Method for detecting a pipe path in a pouch cell test fixture

Abstract

The application provides a detection method for a pipeline path in a soft package battery cell test fixture, and the detection method comprises the following steps: scattering ferromagnetic particles on a specified surface of the test fixture; injecting a magnetic fluid into a pipeline of the test fixture; and blowing air to the ferromagnetic particles to remove the ferromagnetic particles that are not attracted by the magnetic fluid, and the area of the ferromagnetic particles remaining on the specified surface is the area of the pipeline. The detection method uses the magnetic fluid and the ferromagnetic particles to achieve the purpose of detecting the pipeline path, and the magnetic fluid and the ferromagnetic particles do not have radiation effects and do not depend on the high temperature of the fluid, thereby effectively avoiding radiation hazards or scalding risks to the operator's body.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of battery technology, and more specifically, to a method for detecting the pipe path in a pouch cell testing fixture. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of new energy technologies, pouch cells have been widely used due to their advantages such as high energy density, flexible design, and high safety. Pouch cells typically undergo testing before leaving the factory to screen out substandard cells.

[0003] During the testing process, a soft-pack battery cell test fixture is used to fix the soft-pack battery cell under test. Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a testing fixture for pouch cells in related technologies. Figure 2 for Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the middle plate along the AA direction. In some examples of related technologies, such as... Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the pouch cell test fixture 100 includes two clamping plates 110 arranged opposite each other. Both clamping plates 110 are in contact with the pouch cell 200 to be tested, so as to clamp the pouch cell 200 to be tested. Furthermore, each of the two clamping plates 110 has a pipe 120 formed inside. During the test, water at a set temperature and in circulation is introduced into the pipe 120, so that the temperature of the clamping plates 110 is maintained at the set value, thereby simulating the working environment of the pouch cell.

[0004] It should be noted that, in order to maintain a constant temperature in the clamping plate 110 to improve the simulation effect, the path of the pipe 120 is often designed according to the clamping plate 110. Therefore, before testing with the soft-pack battery cell testing fixture 100, it is usually necessary to verify whether the pipe 120 of the clamping plate 110 is unobstructed and whether the path of the pipe 120 conforms to the design. Currently, an X-ray inspection machine is usually used to inspect the path of the pipe 120. The X-ray inspection machine emits X-rays, which penetrate the clamping plate 110 to inspect the pipe 120.

[0005] However, using an X-ray inspection machine to inspect pipe 120 involves X-rays, which have a radiation effect and can harm the health of the operators.

[0006] In addition, some methods involve filling the pipes with hot water and then using infrared imaging to detect them. However, if the hot water is not hot enough, it is difficult to distinguish it from the heat of the surrounding environment, and as the water temperature drops, the accuracy of the test will be further affected. On the other hand, using hot water poses a risk of scalding the operators. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present invention aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art, and proposes a method for detecting the pipeline path in a test fixture for pouch cells.

[0008] To achieve the objectives of this invention, a method for detecting the conduit path in a test fixture for pouch cells is provided. The test fixture is made of a non-magnetic material, and the detection method includes:

[0009] Ferromagnetic particles are sprinkled onto a designated surface of the test fixture;

[0010] Inject magnetic fluid into the pipes of the test fixture;

[0011] Blow air onto the ferromagnetic particles to remove those not attracted by the magnetic fluid. The area where the ferromagnetic particles remain on the designated surface is the area where the pipe is located.

[0012] In the detection method described above, the magnetic fluid is a magnetic liquid.

[0013] In the detection method described above, the magnetic liquid is a water-based magnetic liquid or an oil-based magnetic liquid.

[0014] In the detection method described above, the oil-based magnetic liquid is an oil-based magnetic liquid, a silicone oil-based magnetic liquid, a kerosene-based magnetic liquid, a diester-based magnetic liquid, or a fluoroether oil-based magnetic liquid.

[0015] In the detection method described above, the material of the ferromagnetic particles includes at least one of iron, cobalt, and nickel.

[0016] In the detection method described above, the ferromagnetic particles are either powdered ferromagnetic powder or block-shaped ferromagnetic fragments.

[0017] The detection method described above, after blowing air onto the ferromagnetic particles to remove the ferromagnetic particles not attracted by the magnetic fluid, and the area where the ferromagnetic particles remain on the designated surface is the area where the pipe is located, the detection method further includes: recovering the ferromagnetic particles removed from the designated surface.

[0018] The detection method described above, after blowing air onto the ferromagnetic particles to remove the ferromagnetic particles not attracted by the magnetic fluid, and the area where the ferromagnetic particles remain on the designated surface is the area where the pipe is located, the detection method further includes: recovering the magnetic fluid flowing out of the pipe.

[0019] The present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0020] The method for detecting pipe paths in a soft-pack battery cell testing fixture provided by this invention utilizes magnetic fluid and ferromagnetic particles to achieve the purpose of pipe path detection. Neither the magnetic fluid nor the ferromagnetic particles have radiation effects, thus effectively avoiding harm to operators and environmental pollution. Furthermore, the detection method provided by this invention is applicable to detecting pipes of various shapes, and can be used to test various types and models of testing fixtures.

[0021] Furthermore, compared to methods that involve injecting high-temperature fluid into the pipeline to create a temperature difference between the pipeline and the ambient temperature, followed by infrared imaging for pipeline detection, the detection method provided by this invention does not rely on the high temperature of the fluid. Therefore, it not only effectively avoids burns to operators from the high-temperature fluid, but also ensures that the testing accuracy does not decrease as the fluid temperature drops to a level where the temperature difference with the ambient temperature is small. Consequently, the detection method provided by this invention has a long effective detection time. At the same time, the detection method provided by this invention does not require infrared imaging equipment, which helps reduce detection costs. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a test fixture for pouch cells in related technologies;

[0023] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Cross-sectional view of the middle plate along the AA direction;

[0024] Figure 3 A schematic flowchart illustrating a pipeline path detection method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0025] Figure 4 A schematic diagram illustrating the principle of a pipeline path detection method provided in this application embodiment;

[0026] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating another pipeline path detection method provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0027] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solution of the present invention, the method for detecting the pipeline path in the soft-pack battery cell test fixture provided by the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0028] Currently, X-ray inspection machines are commonly used to inspect pipeline paths. These machines emit X-rays that penetrate clamps to inspect the pipeline. However, using X-ray inspection machines for pipeline inspection has several drawbacks besides posing health risks to operators and causing environmental pollution. One drawback is the high cost of X-ray inspection machines, both in terms of equipment price and operating fees, leading to high testing costs. Another drawback is the significant size differences between various battery cell testing fixtures, making it impossible for X-ray inspection machines to be used with all types of fixtures. A further drawback is the large size of X-ray inspection machines, which limits their mobility and restricts testing locations.

[0029] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this application discloses a method for detecting the pipeline path in a pouch cell test fixture, hereinafter referred to as the test fixture. Figure 3 This is a schematic flowchart illustrating a pipeline path detection method provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the principle of a pipeline path detection method provided in an embodiment of this application. Please refer to... Figure 3 and Figure 4 The method mainly includes the following steps:

[0030] Step S101: Sprinkle ferromagnetic particles onto the designated surface of the test fixture.

[0031] Step S102: Inject magnetic fluid into the pipe of the test fixture.

[0032] The pipe is located in the clamp of the test fixture and passes through the clamp.

[0033] Step S103: Blow air onto the ferromagnetic particles to remove those not attracted by the magnetic fluid. The area where the ferromagnetic particles remain on the designated surface is the area where the pipe is located.

[0034] The detection method provided in this embodiment verifies the patency of the pipeline by injecting magnetic fluid into it, which allows the magnetic fluid to flow smoothly in and out of the pipeline.

[0035] The detection method in this embodiment utilizes the attraction between magnetic fluid and ferromagnetic particles (300°) to detect pipeline paths. Therefore, it should be understood that this embodiment is primarily applicable to the detection of test fixtures made of non-magnetic materials, such as aluminum test fixtures and austenitic stainless steel test fixtures.

[0036] The specific working principle of this detection method is as follows: Under the premise that the test fixture is non-magnetic, some ferromagnetic particles 300 scattered on a designated surface in the area where the pipe is located and its vicinity are attracted and accumulate in the pipe area by the magnetic fluid flowing inside the pipe. These ferromagnetic particles 300 are not blown away from the designated surface under the action of magnetic attraction, while other ferromagnetic particles 300 not attracted by the magnetic fluid are blown away. Thus, the area exposed by the accumulated ferromagnetic particles 300 is the pipe area. The pipe area can be understood as the area corresponding to the pipe path on the designated surface. Therefore, by observing the exposed pipe area, the pipe path can be determined, thereby verifying whether the pipe path conforms to the design.

[0037] Therefore, this detection method utilizes magnetic fluids and ferromagnetic particles to detect pipeline paths. Neither magnetic fluids nor ferromagnetic particles have radiation effects, thus effectively avoiding harm to operators and pollution to the environment.

[0038] The magnetic fluid and ferromagnetic particles 300 used in this detection method not only do not emit radiation, but are also readily available and inexpensive through purchase. Therefore, the detection method in this embodiment has the advantages of being easy to implement and having low testing costs. Moreover, the steps of this detection method are simple to operate, requiring less expertise and fewer personnel, thus reducing labor costs, and it requires no maintenance.

[0039] Additionally, it should be noted that those skilled in the art typically conceive of injecting a heat-conducting medium (e.g., water, heat-conducting oil, steam) into the pipe, then using a thermal imager to capture a thermal image of the surface, from which the pipe path can be determined. Specifically, water at 100 degrees Celsius (°C) can be used as the heat-conducting medium. The pipe path detection principle is as follows: 100°C water flowing along the pipe transfers heat to the area corresponding to the pipe on the surface, making the heat in the pipe area different from other areas. A thermal image is then captured on the surface, showing the heat distribution. Areas with high heat in the thermal image can be considered the pipe area, thus allowing the pipe path to be observed.

[0040] However, this method relies on the thermal imager's ability to detect pipe paths by utilizing the heat properties of the heat-conducting medium. This has several drawbacks: First, it still requires additional instruments (i.e., thermal imagers) to reveal the pipe area, resulting in high detection costs and limited instrument mobility, restricting testing locations. Second, it typically requires high-temperature heat-conducting media, which can easily burn operators and is difficult for a single operator to use. Third, as the heat and temperature of the heat-conducting medium gradually decrease during testing, the difference in heat between the pipe area and other areas diminishes, reducing detection accuracy. In other words, this method has a short lifespan.

[0041] In contrast, the detection method provided in this embodiment does not require the use of an X-ray inspection machine or a thermal imager. This not only reduces testing costs, but also makes the magnetic fluid and ferromagnetic particles 300 easy to carry and move. Thus, the detection method is less limited in terms of implementation location, and can be implemented even in remote areas to verify the pipeline path of the test fixture.

[0042] Compared to heat-conducting media with higher temperatures, the magnetic fluid used in this detection method is at room temperature. This allows operators to easily inject the magnetic fluid into the pipeline, enabling the detection method to be easily completed by a single operator. The operation is simple, reduces labor costs, and avoids operator burns, thus minimizing safety risks. Furthermore, the magnetism of the magnetic fluid does not change over time. Therefore, even in the later stages of the detection process, the magnetic properties of the fluid can still be relied upon to complete the pipeline path detection, meaning this detection method has a long effective detection time.

[0043] It is worth noting that, regardless of whether it is the X-ray inspection machine used in related technologies or the thermal imager that is easily conceived by those skilled in the art, the size and model of the test fixture that can be detected when used to detect pipeline paths are related to the projection range of X-rays or infrared light, and therefore cannot be applied to all types of test fixtures. However, the detection method of this embodiment is based on the magnetic attraction of magnetic fluid and ferromagnetic particles 300 to detect pipeline paths. The detection principle is independent of the size of the test fixture; therefore, the detection method of this embodiment can be applied to the detection of various types of test fixtures.

[0044] The detection method of this embodiment also has the advantage of being applicable to detecting the pipe paths of various types of test fixtures. This is mainly reflected in the fact that the pipe path is not limited; for example, the pipe can be a simple straight pipe, or a complex pipe with an "S," "Z," or "U" shape. In this embodiment, the flow of the magnetic fluid is not limited by the shape of the pipe path; the magnetic fluid can easily flow in pipes of any shape. The detection principle of this method is independent of the shape of the pipe path of the test fixture; therefore, it can be used to detect the pipe paths of various types of test fixtures.

[0045] The specified surface in step 101 above can be either the contact surface 111 or the non-contact surface 112. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the clamping plate 110 of the test fixture 100 has a contact surface 111 and a non-contact surface 112. When the soft-pack battery cell 200 to be tested is fixed on the test fixture 100, the contact surface 111 is in contact with the soft-pack battery cell 200, and the non-contact surface 112 is opposite to the contact surface 111. That is to say, in step S103, ferromagnetic particles can be used to make the contact surface 111 of the clamping plate 110 reveal the area where the pipeline is located, and the non-contact surface 112 of the clamping plate 110 can also reveal the area where the pipeline is located. In this way, when the operator uses this method to detect the pipeline path, there is no need to specifically distinguish between the contact surface 111 and the non-contact surface 112 of the clamping plate 110, making the operation simple.

[0046] It should be noted that this embodiment does not restrict the execution order of steps S101 and S102.

[0047] In one possible scenario, step S102 is performed before step S101. That is, after injecting the magnetic fluid into the pipe, ferromagnetic particles 300 are then sprinkled onto a designated surface.

[0048] In another possible scenario, such as Figure 4 As shown, step S101 is performed before step S102. That is, ferromagnetic particles 300 are first spread on the designated surface, and then magnetic fluid is injected into the pipe. In this way, during the execution of step S101, the ferromagnetic particles 300 will not be attracted by the magnetic fluid, so as to facilitate the uniform spreading of the ferromagnetic particles 300 on the designated surface.

[0049] Step S103 described above can be performed by an operator using a wind source 400, which can be an easily accessible tool such as a hair dryer, fan, or air conditioner. This allows the wind source 400 to be located at the implementation site of the detection method, reducing the need to move tools and thus further minimizing the limitations of the implementation location of the detection method. Alternatively, in other feasible methods, the operator can manually blow air onto the ferromagnetic particles 300.

[0050] In some embodiments, the magnetic fluid can be a magnetic liquid. When the magnetic fluid is a magnetic liquid, it is not limited to water-based magnetic liquids, but can also be oil-based magnetic liquids. Oil-based magnetic liquids can be, for example, liquids that possess both fluidity and magnetic properties, such as engine oil-based magnetic liquids, silicone oil-based magnetic liquids, kerosene-based magnetic liquids, diester-based magnetic liquids, and fluoroether oil-based magnetic liquids.

[0051] The aforementioned ferromagnetic particles 300 are made of at least one of iron, cobalt, and nickel. Ferromagnetic particles 300 prepared using these materials are easily magnetized, allowing as many ferromagnetic particles 300 as possible sprinkled on a designated surface to accumulate in the area where the pipe is located under magnetic attraction, thus facilitating the observation of the pattern corresponding to the pipe area. In embodiments where the ferromagnetic particles 300 are made of at least two of iron, cobalt, and nickel, the ferromagnetic particles 300 are made of an alloy material, which helps to improve the magnetization effect.

[0052] For example, the ferromagnetic particles 300 can be ferromagnetic powder in powder form. Alternatively, in an alternative example, the ferromagnetic particles 300 can also be ferromagnetic fragments in block form. In contrast, when the ferromagnetic particles 300 are in powder form, the operator can more easily spread the ferromagnetic particles 300 evenly onto the designated surface during step S101, ensuring that the detection method can be effectively implemented and the test results are good.

[0053] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating another pipeline path detection method provided in an embodiment of this application. Please refer to... Figure 5 After step S103, the detection method may further include step S104.

[0054] Step S104: Recover the ferromagnetic particles removed from the designated surface.

[0055] Specifically, step S104 can be performed manually by an operator or by the first recycling device, which can be reasonably designed based on the ferromagnetic particles 300. For example, in an embodiment where the ferromagnetic particles 300 are ferromagnetic powder, the first recycling device can be a vacuum cleaner.

[0056] This setup effectively avoids environmental pollution caused by ferromagnetic particles 300. Furthermore, the ferromagnetic particles 300 can be recycled and used for multiple pipeline path detections, thereby reducing testing costs.

[0057] Based on any of the above embodiments, after performing step S103, the detection method may further include step S105, as detailed in the following reference. Figure 5 As shown.

[0058] Step S105: Recover the magnetic fluid flowing out of the pipe.

[0059] Specifically, step S105 can be performed manually by an operator or by the second recovery device. For example, the second recovery device may include a collection pipe, a conveying device, and a collection box. One end of the collection pipe is connected to the outlet end of a pipeline, and the other end is connected to the collection box. The conveying device is used to convey the magnetic fluid from the outlet end of the pipeline through the collection pipe to the collection box. The conveying device may be, for example, a fan.

[0060] This setup effectively avoids environmental pollution from the magnetic fluid, and allows the magnetic fluid to be recycled for multiple pipeline path detections, thus reducing testing costs.

[0061] It should be noted that this embodiment does not restrict the execution order of steps S104 and S105. Step S104 can be executed before step S105. Step S104 can be executed after step S105. Alternatively, steps S104 and S105 can be executed simultaneously.

[0062] It is understood that the above embodiments are merely exemplary implementations used to illustrate the principles of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto. For those skilled in the art, various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the spirit and essence of the present invention, and these modifications and improvements are also considered to be within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for detecting the conduit path in a test fixture for pouch cells, characterized in that, The pipe is located within and penetrates the clamp of the test fixture, the test fixture is made of a non-magnetic material, and the detection method includes: Ferromagnetic particles are sprinkled onto a designated surface of the test fixture; Magnetic fluid is injected into the pipe of the test fixture. The magnetic fluid can flow smoothly into and out of the pipe, thereby verifying that the pipe is unobstructed. Blow air onto the ferromagnetic particles to remove those not attracted by the magnetic fluid. The area where the ferromagnetic particles remain on the designated surface is the area where the pipe is located. The clamping plate of the test fixture has a contact surface and a non-contact surface. The contact surface is in contact with the soft-pack battery cell to be tested, and the non-contact surface is opposite to the contact surface. The designated surface is either the contact surface or the non-contact surface.

2. The detection method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The magnetic fluid is a magnetic liquid.

3. The detection method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The magnetic fluid is a water-based magnetic fluid or an oil-based magnetic fluid.

4. The detection method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The oil-based magnetic fluid is a machine oil-based magnetic fluid, a silicone oil-based magnetic fluid, a kerosene-based magnetic fluid, a diester-based magnetic fluid, or a fluoroether oil-based magnetic fluid.

5. The detection method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The material of the ferromagnetic particles includes at least one of iron, cobalt, and nickel.

6. The detection method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ferromagnetic particles are either in the form of powdered ferromagnetic powder or in the form of blocky ferromagnetic fragments.

7. The detection method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, After blowing air onto the ferromagnetic particles to remove those not attracted by the magnetic fluid, and the area where the ferromagnetic particles remain on the designated surface is the area where the pipe is located, the detection method further includes: The ferromagnetic particles removed from the designated surface are recovered.

8. The detection method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, After blowing air onto the ferromagnetic particles to remove those not attracted by the magnetic fluid, and the area where the ferromagnetic particles remain on the designated surface is the area where the pipe is located, the detection method further includes: The magnetic fluid flowing out of the pipe is recovered.

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