Battery Cell Vent Blocking Member for Thermal Runaway Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery cells are prone to chain ignition due to the spread of flames, gases, and smoke during thermal runaway, which can lead to the ignition of adjacent cells.

Innovation Solution

A battery cell design incorporating a blocking member with a capsule containing a blocking material, such as silicone or polyurethane, that is injected and cured within a vent hole, coupled with a vent plate and a fixing member to prevent the spread of flames and gases, featuring a capsule with a groove for the vent plate's fracture portion and extension portions for secure fixation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a vent hole is provided in the cap plate to release internal pressure, then the battery cell can prevent over-pressurization and thermal runaway, but flames and gases can spread through the vent hole to adjacent cells causing chain ignition

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal runaway preventionVSAvoidchain ignition risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A blocking member is introduced as an intermediary element in the vent hole pathway. This blocking member includes a capsule containing blocking material that can be injected through the vent hole. The blocking material acts as a mediator that seals the vent hole after pressure release, preventing flames and gases from spreading to adjacent cells while maintaining the venting function for pressure relief.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The blocking member is pre-installed in the vent hole before thermal runaway occurs, but remains in a state that allows pressure release. When pressure builds up, the vent plate opens and releases gases through the blocking member. After pressure equalization, the blocking material is injected through the same vent hole to seal it, preventing chain ignition. This preliminary positioning enables both venting and sealing functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a blocking member is installed to cover the vent plate and prevent flame spread, then chain ignition is reduced, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflame spread preventionVSAvoidbattery cell structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking member integrates multiple functions into a single component: it includes a body that covers the vent plate, a capsule that receives blocking material, and extension portions that engage with the cap plate. By merging the covering function, sealing function, and fixing function into one integrated blocking member, the structure achieves flame spread prevention without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The blocking member serves multiple purposes: it acts as a cover for the vent plate, a container for the blocking material, a seal against flame and gas spread, and a fixed structure through extension portions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in structural complexity while achieving comprehensive protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the capsule is inserted into the vent hole with the blocking material, then the vent hole is sealed to prevent gas and flame propagation, but the blocking material must be injected and cured in place adding manufacturing steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas and flame propagation blockingVSAvoidblocking material injection and curing

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The capsule is pre-formed and inserted into the vent hole before the blocking material is injected. This preliminary positioning of the capsule creates a contained space that guides the injection process and ensures proper placement of the blocking material. The capsule acts as a pre-prepared receptacle that simplifies the subsequent injection and curing steps compared to trying to fill the vent hole directly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 prevents or reduces chain ignition by containing and directing thermal discharge, enhancing safety and reducing the risk of multiple cell ignition.

Implementation Method 1

the blocking material may be injected into the capsule in a liquid state and then cured

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCuring: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentUS20250293385A1Battery cell and battery module including the same

Publication Date: 2025.09.18 SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD

AI summary

A battery cell includes: an electrode assembly; a cell case accommodating the electrode assembly; a cap plate coupled to the cell case and having a vent hole; a vent plate in the vent hole and configured to be opened or closed in response to an internal pressure of the cell case; a blocking member facing the cap plate and covering the vent plate; and a fixing member fixing the blocking member to the cell case or the cap plate.