Gas Cushion Battery Pack Pressure Control for Cell Swelling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery systems face challenges in maintaining uniform pressure on battery cells that change in thickness due to charge and discharge, particularly with lithium metal batteries, while also requiring a reduction in size and managing thermal issues.
Innovation Solution
A battery system configuration using gas cushions connected to a pipe with a compressor and relief valve, controlled by a controller, to adjust pressure uniformly across battery cells, eliminating the need for a gas tank and incorporating a liquid-filled space to absorb heat.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If a fluid cushion filled with fluid is used to apply uniform pressure to battery cells, then pressure uniformity is improved, but the system size increases due to the need for a fluid tank
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a gas cushion instead of a fluid cushion to apply uniform pressure to the battery cells. The gas cushion is connected to a compressor and relief valve system that can adjust the gas pressure and volume dynamically, eliminating the need for a large fluid tank while maintaining pressure uniformity across the battery cells during charge and discharge cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic pressure control system using a compressor and relief valve that can adjust the gas cushion pressure in real-time based on battery cell thickness changes during charge and discharge. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain optimal pressure without requiring a oversized tank, resolving the contradiction between pressure uniformity and system size.
2Stress or pressure
If the amount of internal fluid in a fluid cushion is adjusted to accommodate battery cell thickness changes, then pressure application is improved, but system size increases due to the fluid tank
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the fluid-based pressure adjustment mechanism with a gas-based system. The compressor can add gas to increase cushion volume and pressure, while the relief valve can release gas to decrease volume and pressure, providing dynamic adjustment without a large storage tank.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state from liquid fluid to compressible gas, allowing for dynamic volume and pressure adjustments through the compressor and relief valve system. This parameter change enables the system to adapt to battery cell thickness variations without requiring a large fixed-volume tank.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a tank is employed to adjust the amount of internal fluid in the fluid cushion, then pressure adjustment capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a gas cushion system with a compressor and relief valve to provide pressure adjustment capability. The compressor serves as both the pressure source and volume adjustment mechanism, while the relief valve provides pressure relief, eliminating the need for a separate tank and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The compressor serves multiple functions: it pressurizes the gas cushion, adjusts the cushion volume, and can be controlled to maintain optimal pressure levels. The relief valve provides additional pressure control capability. This multi-functional approach reduces the number of components needed compared to a tank-based system.
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 system maintains uniform pressure on battery cells despite thickness changes, reduces size, and effectively manages thermal issues by using a gas cushion system with a compressor and relief valve, and a liquid-filled space for heat absorption.
Implementation Method 1
a gas cushion, which is an elastic container having an interior filled with a gas
Implementation Method 2
the compressor actuates to introduce the gas into the pipe in a case where a pressure of the at least one elastic container is less than a preset value
Implementation Method 3
a liquid-filled space to absorb heat
Data Source
AI summary
A battery system according to an aspect of the present invention includes: a cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked; a pair of end plates disposed at opposite ends of the cell stack in a stacking direction, respectively; at least one elastic container having an interior filled with a gas, the at least one elastic container being disposed between the battery cells and/or between the set of the plurality of battery cell and each of the end plates; a pipe having a compressor and a relief valve; a sub-pipe connecting the pipe to the at least one elastic container; and a controller.