Battery Cell Vent Structure With Fire Suppressant Pouch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium-ion secondary batteries can generate internal gas due to cell deterioration at high temperatures or high currents, leading to increased pressure and a risk of ignition, with existing vent components failing to prevent melting and ignition of internal components.
Innovation Solution
A battery assembly with a vent system featuring a breakable and non-breakable portion, accompanied by a pouch containing a fire extinguishing agent, which opens to discharge the agent when the vent ruptures, preventing thermal runaway and ignition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If a vent component is included to vent internally generated gas, then the pressure within the case is reduced, but the internal components may still melt and blow out of the case due to heat generation
Solution Approach 1:
The fire extinguishing agent is pre-loaded in the pouch positioned over the vent, ready to be discharged when the vent ruptures. This preliminary preparation ensures that the extinguishing agent is immediately available to suppress ignition risks without requiring additional active systems
Solution Approach 2:
The pouch containing the fire extinguishing agent acts as an intermediary between the vent rupture event and the internal components. When the vent breaks, the pouch opens and releases the extinguishing agent to suppress heat and prevent ignition, protecting the internal components from thermal damage
2Stress or pressure
If the vent includes only a breakable portion, then the vent ruptures to release pressure, but the pouch cannot be reliably opened to discharge the fire extinguishing agent
Solution Approach 1:
The vent is segmented into a breakable portion and a non-breakable portion. The breakable portion (with notch) ruptures first to release pressure, while the non-breakable portion remains intact and deforms to open the pouch. This segmentation ensures both pressure release and reliable pouch opening
Solution Approach 2:
The vent structure transitions from a static design to a dynamic one where the non-breakable portion deforms in response to rupture. This deformation motion actively opens the pouch, ensuring the fire extinguishing agent is discharged reliably when needed
3Object-affected harmful factors
If additional fire extinguishing systems are installed to prevent ignition, then the ignition risk is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fire extinguishing function is merged with the existing vent structure. The pouch containing the extinguishing agent is positioned over the vent and integrated into the battery assembly design, combining pressure relief and fire suppression functions in a single integrated system
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the vent rupture event itself to trigger the fire extinguishing function. The deformation of the non-breakable portion automatically opens the pouch and discharges the agent, making the system self-activating without requiring external sensors or control systems
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 system effectively prevents battery cells from igniting by discharging a fire extinguishing agent upon vent rupture, reducing the risk of thermal runaway and allowing for easy replacement without additional fire extinguishing systems.
Implementation Method 1
a breakable portion configured to break in response to a rupture of the vent
Implementation Method 2
a non-breakable portion configured to deform in response to the rupture of the vent
Implementation Method 3
the pouch is configured to be opened by the deformation of the non-breakable portion of the vent to allow the fire extinguishing agent to be discharged toward the vent of each of the battery cells
Data Source
AI summary
A battery assembly configured to prevent battery cells from igniting. A plurality of battery cells including a cap plate having a vent. A pouch is over the vent, and including a fire extinguishing agent. The vent includes a breakable portion configured to break in response to a rupture of the vent and a non-breakable portion configured to deform in response to the rupture of the vent. The pouch is configured to be opened by the deformation of the non-breakable portion of the vent to allow the fire extinguishing agent to be discharged toward the vent of each of the battery cells.