Cylindrical Cell Electrolyte Impregnation With Beading Fixing and Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrolyte impregnation methods for cylindrical battery cells often result in uneven distribution, with residual electrolyte gathering at the bottom and inadequate impregnation at the top, affecting the lifespan and capacity of the battery.

Innovation Solution

An electrolyte impregnation device with a battery cell fixing device comprising holder units and a rotator, which includes a holder body and beading fixing unit to securely attach to the battery cell, and a vibration source to enhance impregnation through rotation and vibration, ensuring uniform distribution of electrolyte across the electrode assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a battery cell is fixed to a container using a fixing device, then the battery cell is securely positioned, but the electrolyte may leak through gaps between the fixing device and battery cell

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixing reliabilityVSAvoidelectrolyte leakage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A flexible sealing ring made of elastic material is introduced between the fixing device and battery cell. The sealing ring deforms under compression to fill gaps and prevent electrolyte leakage, while maintaining the secure positioning function of the fixing device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing ring acts as an intermediary element between the fixing device and battery cell. It mediates the interface by providing a sealing function that prevents harmful electrolyte leakage while allowing the fixing device to maintain its positioning function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a sealing ring is added to prevent electrolyte leakage, then sealing performance improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing ring is implemented as a simple elastic O-ring or similar flexible element, which provides effective sealing with minimal structural complexity. The elastic material naturally deforms to seal gaps without requiring complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing ring is designed as a simple, inexpensive component that can be easily replaced if needed. This approach prioritizes functional reliability over long-term durability, allowing for simple maintenance by replacing the sealing ring rather than the entire fixing device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of manufacture

If the fixing device structure is simplified for ease of manufacture, then manufacturing cost decreases, but positioning precision of the battery cell deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidpositioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic sealing ring compensates for positioning variations by deforming to fit around the battery cell. This allows the fixing device to have simpler, less precise manufacturing tolerances while still achieving secure and accurate positioning through the compliant sealing element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing ring's elastic properties allow it to adapt to slight variations in battery cell dimensions and positioning. By utilizing the material's elastic deformation capability, the system tolerates manufacturing variations without requiring high-precision fixing device components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4254578B1Electrolyte impregnation device
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4254578B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4254578B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4254578B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A battery cell fixing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plurality of holder units coupled to a cylindrical battery cell along an outer circumference of the cylindrical battery cell, and each of the plurality of holder units includes a holder body configured to cover a part of the outer circumference of the cylindrical battery cell; and a beading fixing unit configured to protrude toward the cylindrical battery cell from the holder body and to be inserted into a beading portion that is formed by pressing-in the outer circumference of the cylindrical battery cell.