Corrugated Battery Module Lid for Cell Vent Gas Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current battery cell venting mechanisms are inadequate in efficiently releasing pressure without affecting neighboring cells during thermal runaway events, as they often fail to provide controlled gas flow and may allow reverse airflow.

Innovation Solution

An integrated pressure relief ventilation system using a corrugated battery module lid with crests and troughs, featuring thermal barrier materials and elongated slits that deform to direct gas emission channels, preventing gas from spreading to neighboring cells while ensuring controlled release.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a traditional pressure valve is used to release gas pressure from battery cells, then the pressure can be released quickly, but the gas may spread to neighboring cells causing catastrophic failures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure release speedVSAvoidgas spread to neighboring cells
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The battery module lid is segmented into multiple enclosures, each covering individual battery cells or groups of cells. Each enclosure has its own pressure release mechanism, creating isolated compartments that prevent gas from spreading between cells while maintaining rapid pressure release capability within each compartment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The corrugated lid structure acts as an intermediary between the battery cells and the external environment. The crests and troughs of the corrugated structure create enclosed spaces that channel and direct gas flow, serving as a mediator that controls gas movement and prevents uncontrolled spread to neighboring cells.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stress or pressure

If the pressure release mechanism is opened to release gas, then gas pressure is reduced, but reverse airflow may occur affecting other cells

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas pressure reductionVSAvoidreverse airflow
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure release mechanisms are designed to be dynamic rather than static. The elongated slits can deform and close automatically when pressure differential reverses, and the corrugated lid structure can dynamically adjust the enclosure volumes in response to pressure changes, preventing reverse airflow while maintaining pressure relief capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If thermal barrier materials are added to prevent gas spread, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety against gas spreadVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The corrugated lid introduces curvature and three-dimensional structure to the battery module cover. The crests and troughs of the corrugated profile create natural enclosures and flow channels that provide thermal barriers and gas containment without requiring additional flat barrier materials, maintaining relative simplicity while improving safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 system effectively manages gas pressure buildup by directing gas emissions away from neighboring cells, providing additional sealing pressure and preventing gas from spreading during thermal runaway events, thus enhancing safety and reducing the risk of catastrophic failures.

Implementation Method 1

the plurality of enclosures are arranged to accumulate a maximum amount of gas pressure from a gas emitted by one of the plurality of battery cells

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas pressure accumulation: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

A plurality of strips, constructed of a thermal barrier material and covers the one or more pressure release mechanisms

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 3

the released accumulated gas is directed through the one or more gas emission channels between the plurality of crests

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas flow direction:

Implementation Method 4

The one or more pressure release mechanisms are arranged to, in response to that the enclosure has accumulated a gas pressure exceeding the maximum amount of gas pressure, automatically release at least a part of the accumulated gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure-induced deformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentEP4425671A1Battery module comprising a system for battery cell ventilation and process for battery cell ventilation
Publication Date: 2024.09.04 POLESTAR PERFORMANCE
  • EP4425671A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2A
  • EP4425671A1 patent drawingFigure 2B~3
  • EP4425671A1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

Various embodiments disclosed herein relate to systems and methods for battery cell ventilation. A corrugated battery module lid may be integrated above a battery cell module, wherein the corrugated lid includes a plurality of crests and troughs to form one or more gas emission channels. The plurality of crests and troughs may be at least partially positioned to encompass at least one of the plurality of battery cells to form enclosures. The enclosures may accumulate a maximum amount of gas pressure from a gas emitted by the at least one of the plurality of battery cells. One or more pressure release mechanisms may be associated with the plurality of enclosures and integrated with the battery module lid. In response to the enclosure exceeding the maximum amount of gas pressure, the gas may be automatically released through the pressure release mechanisms and flow though the channels between the crests.