Battery Pack Venting Valve With Nonlinear Pressure Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current battery management systems face challenges in effectively managing pressure during thermal runaway events in battery packs, which can lead to overpressure and potential damage due to the release of hot gas.
Innovation Solution
A venting unit with a valve assembly that includes a housing, a sealing lip, a first valve part, a stem, and a spring, where the first valve part has a planar and sloped portion, allowing for controlled pressure release through a non-linear increase in the release gap as the valve opens, preventing overpressure and protecting the battery pack from thermal runaway.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional valve design with linear opening is used, then the structure is simple, but the pressure release is uncontrolled leading to overpressure and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The valve part features a dynamic non-linear opening design where the opening area increases progressively as the valve opens, rather than linearly. This dynamic geometry allows controlled pressure release by adjusting the opening characteristics during the valve opening process, improving pressure control reliability while managing structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the valve opening by incorporating a non-linear opening profile with specific surface areas at different opening stages. This parameter modification enables controlled pressure release characteristics, transforming the valve from a simple linear opening to a sophisticated pressure-controlled release mechanism
2Speed
If the valve opens quickly to release pressure, then the pressure release speed is high, but the hot gas releases uncontrollably causing potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The non-linear opening design creates a dynamic pressure release process where the valve opening area evolves progressively. This dynamic control allows the system to achieve high pressure release speed while controlling the hot gas flow characteristics, preventing uncontrolled release and potential damage to surrounding components
Solution Approach 2:
The valve design incorporates feedback through its non-linear opening characteristics, where the pressure differential and opening position interact to control the release rate. This inherent feedback mechanism regulates hot gas release, ensuring that pressure is released quickly but controllably, preventing harmful effects
3Ease of manufacture
If a simple linear valve opening is used, then the manufacturing is easy, but the pressure release pattern is uncontrolled
Solution Approach 1:
The invention modifies the geometric parameters of the valve opening to create a non-linear opening profile with specific surface areas at different opening stages. This parameter change enables precise pressure release control while maintaining manufacturability through standard machining processes, balancing manufacturing ease with control precision
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 venting unit effectively manages pressure by establishing a controlled release path for hot gas, preventing overpressure and ensuring the safety and integrity of the battery pack during thermal events.
Implementation Method 1
a spring extending along the stem between the housing and the second valve part
Data Source
AI summary
A venting unit for a battery pack includes: a housing having a valve opening and a sealing lip around the valve opening; a first valve part; a stem, one end connected to the first valve part, an opposing end connected to a second valve part; and a spring between the housing and the second valve part. The first valve part has an opening portion with a planar part and a sloped part connected between the planar part and the stem. A gradient of the sloped part increases from the planar part toward the stem. In a closed state, the planar part of the opening portion and the sealing lip of the housing together seal a gap between the opening portion and the housing, and in an open state, the opening portion is spaced apart from the sealing lip against the spring.