Electrochemical Cell Bursting Web Venting for Overpressure Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrochemical cells face challenges in safely managing overpressure conditions, which can lead to thermal runaway and explosive ignition due to uncontrolled fluid release, requiring a simple and effective mechanism for pressure equalization.

Innovation Solution

The electrochemical cell incorporates a bursting device with varying thickness bursting ribs formed by integrally embossed recesses on the cell's housing, allowing controlled fluid release when critical pressure is reached, featuring a thickness gradient and embossed design for precise bursting behavior.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a bursting device is added to enable pressure equalization, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bursting device is merged with the housing wall by forming bursting ribs that are integrally formed with the wall through embossing. This integration eliminates the need for separate bursting device components, reducing assembly steps while maintaining the pressure equalization function for safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing wall serves multiple functions: it provides structural containment and simultaneously incorporates the bursting device functionality through integrally formed bursting ribs. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying the overall device while ensuring safety through pressure equalization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If embossing process is used to form bursting ribs, then manufacturing is simplified, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovemanufacturingVSAvoidmanufacturing precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The bursting rib geometry is predetermined through the embossing process design. The embossing tooling is configured in advance to create the specific thickness variation profile needed for controlled bursting behavior, eliminating the need for subsequent machining or adjustment operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The embossing process controls the thickness of the bursting ribs by varying the embossing depth across different regions. This parameter change in thickness creates the intended bursting sequence while being achieved through a single-step forming process, balancing manufacturing simplicity with precise geometric control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4162562B1Electrochemical cell, method for producing an electrochemical cell, electrochemical system, and method for producing an electrochemical system
Publication Date: 2026.03.25 ELRINGKLINGER AG
  • EP4162562B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4162562B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4162562B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The aim of the invention is to provide an electrochemical cell which can be produced as simply as possible and with which fluid can flow out of the interior in the event of overpressure in the interior of the electrochemical cell. This is achieved by an electrochemical cell that comprises a housing, which surrounds the interior of the electrochemical cell, and a bursting device, which is arranged on a wall of the housing and is formed integrally with the wall in particular, wherein the bursting device comprises at least one bursting web, and the at least one bursting web has a varying thickness in the longitudinal direction and/or the at least one bursting web is made of at least one first depression, which is arranged on the wall inner face facing the interior, and at least one second depression, which is arranged on the wall outer face facing away from the interior.