Battery Pack Venting Device with Ball Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle battery pack containers are inadequate in safely venting gases while preventing the ingress of fluids, such as water, which can damage the battery pack.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle battery pack container with a venting device featuring a housing and a ball that moves between operational positions to seal against fluids and allow gas passage, ensuring safe venting of gases to the ambient atmosphere while preventing fluid entry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If a venting device is added to allow gas escape, then gas venting capability is improved, but fluid ingress risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ball acts as an intermediary element between the vent opening and the battery pack interior. It selectively mediates fluid passage by blocking liquids while allowing gases to pass through, thus resolving the contradiction between venting gases and preventing fluid ingress
Solution Approach 2:
The system exploits parameter changes in fluid behavior - specifically the difference in density and flow characteristics between gases and liquids. The ball responds to these parameter differences by positioning itself to block liquids while permitting gas flow, achieving both venting and protection functions
2Adaptability or versatility
If a ball mechanism is added to control fluid flow, then selective venting capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ball mechanism is self-actuating and requires no external control systems. It automatically responds to fluid intrusion attempts by moving to block the opening, and automatically opens for gas venting when pressure builds up, providing adaptive functionality without increasing control complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts only the essential function needed for selective venting - a simple ball that can block or open the vent - from more complex valve mechanisms. This minimal extraction achieves the required adaptability while keeping the device structure simple
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 prevents water and other materials from entering the battery pack while allowing gases to escape, enhancing the safety and durability of the battery pack container.
Implementation Method 1
The ball is configured to seal against a sealing tab of the housing at the first operational position to prevent fluids from passing through the venting device into an interior region of the vehicle battery pack container
Implementation Method 2
The ball is configured to allow gases from the interior region of the vehicle battery pack container to flow through the venting device when the ball is at the second operational position
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle battery pack container is provided. The container includes a base portion having an aperture extending therethrough, a peripheral wall coupled to the base portion, and a cover coupled to the peripheral wall. The container further includes a venting device having a housing and a ball disposed within an interior region of the housing. The housing is coupled to the base portion such that the venting device is in fluid communication with the aperture in the base portion. The ball seals against a sealing tab of the housing at a first operational position to prevent fluids from passing through the venting device into the container. The ball allows gases from the container to flow through the venting device when the ball is at a second operational position.