Battery Module Fastening Vent for Pressure-Triggered Gas Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium secondary batteries generate gas during charging and discharging, which can cause damage, explosions, or fires, and existing venting holes do not effectively discharge this gas, posing risks to devices and users, especially in high-capacity applications like hybrid electric vehicles or energy storage systems.
Innovation Solution
A battery module design featuring a fastening member with a venting hole that allows gas to be discharged, including a bolt or screw with a male thread and a nut with a female thread, where the fastening member includes a rupturing portion made of a composite resin material that ruptures under pressure to facilitate smooth gas discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If a venting hole is formed in the case, then gas discharge function is provided, but gas cannot be smoothly discharged
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening member is designed with a rupturing portion that transitions from a sealed state to an opened state based on internal pressure conditions. When gas pressure exceeds a threshold, the rupturing portion automatically breaks, dynamically changing the venting hole from closed to open, ensuring timely and smooth gas discharge while maintaining structural integrity during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The venting structure changes its physical state (from intact to ruptured) based on pressure parameter changes. The rupturing portion is designed with specific material properties and geometric features that cause it to fail at a predetermined pressure threshold, transforming the venting hole from a closed state to an open state when gas pressure becomes excessive.
2Strength
If the fastening member is made strong to secure battery cells, then fixation reliability is improved, but gas discharge is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening member is segmented into a strong body portion and a weaker rupturing portion. The body portion maintains overall structural strength and fixation reliability, while the rupturing portion serves as a sacrificial element that breaks under excessive pressure to enable gas discharge. This segmentation allows the fastening member to simultaneously provide both strong fixation and gas venting functions.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the fastening member have different mechanical properties. The body portion is designed with high strength for secure fixation, while the rupturing portion is designed with lower strength and specific geometric features (such as thin walls or notches) to facilitate controlled rupture. This local quality differentiation enables the fastening member to fulfill both strong fixation and gas discharge functions.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If a separate venting structure is added, then gas discharge function is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The venting function is merged with the fastening member by incorporating a venting hole directly into its structure. The fastening member simultaneously performs both fixation (securing battery cells to the case) and venting (discharging excess gas) functions. This integration eliminates the need for separate venting components, reducing device complexity while maintaining effective gas discharge capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening member is designed as a multi-functional component that combines fixation and venting capabilities. By making the fastening member universal (performing multiple functions), the patent avoids adding separate dedicated venting structures, thereby maintaining simplicity in the overall device design while ensuring effective gas discharge functionality.
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 ensures smooth discharge of gas generated inside the battery module, reducing the risk of damage, explosions, or fires by effectively releasing pressure, thereby enhancing safety in battery-powered vehicles and energy storage systems.
Implementation Method 1
a rupturing portion coupled to an end of the body portion and ruptured by the gas generated inside the case
Data Source
AI summary
A battery module includes a plurality of battery cells; a case in which the plurality of battery cells are accommodated; and a fastening member fastened to the case, and gas generated inside the case is discharged through the fastening member. The battery module can be used in a battery pack and electric vehicle.