Pouch Battery Cell Venting Structure for Reliable Pressure Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery modules fail to effectively reduce inner pressure in pouch battery cells when they expand due to overheating, as holes in the exterior member can become closed by cutting blades or clogging occurs at through-holes, preventing sufficient pressure release.

Innovation Solution

A battery module design featuring an explosion-proof member with protruding portions that break through the exterior member to create air passages, ensuring gas discharge without blocking, and incorporating multiple air passages to facilitate efficient pressure reduction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If a cutting blade is used to tear the container when the battery cell is expanded, then the container can be opened to release pressure, but the hole may be closed by the cutting blade itself, preventing sufficient pressure reduction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinner pressure of the containerVSAvoidpressure release effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The protruding portion is divided into two functional segments: a distal end portion (tip) dedicated to breaking through the container, and a body portion containing the air passage for gas discharge. This segmentation ensures the cutting function is separated from the pressure release function, preventing the hole closure problem while maintaining effective pressure reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-generated harmful factors

If a through-hole is provided in a protrusion to reduce pressure, then gas can be discharged from the container, but cut pieces at the opening peripheral edge may cause clogging in the through-hole, preventing sufficient pressure reduction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinner pressure of the exterior memberVSAvoidpressure release effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The air passage acts as an intermediary channel that guides gas flow away from the opening peripheral edge where cut pieces are generated. By providing a dedicated flow path within the protruding portion body, the design prevents cut pieces from clogging the discharge opening while ensuring continuous pressure reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-generated harmful factors

If the through-hole is made at the distal end of the protrusion to reduce pressure, then gas discharge is facilitated, but the opening peripheral edge becomes a sharp acute angle causing easy deformation of the distal end, making it difficult to break through the exterior member

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinner pressure of the exterior memberVSAvoidstrength of the distal end of the protrusion
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The protruding portion is segmented into a distal end portion optimized for mechanical strength and penetration, and a body portion containing the air passage. By positioning the air passage in the body portion rather than at the distal end tip, the design maintains the structural integrity needed to break through the exterior member while still enabling effective gas discharge.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 ensures high certainty in reducing inner pressure by preventing closure of discharge openings and maintaining effective gas release, enhancing safety and reliability.

Implementation Method 1

when the pouch battery cell is expanded... break through the exterior member... A first air passage configured to cause a gas discharged from an opening formed in the exterior member by the protruding portion to flow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP4679578A1Battery module
Publication Date: 2026.01.14 JTEKT CORP
  • EP4679578A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4679578A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4679578A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A battery module (1) includes: a pouch battery cell (2) including a battery portion (3) and an exterior member (4) that covers the battery portion (3); and an explosion-proof member (5). The explosion-proof member (5) includes: a plate portion (51) facing the pouch battery cell (2); and a protruding portion (52) that is provided to protrude from the plate portion (51) to break through the exterior member (4) when the pouch battery cell (2) is expanded. In the explosion-proof member (5), a first air passage (50) through which a gas discharged from an opening (40) formed in the exterior member (4) by the protruding portion (52) flows is provided in a part of the protruding portion (52) excluding a distal end (52f).