Battery Cell Support Plate Venting for Thermal Runaway Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery cells face challenges in safely managing thermal runaway due to limited fluid discharge rates, which can lead to safety accidents.
Innovation Solution
A battery cell design incorporating a support plate with a weak portion aligned with a pressure relief mechanism, allowing for controlled fluid discharge during thermal runaway by ensuring the weak portion ruptures before or simultaneously with the pressure relief mechanism, guiding fluid efficiently to the mechanism for release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a support plate is used to support the electrode assembly, then structural support is provided, but the pressure relief mechanism is blocked and fluid discharge rate is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The support plate is segmented into a first portion and a second portion connected by a weak portion. The weak portion is designed to rupture at a predetermined pressure threshold, dividing the support plate's function into structural support (first and second portions) and pressure relief (weak portion). This segmentation allows the support plate to provide structural support while enabling fluid discharge through the ruptured weak portion to the pressure relief mechanism.
2Strength
If the support plate is made intact to ensure structural integrity, then structural strength is maintained, but fluid cannot be guided to the pressure relief mechanism during thermal runaway
Solution Approach 1:
The weak portion is pre-designed with reduced thickness and specific geometry before the battery cell operates. This preliminary action creates a predetermined rupture point that will fail at a specific pressure threshold. During normal operation, the support plate maintains structural integrity, but when internal pressure reaches the threshold during thermal runaway, the weak portion ruptures to guide fluid to the pressure relief mechanism, ensuring reliable fluid guidance when needed.
3Productivity
If the weak portion dimension is made larger to improve fluid flow, then fluid discharge rate increases, but uneven pressure release occurs due to fluid deposition
Solution Approach 1:
The weak portion is designed with specific local dimensions where its external dimension in the first direction is less than or equal to the distance between opposite sides of the pressure relief mechanism. This local quality control ensures that the weak portion is sufficiently small to prevent fluid deposition and uneven pressure release, while still providing adequate fluid passage when ruptured. The localized dimensional constraint maintains both fluid discharge capability and uniform pressure release.
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
Enhances the safety performance of battery cells by increasing fluid discharge rates and preventing uneven pressure release, thereby reducing the risk of accidents.
Implementation Method 1
when the internal pressure of the battery cell reaches a second threshold, the support plate is configured to rupture along the weak portion... so as to form a channel for guiding fluid to the pressure relief mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a battery cell, a battery and an electrical device. The battery cell comprises an electrode assembly, a shell, a pressure relief mechanism and a support plate; the pressure relief mechanism is arranged on the first side plate and is configured to be actuated when the internal pressure of the battery cell reaches a first threshold, so as to release the internal pressure; the support plate is arranged between the first side plate and the electrode assembly; the support plate is provided with a weak portion which is opposite to the pressure relief mechanism in the thickness direction of the first side plate; the shape of the weak portion is the same as that of the outline of the pressure relief mechanism, and the external dimension of the weak portion is not greater than the dimension of the outline of the pressure relief mechanism.