Battery Module Vent Duct Locking for Gas Leak Prevention

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In conventional battery modules, the gas discharge duct and duct locking portion can separate, leading to potential gas leakage when a large pressure is applied, as the duct may rise and create gaps between the sealing material.

Innovation Solution

The energy storage apparatus incorporates a locking piece extending from an adjacent member to securely engage with the duct portion, suppressing positional displacement and deformation during assembly, and includes a locking piece that contacts the duct portion to prevent gas leakage and dew condensation conduction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the gas discharge duct and duct locking portion are separated to facilitate assembly, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability deteriorates as gas leakage may occur when pressure is applied

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidsealing reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The duct locking portion is nested within the duct, forming an integrated structure where the locking portion protrudes from the duct's side surface. This nested design allows the locking portion to be pre-positioned and guided during assembly, facilitating easy engagement with the cell holder while maintaining a sealed connection that prevents gas leakage under pressure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The duct locking portion is merged with the duct body to form a unified component. This integration ensures that the locking and sealing functions are combined in a single structure, eliminating the need for separate locking and sealing elements while maintaining both ease of assembly and sealing reliability under pressure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If the duct locking portion protrudes closely to the duct to prevent separation, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The duct locking portion is segmented from the main duct body as a distinct protruding feature rather than a complex integrated structure. This segmentation allows for simple geometric formation of the locking portion that extends from the duct's side surface, reducing manufacturing complexity while ensuring reliable engagement with the cell holder's locking groove to prevent separation under pressure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4679604A1Power storage device
Publication Date: 2026.01.14 GS YUASA INT LTD
  • EP4679604A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4679604A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4679604A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An energy storage apparatus of an embodiment includes: a plurality of energy storage devices including a gas release valve and arranged in a predetermined direction; an elongated member; a sandwiched member sandwiched between the plurality of energy storage devices and the elongated member; and an adjacent member disposed between the energy storage devices. The adjacent member includes an adjacent member main body located between the energy storage devices, and a locking piece. The locking piece includes a locking piece main body extending from the adjacent member main body along the elongated member in a facing direction of the gas release valve and the elongated member, and a locking portion extending in an extending direction of the elongated member from a position spaced apart from the adjacent member main body in the locking piece main body, or a locking portion extending in a direction orthogonal to the facing direction and away from the elongated member.