Battery Cell Leak Detection Using Vacuum Swelling and TVOC Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods fail to precisely and efficiently inspect battery cell leaks, particularly in secondary batteries used for mobile devices and electric vehicles, as they lack effective means to detect damage to the exterior material leading to pressure changes and gas leakage.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method utilizing a vacuum chamber with controlled pressure differences and sensors to measure thickness changes and volatile organic compound concentrations, determining leaks by comparing before-vacuum and after-vacuum thickness and gas composition, allowing for precise identification of defective battery cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional inspection methods are used, then the inspection process is simple, but the detection precision of battery cell leaks is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection system is divided into multiple independent functional modules: vacuum chamber module, thickness measurement module, gas composition analysis module, and control module. Each module performs a specific function, allowing the complex inspection process to be broken down into manageable segments that can be independently optimized and maintained.
Solution Approach 2:
A vacuum chamber is introduced as an intermediary environment to isolate the battery cell from atmospheric pressure. This creates a controlled testing environment where pressure differential effects can be observed without external interference, enabling more precise detection of leakage characteristics.
2Measurement precision
If multiple measurement parameters are used, then the leak detection accuracy is improved, but the inspection time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs thickness measurements and gas composition analysis continuously during the vacuum chamber pressurization and depressurization cycles. Rather than performing separate measurements at different times, multiple parameters are captured simultaneously throughout the dynamic pressure changes, maximizing information gathering within the available inspection time window.
Solution Approach 2:
Baseline thickness measurements are taken before vacuum application, and baseline gas composition is recorded before introducing test gases. This preliminary data establishes reference values that enable rapid comparison and decision-making during the actual leak detection phase, reducing the time needed for analysis.
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
Enables precise and efficient detection of battery cell leaks by calculating thickness differences and analyzing gas composition, effectively identifying defective cells through controlled pressure changes and sensor measurements.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum chamber (100) that sets a receiving space (G) to a controlled pressure different from an external pressure
Implementation Method 2
a thickness measuring sensor (TS) that measures a before-vacuum thickness of the battery cell and measures an after-vacuum thickness of the battery cell
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and a method for inspecting a leak of a battery cell are provided. An apparatus for inspecting a battery cell leak to inspect whether a battery cell leaks includes: a vacuum chamber including an upper chamber and a lower chamber and configured to set a receiving space to a controlled pressure different from an external first pressure, the upper chamber and the lower chamber being arranged to face each other with the receiving space for a battery cell therebetween and providing sealing for the receiving space; a vacuum pipe valve fluidly connected to the receiving space for the battery cell to set the receiving space to a second pressure less than the first pressure; and a thickness measuring sensor configured to measure a before-vacuum thickness of the battery cell under the first pressure and measure an after-vacuum thickness of the battery cell under the second pressure.According to the present disclosure, an apparatus and a method for inspecting a battery cell leak, capable of easily and precisely capturing damage to an exterior material of a battery cell are provided.