Simultaneous Battery Pouch Inspection Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for inspecting secondary battery cell pouches are inefficient and unreliable, particularly in detecting internal separator damage, due to limitations in accuracy and the need for individual inspection of each pouch, which can lead to internal short circuits and reduced quality.

Innovation Solution

A device for simultaneously inspecting multiple secondary battery cell pouches, featuring a support member, movable member, pressing panels, and a current inspection unit, which applies voltage and measures current to determine defects, with an electrode module for surface contact with electrode terminals and a compact design to minimize space requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If individual inspection is performed for each pouch-type battery cell by hand, then measurement precision can be maintained, but productivity is significantly low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinspection accuracyVSAvoidinspection efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple inspection functions into a single integrated device that can simultaneously inspect multiple pouch-type battery cells. The device merges loading, pressing, and measurement functions into one system, allowing parallel inspection of multiple cells rather than sequential hand inspection, thereby significantly improving productivity while maintaining measurement precision through automated measurement mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The inspection device is designed with multi-functionality to handle various inspection tasks simultaneously. It can inspect multiple pouch-type battery cells at once, perform both mechanical pressing and electrical measurement functions, and accommodate different cell configurations, thus improving overall inspection efficiency without compromising accuracy.

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

2Measurement precision

If separate lower and upper supports are used for inspection, then measurement precision can be achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsulation measurement accuracyVSAvoidsupport structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the lower support and upper pressing mechanism into an integrated structure where the upper pressing unit also serves as the measurement probe holder. This combination reduces the number of separate components while maintaining the functional separation needed for accurate insulation measurement, thereby reducing device complexity without sacrificing measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If multiple pouches are inspected simultaneously, then productivity increases, but measurement precision may deteriorate due to interference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinspection efficiencyVSAvoiddefect detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The inspection device divides the inspection space into separate measurement zones for each pouch-type battery cell. Each cell has its own dedicated pressing panels and measurement probes, ensuring that simultaneous inspection of multiple cells does not cause electrical interference or cross-contamination, thereby maintaining measurement precision while achieving high productivity through parallel inspection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Measurement precision

If hand inspection is performed for each pouch, then measurement precision can be maintained, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedefect inspection accuracyVSAvoidinspection time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The inspection device enables continuous automated inspection of multiple pouch-type battery cells without the interruptions inherent in hand inspection. The automated system can continuously load, press, and measure multiple cells in sequence or parallel, eliminating idle time between inspections and significantly reducing total inspection time while maintaining precision through consistent automated measurement protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful 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

The device enables quick and accurate inspection of multiple secondary battery cell pouches, increasing reliability and efficiency while minimizing space, effectively detecting separator damage and preventing internal short circuits.

Implementation Method 1

a pressing panel (130) installed in parallel between the support member (110) and the movable member (120)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical pressure: Compression

Implementation Method 2

a current inspection unit configured to apply a voltage and measure its current

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP3683589B1Simultaneous inspection device of multiple secondary battery cell pouches
Publication Date: 2023.03.29 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP3683589B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3683589B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3683589B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a simultaneous inspection device of multiple secondary battery cell pouches, the simultaneous inspection device comprising: a support member installed for support; a movable member installed to face the support member; multiple pressing panels which are installed side by side between the support member and the movable member, and combined so that the gap between them can be adjusted by the back and forth movement of the movable member wherein the secondary battery cell pouches are inserted into each gap; a guide member for guiding the pressing panels to move in the direction necessary for adjusting the gaps; and a pressure driving unit for moving the movable member back and forth to pressurize and pressure-release the secondary battery cell pouch between the pressurizing panels on both sides.