Flat Panel Detector Scintillator Thickness for Battery Defect Imaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery detection methods, particularly for larger batteries, suffer from low accuracy in detecting internal defects such as the gap and overhang of electrode plates due to insufficient precision, especially in corner regions and thick batteries.

Innovation Solution

A battery detection apparatus with a flat panel detector having a scintillator layer thickness optimized to ensure a density resolution less than 0.5%, combined with a radiation source and processor, to enhance detection accuracy and adapt to various battery sizes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual visual inspection is used to detect internal defects, then the detection method is simple, but the detection accuracy is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoiddetection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual visual inspection with an automated X-ray detection system. The radiation source emits X-rays that penetrate the battery, and the flat panel detector captures the transmitted radiation to generate images of internal structures. This substitution of mechanical/manual inspection with automated imaging technology significantly improves detection accuracy while maintaining manageable system complexity through standardized components.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces X-ray radiation as an intermediary to detect internal battery defects. The radiation penetrates through the battery housing and internal components, allowing visualization of electrode plates, separators, and other internal structures without direct physical contact or disassembly of the battery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If the scintillator layer thickness is increased to improve density resolution, then the density resolution improves, but the spatial resolution deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedensity resolutionVSAvoidspatial resolution
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the scintillator layer thickness to a specific range (0.3mm to 0.7mm) to achieve the best balance between density resolution and spatial resolution. This parameter optimization allows the detection system to resolve density differences as small as 0.5% while maintaining sufficient spatial detail to identify internal battery defects. The optimized thickness ensures adequate X-ray absorption for high contrast imaging without excessive blurring that would compromise spatial resolution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If the battery size is increased to meet application requirements, then the battery capacity increases, but the detection accuracy for internal defects decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery capacityVSAvoiddetection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adjusts the scintillator layer thickness parameter based on battery size and thickness. For larger batteries with greater thickness, the optimized scintillator thickness (0.3mm to 0.7mm) provides sufficient X-ray absorption and contrast enhancement to maintain detection accuracy. This parameter optimization compensates for the increased path length through larger batteries, ensuring consistent defect detection capability across different battery sizes and capacities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Improves the detection of internal defects in batteries by increasing the density and spatial resolution, enabling more precise recognition of electrode plate positions and states, thus enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of battery production.

Implementation Method 1

the flat panel detector includes a scintillator layer, and a thickness of the scintillator layer is greater than a first preset thickness, such that a density resolution of the flat panel detector is less than 0.5%

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScintillation: Scintillation

Implementation Method 2

the radiation source emits a detection radiation in a direction toward the battery to be detected

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectX-Ray: X-Ray

Data Source

PatentEP4671745A1Battery inspection apparatus, flat panel detector, and battery production device
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY CO LTD
  • EP4671745A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4671745A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4671745A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A battery inspection apparatus (400), a flat panel detector (430), and a battery production device. The battery inspection apparatus (400) comprises a bearing assembly (410), a ray source (420), and a flat panel detector (430); the bearing assembly (410) is used for bearing a battery under test (100), the ray source (420) is located at one end of the bearing assembly (410), and the direction in which a detection ray of the ray source (420) is emitted faces the battery under test (100); the flat panel detector (430) is located at the other end of the bearing assembly (410) distant from the ray source (420), the flat panel detector (430) is used for receiving a detection ray that is emitted by the ray source (420) and penetrates through the battery under test (100), the flat panel detector (430) comprises a scintillator layer (431), and the thickness of the scintillator layer (431) is greater than a first preset thickness, so that the density resolution of the flat panel detector (430) is less than 0.5%.