Degassing Membrane with Weakened Zones for Low-Pressure Venting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing degassing units for battery housings do not allow for rapid pressure decrease at low degassing pressures, which can lead to mechanical stress and potential bursting due to temperature fluctuations and air pressure changes, and require thin membranes for effective operation, making them costly and difficult to handle.
Innovation Solution
A degassing unit with a membrane that features weakened areas treated by local methods such as laser melting or mechanical embossing, allowing the membrane to release gas at a lower burst pressure, enabling rapid pressure relief without the need for thin membranes, using thicker films and reducing the size of the degassing unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a thin membrane is used to enable rapid pressure decrease at low degassing pressure, then the pressure relief efficiency is improved, but the membrane becomes costly and difficult to handle
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane is designed with localized weakened areas (such as laser-treated zones or embossed patterns) that concentrate the bursting action to specific regions. This allows the membrane to burst at low pressure in defined areas while the rest of the membrane maintains its structural integrity and thickness, enabling easy handling and lower cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane structure is segmented into different functional zones: weakened areas designed for bursting and non-weakened areas maintaining structural strength. This segmentation allows the membrane to perform both functions - rapid pressure relief through localized bursting and mechanical stability for easy handling.
2Ease of operation
If the membrane is made thicker to improve ease of handling, then the handling becomes easier, but the burst pressure increases preventing rapid pressure decrease at low pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane features localized weakened areas with reduced thickness or altered mechanical properties (through laser treatment or embossing) that create low-pressure burst zones. The surrounding areas maintain full thickness for easy handling, achieving both goals simultaneously.
3Reliability
If a semi-permeable membrane is used to prevent penetration of foreign matter and moisture, then the sealing effectiveness is improved, but the pressure equalization capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane is pre-designed with weakened areas that will burst at predetermined low pressure thresholds. This preliminary structuring ensures that when pressure differential exceeds the weakened area's capacity, rapid pressure equalization occurs while the intact portions of the membrane continue to provide sealing against foreign matter and moisture.
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 allows for a defined and rapid pressure decrease at low degassing pressures, reducing mechanical stress and enabling the use of thicker, easier-to-handle membranes, while maintaining fluid-tight sealing and flexibility in material selection, thus addressing the limitations of existing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
a local melting of the material using a laser
Data Source
AI summary
A degassing unit for a housing includes a membrane, and a base body connectable in a fluid-tight manner to an edge of a housing opening of the housing and including an exterior side, an interior side, and a gas passage opening that is closed by the membrane. The membrane is fluid-tightly connected to the base body at an edge surrounding the gas passage opening. The membrane includes weakened areas in which mechanical properties of the membrane are weakened by any one or any combination of a local melting of a material using a laser, scribing and embossing. The membrane further includes a central area interposed between the weakened areas, the central area remaining unweakened. A burst pressure at which the membrane releases the gas passage opening is reduced at least in the weakened areas compared to the central area.