Vented Battery Barrier for Thin Portable Device Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rechargeable batteries in portable electronic devices experience dynamic dimensional transformations due to trapped gases, which increases the device's thickness and reduces space for the battery, limiting energy storage capacity and requiring additional clearance.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a gas release system with a selectively actuable valve and gas-permeable waterproof membrane that detects gas conditions within the battery enclosure, allowing controlled release of gases while preventing electrolyte leakage, thereby reducing dimensional transformations and optimizing battery space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional sealed battery pouch is used, then electrolyte containment is maintained, but gas accumulation causes dimensional transformations increasing device thickness
Solution Approach 1:
A gas-permeable membrane is introduced as an intermediary component between the battery cell and the external environment. This membrane selectively permits gas molecules to pass through while blocking electrolyte liquid, enabling controlled gas release without compromising electrolyte containment. The membrane acts as a mediator that resolves the contradiction by allowing gas to escape while maintaining the sealed integrity of the electrolyte system.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas release system extracts the harmful gas accumulation problem from the sealed battery system. By providing a dedicated pathway through the gas-permeable membrane, gases are selectively removed from the battery pouch while the electrolyte remains contained. This extraction approach allows the battery to maintain its sealed structure for electrolyte containment while eliminating the dimensional transformation issue caused by trapped gases.
2Stability of the object's composition
If additional clearance space is provided for gas expansion, then dimensional transformations are accommodated, but battery energy storage capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The gas-permeable membrane serves as an intermediary that enables gas release without requiring additional clearance space. By allowing gases to pass through the membrane selectively, the system maintains dimensional stability while avoiding the need to allocate extra volume for gas expansion, thereby maximizing battery energy storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the permeability parameter of the pouch structure by incorporating a gas-permeable membrane with specific pore size and permeability characteristics. This parameter change enables selective gas transport while maintaining liquid impermeability, allowing the battery to achieve dimensional stability without sacrificing energy storage capacity to clearance requirements.
3Ease of operation
If a gas release valve is added to the battery pouch, then gas can be selectively released, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gas-permeable membrane acts as a passive intermediary that provides gas release functionality without requiring active control mechanisms. The membrane's selective permeability properties enable automatic gas release based on pressure differential, eliminating the need for complex valve actuation systems while maintaining controlled gas release capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas release system operates autonomously through the self-service mechanism of the gas-permeable membrane. When gas pressure builds up inside the pouch, the membrane automatically allows gas to pass through based on the pressure differential, without requiring external control signals or complex valve mechanisms. This self-service approach provides gas release control while minimizing structural complexity.
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 solution enables the design of thinner, more compact devices with increased battery capacity by minimizing the need for additional clearance, allowing for a larger battery without increasing device thickness and maintaining electrolyte containment.
Implementation Method 1
a gas-permeable membrane configured to prevent liquid from escaping the pouch
Implementation Method 2
a gas-permeable membrane configured to prevent liquid from escaping the pouch and a valve configured to selectively release gas from the pouch
Implementation Method 3
The sensing system may include a piezoelectric element coupled to the battery enclosure
Implementation Method 4
The sensing system may include a resistive sensor attached to the pouch
Data Source
AI summary
A portable electronic device may include a housing, a display at least partially within the housing, a transparent cover over the display, and a battery at least partially within the housing. The battery may include a battery cell, a pouch encasing the battery cell, and a gas release relief system including a gas-permeable membrane configured to prevent liquid from escaping the pouch and a valve configured to selectively release gas from the pouch. The device may also include a processing system configured to, in a first mode of operation, cause the valve to open to allow gas to be released from the pouch, and, in a second mode of operation, cause the valve to close.