Moisture-Absorbing Molded Body for Battery Pressure Equalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery designs with microporous membranes for pressure compensation allow humid air to enter the housing, leading to condensation and potential damage due to accumulated water, while alternative designs that discharge condensate risk water ingress through liquid-permeable openings.
Innovation Solution
A battery with a molded body made of a porous, moisture-absorbing material that extends into both the interior and exterior of the housing, connecting them for moisture transport, allowing effective removal of moisture via capillary forces and distribution, while maintaining pressure equalization through a microporous membrane.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If a microporous membrane is used for pressure compensation, then pressure equalization is achieved, but water vapor can enter the housing and condense into liquid water causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
A hydrophilic membrane serves as an intermediary between the housing interior and exterior, selectively allowing water vapor to pass while blocking liquid water. This mediator resolves the contradiction by permitting pressure equalization through vapor transport while preventing harmful liquid water ingress that would occur with conventional microporous membranes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a hydrophilic porous membrane with specific pore characteristics that enable selective permeability. The porous structure allows water vapor molecules to pass through for pressure equalization, while the hydrophilic properties and pore size distribution prevent liquid water from penetrating, thus resolving the contradiction between pressure compensation and water protection
2Loss of substance
If liquid-permeable openings and ventilation hoses are used to discharge condensate, then water can be removed from the housing, but water can also ingress from the environment through the same openings
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrophilic membrane acts as a selective intermediary that replaces the need for liquid-permeable openings and ventilation hoses. It enables water vapor transport for pressure equalization while blocking liquid water, thereby eliminating the contradiction between condensate discharge capability and water ingress prevention that plagues conventional designs with open venting systems
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
Effectively removes moisture from the battery housing, preventing condensation on critical components and reducing the risk of water ingress, while allowing for pressure equalization, thus enhancing reliability and longevity.
Implementation Method 1
This shaped body is able to absorb moisture from inside the battery housing and to distribute it over its entire volume by means of capillary forces
Implementation Method 2
A problem with such microporous membranes is that they are mostly impermeable to liquid water, but not to water vapor
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a battery comprising a housing in which at least one battery cell and a device for drying air present in the housing inner chamber are arranged. The battery according to the invention is characterised in that the battery (1) comprises a moulded body (7) made of a porous, moisture-absorbing material which is disposed such that it extends both into the housing inner chamber (3) and into the outer chamber of the housing (2) and connects said chambers to each other such that moisture can be conducted therebetween. The part of the moulded body (7) present in the housing inner chamber (3) is connected to the device (5) for drying the air present in the housing inner chamber (3) such that collected water (6) can be transferred out of the device (5) to the moulded body (7) for air drying.