Pouch Battery Case Venting for Pressure Relief Without Electrolyte Leakage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Pouch type secondary batteries lack effective pressure regulation mechanisms, leading to potential damage and safety issues due to increased internal pressure from gas generation, unlike can type batteries which have protection members like safety vents.

Innovation Solution

A battery case with a gas discharge part that includes a gas discharge layer and an outer functional layer with hydrophobic properties, attached to a hole in the case, allowing gas to escape and preventing moisture and electrolyte leakage, along with a coating to prevent corrosion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a gas discharge part is added to enable pressure regulation, then safety and pressure control are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure regulation capabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The gas discharge part is divided into multiple functional layers: a gas discharge layer with micropores for gas permeation, and an outer functional layer with hydrophobic properties for moisture blocking. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function independently, achieving effective pressure regulation while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The gas discharge layer is designed as a porous material with micropores that allow gas molecules to pass through while blocking larger liquid molecules. This porous structure enables automatic pressure relief without requiring complex mechanical valves or moving parts, thus improving safety while minimizing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

2Reliability

If the gas discharge part allows gas to escape, then internal pressure is regulated, but electrolyte leakage may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure relief functionVSAvoidelectrolyte leakage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Different layers of the gas discharge part have different properties tailored to their specific functions: the gas discharge layer has hydrophilic micropores for gas permeation, while the outer functional layer has hydrophobic properties for moisture and electrolyte blocking. This local differentiation of material properties allows the structure to selectively discharge gas while preventing electrolyte leakage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The gas discharge part is constructed as a composite structure combining a porous gas discharge layer with an outer hydrophobic functional layer. This composite material approach allows the structure to simultaneously achieve gas permeability and liquid impermeability, enabling pressure relief without electrolyte loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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

Effectively regulates internal pressure by discharging gases, enhances user convenience, and prevents corrosion and electrolyte leakage, improving the safety and durability of pouch type secondary batteries.

Implementation Method 1

an outer functional layer formed on an outer surface of the gas discharge layer and having a hydrophobic property

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrophobic property: Hydrophobe

Data Source

PatentUS12080912B2Battery case for secondary battery and method for manufacturing pouch type secondary battery
Publication Date: 2024.09.03 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • US12080912B2 patent drawing
  • US12080912B2 patent drawing
  • US12080912B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A battery case for a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present invention can include a cup part having an accommodation space configured to accommodate an electrode assembly in which electrodes and separators are stacked; a sealing part extending to the outside of the cup part; a gas discharge part attached to a hole which is formed to be punched in at least one of the cup part or the sealing part from the outside and through which a gas passes; and a coating part applied to an inner circumferential surface of the hole and having electrolyte resistance, wherein the gas discharge part includes: a gas discharge layer through which the gas passes; and an outer functional layer formed on an outer surface of the gas discharge layer and having a hydrophobic property.