of the closed position by way of an increase in an internal pressure in the interior space of the battery housing
Implementation Method 2
Such a valve apparatus may have a rupture membrane, which yields, for example tears or ruptures, in the event of the hot gas arising in the interior space
Data Source
AI summary
A battery housing includes a valve device for pressure equalization and for letting out a hot gas of a battery cell. The valve device has a valve seat in the form of a gas release opening in a housing wall of the battery housing and a valve body. The valve body closes the gas release opening when in a closed position, can be moved by a pressure-difference-induced internal pressure increase into a first open position in which the valve body reversibly opens the gas release opening to provide pressure equalization, and can be moved by a hot-gas-induced internal pressure increase into a second open position in which the valve body irreversibly opens the gas release opening to let out the hot gas.