Galvanic Cell Safety Container With Inert Gas-Tight Venting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing safety containers for galvanic cells lack effective thermal insulation and gas-tightness, which can lead to undesirable heating and the risk of fire or escape of harmful substances during transport and storage.

Innovation Solution

A safety container design featuring an outer and inner container with a gas-tight cavity filled with inert, non-flammable, and non-conductive filler, connected via pipes with pressure valves to manage pressure and prevent external oxygen penetration, while the inner container is made of stainless steel for enhanced stability and safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the cavity is filled with inert filler and made gas-tight, then thermal insulation is improved and gas leakage is prevented, but the device complexity increases due to additional sealing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas-tightnessVSAvoidsealing structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A gas-tight membrane is introduced as an intermediary element between the inner container and outer container. This membrane separates the cavity into a first gas-tight compartment (containing the galvanic cell) and a second compartment (containing the inert filler), achieving gas-tightness while maintaining structural simplicity through the use of this intermediate barrier layer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stress or pressure

If pressure valves are installed on pipes connecting inner container to external environment, then pressure management is improved, but the risk of oxygen penetration and fire increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure managementVSAvoidoxygen penetration
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cavity is filled with inert gas (such as nitrogen or argon) to create an inert atmosphere that prevents combustion. This inert environment displaces oxygen from the pressure relief pathway, allowing pressure valves to function safely without creating fire hazards. The inert atmosphere extends through the pipe system to the external environment connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful oxygen is extracted or removed from the pressure relief pathway by replacing it with inert gas. The pressure valve system is modified to operate within an inert gas environment, separating the oxygen-containing external atmosphere from the internal pressure management system through the gas-tight membrane and inert gas filling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If the inner container is made of stainless steel, then stability and resistance to chemical attacks are improved, but the weight of the container increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechemical resistanceVSAvoidcontainer weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Stainless steel material is applied selectively to specific components where chemical resistance is most critical, such as the inner container in direct contact with the galvanic cell and electrolyte, and the pipe system. Other non-critical structural components may use lighter materials, achieving necessary chemical resistance while minimizing overall weight increase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 solution provides effective thermal insulation, prevents gas leakage, and ensures safe transportation and storage of galvanic cells by managing pressure and preventing chemical attacks, thereby reducing the risk of fire and substance escape.

Implementation Method 1

The primary function of the cavity with the filler is therefore thermal insulation or heat shielding

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

This allows excess pressure in the inner container to be released without oxygen penetrating from the outside

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure relief: Depressurisation

Data Source

PatentEP3921883B1Safety container for galvanic cells
Publication Date: 2024.05.15 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP3921883B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3921883B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3921883B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a safety container (1) for galvanic cells (100), comprising an outer container (10) and at least one inner container (20), wherein the inner container (20) forms the transportation space for the galvanic cells (100), wherein a cavity (30) forms between the inner container (20) and outer container (10), wherein the inner container (20) and the cavity (30) between the inner container (20) and outer container (10) are provided with inert filling material (31, 32), wherein the cavity (30) is designed to be gas-tight in relation to the inner container (20) and gas-tight in relation to the exterior surroundings (50) of the safety container (1), wherein the inner container (20) is connected to the exterior surroundings (50) via at least one tube (23) through the cavity (30), wherein a pressure valve (24) and/or a connection (61) to an exhaust-air system is arranged at the outer end of the tube (23).