Bursting Rib Structure for Controlled Cell Overpressure Venting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bursting devices are difficult to manufacture and do not provide controlled opening in the event of overpressure, posing a risk of uncontrolled thermal runaway in electrochemical cells.

Innovation Solution

A bursting device with a wall component featuring varying thickness bursting ribs formed by depressions on opposite sides, allowing for controlled opening and pressure equalization, manufactured through embossing to minimize material displacement and eliminate complex assembly processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing bursting devices are used, then pressure relief function is provided, but manufacturing complexity increases and controlled opening behavior is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrolled opening behaviorVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bursting rib is segmented into zones with different thicknesses (first zone with greater thickness, second zone with lesser thickness), creating predetermined breaking points that enable controlled opening while simplifying the overall device structure to a single integrated component

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the bursting rib are given different local properties through varying thickness, with the first zone having greater thickness for structural integrity and the second zone having lesser thickness for controlled failure, achieving reliable bursting behavior without complex assembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Manufacturing precision

If bursting devices with varying thickness ribs are implemented, then controlled opening is achieved, but manufacturing difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebursting behavior controlVSAvoidmanufacturing process simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The bursting rib with varying thickness is integrated directly into the wall component as a single molded part, combining the wall structure and bursting function into one element that achieves precise bursting control through standard injection molding processes without requiring separate manufacturing steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The thickness parameter of the bursting rib is varied during the injection molding process to create zones of different thickness, enabling precise control of bursting behavior while using standard manufacturing techniques rather than complex post-processing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If complex assembly processes are used for bursting devices, then precise bursting behavior can be achieved, but production time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebursting behavior reproducibilityVSAvoidmanufacturing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The bursting rib is molded as an integral part of the wall component in a single injection molding operation, eliminating separate assembly steps while maintaining reproducible bursting behavior through precise control of the molding process parameters

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The varying thickness profile of the bursting rib is built into the mold cavity itself, so the controlled bursting geometry is created during the primary molding operation rather than requiring subsequent assembly or processing steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4162563B1Rupture device and method for producing a rupture device
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 ELRINGKLINGER AG
  • EP4162563B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4162563B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4162563B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The aim of the invention is to provide a rupture device which can be produced as simply as possible and which allows controlled opening of a container in the event of overpressure. This is achieved in that the rupture device comprises a wall component which has at least one rupture web, wherein the at least one rupture web has a varying thickness in the longitudinal direction and/or the at least one rupture web is formed by at least one first depression located on a first face of the wall component, and at least one second depression located on a second face of the wall component facing away from the first face.