Battery Swelling Inspection Frame for Small Deformation Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery inspection systems fail to accurately detect swelling due to limitations in measuring small deformations and exceeding elastic limits, leading to reduced detection accuracy and system failure.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus comprising a first and second plate with a connection frame and pressure measuring element that amplifies and measures deformation rates by using a bent connection frame with a horizontal and vertical portion, allowing precise detection of battery swelling through a pressure measuring unit and control unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

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

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswelling detection accuracyVSAvoidmeasurability of small deformation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the measurement from direct linear displacement to rotational angle measurement. The connection frame converts the small linear deformation of the spring into a rotational movement of the pointer on the scale, amplifying the measurable quantity and enabling detection of very small volume changes that would be below the strain gauge's measurement threshold.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The connection frame acts as an intermediary mechanism between the spring and the measurement scale. It translates the elastic deformation of the spring into a rotational displacement that can be read on the scale, serving as a mechanical amplifier that bridges the gap between the small spring deformation and the measurable pointer displacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a spring-based system is used to evaluate battery swelling, then the system can measure volume change, but the system fails when the deformation force exceeds the elastic limit of the spring

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveevaluation capability rangeVSAvoidspring elastic limit
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

By converting linear spring deformation into rotational pointer movement, the system extends its reliable measurement range. The rotational scale can accommodate larger displacements without exceeding material elastic limits, allowing the system to reliably evaluate both small and large battery swelling conditions that would otherwise overload a direct spring-strain gauge configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Measurement precision

If a direct strain gauge measurement on the battery is used, then the measurement is straightforward, but the measurement accuracy is insufficient for small volume changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesmall deformation detection accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a mechanical lever system where the connection frame acts as a lever arm, converting small linear displacements into larger rotational arc movements. This dimensional transformation from linear to rotational measurement space provides mechanical amplification, enabling high-precision detection of small battery volume changes without requiring complex electronic sensor systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 enables precise detection of battery swelling by amplifying small forces, minimizing measurement errors, and determining swelling presence and degree accurately across various battery types.

Implementation Method 1

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 amplification: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentEP4075565B1Apparatus for inspecting swelling of battery cell
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4075565B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4075565B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4075565B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

An apparatus for inspecting swelling of a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes 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 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 the other end fixedly coupled to the fixing frame; and a pressure measuring element attached to the connection frame and configured to measure a deformation rate of the connection frame.