Secondary Battery Surface Inspection with Stable Horizontal Rotation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing secondary battery inspection systems struggle to precisely inspect the entire outer appearance, especially for larger and more complex battery shapes, leading to decreased stability and accuracy during transfer and inspection.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a transfer device, top and bottom inspecting device, side surface inspecting device, and rotating device that allows for precise inspection of the entire outer appearance of secondary batteries, including 3D cameras and mirrors to inspect curved surfaces, and a conveyor system to minimize shaking and improve stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the cylinder type secondary battery is gripped and rotated in an upright state for side surface inspection, then the side surface can be inspected, but the inspection accuracy decreases and stability decreases during transfer

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinspection accuracyVSAvoidstability during transfer
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional inspection approach by placing the inspection device on the side surface and rotating it horizontally rather than gripping and rotating the battery upright. This inversion allows the battery to remain in a stable horizontal position during transfer while the inspection device rotates to capture images of the entire side surface, thereby maintaining both stability and inspection accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Quantity of substance

If the size and capacity of the cylinder type secondary battery are increased, then the energy storage capability is improved, but the stability during transfer decreases and inspection accuracy decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery capacityVSAvoidstability during transfer
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the inspection system into multiple independent components: a stable conveyor for horizontal transfer, a rotating inspection device with multiple cameras for different sections, and a control system. This segmentation allows large-capacity batteries to be transferred stably on the conveyor while the segmented camera system inspects different portions of the battery surface independently, maintaining both stability and comprehensive inspection accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If the conventional inspection device is used without modification, then the device complexity is low, but the entire outer appearance cannot be precisely inspected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveouter appearance inspection precisionVSAvoidinspection device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal inspection device that can inspect the entire outer appearance of cylinder type secondary batteries through multi-functionality: the rotating inspection device with multiple cameras can capture images of the side surface, top surface, and bottom surface in one integrated system. This universal device replaces multiple separate inspection devices, achieving comprehensive inspection precision while managing complexity through integrated design

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

Data Source

PatentEP4403905B1System and method for inspecting outer appearance
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4403905B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4403905B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP4403905B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

The present invention relates to a system and method for inspecting an outer appearance of a secondary battery, and may precisely inspect the entire outer appearance of a secondary battery, minimize false inspection, and minimize shaking during the transfer of the secondary battery so as to improve stability. The present invention also relates to a system and method for inspecting an outer appearance of a secondary battery, which may improve accuracy of the outer appearance inspection of the secondary battery and minimize outer appearance defect. The outer appearance inspection system, which inspects an outer appearance of a secondary battery, according to the present invention includes a transfer device, which transfers the secondary battery according to an inspection position, a top and bottom inspecting device, which is disposed at a first inspection position and inspects an upper portion and a lower portion of the secondary battery, a side surface inspecting device, which is disposed at a second inspection position and inspects a side surface of the secondary battery and the secondary battery for swelling, and a rotating device which is disposed at the second inspection position and rotates the secondary battery, wherein the side surface inspecting device inspects the side surface of the secondary battery and the secondary battery for swelling in a state in which the secondary battery lies on the transfer device.