Battery Cap Tray Groove Layout for Vertical High-Density Loading

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing trays for loading battery caps are inefficient in supplying a sufficient quantity of battery caps per unit volume, leading to increased space and time requirements for transportation and storage.

Innovation Solution

A tray system comprising first and second trays with alternately arranged grooves, allowing battery caps to be mounted vertically, thereby increasing the number of caps per unit area and reducing stacked height.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If battery caps are laid horizontally on trays as in the related art, then the tray structure is simple, but the number of battery caps per unit volume is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of battery caps per unit volumeVSAvoidtray structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from horizontal laying to vertical mounting of battery caps on trays. The grooves are configured to receive battery caps in a vertically erect state, utilizing the vertical dimension to increase storage density. When trays are stacked, the communication spaces between grooves of adjacent trays further optimize three-dimensional space utilization, allowing more battery caps per unit volume without significantly complicating the tray structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If more battery caps are loaded per tray, then the production supply is sufficient, but the transportation and storage space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction supply rateVSAvoidtransportation and storage space
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By mounting battery caps vertically instead of horizontally, the patent increases the number of caps per tray while reducing the horizontal footprint. The vertical orientation allows trays to be stacked more efficiently, with communication spaces between grooves of adjacent trays enabling compact arrangement. This reduces the overall transportation and storage space required while maintaining sufficient production supply rates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Quantity of substance

If battery caps are mounted vertically in stacked trays, then the number of caps per unit area increases, but the trays may separate during handling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of battery caps per unit areaVSAvoidtray stacking stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nesting arrangement where grooves of upper trays align with and interlock with grooves of lower trays through communication spaces. The battery caps mounted in vertically erect state nest within the groove structures of stacked trays, with upper tray grooves fitting into the spaces created by lower tray grooves. This nested configuration provides mechanical interlocking that prevents tray separation during handling while maintaining high storage density.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP3972004B1Tray for loading battery cap
Publication Date: 2025.06.04 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP3972004B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3972004B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3972004B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The present invention provides a tray for loading a battery cap, on which the battery cap is mounted, the tray comprising: first trays, each having a top surface, in which first grooves are defined, and a bottom surface, in which second grooves are defined; and second trays, each having a top surface, in which third grooves are defined, and a bottom surface, in which fourth grooves are defined and disposed above or below the first tray, wherein, when the first tray is disposed above the second tray, each of the second grooves and each of the third grooves communicate with each other to provide a communication space, and when the first tray is disposed below the second tray, each of the first grooves and each of the fourth grooves communicate with each other to provide a communication space, wherein the battery cap is mounted in a vertically erect state in the first tray and the second tray.In the present invention having the above technical characteristics, since the battery cap is mounted vertically in the first tray and the second tray, more battery caps per unit area may be loaded.