Safety Valve with Integral Elastic Element for Battery Housing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing safety valve designs for housing spaces, such as battery housings, are complex and error-prone during assembly, with the valve part's material quality and stability being tied to the elastic elements, leading to potential thermal coupling issues and compromised performance.

Innovation Solution

A two-piece design where the valve part is inserted between the elastic element and a bearing surface of the base body, allowing independent selection of materials and simplifying assembly, with the elastic element prestressing the valve part to ensure a secure, fluid-tight closure until the threshold pressure is exceeded.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the valve part and elastic elements are made as a single integrated piece, then assembly is simplified, but the material quality and stability of the valve part cannot be selected independently from the elastic elements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidindependent material selection
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The valve is divided into separate components: the valve part (closure element) and the elastic elements (spring components). This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured from optimal materials independently - the valve part can use materials with high thermal and chemical stability for sealing, while elastic elements use materials with appropriate elasticity. The components are assembled together rather than being integrated, resolving the contradiction between assembly simplicity and independent material selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the elastic elements are placed in the base body, then the valve part is securely held, but the assembly process becomes complex and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve part positioningVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic elements are integrally connected to the base body, merging these components into a single unit. This integration ensures that the elastic elements are pre-positioned and securely held within the base body structure, providing reliable valve part positioning. The merged design eliminates the need for separate assembly steps for installing elastic elements, thereby reducing assembly complexity while maintaining secure positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If the valve part is inserted through the housing wall, then the valve can be assembled separately, but the valve part must withstand both thermal and mechanical demands simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidthermal and chemical exposure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The valve assembly is segmented into the valve part and the base body with integrated elastic elements. This allows the valve part to be manufactured separately with material optimized for thermal and chemical resistance, while the elastic elements are integrated into the base body with material optimized for elasticity. The segmentation enables each component to address its specific functional requirements without compromise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The base body acts as an intermediary structure that houses the elastic elements and provides the mounting interface for the valve part. The base body protects the elastic elements from direct thermal and chemical exposure to the sealed space, while the valve part directly faces these conditions. This intermediary arrangement allows the valve part to be optimized for thermal/chemical resistance while the elastic elements are protected by the base body structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Facilitates easier and more reliable assembly, allows for independent material selection of the valve part and elastic element, and maintains the valve's operational integrity by ensuring the valve part is securely fixed until the limit pressure is reached, reducing thermal and chemical exposure risks.

Implementation Method 1

at least one elastic element and a valve part, with the elastic element prestressing the valve part into a closed position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3789642B1Safety valve
Publication Date: 2022.05.04 OSWALD KIENBACHER GMBH
  • EP3789642B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3789642B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3789642B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a safety valve, in particular for a housing such as a battery housing, comprising a base body (1), at least one elastic element (3) and a valve part (4), wherein the elastic element (3) biases the valve part (4) into a closed position, wherein the valve part (4) rests against the base body (1) in the closed position and closes at least one outlet opening (2) of the base body (1), characterized in that the elastic element (3) is integrally connected to the base body (1).