Battery Cell End Cap Venting Structure to Prevent Pressure Relief Blockage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery cells face challenges in efficiently relieving internal pressure during thermal runaway, leading to potential explosions or fires due to blocked pressure relief mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
An end cap design with recesses and a pressure relief portion that allows for efficient pressure relief by avoiding blockage, featuring a first and second recess with a pressure relief portion that folds outward when internal pressure exceeds a threshold, and additional protrusions to enhance strength and reduce deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pressure relief mechanism is added to the battery cell, then safety is improved, but the risk of blockage by other parts reduces pressure relief efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pressure relief function from the main body of the end cap by creating a separate recessed cavity. The pressure relief portion is positioned in this isolated cavity, separating it from other end cap components that could potentially block the pressure relief path. This extraction ensures that when internal pressure exceeds the threshold, the pressure relief portion can fold outward unobstructed into the avoidance space, effectively solving the blockage problem while maintaining safety.
2Productivity
If the pressure relief portion is made to fold outward for pressure relief, then pressure relief efficiency is improved, but structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The end cap is segmented into functional zones: the pressure relief portion is a distinct segment within the recessed cavity, separated from the main structural body by the cavity walls. This segmentation allows the pressure relief portion to independently fold outward when needed, while the rest of the end cap maintains its structural integrity. The recessed cavity acts as a dedicated space that accommodates the folding motion without compromising the overall strength of the end cap.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a recessed cavity is created for the pressure relief portion, then pressure relief functionality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The recessed cavity in the end cap serves multiple functions: it provides the avoidance space for the pressure relief portion to fold into, it structurally integrates the pressure relief mechanism into the end cap body, and it maintains the overall compactness of the battery cell design. By making the cavity serve these multiple purposes, the design adds pressure relief functionality without proportionally increasing device complexity.
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 enhances safety by ensuring efficient internal pressure relief, reducing the risk of explosions and fires, while maintaining structural integrity and energy density.
Implementation Method 1
when an internal pressure of the battery cell reaches a threshold, the pressure relief portion is partially broken and folded outward to form a channel for relief of the internal pressure
Data Source
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AI summary
The present application discloses an end cap, a battery cell, a battery and a power consuming device. The end cap according to an embodiment of the present application includes: a first recess recessed from the side of the end cap facing toward an electrode assembly in a direction away from the electrode assembly; a second recess recessed from the side of the end cap facing away from the electrode assembly of the battery cell in a direction toward the electrode assembly, wherein a bottom wall of the second recess includes a first part and a second part surrounding an outer side of the first part, and the first part and a bottom wall of the first recess are arranged opposite to each other in a thickness direction of the end cap; and a pressure relief portion formed between the first part and the bottom wall of the first recess, wherein the pressure relief portion is configured to be actuated, when an internal pressure of the battery cell reaches a threshold, to relieve the internal pressure, and the side of the second part facing away from the electrode assembly forms an avoidance space to avoid the pressure relief portion when the pressure relief portion is actuated. In the present application, the safety of the battery cell can be improved.