Battery Vent Duct Assembly for Vibration-Stable Gas Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing energy storage apparatuses face issues with duct portions shifting relative to connected members due to vibrations, leading to potential gas leakage at connection points, and the assembly process of duct portions is complex.

Innovation Solution

The energy storage apparatus includes a duct portion with an engaging portion that suppresses movement relative to end members and a design that facilitates easy assembly by using guide and locking pieces to stabilize the duct portion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the duct portion is attached to the battery assembly using bus bar modules, then the duct can be positioned to cover gas vent holes, but the duct shifts relative to the battery assembly due to vibrations causing gas leakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas leakage preventionVSAvoidduct position stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The duct portion is divided into multiple segments: a main body portion covering the gas vent holes, flange portions extending from both ends of the main body, and engaging portions at the ends of the flange portions. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function - the main body covers vent holes, the flange portions provide mounting surfaces, and the engaging portions secure the duct to the battery assembly, preventing relative shifting while maintaining gas leakage prevention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The engaging portions of the duct portion are inserted into corresponding engaging portions of the battery assembly, creating a nested structure where the duct is securely held within the battery assembly framework. This nesting relationship ensures the duct maintains its position relative to the gas vent holes even during vibrations, solving both the reliability and stability requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the duct portion is secured with multiple engagement points, then the duct position is stabilized against vibrations, but the assembly process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveduct position stabilityVSAvoidassembly structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flange portions serve multiple functions: they extend from the main body to provide mounting surfaces, they contain engaging portions for secure attachment to the battery assembly, and they maintain the spatial relationship between the duct and gas vent holes. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, simplifying the overall assembly structure while achieving stable duct positioning through multiple engagement points

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The duct portion merges the covering function (main body portion), the mounting function (flange portions), and the securing function (engaging portions) into a single integrated component. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate brackets, fasteners, or alignment fixtures, making the assembly process simpler while maintaining stable duct position through the combined engagement points

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4679606A1Power storage device
Publication Date: 2026.01.14 GS YUASA INT LTD
  • EP4679606A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4679606A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4679606A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An energy storage apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of energy storage devices arranged in a first direction, the plurality of energy storage devices each including a gas release valve facing a second direction a pair of end members disposed on both sides of the plurality of energy storage devices in the first direction and a duct portion that overlaps the gas release valve in the second direction, and the duct portion includes a duct portion main body extending in the first direction a joint portion capable of releasing gas guided to one end of the duct portion main body in the first direction to an other member and an engaging portion that is disposed at the one end of the duct portion main body and engages with an end member.