Battery Cell Formation Pressing to Prevent Bending

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery cell manufacturing methods require a separate manual press process to address the bending phenomenon, which is inefficient and difficult to completely restore the battery cell to its original state, leading to process inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A battery cell manufacturing method involving a battery cell assembling step, pre-aging, first and second formation steps with specific temperature and pressure conditions, and an aging step to prevent bending without manual press, enhancing adhesive forces through controlled pressing and temperature adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a separate manual press process is performed to address cell bending, then the cell bending phenomenon can be corrected, but the process efficiency decreases and the cell cannot be completely restored to its original state

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell shape uniformityVSAvoidprocess efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing a press process during the formation step before aging, rather than after cell bending occurs. This preventive pressing ensures uniform adhesive force between the separator and electrodes, preventing cell bending from occurring in the first place, thereby eliminating the need for subsequent corrective manual press operations and maintaining high production efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements self-service by having the formation process itself serve the dual function of both forming the battery and preventing cell bending. The pressing operation is integrated into the formation step, allowing the system to self-correct potential bending issues without requiring separate manual intervention, thus maintaining productivity while ensuring manufacturing precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Manufacturing precision

If a separate press process is performed after cell bending occurs, then some correction can be achieved, but complete restoration to the original state becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell shape uniformityVSAvoidcell restoration completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs pressing during the formation step before aging occurs, which is the preliminary action that prevents cell bending from developing. By applying pressure while the adhesive material is still in its formation stage, the uniform adhesive force is established before any bending can occur, ensuring complete prevention rather than incomplete post-correction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If a manual press process is added to correct cell bending, then the bending issue can be addressed, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell shape uniformityVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the pressing operation with the formation process by performing both operations during the same time period (the formation step). This combination eliminates the need for separate pressing equipment and operations, maintaining simple device complexity while achieving the manufacturing precision needed to prevent cell bending

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 battery cell bending effectively, maintains process efficiency, and avoids complications from manual pressing, ensuring uniform adhesive forces and stable electrolyte distribution.

Implementation Method 1

enhancing adhesive forces through controlled pressing and temperature adjustments

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

a pre-aging step of storing the battery cell at a first temperature; an aging step of storing the pressed battery cell at a second temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal energy: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP4693576A1Battery cell manufacturing method
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4693576A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4693576A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4693576A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A battery cell manufacturing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: a battery cell assembling step of mounting an electrode assembly in a housing section of a battery case, with the electrode assembly comprising a positive electrode, a positive electrode, and a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode; a pre-aging step of storing the battery cell at a first temperature; a first formation step of charging and discharging the battery cell; a second formation step of only pressing the charged and discharged battery cell; and an aging step of storing the pressed battery cell at a second temperature, wherein the second temperature is in a range equal to or higher than the first temperature.