Battery Cell Jig Spacing for Swelling-Safe Charge Discharge

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional devices for charging and discharging secondary batteries face issues with electrode lead disconnection due to swelling during the charge and discharge process, leading to capacity reduction and safety hazards.

Innovation Solution

A device with adjustable jigs that include an interval adjusting member to increase the gap between jig blocks when abnormal conditions are detected, using a fluid pressure system to maintain electrical connection and prevent disconnection, and a sensor unit to monitor temperature, current, and voltage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a conventional battery charger is used, then the battery cell can be charged, but the charger cannot detect internal resistance and thus cannot determine the actual remaining capacity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracy of remaining capacityVSAvoidcharger structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The battery charger is designed to perform multiple functions: it not only charges the battery cell but also detects its internal resistance and determines the remaining capacity based on the detected internal resistance. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by enabling accurate remaining capacity detection without requiring a separate dedicated device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The charger uses an alternating current as an intermediary to indirectly measure the internal resistance of the battery cell. By applying AC and measuring the voltage drop, the charger can calculate internal resistance without directly measuring it, thereby determining remaining capacity through this intermediary measurement process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the charger applies high current to charge the battery cell quickly, then charging speed increases, but the battery cell temperature rises excessively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging speedVSAvoidbattery cell temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The charger incorporates temperature detection capability and uses the detected temperature information as feedback to adjust the charging current. When the battery cell temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold, the charger automatically reduces or stops the charging current, thereby preventing excessive temperature rise while maintaining efficient charging when conditions permit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the charger continuously monitors battery status to ensure safety, then reliability improves, but energy consumption and operation time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging safetyVSAvoidcharger energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The battery charger utilizes the battery cell itself as the power source for its own operation during charging. The charger draws the necessary energy to perform monitoring, control, and communication functions from the battery cell being charged, thereby minimizing additional energy consumption and avoiding the need for a separate power supply while maintaining continuous safety monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Prevents electrode lead disconnection and safety accidents by dynamically adjusting the interval between jig blocks based on real-time battery cell conditions, ensuring stable charging and discharging processes.

Implementation Method 1

applying an alternating current to a battery cell to thereby detect internal resistance of the battery cell

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical resistance measurement: Electrical Resistance

Implementation Method 2

a battery charger for charging a lithium-ion battery cell, and a discharge method applicable to a lithium-ion battery cell

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrochemical energy storage: Battery (electricity)

Data Source

PatentEP4071961B1Device for charging and discharging battery cell and method for charging and discharging battery cell using the same
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4071961B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4071961B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4071961B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present technology relates to a device for charging and discharging a battery cell, and a method of charging and discharging a battery cell using the same, and according to the present technology, it is possible to prevent disconnection of an electrode lead or other safety accidents during the charge and discharge process of the battery cell by including an interval adjusting member for controlling the interval between the first and second jig blocks.