Pleated Battery Case for Thermal Runaway Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power storage devices lack an effective configuration to manage increased temperature and pressure, which can lead to thermal runaway and damage.
Innovation Solution
A power storage device with a pleated portion on its outer surface that elongates in response to increased pressure, increasing the inner volume and surface area for improved heat radiation and gas discharge efficiency, thereby suppressing temperature rise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the case structure is kept simple and rigid, then manufacturing is easy and structural strength is maintained, but heat radiation efficiency is insufficient and temperature increases
Solution Approach 1:
The case transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic structure with pleated portions that can deform elastically in response to internal pressure changes. This dynamic capability allows the case to automatically adjust its surface area for heat radiation without requiring external control systems or complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical parameters of the case (surface area, volume, shape) are changed through the deformation of pleated portions. When internal pressure increases, the pleated portions expand, increasing the surface area available for heat radiation and thus changing the thermal management characteristics of the case.
2Stress or pressure
If the inner volume is increased to reduce pressure, then pressure management is improved, but the case size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The case volume is made dynamic through pleated portions that can expand and contract elastically. This allows the case to increase its internal volume only when needed (during pressure increases), rather than maintaining a permanently larger volume, thus managing pressure effectively without permanently increasing case size.
Solution Approach 2:
The pleated portions are nested within the case structure, allowing the case to maintain a compact form when not under pressure while containing the capability to expand into a larger volume when pressure increases, similar to a nested doll structure.
3Temperature
If heat radiation surface area is increased to suppress temperature rise, then temperature management is improved, but the case structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The heat radiation surface area is made dynamic through pleated portions that expand when internal pressure increases. This automatically increases the surface area available for heat radiation precisely when thermal management is most needed, without requiring a permanently complex structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The internal pressure, which can be harmful if excessive, is converted into a beneficial force that expands the pleated portions to increase heat radiation surface area. The same pressure that poses a risk also triggers the thermal management response.
4Reliability
If gas discharge efficiency is improved through pleated portions, then safety is enhanced, but the case structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The case structure dynamically responds to pressure increases by expanding pleated portions, which creates pathways for gas discharge. This dynamic safety mechanism activates only when needed, maintaining simplicity during normal operation while providing enhanced safety during abnormal conditions.
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 elongation of the pleated portion effectively reduces internal pressure and enhances heat radiation, preventing damage and ensuring safe operation by managing thermal runaway through efficient gas discharge.
Implementation Method 1
The pleated portion is capable of becoming elongated in response to an increase in pressure of the inner space
Implementation Method 2
it may be required to increase an amount of heat radiation from a surface of the case in order to suppress further temperature increase
Data Source
AI summary
A power storage device includes: a plurality of power storage cells; and a case having an inner space in which the plurality of power storage cells are accommodated, and an outer surface that defines the inner space. The outer surface of the case includes a pleated portion that is capable of becoming elongated in response to an increase in pressure of the inner space. The pleated portion is formed on substantially an entire periphery of the case along a peripheral direction of the case.