Battery Partition Venting for Electrolyte Leak Containment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional suction devices face the risk of electrolyte leakage from batteries, which can cause short circuits and abnormal operations due to the lack of effective pressure relief and containment mechanisms, especially when the power supply fails.

Innovation Solution

A suction device design featuring a partition wall with a through-hole and a buffer member containing a slit that communicates with the through-hole, separating the battery compartment from the electrical equipment compartment, effectively containing electrolyte leaks and managing pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stress or pressure

If a through-hole is provided in the partition wall for pressure relief, then pressure release function is improved, but electrolyte leakage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure releaseVSAvoidelectrolyte leakage
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The buffer member acts as an intermediary component between the battery and partition wall. It includes a pressure release hole communicating with the battery compartment and an electrolyte retention groove that captures leaked electrolyte. This mediator structure allows pressure to be released while intercepting and containing the electrolyte before it can reach electrical components through the through-hole in the partition wall.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful function (electrolyte leakage) is extracted and separated from the useful function (pressure release). The buffer member extracts the electrolyte from the pressure release path by providing a retention groove that captures electrolyte at the source, allowing pressure to be released through the same hole without carrying the harmful electrolyte along.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If the battery compartment is separated from the electrical equipment compartment, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is segmented into a battery compartment and an electrical equipment compartment by a partition wall with a through-hole. This segmentation physically separates the battery from electrical components, preventing electrolyte from reaching sensitive electronics while maintaining structural integrity and providing clear functional zones within the device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The partition wall serves multiple functions: it separates the battery compartment from the electrical equipment compartment, provides structural support, and works in conjunction with the buffer member to enable pressure release while preventing electrolyte leakage. The through-hole in the partition wall simultaneously allows pressure equalization and serves as a pathway for the buffer member's electrolyte retention groove to intercept leaks.

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

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

Prevents electrolyte leakage and maintains device functionality by containing electrolyte within the buffer member's slit, while allowing pressure relief through the through-hole, thus preventing short circuits and ensuring safe operation.

Implementation Method 1

a buffer member that is disposed between the battery and the partition wall and includes a slit. The partition wall includes a through-hole that communicates the electrical equipment compartment with the battery compartment. The through-hole of the partition wall is in air communication with the slit of the buffer member.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

there is a possibility that the pressure in the chamber increases when the power supply fails. To prepare for such a case, it is conceivable to provide a hole in the wall that forms the chamber housing the power supply so as to release the increased pressure in the room.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP4094599B1Suction device
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 JAPAN TOBACCO INC
  • EP4094599B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4094599B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4094599B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

To suppress leakage of electrolyte contained in a power supply to outside of a chamber housing the power supply. A suction device includes an aerosol generation unit, a control unit that controls the aerosol generation unit, a battery that supplies power to the aerosol generation unit and the control unit, a partition wall that partitions an electrical equipment compartment housing the battery from a heating compartment where the control unit is disposed, and a buffer member that is disposed between the battery and the partition wall. The buffer member includes a slit. The partition wall includes a through-hole communicating the electrical equipment compartment with the heating compartment. The through-hole of the partition wall and the slit of the buffer member face each other.