Battery Housing Degassing Vent With Particle-Retaining Lattice
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing degassing units for high-voltage batteries, such as lithium-based traction batteries, fail to effectively retain hot particles during cell defects, risking fires and damage to surrounding components.
Innovation Solution
A degassing unit with a semipermeable membrane and a separation lattice that retains particles by providing a larger surface area for separation, preventing the passage of solids and liquids, and minimizing pressure loss during emergency degassing, using a membrane support device and separation lattice at different distances from the membrane to enhance particle retention and reduce clogging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a semipermeable membrane is used for gas exchange, then gas permeability is improved, but particle retention is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The degassing unit is divided into multiple functional components: a semipermeable membrane for gas exchange, a membrane support device with lattice structure for mechanical support and particle filtration, and a separation lattice for enhanced particle retention. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its function while working together to resolve the contradiction between gas permeability and particle retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane support device acts as an intermediary between the semipermeable membrane and the external environment. It provides mechanical support to the membrane while its lattice structure serves as a first level of particle filtration, mediating between the need for gas exchange and the need to retain particles.
2Speed
If an emergency degassing spike is used for rapid pressure release, then pressure compensation speed is improved, but uncontrolled particle ejection occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the potentially harmful effect of rapid pressure release (which could eject hot particles) into a beneficial outcome by using the pressure-driven gas flow through the membrane and separation lattice to actively flush and retain particles within the housing. The emergency degassing spike maintains rapid pressure equalization while the lattice structures ensure particles are retained even during high-flow conditions.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a separation lattice with small openings is used for particle retention, then particle retention is improved, but pressure loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the degassing unit have different structural properties optimized for their specific functions. The membrane support device has a relatively open lattice structure near the membrane for support with minimal pressure resistance, while the separation lattice has smaller openings further away for particle retention. This local differentiation allows particle retention without excessive pressure loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention addresses the pressure loss issue by extending the particle retention function into a third dimension - the separation lattice is positioned at a distance from the membrane, creating a spatial arrangement where particles can be retained without creating a direct flow restriction at the membrane level. This dimensional arrangement reduces pressure loss while maintaining retention effectiveness.
4Volume of moving object
If the membrane is positioned close to the housing wall for compact design, then space utilization is improved, but particle ingress risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane support device serves as an intermediary barrier between the membrane and the housing wall. Even when the membrane is positioned close to the wall for compact design, the support device's lattice structure creates a protective intermediate zone that prevents direct contact between foreign bodies and the membrane, maintaining protection while enabling compact spacing.
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
Effectively retains a significant proportion of hot particles and flammable gases within the battery housing, reducing the risk of fires and maintaining structural integrity by minimizing pressure loss and preventing the ingress of foreign objects.
Implementation Method 1
a gas passage opening (15) that is covered by a semipermeable membrane (6) which enables passage of gaseous media from an environment into the electronics housing and in reverse, but prevents passage of liquid media and/or solids
Implementation Method 2
a membrane support device (2) arranged at an interior side of the base body (1) which engages at least partially across the gas passage opening (15) and is positioned at a first distance away from the semipermeable membrane (6)... a separation lattice (8) with a plurality of openings (81) is arranged at an interior side of the base body (1) at a second distance away from the semipermeable membrane (6) that is larger than the first distance
Data Source
AI summary
A degassing unit for an electronics housing has a base body with gas passage opening and is connectable fluid-tightly to a rim of a pressure compensation opening of the electronics housing. A semipermeable membrane for covering the pressure compensation opening enables passage of gaseous media from an environment into the electronics housing interior and vice versa but prevents passage of liquids and solids. A membrane support device, arranged at an interior side of the base body facing the electronics housing interior, engages across the gas passage opening and is positioned at a first distance to the semipermeable membrane. A separation lattice with lattice openings is arranged at the interior side of the base body at a second larger distance to the semipermeable membrane and completely engages across the gas passage opening. A surface area spanned by the separation lattice is larger than a cross section of the gas passage opening.