Eaton’s 3-in-1 battery vent valve for electrified vehicles is precisely and flexibly designed to meet specific opening pressures and optimize venting. (Photo: Business Wire)
Eaton’s 3-in-1 vent valve is said to eliminate the need to install the valve as the final step of the battery assembly process
February 23, 2023
GALESBURG, Mich.—Intelligent power management company Eaton reported that its eMobility business has introduced a 3-in-1 battery pack vent valve for electrified vehicle (EV) batteries.
Eaton said in a release that the valve is capable of three unique functions, including a battery case leak-check mechanism and passive and active venting to provide overpressure relief for a vehicle’s battery pack.
“Following the recent introduction of our single-stage battery vent, we continue to add to our battery safety portfolio,” said Jens Buhlinger, manager, Battery Technology Development, Eaton’s Vehicle Group, in the release. “We’re excited to offer a 3-in-1 technology that helps ensure the system integrity of increasingly powerful EVs.”
According to Eaton, the vent’s battery case leak-check feature eliminates the need to install the vent valve as the final step of the battery assembly process, which is the standard in today’s EV architectures. Leak testing with the 3-in-1 battery vent valve is said to be more thorough than traditional methods, as it includes testing the sealing surface of the vent itself when the battery vent valve is already assembled. Eaton also developed a tool for its customers to actuate the leak-check mechanism on their assembly lines, allowing for testing through pressurization or a vacuum, the company said.
Eaton’s 3-in-1 battery vent valve is reported to be precisely and flexibly designed to meet specific opening pressures and optimize venting. Its spring-based actuation technology allows Eaton to accommodate different opening pressure requirements with the same valve design to drive economies of scale.
The valve’s resealing technology enables manufacturers to specify exceptionally low opening pressures. The 3-in-1 battery vent valve also features a low-flow breathing mode that allows air to move through porous material to normalize pressure during regular operation, according to Eaton.
“Our new 3-in-1 battery vent valve can be assembled both through our robust quick-connect feature or by a screwed metal-to-metal connection, providing our customers the freedom to choose their preferred assembly method while ensuring a sturdy connection that stays in place,” Buhlinger said.
Subscribe Now
Design-2-Part Magazine
Get the manufacturing industry news and features you need for free in a format you like.
