Battery Pack Venting Valve Assembly for Pressure Release and Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery packs face challenges in safely managing pressure buildup during thermal runaway events, which can lead to overpressure and potential damage due to the release of hot gas, requiring an effective venting mechanism to prevent damage and ensure safety.
Innovation Solution
A venting unit with a valve assembly featuring a housing, a sealing lip, and a spring-actuated first valve part with a planar and sloped portion, designed to seal and then open to release pressure, ensuring controlled gas release and protection from environmental contaminants through a cover cap.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a venting mechanism is installed to release pressure during thermal runaway, then safety is improved, but the battery pack is exposed to environmental contaminants
Solution Approach 1:
The venting system is divided into separate functional components: a venting valve assembly for pressure release and a cover cap for contamination protection. The cover cap is segmented with openings positioned to allow controlled venting while blocking contaminants from entering the battery pack interior.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover cap acts as an intermediary element between the external environment and the battery pack interior. It mediates the venting process by allowing pressure equalization while filtering out environmental contaminants, thus protecting the battery cells during thermal runaway events.
2Ease of operation
If a valve assembly with spring mechanism is used to control gas release, then controlled venting is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The venting valve assembly is designed as a self-actuating mechanism where the spring automatically responds to pressure differential. When internal battery pack pressure exceeds external pressure, the valve opens automatically without external control, providing controlled venting through passive pressure-responsive operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex electronic or active mechanical control systems are replaced with a simple spring-loaded mechanical valve that operates autonomously based on pressure differential. This mechanical substitution reduces device complexity while maintaining controlled gas release 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
The venting unit effectively manages pressure buildup by controlling gas release and protecting the battery pack from overpressure, while the cover cap enhances protection against contaminants, ensuring safe operation and optimal performance.
Implementation Method 1
a spring extending along the stem between the housing and the second valve part
Implementation Method 2
in an open state of the valve assembly, the opening portion is configured to move away from the sealing lip against the force of the spring such that a release gap is formed between the sloped part of the opening portion and the sealing lip
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C~1D
AI summary
The present disclosure refers to a venting unit (40) for a battery pack (100), wherein the venting unit (40) includes a valve assembly (10); the valve assembly (10), including: a housing (1) with a valve opening (8) and a sealing lip (9) formed around the valve opening (8); a first valve part (2) configured for opening and closing the valve opening (8), a stem (6) being connected to the first valve part (2) on one of its ends, the opposing end of the stem (6) being provided with a second valve part (4), a spring (3) extending along the stem (6) between the housing (1) and the second valve part (4); wherein the first valve part (2) includes an opening portion (21) with a planar part (211), and a sloped part (212) being connected on one side to the planar part (211) and on the opposing side being connected to the stem (6), a gradient of the sloped part (212) increasing from the planar part (211) towards the stem (6), wherein in a closed state (101) of the valve assembly (10), the planar part (211) of the first valve part opening portion (21) and the sealing lip (9) of the housing (1) are placed on top of each other to seal a gap between the opening portion (21) and the housing (1), and wherein in an open state (102) of the valve assembly (10), the opening portion (21) is configured to move away from the sealing lip (9) against the force of the spring (3) such that a release gap (34) is formed between the opening portion (21) and the sealing lip (9).