Battery Cell Bottom Recess Venting to Prevent Sidewall Rupture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery cells face safety issues due to potential bursting when gas pressure exceeds the structural limits, leading to damage and risk of adjacent cells being affected.
Innovation Solution
A battery cell design featuring a recess on the bottom surface covered by an auxiliary device with a lower expansion coefficient than the housing material, allowing gas to escape through the recess during malfunction, preventing the side surface from bursting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the housing is made with sufficient thickness to withstand gas pressure, then the strength and safety are improved, but the weight and material consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into different thickness regions: a first region with greater thickness for structural support and a second region with lesser thickness for weight reduction. This segmentation allows the housing to maintain sufficient strength while minimizing material consumption and weight.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the housing have different wall thicknesses tailored to their specific functional requirements. The first region has increased thickness where strength is critical, while the second region has reduced thickness where weight reduction is prioritized, optimizing the overall structure.
2Reliability
If a venting structure is added to release gas pressure, then the safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The venting structure operates autonomously without requiring external control systems. The deformable membrane automatically responds to internal gas pressure by deforming and opening vent channels, providing self-regulating pressure relief that simplifies the overall system while maintaining high safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The venting structure uses a deformable membrane that dynamically adjusts its configuration based on internal pressure conditions. Under normal conditions, the membrane maintains a closed configuration; under pressure, it deforms to open vent channels, providing adaptive pressure management without complex control mechanisms.
3Loss of substance
If the housing wall thickness is reduced to minimize material usage, then the material consumption is reduced, but the strength and pressure resistance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The housing wall is divided into regions with different thicknesses: a first region with greater thickness for structural integrity and a second region with lesser thickness for material reduction. This segmentation enables optimized material distribution that balances strength requirements with material consumption goals.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing employs composite construction with varying wall thicknesses, combining regions of different material densities or structural configurations to achieve optimal strength-to-weight ratio and minimize material consumption while maintaining pressure resistance.
4Reliability
If the auxiliary device covers the recess completely, then the sealing is improved, but the venting capability worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary device's relationship with the recess is dynamic rather than static. Under normal conditions, the auxiliary device completely covers the recess to provide sealing. Under gas pressure, the deformable membrane deforms to create openings that expose the recess, enabling venting while maintaining sealing capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary device is pre-positioned to cover the recess completely, establishing the sealed state as the default condition. The venting function is prepared in advance through the deformable membrane's ability to deform and expose the recess when pressure conditions require it.
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 design effectively vents gas, reducing the risk of housing rupture and protecting adjacent cells by ensuring controlled release of pressure and maintaining the integrity of the battery cell.
Implementation Method 1
an auxiliary device (6) with a lower expansion coefficient than the housing material
Data Source
AI summary
A battery cell having a housing, which has a cover surface, a bottom surface and at least one lateral surface, and an auxiliary device which is at least partially arranged on the lateral surface and the bottom surface, are described. The housing has a recess at the bottom surface, and the auxiliary device completely covers the recess. Also described are an energy store and a method for venting a battery cell.