BATTERY MODULE WITH SEALED VENT CHAMBER

• US 20110135975A1
• Filed: 08/13/2009
• Published: 06/09/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Clarios Advanced Solutions GmbH (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: Johnson Controls-Saft Advanced Power Solutions, LLC. (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Trester, Dale, Bonin, Chris, Houchin-Miller, Gary, Pacheco, Anthony C., Fuhr, Jason D.
• Granted Patent: US 8,999,538 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/53
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/64 Constructional details of batteries specially adapted for electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/186 characterised by the disposition of the sealing members
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/191 Inorganic material
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/213 adapted for cells having curved cross-section, e.g. round or elliptic H01M50/209, H01M50/216 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/24 adapted for protecting batteries from their environment, e.g. from corrosion thermal insulation H01M10/658
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/249 specially adapted for aircraft or vehicles, e.g. cars or trains constructional details of batteries specially adapted for electric vehicles B60L50/64
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/308 Detachable arrangements, e.g. detachable vent plugs or plug systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. A battery module having sealed vent chamber, the battery module comprising:

a plurality of electrochemical cells each having a vent at an end thereof;

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;

a seal provided between at least one of the electrochemical cells and its associated socket, wherein 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.

2. The battery module of claim 1, further comprising a space provided between the deformable extension of the seal and the structure and in fluid communication with the chamber, wherein the space is configured to receive the gases released into the chamber such that the gases compressed the deformable extension of the seal.

3. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the deformable portion is adjacent an opening defined by the seal, wherein the opening is configured to receive an electrochemical cell such that the deformable portion of the seal is in contact with the electrochemical cell.

4. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the deformable portion of the seal tapers from a main portion of the deformable portion to a tip of the deformable portion.

5. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the seal comprises an enlarged portion provided adjacent a perimeter of the seal.

6. The battery module of claim 5, wherein the enlarged portion is provided in a groove of the structure and is compressed by a clamping plate provided above the seal.

7. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the deformable extension is an enlarged portion.

8. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the seal is a single unitary body configured to be substantially simultaneously positioned adjacent each of the plurality of sockets of the structure.

9. The battery module of claim 8, wherein the seal is made from an injection molded silicone.

10. The battery module of claim 8, wherein the seal is die cut from a silicone material.

11. The battery module of claim 1, further comprising a vent opening feature provided concentrically around the vents of each of the electrochemical cells, the vent opening feature configured to aid in the full deployment of the vent.

12. The battery module of claim 11, wherein the vent opening feature comprises a first surface substantially parallel to the direction of the intended deployment of the vent.

13. The battery module of claim 12, wherein a vertical height of the first surface is such that a pressure drop is created between an electrochemical cell and the chamber when only a portion of the vent deploys from the electrochemical cell.

14. The battery module of claim 13, wherein the vent opening feature further comprises a second surface provided at an angle to the first surface.

15. The battery module of claim 14, wherein the second surface is configured to allow a gradual decrease of the pressure drop once the vent is fully deployed from the electrochemical cell.

16. A battery system for use in a vehicle, the battery system comprising:

a plurality of battery modules, each module comprising a plurality of electrochemical cells that each include a casing and a vent;

at least one structure defining at least one chamber and comprising a plurality of sockets, wherein each socket is configured to receive one of the plurality of electrochemical cells such that the vents of the electrochemical cells are located in the chamber; and

a seal provided adjacent to the plurality of electrochemical cells and the plurality of sockets to prevent vented gases from escaping the chamber between the seal and the cells or between the seal and the structure;

wherein a space is formed adjacent to the seal and the associated socket of the structure.

17. The battery system of claim 16, wherein the space is in fluid communication with the chamber and gases released through the vents of the electromechanical cells into the chamber increases the pressure inside the space causing the seal to compress into the adjacent casing of the cell forming a tighter seal between the seal and the cell.

18. The battery system of claim 16, wherein the seal includes a deformable portion.

19. The battery system of claim 18, wherein the space is in fluid communication with the chamber and gases released through the vents of the electromechanical cells into the chamber increases the pressure inside the space causing the deformable portion of the seal to deform into the adjacent casing of the cell increasing the retaining force exerted by the seal onto the casing of the cell forming a tighter seal between the seal and the cell.

20. The battery system of claim 16, further comprising a housing to enclose at least a portion of the electromechanical cells.

21. The battery system of claim 16, further comprising a connector for electrically connecting the battery system to the vehicle.

22. The battery system of claim 16, further comprising a disconnect device to allow for at least one battery module to electrically disconnect from the battery system to reduce the voltage potential of the battery system.

23. The battery system of claim 16, further comprising a controller that includes a circuit for monitoring and regulating the plurality of electromechanical cells.

24. The battery system of claim 23, wherein the controller monitors and regulates the temperature of the plurality of electromechanical cells.

25. The battery system of claim 23, wherein the controller monitors and regulates the voltage of the plurality of electromechanical cells.

26. The battery system of claim 16, further comprising a clamping plate provided above the seal that secures and compresses the seal into tighter engagement with the cell.

27. A battery module, comprising:

a structure defining a chamber and comprising a plurality of sockets;

a plurality of electromechanical cells, wherein each cell is provided in one associated socket of the structure and includes a casing and a vent configured to deploy from the casing into the chamber; and

a circuit electrically connected to the plurality of electromechanical cells;

wherein a seal is formed between the socket and the associated electromechanical cell to prevent a fluid from escaping the chamber between the socket and the cell.

28. The battery system of claim 27, further comprising a compliant gasket to form the seal between the socket of the structure and the electromechanical cell.

29. The battery system of claim 28, wherein the gasket comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive layer.

30. The battery system of claim 28, wherein the gasket comprises a heat sensitive material that is configured to shrink around the casing of the electromechanical cell when the heat sensitive material is heated.

31. The battery system of claim 28, wherein the gasket includes a plurality of protrusions configured to deform or compress to improve the seal between the electromechanical cell and the socket of the structure.

32. The battery system of claim 28, wherein the gasket is integrally formed with the structure.

33. The battery system of claim 27, wherein the cell further includes a plurality of projections configured to engage a plurality of corresponding openings in the socket.

34. The battery system of claim 27, wherein the vent of the cell is configured as part of the current path to electrically connect the cell, such that prior to deployment of the vent from the cell, current is permitted to flow between the cell and another device.

35. The battery system of claim 27, wherein the vent of the cell operates as a current disconnect device upon deployment by separating from the casing and interrupting or disconnecting the current flow between the cell and another device.

36. The battery system of claim 35, wherein the vent deploys when the pressure within the cell reaches a threshold pressure.

37. The battery system of claim 35, wherein the vent deploys when the temperature within the cell reaches a threshold temperature.