Prismatic Battery Cell Venting to Stop Thermal Propagation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery systems face challenges in inhibiting thermal propagation, which can lead to chain reactions and the destruction of the battery pack and surrounding vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A battery cell design with a prismatic housing featuring a venting side and terminal sides, where the venting valve opens to at least 70% of the venting side area, allowing for efficient ejection of molten material and particles away from neighboring cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the venting valve opening area is increased to enhance thermal propagation prevention, then the ability to eject molten material away from neighboring cells is improved, but the structural integrity and sealing of the battery cell housing may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The venting side is segmented into multiple vent openings distributed across the surface, with each opening being relatively small but collectively providing sufficient venting area. This segmentation allows the housing to maintain structural integrity while achieving effective thermal propagation prevention through distributed ejection points
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure is designed with localized reinforcement around vent opening areas, and the venting valve mechanism incorporates specific material properties and geometric features that allow large opening area while maintaining overall structural strength and sealing when closed
2Productivity
If the venting valve opening area is increased to at least 70% of the venting side area, then the ejection efficiency of molten material is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The venting valve and housing are pre-assembled as an integrated unit with the vent opening area and positioning precisely determined during manufacturing. This preliminary action ensures that the 70% opening area requirement is met without requiring complex post-assembly adjustments, thereby maintaining manufacturing feasibility
Solution Approach 2:
The design specifies the vent opening area as a percentage parameter (at least 70% of venting side area) rather than fixed dimensions, allowing flexibility in manufacturing while achieving the required ejection efficiency. This parameter-based approach simplifies manufacturing precision requirements compared to fixed dimensional specifications
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 effectively prevents heat transfer between battery cells during a thermal event, reducing the risk of thermal propagation and preventing the destruction of the battery module and vehicle.
Implementation Method 1
the venting valve is configured for switching between the closed state and the open state; and wherein the venting valve, when being in the open state, provides a vent opening
Implementation Method 2
allowing for efficient ejection of molten material and particles away from neighboring cells
Implementation Method 3
The design effectively prevents heat transfer between battery cells during a thermal event, reducing the risk of thermal propagation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The present disclosure refers to a battery cell comprising: a housing having a prismatic shape; an electrode assembly fixedly arranged inside the housing; wherein the housing comprises a venting side and at least on terminal side being different from the venting side; wherein at least one terminal is arranged on each of the terminal sides; wherein the venting side comprises venting valve; wherein the venting valve is configured for being in a closed state and in an open state and is further configured for switching between the closed state and the open state; and wherein the venting valve, when being in the open state, provides a vent opening in the venting side, the vent opening extending over a part of the area of the venting side being sufficient to eject at least parts of the battery cell's electrode assembly. The disclosure further refers to a battery module comprising a plurality of battery cells as described before, and a vehicle comprising such a battery module.