Battery Vent Insulation Layer for Flame and Heat Discharge Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Secondary batteries face the risk of damage and thermal runaway due to heat accumulation and potential fires, which can be exacerbated by the discharge of exhaust gases during abnormal operating conditions, necessitating effective heat management and protection mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A secondary battery design that incorporates a heat insulation member with MICA or similar insulating materials attached to the case, covering the vent area, which includes a stitch pattern to ensure the vent can operate effectively while preventing damage from discharge materials and reducing heat transfer, thereby enhancing safety and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a vent is provided on the case to discharge exhaust gases during abnormal conditions, then safety is improved, but the vent is susceptible to damage from discharge materials and heat transfer

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoiddamage from discharge materials and heat transfer
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A heat insulation member is introduced as an intermediary component between the vent and the external environment. This member covers the vent opening and protects it from direct exposure to discharge materials and heat, while still allowing the vent to perform its safety function of discharging exhaust gases during abnormal conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The heat insulation member is made from materials with low thermal conductivity (such as ceramic coatings, ceramic fibers, or composite materials containing ceramic particles). These composite materials provide both thermal insulation properties and mechanical protection, creating a multi-functional protective layer over the vent.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a heat insulation member is attached to cover the vent area, then protection from flames and heat transfer is improved, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection from flames and heat transferVSAvoidstructure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective system is segmented into distinct functional components: the vent structure itself and the separate heat insulation member. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the vent for gas discharge functionality and the heat insulation member for thermal protection - while maintaining overall system simplicity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The heat insulation member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides thermal insulation to protect the case from heat transfer, protects the vent area from direct exposure to flames and discharge materials, and maintains structural integrity during abnormal conditions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate protective components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 effectively protects the battery from flames and reduces the risk of thermal propagation by insulating the vent area, ensuring safe operation and maintaining the functionality of the vent mechanism during abnormal conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a heat insulation member coupled to a surface of the case, and covering a region corresponding to the vent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal Insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP4369501A1Secondary battery
Publication Date: 2024.05.15 SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD
  • EP4369501A1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4369501A1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4369501A1 patent drawingFigure 2C~2D

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a secondary battery in which a heat insulation member is attached onto a vent to protect a cell from flames. The secondary battery includes a case having the vent on one side, an electrode assembly in the case, a pair of terminals coupled to respective sides of the case, and electrically connected to the electrode assembly, and a heat insulation member coupled to a surface of the case, and covering a region corresponding to the vent.