Battery Lid Assembly Venting Layout for Compact Gas Flow Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery designs face challenges in securing a gas flow channel to a valve while maintaining a compact size and ensuring the safety of the battery pack.
Innovation Solution
A lid assembly comprising a plate-shaped lid, insulated terminals and leads, an insulating member, and a valve that opens at a predetermined pressure to allow gas venting, with the valve's maximum opening area being smaller than the opposing faces to ensure efficient gas release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the internal space of the battery is formed to be as small as possible, then the capacity of the battery can be increased, but it becomes difficult to secure a gas flow channel from the gas generation source to the valve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the lateral space along the width direction of the battery by positioning the valve at a corner of the lid. This allows the gas flow channel to extend along the width direction rather than only in the height direction, effectively utilizing three-dimensional space. The gas flow channel is configured to extend from the gas generation source in the lower part of the battery up to the valve at the corner, making use of both vertical and lateral dimensions to accommodate the gas venting path within the compact battery structure.
2Productivity
If the valve opening area is increased to improve gas venting efficiency, then the gas can be released more effectively, but the structural integrity and compact size of the battery may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the valve opening area to an appropriate size that balances gas venting efficiency with structural integrity. The valve opening area is set to a specific range (e.g., 10-50 mm²) that provides sufficient gas flow capacity while maintaining the mechanical strength of the lid and overall battery structure. This parameter optimization ensures that the valve can effectively vent gas without compromising the compact size and structural integrity of the battery.
3Volume of moving object
If the battery size is reduced to make it more compact, then the portability is improved, but the space for gas flow channel and valve placement becomes limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the valve at a corner of the lid and configures the gas flow channel to extend along the width direction of the battery. This spatial arrangement utilizes the lateral dimension effectively, allowing the gas flow channel to reach the valve without requiring excessive height or length. The electrode group is also positioned to allow the gas flow channel to pass through or around it, optimizing the use of available three-dimensional space within the compact battery structure.
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 design effectively secures a gas flow channel and ensures safe venting of gases, maintaining the compact size and structural integrity of the battery pack.
Implementation Method 1
The valve is configured to open toward a side on which the pair of terminals are disposed in response to a pressure on a side on which the pair of leads and the insulating member are disposed with respect to the lid reaching a predetermined pressure
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a lid assembly includes a plate-shaped lid, a pair of leads, an insulating member, and a valve. The insulating member is provided between the lid and base portions of the pair of leads. The insulating member includes opposing faces facing an electrode group, a pair of support face groups protruding with respect to the opposing faces and supporting the electrode group, and an intermediate region provided between the pair of support face groups and having an opening facing the lid. The valve is adjacent to the opening of the intermediate region, and is configured to open when a pressure on a side where the leads and the insulating member are disposed reaching a predetermined pressure. A maximum possible opening area with which the valve is configured to open is equal to or smaller than an area of the opposing faces.