Shielding receptacle for battery cells
Inventors
Miller, David R. • Kilbourne, Allen • Waid, Gordon • Yang, Kou • Mason, Michael • Moody, Joseph
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-9837646-B2
Publication Date
2017-12-05
Expiration Date
Abstract
A thermally shielded receptacle for a rechargeable battery. The thermally shielded receptacle can include a material having a heat deflection rate of greater than 50 degrees Celsius to contain a catastrophic runaway of one or more of a plurality of individual battery cells. The thermally shielded receptacle can include material sized and shaped to receive the plurality of individual battery cells and separate each of the plurality of individual battery cells from adjacent individual battery cells.
Core Innovation
The disclosed invention provides a battery pack for a rechargeable battery that includes a battery pack housing with an inner cavity and a battery cell shielding receptacle located within the inner cavity. The shielding receptacle is sized and shaped to receive a plurality of battery cells and includes first and second shielding receptacle sections, or a plurality of cell pockets configured to receive one or more battery cells.
When the first face of the first shielding receptacle section is coupled to the second face of the second shielding receptacle section, the first array of cell pockets correspond to the second array of cell pockets to define a plurality of cell pockets configured to receive battery cells. The cell shielding receptacle uses a material having a heat deflection rate greater than 50 degrees Celsius to absorb heat emitted from one or more battery cells and to contain a catastrophic runaway of one or more battery cells.
The disclosed structure further includes a cavity or recess configured to receive a portion of one or more battery cells as the cells expand or swell, including swelling cavities or recesses and/or a flexible material configured to expand as the battery cells expand or swell. In addition, safety and monitoring configurations are described, including pressure-release from the receptacle or inner cavity when pressure exceeds a selected threshold, and temperature sensing that provides an indication when a temperature increase exceeds a selected threshold. The disclosed packing also describes housing sealing configurations that are hermetically sealed to be liquid proof and dust proof, or substantially liquid proof and dust proof.
Claims Coverage
The partial content includes four independent claims covering aligned cell pocket sections, a high heat-deflection shielding receptacle with hermetic sealing and pressure release, insertable shielding barriers with flexible expansion, and a thermally shielded receptacle that contains catastrophic runaway and accommodates expansion or swell. The independent claims collectively identify four core inventive features spanning cell separation geometry, heat-deflection-based absorption, swelling accommodation, and pressure/temperature safety elements.
Aligned first and second arrays of cell pockets in a two-section shielding receptacle
A battery pack with a battery pack housing having an inner cavity, and a battery cell shielding receptacle with a first shielding receptacle section including a first array of cell pockets opening towards a first face and a second shielding receptacle section including a second array of cell pockets opening towards a second face, wherein the first array correspond to the second array to define a plurality of cell pockets configured to receive battery cells when the first face is coupled to the second face.
High heat deflection rate shielding receptacle with hermetic liquid-proof/dust-proof sealing and pressure seal
A battery pack with a battery pack housing having an inner cavity, and a battery cell shielding receptacle sized and shaped to receive a plurality of battery cells, the shielding receptacle consisting essentially of a material having a heat deflection rate of greater than 50 degrees Celsius to absorb heat emitted from one or more battery cells, wherein the battery pack housing or components are hermetically sealed to be liquid proof and dust proof or sealed to be substantially liquid proof and dust proof, and wherein the hermetically sealed battery pack further comprises a pressure seal configured to release pressure from the battery pack housing when the pressure exceeds a selected threshold.
Insertable shielding barriers with heat deflection greater than 50 degrees Celsius and expandable flexible material
A battery pack with a battery pack housing having an inner cavity, a battery cell shielding receptacle located within the inner cavity including a plurality of cell pockets configured to receive one or more battery cells, and a plurality of insertable shielding barriers configured to be received in one or more of the plurality of cell pockets, wherein the insertable shielding barriers consist essentially of a material having a heat deflection rate of greater than 50 degrees Celsius to absorb heat emitted from the one or more battery cells, and wherein the insertable shielding barriers further comprise a flexible material configured to expand as the one or more battery cells expand or swell.
Thermally shielded receptacle that contains catastrophic thermal runaway and accommodates expansion via cavity or recess
A thermally shielded receptacle for a rechargeable battery comprising a material having a heat deflection rate of greater than 50 degrees Celsius to contain a catastrophic runaway of one or more of a plurality of battery cells, wherein the thermally shielded receptacle is sized and shaped to receive the plurality of battery cells and separate one or more of the plurality of battery cells, and wherein the thermally shielded receptacle includes a cavity or recess configured to receive a portion of one or more battery cells as the one or more battery cells of the plurality of battery cells expand or swell.
Across the independent claims, the core coverage is for battery cell shielding that uses heat deflection rate greater than 50 degrees Celsius to absorb heat and/or contain catastrophic runaway, combined with structural cell separation via aligned arrays of cell pockets or pocket-and-barrier arrangements. Swelling accommodation is covered via cavity or recess and/or expandable flexible materials. The independent claim set further includes hermetic liquid-proof and dust-proof sealing with pressure release when pressure exceeds a selected threshold, and temperature sensing with indication when temperature increase exceeds a selected threshold.
Stated Advantages
Contains a catastrophic runaway of one or more battery cells.
Absorbs heat emitted from one or more battery cells using a material having a heat deflection rate greater than 50 degrees Celsius.
Separates one or more of the plurality of battery cells.
Accommodates battery cell expansion or swelling by receiving a portion of the battery cells in a cavity or recess and/or using a flexible material configured to expand.
Releases pressure from the battery pack housing when the pressure exceeds a selected threshold.
Provides an indication when a temperature increase exceeds a selected threshold.
Provides hermetic sealing that is liquid proof and dust proof or substantially liquid proof and dust proof.
Decreases or eliminates growth or adhesion of pathogens on the battery pack housing (anti-bacterial material).
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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