Prismatic Battery Cell Venting for Heat and Pressure Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
High rate discharge battery assemblies face challenges in managing excessive heat generated during high power discharge, which can lead to detrimental effects if not properly cooled, and existing systems lack efficient thermal management solutions.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates prismatic shaped cells with slanted walls that include vents to manage pressure and gas collection, and a modular structure with unit frames and insulators to direct gases away from sensitive areas, along with thermal transfer devices for heat distribution, enabling improved thermal management and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If high rate discharge is implemented to increase power output, then power density is improved, but excessive heat is generated causing safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The battery assembly is divided into multiple battery units, each with individual cooling channels. This segmentation allows for distributed heat management, where each unit can be cooled independently, preventing heat accumulation and enabling high rate discharge operations safely
Solution Approach 2:
A cooling mechanism is introduced as an intermediary between the battery units and the environment. The cooling channels with flowing coolant act as a mediator to transfer heat away from the battery units, enabling high power output without excessive heat buildup
2Power
If compact physical storage is implemented to increase power density, then space utilization is improved, but heat dissipation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Cooling channels are integrated within the framing structure in a three-dimensional arrangement. This allows cooling pathways to be embedded within the compact assembly without increasing external dimensions, enabling effective heat dissipation while maintaining compact form factor and high power density
3Temperature
If cooling mechanisms are added to manage heat, then thermal management is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling mechanism is merged with the framing structure of the battery assembly. The framing serves dual purposes: structural support and heat dissipation pathways. This integration reduces overall system complexity by combining multiple functions into a single structure
Solution Approach 2:
The framing structure is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: providing mechanical support, enabling compact assembly, and serving as a thermal management system through integrated cooling channels. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate cooling components, simplifying the overall system
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 enhances power density, ensures safe high rate discharge operations by effectively managing heat and pressure, and provides improved thermal management within battery assemblies.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one vent is initially in a closed state and configured to open upon an increase in pressure within the cell cavity and allow pressure and/or gases to leave the cell cavity through the at least one vent
Implementation Method 2
the slanted wall defines a pocket within the cell housing between edges of the at least one positive electrode and the at least one negative electrode and an interior surface of the slanted wall, wherein the pocket is configured to collect gas generated within the cell housing
Data Source
AI summary
Battery cells, battery cell units, battery modules, and battery assemblies are described. The cells of such components include a prismatic shaped cell housing including a slanted wall. Substantially planar positive and negative electrodes are arranged within the housing. The slanted wall defines a pocket within the housing between edges of the electrodes and an interior surface of the slanted wall and the pocket is configured to collect gas generated within the housing. A vent is formed on the slanted wall of the housing proximate the pocket. The vent is initially in a closed state and configured to open upon an increase in pressure within the housing to allow pressure and/or gases to leave the cell cavity through the vent. The battery cell units, battery modules, and battery assemblies may include such cells.