Secondary Battery CT Deformation Analysis via Tab Position Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for analyzing secondary battery deformation, such as destructive disassembly, are inadequate for determining the actual cause of performance deterioration and identifying degradation trends during charging and discharging.

Innovation Solution

A non-destructive deformation analysis method using computed tomography (CT) imaging to obtain images of the secondary battery before and after degradation, calculating the position of the tab in the electrode assembly, and determining deformation by comparing the change in tab position to a reference value.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If destructive disassembly methods are used to analyze battery deformation, then detailed internal structure information can be obtained, but the battery is damaged and actual deterioration causes cannot be determined

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeformation measurement accuracyVSAvoidbattery integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses CT imaging to create a digital copy of the battery's internal structure, allowing deformation analysis without physical disassembly. The imaging system captures three-dimensional images of the electrode assembly and tab, enabling precise measurement of positional changes while maintaining battery integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical disassembly process with a non-contact imaging system. Instead of physically opening and examining the battery, the system uses X-ray or other imaging technologies to obtain internal structure information, thereby avoiding damage to the battery while achieving deformation analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of information

If the battery is disassembled for analysis, then internal components can be examined, but it becomes difficult to identify deterioration trends during charging and discharging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeterioration informationVSAvoidanalysis process simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs CT imaging at multiple stages of charging and discharging cycles before final deterioration occurs. By capturing images at these preliminary stages, the system can track the progression of deformation and identify deterioration trends over time, preserving temporal information that would be lost with post-mortem analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables continuous or periodic imaging during the battery's operational life, maintaining a continuous record of internal structure changes. This continuous monitoring approach allows for the identification of deterioration trends and patterns that develop over multiple charging and discharging cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Loss of information

If CT imaging is performed multiple times to track deformation, then degradation trends can be identified, but imaging time and resource consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedegradation trend informationVSAvoidimaging time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs CT imaging at selectively chosen intervals during charging and discharging cycles rather than continuously. By imaging at key stages (e.g., before and after specific cycle numbers or charge states), the system captures sufficient information to identify degradation trends while minimizing the total imaging time and resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method allows for accurate, non-destructive analysis of secondary battery deformation, enabling the determination of electrode assembly deformation without disassembling the battery, thus providing insights into degradation trends.

Implementation Method 1

obtaining a first image by performing computed tomography (CT) imaging on the secondary battery

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectComputed Tomography (CT) imaging: Tomography

Implementation Method 2

obtaining a first image by performing computed tomography (CT) imaging on the secondary battery

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectX-ray: X-Ray

Data Source

PatentEP4539198A1Deformation analysis device for secondary battery and method thereof
Publication Date: 2025.04.16 SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD
  • EP4539198A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4539198A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4539198A1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A method and device for analyzing deformation of a secondary battery having an electrode assembly with a tab received in a case, the deformation analysis method including obtaining a first image by performing computed tomography (CT) imaging on the secondary battery, calculating a first position of the tab from the first image, obtaining a number of charge and discharge cycles of the secondary battery after charging and discharging the secondary battery multiple times so that the secondary battery deteriorates, obtaining a second image by performing CT imaging on the secondary battery deteriorated, calculating a second position of the tab from the second image and determining that the electrode assembly is deformed if an amount of change between the first position and the second position is greater than a reference value.