Battery Reject-Mark Detection and Automated Removal Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing battery manufacturing processes lack efficiency and incur high costs, time, and energy requirements, particularly in the sorting and removal of nonconforming battery products.

Innovation Solution

An automated battery manufacturing system comprising a detection unit, a transport unit, and a removal unit, which detects reject marks on battery products, automatically sorts them into approved and nonconforming categories, and removes nonconforming products, thereby increasing efficiency and reducing costs and energy consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If automated detection and removal systems are implemented, then productivity and efficiency are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into distinct functional modules: detection unit (with cameras and processors), transport unit (conveyors and robots), and removal unit (separation mechanisms). Each module operates independently but coordinates through a central control system, allowing for specialized optimization of each component while maintaining overall system productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Manual inspection and sorting operations are replaced with automated optical detection systems using cameras and image processing algorithms. The detection unit captures images of battery products and uses computer vision to identify reject marks, eliminating the need for human operators to visually inspect each product.

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

2Loss of time

If manual inspection and sorting of battery products is performed, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of time and productivity decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesorting timeVSAvoidmanufacturing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The transport unit continuously moves battery products through the detection and sorting process without interruption. Conveyors maintain constant motion, and the detection unit processes products in real-time as they pass, eliminating idle time between inspections and maintaining continuous production flow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-inspection and self-sorting without human intervention. The detection unit automatically identifies reject marks on battery products, and the removal unit autonomously separates defective products from the production line based on detection results, enabling the system to service itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If automated removal of nonconforming products is implemented, then productivity is improved, but use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesorting efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The removal unit extracts only the defective battery products from the production line based on detection results, rather than processing or moving all products. This selective removal minimizes energy consumption by focusing mechanical action only on items that require separation, while approved products continue along the main production flow without additional handling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4510259A1Battery manufacturing system and method
Publication Date: 2025.02.19 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4510259A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4510259A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4510259A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is an automated battery manufacturing system. The system comprises a detection unit, a removal unit and a transport unit. The detection unit detects a reject mark on a battery product. The removal unit removes the battery product. The transport unit transports the battery product to the detection unit and to transport the battery product to the removal unit in response to the detection unit detecting the reject mark on the battery product.