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DE-102024117293-B4 - Battery housing system and method for venting gases from a battery

DE102024117293B4DE 102024117293 B4DE102024117293 B4DE 102024117293B4DE-102024117293-B4

Abstract

Battery housing system (100), comprising: a carrier (14); a cover (18); an annular inner seal (200) that seals the carrier (14) with the cover (18) and defines an inner enclosed chamber (250) and an annular outer enclosed chamber (350); a battery (30) arranged in the inner closed chamber (250); and an annular outer seal (300) formed by adhesive and connecting a circumference of the carrier (14) to a circumference of the cover (18), wherein the annular outer enclosed chamber (350) is arranged between the annular inner seal (200) and the annular outer seal (300); wherein the annular inner seal (200) is formed by a sealing disc; and wherein the annular inner seal (200) is designed to fail at a first pressure, and wherein the annular outer seal (300) is designed to withstand the first pressure; wherein the battery housing system (100) is configured such that, in the event of a failure of the inner seal (200) at a fault location, gas with a relatively higher pressure within the inner chamber (250) flows through the inner seal (200) at the fault location to the annular outer chamber (350), and the annular outer seal (300) withstands this initial pressure.

Inventors

  • Michael Apone
  • Ryan Patrick Hickey

Assignees

  • GM Global Technology Operations LLC

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20240619
Priority Date
20240418

Claims (5)

  1. Battery housing system (100) comprising: a carrier (14); a cover (18); an annular inner seal (200) sealing the carrier (14) to the cover (18) and defining an inner enclosed chamber (250) and an annular outer enclosed chamber (350); a battery (30) arranged in the inner enclosed chamber (250); and an annular outer seal (300) formed by adhesive, connecting a circumference of the carrier (14) to a circumference of the cover (18), the annular outer enclosed chamber (350) being arranged between the annular inner seal (200) and the annular outer seal (300); the annular inner seal (200) being formed by a sealing disc; and whereby the annular inner seal (200) is designed to fail at a first pressure, and wherein the annular outer seal (300) is designed to withstand the first pressure; wherein the battery housing system (100) is configured such that, in the event of a failure of the inner seal (200) at a fault location, gas at a relatively higher pressure within the inner chamber (250) flows through the inner seal (200) at the fault location to the annular outer chamber (350), and the annular outer seal (300) withstands this first pressure.
  2. Battery housing system (100) according to Claim 1 , further comprising a particle filter (400) which is connected to the annular outer enclosed chamber (350), wherein the particle filter (400) is formed in the cover (18) or in the carrier (14), and wherein the particle filter (400) is connected to the annular outer enclosed chamber (350).
  3. Battery housing system (100) according to Claim 1 , further comprising: a distributor (500) connected to the annular inner seal (200), wherein the annular outer enclosed chamber (350) is arranged between the annular inner seal (200) and the distributor (500); and a particle filter (400) formed in the distributor (500).
  4. Method (1000) for venting gases from a battery (30), the method comprising: arranging the battery (30) between a support (14) and a cover (18); sealing the cover (18) to the support (14) to form an annular inner seal (200) enclosing an inner chamber (250), wherein the battery (30) is arranged in the inner chamber (250) and wherein the annular inner seal (200) separates the inner chamber (250) from an annular outer enclosed chamber (350); separating the cover (18) from the support (14) at a defect in the annular inner seal (200) due to increased pressure within the inner chamber (250); allowing the gases to flow from the inner chamber (250) into the annular outer enclosed chamber (350) at the defect (291); Discharge of the gases from the annular outer enclosed chamber (350) through a particle filter (400); and sealing of a cover circumference of the cover (18) to a support circumference of the support (14) with an adhesive to form an annular outer seal (300), wherein the annular outer enclosed chamber (350) is located between the annular inner seal (200) and the annular outer seal (300) is arranged; wherein the annular inner seal (200) is designed to fail under the increased pressure, and wherein the annular outer seal (300) is designed to withstand the increased pressure.
  5. Procedure (1000) according to Claim 4 , furthermore comprising directing a flow of gases through the particle filter (400) in a desired direction.

Description

The description refers to motor vehicle battery systems, in particular to systems and methods for enclosing and venting battery packs. Electrochemical battery packs are used in a variety of battery-electric systems. In particular, on board an electric vehicle (EV), a high-energy traction battery pack is connected to a DC bus, with the traction battery pack comprising a number of cylindrical, prismatic, or pouch-shaped electrochemical battery cells suitable for the application. The DC bus then supplies one or more electric drive motors and their associated power electronic components during battery discharge mode. The same DC bus delivers the charging current to the individual battery cells of the battery pack during the battery charging process. Traction batteries for electric vehicles and other battery-electric systems typically use lithium- or nickel-based battery chemistry. In lithium-ion battery cells, for example, the movement of electrons and lithium ions generates electricity to power the aforementioned electric drive motor(s). Charging and discharging the battery cells generates heat. This heat must be dissipated from the battery cells, for example, via the circulation of the battery coolant, cooling plates, or cooling fins. In rare cases, damage, aging, or degradation of battery cells can cause the heat generated in a battery cell or battery pack to exceed the available cooling capacity. This condition is referred to, both here and in the professional literature, as thermal runaway. The DE 10 2024 105 528 A1 This document describes systems and methods for sealing interfaces of a traction battery pack. A seal can be arranged to seal an interface between a first housing part and a second housing part of a traction battery pack housing assembly. The seal can be located within a recess that is separated from an interior area of the traction battery pack. A fastening element (e.g., a weld, adhesive, or both) can separate the seal from the interior area. The CN 216 250 931 U describes a traction battery comprising a battery housing, a battery housing cover and a pressure relief device between the battery housing and the battery housing cover, wherein the pressure relief device is connected to the top of the battery housing and the bottom of the battery housing cover, a pressurised gas relief channel is formed in the pressure relief device, and the pressure relief channel is coated with sealant. The WO 2024 / 256 167 A1 describes a motor vehicle battery pack comprising a housing configured to accommodate electrical energy storage modules and at least one cover capable of covering the housing, wherein the at least one cover has an inner surface facing the housing, the battery pack comprises at least one seal arranged between the inner surface of the cover and the housing, and the at least one seal and/or the housing and/or the cover are configured to form at least one weakened area of the seal dimensioned to allow the escape of gases at a predetermined pressure or temperature of those gases. The CN 207 977 365 U describes a battery pack comprising an upper housing, wherein the upper housing has an upper wall and an upper surrounding wall, the upper surrounding wall extending downwards from the upper wall, and an upper flange attached to a lower edge of the upper surrounding wall, a lower housing comprising a lower bottom wall and a lower surrounding wall extending upwards from the lower bottom wall, a lower flange arranged on the lower surrounding wall, an inner seal arranged between the lower and upper flanges, a limiting projection arranged between the lower and upper flanges to space them apart, and a threaded closure securing the upper and lower flanges. The DE 10 2014 212 173 A1 This describes a gas purification unit for cleaning gas escaping from an energy storage device. The gas purification unit comprises a container with an interior space, a gas inlet for introducing a gas stream of the gas escaping from the energy storage device into the interior space of the container, and a gas outlet for releasing the gas stream from the interior space of the container. The interior space of the container includes at least one separating agent for separating at least one component of the escaping gas, and the at least one separating agent is a catalyst and/or a superabsorbent and/or a polymer. foam and/or an alkaline earth-containing agent. The DE 10 2013 204 585 A1 This describes a battery pack. In the event of degassing, where a single battery cell releases gas from its interior via an overpressure mechanism, a special space is provided within the battery pack housing. This space allows the released gas to expand, reducing its temperature and pressure. The gas is then released from the inside of the battery pack housing to the outside via a pressure relief valve. As the gas flows through the pressure relief valve, it passes through a particle separator. Particles contained in the gas are filtered out as it p