Battery Venting Device with Explosion Chamber Flame Blow-Off
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing venting devices for electrochemical batteries do not effectively extinguish flames that may occur on the outer side, potentially damaging the battery housing due to continued burning, as they aim to avoid explosions altogether.
Innovation Solution
A venting device with an explosion chamber that intentionally allows for a controlled explosion to extinguish any flame, featuring a flame arrester element, a communication opening for mixing gases with ambient air, and a compact design using flame retardant materials to safely direct gases out of the battery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flame arrester element is used to prevent flame breakthrough into the battery, then flame protection is improved, but the flame may continue to burn on the outer side and damage the housing
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the harmful flame into a beneficial force by allowing it to trigger a controlled explosion in the explosion chamber. This explosion generates a shock wave that actively blows off the flame, transforming the continuous burning threat into a momentary controlled event that eliminates the flame rather than merely containing it.
Solution Approach 2:
The explosion chamber is pre-filled with battery gases that can form an explosive mixture with ambient air. This preliminary preparation of the explosive atmosphere allows the system to respond instantly when a flame occurs, creating a rapid protective action that prevents housing damage before it can occur.
2Reliability
If an explosion chamber is added to allow controlled explosions, then flame extinguishing capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The explosion chamber serves multiple functions: it contains the explosive mixture, generates the protective shock wave, and acts as a flame containment volume. By combining these functions into a single chamber, the design avoids the need for multiple separate components, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining effective flame protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the flame arrester element with the explosion chamber into an integrated assembly. The flame arrester is positioned within the explosion chamber, and both components work together as a unified system, eliminating the need for separate mounting structures and simplifying the overall device architecture.
3Volume of moving object
If the venting device is made compact, then space efficiency is improved, but the explosion chamber volume is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The explosion chamber utilizes thin-walled plastic construction that provides sufficient containment for the controlled explosion while minimizing the chamber wall thickness. This allows the chamber to maintain adequate internal volume for effective flame blow-off while keeping the external dimensions compact and space-efficient.
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 solution enhances safety for electrochemical batteries by ensuring that any flame is extinguished within the device, preventing damage to the battery housing while maintaining a compact and cost-effective design.
Implementation Method 1
the explosion chamber (5, 6) is arranged for developing and temporarily storing an explosive mixture of the gases received from the battery (90) and oxygen from the ambient air, which explodes in case a flame occurs within the explosion chamber (5, 6), thereby blowing off the flame
Implementation Method 2
the flame arrester element (4) being arranged to prohibit a breakthrough of flames into the interior of the battery (90)
Implementation Method 3
the outlet opening (3) is in communication with the explosion chamber (5, 6) via at least one first communication opening (7) which is located within a wall surrounding the explosion chamber (5, 6) at least partially
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a venting device (1) for an electrochemical battery (90). The venting device comprises at least one inlet opening (2) for receiving gases venting from the battery (90), at least one outlet opening (3) for venting the gases received from the battery (90), and at least one flame arrester element (4). The inlet opening (2) is in communication with the outlet opening (3) via the flame arrester element (4). An explosion chamber (5, 6) is located within the venting device (1) on the side of the flame arrester element (4) which is directed to the outlet opening (3). The explosion chamber (5, 6) is arranged for developing and temporarily storing an explosive mixture of the gases received from the battery (90) and oxygen from the ambient air, which explodes in case a flame occurs within the explosion chamber (5, 6), thereby blowing off the flame.