BATTERY MODULE

• US 20120015218A1
• Filed: 11/05/2010
• Published: 01/19/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH, Samsung SDI Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH, Samsung SDI Company Limited
• Inventors: Lee, Hyun-Ye
• Granted Patent: US 8,802,254 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/53
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/052 Li-accumulators
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/30 Arrangements for facilitating escape of gases
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/317 Re-sealable arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/342 Non-re-sealable arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/3425 in the form of rupturable membranes or weakened parts, e.g. pierced with the aid of a sharp member
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/394 Gas-pervious parts or elements
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A battery module includes a plurality of rechargeable batteries and a housing configured to receive the rechargeable batteries, wherein the housing has a vent opening; and a valve configured to close the vent opening, wherein the valve includes a porous film with pores having a diameter larger than that of gas molecules and smaller than that of water particles.

Claims

1. A battery module comprising;

a plurality of rechargeable batteries;

a housing configured to receive the rechargeable batteries, wherein the housing has a vent opening; and

a valve configured to close the vent opening, wherein the valve comprises a porous film with pores having a diameter larger than that of gas molecules and smaller than that of water particles.

2. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the porous film comprises polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

3. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the porous film comprises a material selected from the group consisting of perfluoroalkoxy polymer (PFA), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene copolymer (ECTFE), ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), and combinations thereof.

4. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the porous film has a notch.

5. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the valve further comprises a supporting film stacked on the porous film.

6. The battery module of claim 5, wherein the supporting film has a notch.

7. The battery module of claim 5, wherein the supporting film has a strength greater than that of the porous film, and is configured to pass gas molecules therethrough.

8. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a body having an inner space and a cover coupled with the body, and the valve is installed on the cover.

9. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a body having an inner space and a cover coupled with the body, and the valve is installed on the body.

10. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the valve further comprises a protective bar that crosses the vent opening and contacts the porous film.

11. The battery module of claim 10, wherein the protective bar has a wedge portion contacting the porous film, wherein the wedge portion has a reduced sectional area toward an end thereof.

12. The battery module of claim 1, further comprising a supporting member having a ring shape to closely attach the porous film to the housing.

13. The battery module of claim 12, wherein the supporting member has an opening, and the supporting member further comprises a protrusion having a wedge shape and protruding toward the porous film along a periphery of the opening of the supporting member.

14. The battery module of claim 12, wherein a groove is formed under the vent opening and the porous film, and the supporting member is inserted into the groove.

15. The battery module of claim 1, wherein a protrusion having a wedge shape and protruding toward the porous film is formed along the periphery of the vent opening.

16. A battery module comprising:

a plurality of rechargeable batteries;

a housing configured to receive the rechargeable batteries, wherein the housing has a vent opening; and

a valve configured to close the vent opening and to be ruptured at a rupture pressure;

wherein the valve is configured to pass gas molecules through the valve and block liquid molecules.

17. The battery module of claim 16, wherein the valve has a notch.