Battery Cell Vibration Removal of Formation Gas Traps

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing manufacturing process for cylindrical lithium secondary batteries is hindered by gas traps formed during the formation process, which prevent complete impregnation of the electrode assembly with electrolyte and lead to lithium precipitation, requiring lengthy aging processes that delay production and may not fully remove the gas traps, reducing process reliability.

Innovation Solution

A gas trap removing device is employed that applies vibration to the battery cell receiving unit, specifically charging the battery to a state of charge between 15% and 20% and supporting it in a liquid medium, using ultrasonic waves or physical impacts to efficiently remove gas traps within the electrode assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a lengthy aging process is used to remove gas traps, then gas trap removal effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing time increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas trap removal effectivenessVSAvoidmanufacturing speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies vibration to the electrode assembly during the formation process to actively remove gas traps. The vibration mechanism causes the gas bubbles to move and be discharged from the electrode assembly, replacing the need for lengthy passive aging processes. This mechanical intervention directly addresses gas trap removal while maintaining production efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

2Productivity

If gas traps are not removed, then manufacturing time is reduced, but lithium precipitation occurs and reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing speedVSAvoidbattery performance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration treatment is applied during the formation process before the battery is completed and before lithium precipitation can occur. This preliminary action removes gas traps proactively, preventing the harmful effects of lithium precipitation while maintaining fast manufacturing speeds. The gas trap removal is performed at the optimal time window during formation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If conventional formation process is used without vibration, then process complexity is low, but gas traps remain and cause lithium precipitation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocess simplicityVSAvoidelectrode assembly impregnation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A vibration mechanism is integrated into the formation process to actively remove gas traps from the electrode assembly. The vibration causes gas bubbles to detach and be discharged, ensuring complete electrolyte impregnation of the electrode assembly. This addition of mechanical vibration, while increasing device complexity, solves the fundamental problem of gas trap accumulation that conventional processes cannot address.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

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

This method significantly reduces the time required for manufacturing by effectively removing gas traps, enhancing process reliability and preventing issues like lithium precipitation, while minimizing the risk of electrode assembly short-circuiting.

Implementation Method 1

using ultrasonic waves or physical impacts to efficiently remove gas traps within the electrode assembly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrasonic vibration: Ultrasonic Vibration

Implementation Method 2

a vibration applying unit for applying vibration to the battery cell receiving unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP3293804B1Method of gas trap removal for manufacture of battery cell using vibration
Publication Date: 2025.01.15 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP3293804B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3293804B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3293804B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides a device for removing gas trap in a spare battery cell generated in a formation process during a process of manufacturing the battery cell, wherein the device is a gas trap removing device for manufacturing a battery cell, including: a battery cell receiving unit into which the spare battery cell is received; and a vibration applying unit for applying vibration to the battery cell receiving unit, in a state where the spare battery cell is received into the battery cell receiving unit.