Battery Cell Welding Mask for Laser Purging and Electrode Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing welding methods for battery cells, such as ultrasonic and laser welding, cause damage to the electrode assembly due to interference with the welding tool or impurities, and require effective purging and impurity removal during laser welding.
Innovation Solution
A welding mask with a laser passage portion and insertion guide that protects the electrode assembly from laser-induced damage and facilitates purging gas injection and impurity removal during laser welding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If laser welding is used to weld the object disposed at the closed portion of the battery can, then welding accessibility is improved, but the electrode assembly may be damaged by contact with the laser or impurities
Solution Approach 1:
A protective cover is introduced as an intermediary component between the laser and the electrode assembly. The cover allows the laser to pass through and weld the object at the closed portion while preventing direct contact between the laser and the electrode assembly, thus eliminating the harmful effect while maintaining welding accessibility
Solution Approach 2:
The protective cover is designed as a disposable component that is used only during the welding process. After welding, the cover is removed and discarded, eliminating the need for complex removal mechanisms and reducing overall system complexity while effectively protecting the electrode assembly during the critical welding operation
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a protective cover is added to prevent damage to the electrode assembly, then protection effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cover is designed as a simple, disposable component that is introduced temporarily during welding and then discarded. This approach provides effective protection without requiring complex mechanisms for installation, adjustment, or removal, thus maintaining low device complexity while achieving high protection effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The protective function is extracted as a separate, independent component (the protective cover) rather than integrating it into the welding system itself. This allows the welding system to remain simple while the protective function is provided by a separate, easily removable element that can be introduced and discarded as needed
3Reliability
If purging gas is fed into the battery cell to remove oxygen atmosphere, then welding quality is improved, but gas injection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cover is designed to serve multiple functions: it protects the electrode assembly from laser damage, guides the purging gas to the welding location, and prevents impurities from contaminating the weld area. By combining these functions into a single component, the gas injection system complexity is minimized while welding quality is improved
Solution Approach 2:
The protective cover merges the protective function with the gas guidance function into a single integrated component. The cover includes gas inlet ports that directly channel the purging gas to the welding area, eliminating the need for separate gas injection mechanisms and reducing overall system complexity while ensuring proper gas flow for high-quality welding
4Ease of operation
If the welding tip is extended to reach the closed portion through the winding center hole, then welding accessibility is improved, but the welding tip may be bent or broken
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cover acts as an intermediary that enables welding at the closed portion without requiring the welding tip to be extended through the winding center hole. The cover allows the laser to access the welding location from the outside, eliminating the need for a long, vulnerable welding tip and thus preserving welding tip strength while maintaining welding accessibility
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
Prevents damage to the electrode assembly, maintains a controlled atmosphere, and effectively removes impurities during laser welding, ensuring smooth and reliable welding processes.
Implementation Method 1
a laser passage portion configured to allow a laser emitted into a housing of a battery cell to pass therethrough
Implementation Method 2
an insertion guide having a hollow structure, connected to the laser passage portion, and configured to be inserted into a winding center hole of an electrode assembly received in the housing
Implementation Method 3
the welding mask body configured to cover an open portion on a side of the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A welding mask according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a welding mask body having a laser passage portion configured to allow a laser emitted into a housing of a battery cell to pass therethrough, the welding mask body configured to cover an open portion on a side of the housing; and an insertion guide having a hollow structure, connected to the laser passage portion, and configured to be inserted into a winding center hole of an electrode assembly received in the housing.