Battery Shell Semi-Permeable Membrane Venting

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery shells for traction batteries face challenges in safely and cost-effectively integrating ventilation elements to manage pressure changes caused by temperature fluctuations, altitude changes, and thermal overload, which can lead to structural damage.

Innovation Solution

A battery shell made from plastics material with a semi-permeable membrane that allows gas exchange while preventing liquid ingress, integrally bonded or frictionally connected to the shell, eliminating the need for a separate ventilation element housing and reducing component count.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate ventilation element housing is used, then the ventilation function is achieved, but the device complexity and component count increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveventilation functionVSAvoidcomponent count

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the ventilation element directly into the battery shell by forming a receiving geometry within the shell structure itself. The semi-permeable membrane is secured directly to this receiving geometry, eliminating the need for a separate ventilation housing. This merging of functions reduces component count while maintaining the ventilation capability through the membrane's selective permeability properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Stress or pressure

If traditional ventilation openings are used, then pressure equalization is achieved, but liquid ingress risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure equalizationVSAvoidliquid ingress

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a semi-permeable membrane as the ventilation element, which functions as a porous material with selective permeability. This membrane allows gaseous substances to pass through for pressure equalization while its pore structure and surface properties prevent liquid substances from penetrating. The membrane's selective permeability resolves the contradiction by enabling gas flow while blocking liquid ingress.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The semi-permeable membrane acts as an intermediary element between the interior and exterior environments of the battery shell. It mediates the pressure equalization function by allowing gas exchange while simultaneously providing a barrier against liquid ingress. This intermediary membrane resolves the contradiction by performing both functions - pressure equalization and liquid protection - through its selective permeability characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If multiple separate components are used for ventilation, then the ventilation function is reliable, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveventilation functionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into fewer components: the receiving geometry is formed as an integral part of the battery shell structure, and the semi-permeable membrane serves both as the ventilation element and the sealing component. This reduction in component count simplifies the manufacturing process, reduces assembly steps, and lowers overall production costs while maintaining reliable ventilation functionality through the membrane's selective permeability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If more components are integrated into the battery shell, then the ventilation function is improved, but the installation space requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveventilation functionVSAvoidinstallation space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nested structure where the receiving geometry for the ventilation element is formed within the existing battery shell structure. The semi-permeable membrane is secured within this receiving geometry, effectively nesting the ventilation function inside the existing shell volume without requiring additional external space. This nested arrangement improves ventilation reliability while minimizing installation space requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 solution provides a lightweight, cost-effective, and robust battery shell that maintains structural integrity by allowing pressure equalization without liquid ingress, reducing installation space, and enhancing electromagnetic compatibility.

Implementation Method 1

a semi-permeable membrane (40), the semi-permeable membrane (40) being designed to be permeable to a gaseous substance and impermeable to a liquid substance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSemipermeable membrane: Semipermeable Membrane

Implementation Method 2

the semi-permeable membrane (40) being designed to be permeable to a gaseous substance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentUS20230103100A1Battery Shell, Traction Battery, Motor Vehicle, and Method for Manufacturing a Battery Shell

Publication Date: 2023.03.30 KAUTEX TEXTRON GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

A battery shell, in particular, a battery shell for a traction battery of a motor vehicle, comprises a semi-permeable membrane that is integrally bonded or frictionally connected to the battery shell.