Battery Cell Mounting Jig With Asymmetric Supports for Damage-Free Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

The insertion of secondary battery cells into cell mounting jigs often results in damage due to thickness differences and position errors, leading to electrolyte leaks or insulation failures.

Innovation Solution

A cell alignment device with a cell mounting jig featuring a base, first and second supports, and a jig connection member, allowing for controlled movement and alignment of battery cells to prevent damage during insertion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If cells are manually mounted on racks by workers, then flexibility in handling different cell types is maintained, but production volume is limited and contamination risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction volumeVSAvoidmounting system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting system is divided into separate functional modules: a picking unit with grippers for cell pickup, a transfer mechanism for movement, and a rack for storage. This segmentation allows automated high-volume handling while maintaining flexibility through programmable control of each module.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A transfer mechanism acts as an intermediary between the picking unit and the rack, enabling automated cell transport. This intermediary component facilitates high-speed automated mounting while isolating the complexity of automation from the storage system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If conventional mounting jigs with clamps are used, then cells can be securely fixed, but the cell case may be deformed or damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell fixation strengthVSAvoidcell case damage
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing mechanism uses localized contact points instead of distributed clamping force. The fixing protrusions make contact only at specific locations on the cell case, providing sufficient fixation strength while avoiding deformation of the cell case structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The fixing protrusions are simple, replaceable components that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed. This approach uses simple geometric features rather than complex clamping mechanisms, reducing the risk of cell damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Quantity of substance

If cells are densely arranged on racks, then storage capacity increases, but cell alignment precision decreases leading to module assembly issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell storage capacityVSAvoidcell alignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The rack features asymmetric guiding structures including guide grooves and positioning protrusions that provide precise alignment references for cells. These asymmetric features ensure correct cell orientation and position even when cells are densely arranged, maintaining alignment precision while maximizing storage capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

Cells are pre-aligned using guide grooves and positioning features during the mounting process before final placement on the rack. This preliminary alignment action ensures precise cell positioning is achieved before dense arrangement, preventing assembly issues in subsequent module construction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4181283B1Cell alignment device comprising a cell mounting jig for preventing damage to appearance of battery cell and cell mounting method
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4181283B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(b)
  • EP4181283B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4181283B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A cell mounting jig according to the present disclosure includes a base; a first support vertically extended from a side of the base; and a second support vertically extended from an opposite side of the base spaced a predetermined distance apart from the first support, the first support and the second support facing each other, wherein the second support is extended higher than the first support.