Battery Module Gas Sealing via Insulation Notch

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-output battery modules face issues with gas leakage due to side reactions in battery cells, requiring effective gas tightness and a simplified assembly process to prevent leaks and improve efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A battery module design featuring a cover with a notch and a heat-resistant, elastic insulation member with a bent part that fits into the notch, ensuring gas tightness and simplifying assembly by pre-assembling the insulation member and cover, which facilitates alignment and reduces gas leakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a plurality of battery cells are connected in series to constitute a high-capacity battery module, then the power output is improved, but gas leakage occurs due to side reactions in the battery cells

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower outputVSAvoidgas leakage
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A gas collection tray is introduced as an intermediary component between the battery cells and the external environment. The tray collects gas discharged from multiple battery cell vents and channels it through a designated gas outlet, preventing direct leakage to the surroundings while maintaining the high-power series configuration of the battery module.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The gas generated by side reactions, which is initially a harmful byproduct, is converted into a manageable flow that can be collected and directed through the gas collection tray. By providing a controlled discharge path, the harmful gas is transformed into a regulated output that does not compromise the battery module's performance or safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Reliability

If a gas passage or outlet is added to deal with gas generated in battery cells, then gas tightness is improved, but the assembly process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas tightnessVSAvoidassembly process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The gas collection tray is designed to simultaneously perform multiple functions: it collects gas from multiple battery cells, provides a sealed barrier between the cells and external environment, and incorporates a gas outlet for controlled discharge. By combining these functions into a single integrated component, the design achieves reliable gas tightness without proportionally increasing assembly complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The gas collection tray serves as a multi-functional element that handles gas collection, sealing, and discharge routing for all battery cells in the module. This universal component replaces the need for individual gas management systems for each cell, simplifying the overall assembly process while maintaining comprehensive gas tightness across the entire battery module.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If insulation members and covers are assembled separately, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but assembly efficiency decreases due to alignment difficulties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing flexibilityVSAvoidassembly efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The insulation member and cover are pre-assembled into an integrated unit with the gas collection tray during the manufacturing process. This combined assembly features pre-aligned ventilation holes and sealing surfaces, eliminating the need for complex alignment operations during final battery module assembly. The pre-integrated design maintains manufacturing flexibility while dramatically improving assembly efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 prevents gas leakage from battery cells by securing tightness between the insulation member and cover, while simplifying the assembly process and improving efficiency by facilitating alignment of vents and insulation members.

Implementation Method 1

an insulation member (130) disposed corresponding to the vent (13) and including a bent part (135) accommodated in the notch (125)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2538470B1Battery module
Publication Date: 2016.03.23 SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD
  • EP2538470B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2538470B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2538470B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

The present invention refers to a battery module (100), comprising: a plurality of battery cells (10) with a vent (13), the battery cells (10) being arranged in longitudinal direction of the battery module (100) such that the vent (13) of each battery cell (10) is aligned with the vent (13) of an adjacent battery cell (10); a cover (120) including a body part (121) extending in longitudinal direction of the battery module (100) to enclose the vents (13) and providing a common gas discharge pathway for the vents (13) in the interior of the body part (121); and a insulation member (130) disposed between the battery cells (10) and the cover (120), wherein the insulation member (130) includes a bent part (135) engaged with the cover (120) for sealing the gas discharge pathway.