Explosion-Proof Cover Plate Grooves for Sequential Battery Venting

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Solution Overview

Problem

The interaction of combustible and comburent gases within a battery during thermal runaway can lead to explosions due to the bursting of the explosion-proof diaphragm, which fails to effectively manage pressure relief.

Innovation Solution

An explosion-proof structure with a cover plate featuring a first and second sub-groove that form a closed ring, where the thickness varies to allow sequential pressure relief of combustible and comburent gases, preventing the interaction that causes explosions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single explosion-proof diaphragm is used on the cover plate, then the structure is simple, but it cannot effectively manage sequential pressure relief of different gases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexplosion-proof structureVSAvoidpressure relief effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The single explosion-proof diaphragm is segmented into two sub-grooves (first sub-groove and second sub-groove) with different thicknesses. The first sub-groove has smaller thickness for early combustion gas relief, while the second sub-groove has larger thickness for later oxygen relief, enabling sequential pressure management

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the cover plate are given different local properties through varying thickness in the two sub-grooves. The first sub-groove region is designed with thinner material for lower pressure threshold, while the second sub-groove region maintains greater thickness for higher pressure threshold, creating localized functional differences

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Stress or pressure

If the explosion-proof diaphragm bursts at high pressure, then pressure relief is achieved, but combustible and comburent gases interact causing explosion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinternal pressureVSAvoidgas interaction explosion
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The first sub-groove is designed to burst at lower pressure thresholds before the second sub-groove, creating a preliminary pressure relief action. This sequential bursting pattern ensures combustible gases are discharged first, followed by comburent gases, preventing their harmful interaction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The differential thickness design allows the first sub-groove to 'skip' ahead in the pressure relief sequence, bursting earlier to discharge combustible gases rapidly before the second sub-groove activates, thus rushing through the dangerous phase where both gas types could interact

Inventive Principle:
Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

3Ease of manufacture

If uniform thickness is maintained across the cover plate, then manufacturing is simple, but sequential pressure relief cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecover plate fabricationVSAvoidpressure relief function
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The cover plate transitions from uniform thickness to localized thickness variation, where only specific regions (sub-grooves) have modified thickness. This maintains ease of manufacture through targeted modifications while achieving the complex function of sequential pressure relief

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 structure ensures timely and effective discharge of gases, preventing thermal runaway and explosions by managing pressure through a sequential relief mechanism.

Implementation Method 1

the explosion-proof diaphragm gradually deforms with the increase of the internal pressure until bursting for the explosion-proof

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentEP4579897A1Explosion-proof structure and battery
Publication Date: 2025.07.02 HUIZHOU EVE POWER CO LTD
  • EP4579897A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4579897A1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP4579897A1 patent drawingFigure 7

AI summary

An explosion-proof structure and a battery are provided. The explosion-proof structure includes a cover plate, and an explosion-proof groove is provided on the cover plate. The explosion-proof groove includes a first sub-groove and a second sub-groove, a projection of the first sub-groove and a projection of the second sub-groove on a side of the cover plate encloses a closed ring, and a thickness of the cover plate at the position where the first sub-groove is located is less than a thickness of the cover plate at the position where the second sub-groove is located. The present application improves the reliability of the cover plate and ensures the explosion-proof effect.