Prismatic Battery Cell Side Venting for Thermal Runaway Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing prismatic can battery cells face challenges in efficiently venting gases and ejecta during thermal runaway events without compromising cooling system space or requiring additional openings in the lower support structure.
Innovation Solution
The vent cap is positioned on the narrow face side surfaces of the prismatic can battery cells, allowing efficient venting while accommodating cooling systems without occupying upper surface space and necessitating lower support structure modifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the vent cap is positioned on the upper surface of the battery cell, then pressure relief during thermal runaway is achieved, but space for electrode connections is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The vent cap is relocated from the upper surface (two-dimensional plane) to the side surface of the battery cell, utilizing a different spatial dimension. This dimensional shift allows the vent cap to occupy space that does not interfere with electrode connections on the upper surface, thereby resolving the contradiction between pressure relief capability and available area for electrical connections
2Reliability
If the vent cap is positioned on the lower support structure, then pressure relief is achieved, but additional openings in the support structure are required
Solution Approach 1:
The vent cap function is extracted from the lower support structure and integrated directly onto the battery cell's side surface. This extraction eliminates the need for additional openings in the support structure, as the venting function is now self-contained on the battery cell itself, thereby reducing overall device complexity
3Reliability
If the vent cap occupies upper surface space, then pressure relief during thermal runaway is achieved, but cooling system space is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The vent cap is positioned on the side surface of the battery cell rather than the upper surface, utilizing vertical space that does not interfere with cooling system integration. This spatial reconfiguration allows both thermal runaway protection and adequate cooling system space to be achieved simultaneously
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
This configuration enables effective pressure relief during thermal runaway while maintaining efficient cooling without interfering with electrode connections and allowing for compact battery assembly designs.
Implementation Method 1
A vent cap arranged on one of the first narrow face side surface and the second narrow face side surface
Data Source
AI summary
A prismatic can battery cell in accordance with the present disclosure includes an upper surface, a lower surface, a first wide face side surface, a second wide face side surface, a first narrow face side surface, and a second narrow face side surface. A vent cap is arranged on one of the first narrow face side surface and the second narrow face side surface.