Battery Cell Swelling Inspection Using Force-Amplifying Connection Frame

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery cell swelling inspection systems struggle to accurately detect swelling, especially when the force applied by the swelling is small, and may fail to evaluate conditions when the deformation force exceeds the elastic limit of the spring used.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus comprising a first and second plate, a fixing frame, a connection frame with a horizontal and vertical portion, and a pressure measuring element to amplify and measure the force applied by the swelling of the battery cell, allowing for precise detection of swelling even with small forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a spring-based detection system is used to measure battery swelling, then the system can detect volume changes, but the detection accuracy is insufficient when the volume change is too small to reach the measurable range of the strain gauge

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidmeasurable range

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the measurement from direct volume change detection to force amplification through a lever arm mechanism. The connection frame extends in the horizontal direction (another dimension) to amplify the vertical force applied by battery swelling, converting a difficult-to-measure small volume change into a measurable large horizontal displacement or force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The connection frame acts as an intermediary between the battery and the strain gauge. It transfers and amplifies the force from the battery swelling through its horizontal extension, allowing the strain gauge to measure the amplified force rather than the original small volume change directly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a spring-based system is used to detect battery swelling, then volume changes can be measured, but the system fails when the deformation force exceeds the elastic limit of the spring

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveevaluation capabilityVSAvoidelastic limit

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the spring-based elastic deformation system with a rigid connection frame structure. Instead of relying on spring elasticity, the system uses the rigid frame to transmit force directly to the strain gauge, eliminating the elastic limit constraint while maintaining the ability to measure swelling forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If the connection frame is made longer to amplify force, then small swelling forces can be detected, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforce amplificationVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connection frame serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for the second plate, acts as a lever arm for force amplification, and serves as the mounting structure for the strain gauge. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity while achieving force amplification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 apparatus effectively amplifies the force applied by the swelling, enabling precise determination of the presence and degree of swelling, while avoiding errors associated with large deformation forces.

Implementation Method 1

The connection frame may include a horizontal portion configured to be elongated in one direction... The magnitude of the force applied by the swelling of the battery cell may be amplified as much as the length of the horizontal portion of the connection frame

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Implementation Method 2

a pressure measuring element attached to the connection frame and configured to measure a deformation rate of the connection frame

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStrain measurement:

Data Source

PatentUS12298125B2Apparatus for inspecting swelling of battery cell

Publication Date: 2025.05.13 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

AI summary

Discussed is an apparatus for inspecting swelling of a battery cell, the apparatus including a first plate configured in a plate shape; a second plate configured in a plate shape and located to face the first plate to be spaced therefrom by a predetermined interval, the second plate being configured so that the battery cell is to be interposed between the first plate and the second plate; a fixing frame configured so that a portion of the first plate is fixedly coupled thereto; a connection frame having one end fixedly coupled to the second plate and another end fixedly coupled to the fixing frame; and a measuring element attached to the connection frame and configured to measure a deformation rate of the connection frame based on the swelling of the battery cell.