Elastic Sealing Frame for Battery Volume Expansion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Large batteries, particularly those with coffee bag cells, face challenges in maintaining reliable sealing due to volume expansion and mechanical stress, which can lead to electrolyte leakage and potential fires, and require effective cushioning against vibrations and pressure fluctuations while preventing direct contact with cooling media.

Innovation Solution

The use of elastically compressible sealing surfaces that can accommodate volume changes and provide a controlled release point for electrolytes, integrated with a base body made from materials like silicone or thermoplastic, and a design that includes a cooling device for efficient heat transfer and safety features such as a blow-off hood.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If coffee bag cells are used to achieve optimal space utilization and high energy density, then volume expansion occurs during charging/discharging cycles, but this leads to mechanical stress on sealing seams and potential electrolyte leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy densityVSAvoidsealing reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing frame utilizes elastic deformation of its material structure to dynamically adjust sealing pressure. The elastic material allows the sealing surfaces to compress and expand with cell volume changes, maintaining optimal contact pressure throughout charge/discharge cycles without exceeding mechanical limits of the sealing seam

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic sealing frame acts as a pre-designed cushioning element that absorbs mechanical stress from cell expansion before it reaches the sealing seam. The elastic material deforms elastically to accommodate volume changes, preventing direct transmission of stress to the sealing seam and electrolyte

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If the sealing seam is made strong to prevent electrolyte leakage, then the cell cannot release pressure in case of malfunction, but if it is weak to allow pressure release, then electrolyte leakage occurs during normal operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing tightnessVSAvoidoverpressure damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing frame applies localized sealing pressure at specific contact points with the cell housing, concentrating sealing force where needed while leaving other areas more compliant. This localized approach maintains strong sealing where required while allowing controlled deformation and pressure equalization in other regions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic sealing frame serves as an intermediary between the rigid cell housing and the sealing seam. It mediates the mechanical interaction by absorbing and distributing stresses, providing both sealing function and stress relief without requiring the sealing seam itself to be either extremely strong or extremely weak

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If rigid sealing structures are used to maintain structural integrity, then they cannot accommodate cell volume changes, but if flexible materials are used, then sealing pressure may be insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidvolume change accommodation

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing frame is constructed from elastic material that functions as a flexible sealing structure. This flexible shell can deform to accommodate cell volume changes while maintaining continuous contact with the cell housing, providing both adaptability and structural integrity through the material's elastic properties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

Ensures reliable tightness during normal operation, prevents electrolyte ignition by allowing controlled escape in case of malfunctions, and effectively cushions vibrations and pressure fluctuations, while maintaining electrical connections and preventing harmful media contact.

Implementation Method 1

the first sealing surface (4) and/or the second sealing surface (5) are designed to be elastically compressible

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

Coffee bag cells can be easily cooled using the thermally conductive foils

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP2273162B1Sealing frame for use in a battery

Publication Date: 2019.01.09 CARL FREUDENBERG KG

Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5

AI summary

The sealing frame (1) has a base portion (2) that encompasses on opening (3). The base portion has a pair of sealing surfaces (4,5) that are elastically compressible and are arranged to face each other. A cooling unit or a heating unit is integrated in the base portion along the lengthwise expansion of the sealing surfaces. An independent claim is included for battery.