Sealed Vent Chamber for Battery Module Gas Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for improved battery modules that address the challenges associated with nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH) and lithium-ion battery systems used in electric vehicles, particularly regarding temperature regulation, design, and manufacturing, while also aiming to increase travel distance, improve performance, and reduce costs.
Innovation Solution
A battery module with a sealed vent chamber design, featuring electrochemical cells with a deployable vent mechanism that acts as a current disconnect device, and a deformable seal to prevent gas escape, allowing for efficient gas containment and pressure regulation within the chamber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a vent mechanism is provided in electrochemical cells to release gases during operation, then safety is improved by preventing pressure buildup, but gas leakage to the external environment occurs causing harmful emissions and potential safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
A sealed vent chamber is introduced as an intermediary component between the electrochemical cells and the external environment. The chamber receives vented gases from multiple cells through sealed interfaces, containing the gases temporarily before controlled release through a single external vent opening. This mediator prevents direct gas leakage to the environment while maintaining pressure relief functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple individual vent openings from separate electrochemical cells are merged into a single centralized vent chamber. Instead of having multiple分散 vent points that could leak independently, all venting functions are consolidated into one sealed chamber with a single controlled external release point, improving overall sealing efficiency.
2Reliability
If individual vent openings are provided for each electrochemical cell, then each cell can independently relieve pressure, but the complexity of sealing multiple interfaces increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple individual vent interfaces are merged into a single integrated vent chamber structure. Instead of providing separate sealing solutions for each cell's vent opening, all vents communicate with a common sealed chamber, reducing the number of sealing interfaces from multiple individual seals to a unified sealing system.
Solution Approach 2:
The vent chamber serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a pressure relief chamber for multiple cells, provides a unified sealing interface, and functions as a centralized gas collection and release system. This multi-functional design simplifies the overall venting architecture while maintaining effective pressure management.
3Strength
If vents remain connected to the housing during operation, then structural integrity is maintained, but current can flow continuously potentially causing safety issues during fault conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The vent connection transitions from a static permanent connection to a dynamic deployable connection. The vent is initially connected to the housing to maintain structural integrity, but can be deployed or disconnected from the housing through a controlled mechanism when pressure thresholds are exceeded or fault conditions occur, thereby interrupting electrical current paths while maintaining structural capability.
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 solution enhances the sealing efficiency of the battery module, preventing gas leakage and allowing for effective pressure management, thereby improving the performance and longevity of the battery system while reducing costs and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
at least a portion of the seal is deformable such that gases released from the electrochemical cells into the chamber compress the deformable portion of the seal against the electrochemical cells to seal the gases in the camber
Implementation Method 2
the vent is configured to operate as a current disconnect device by separating the vent from the housing to disrupt a flow of current from the electrochemical cell to the terminal
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
A battery module having sealed vent chamber includes a plurality of electrochemical cells each having a vent at an end thereof. The module also includes a structure defining a chamber and comprising a plurality of sockets, each socket configured to receive one of the plurality of electrochemical cells such that the vents of the electrochemical cells are located in the chamber. The module further includes a seal provided between at least one of the electrochemical cells and its associated socket. At least a portion of the seal is deformable such that gases released from the electrochemical cells into the chamber compress the deformable portion of the seal against the electrochemical cells to seal the gases in the chamber.