Battery Cell Welding Mask With Insertion Guide for Laser Access
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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 tool insertion or impurities, and require effective purging to prevent oxygen atmosphere and impurity interference.
Innovation Solution
A welding mask with a laser passage portion and insertion guide that protects the electrode assembly from laser-induced damage and impurities, while a gas guider and suction portion facilitate purging gas injection and impurity removal.
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 between the inner wall of the winding center hole and the laser or by impurities
Solution Approach 1:
A protective sleeve is introduced as an intermediary component that passes through the winding center hole of the electrode assembly. The sleeve has a laser-transparent portion that allows the laser to pass through while protecting the electrode assembly from direct contact with the laser. The sleeve also prevents impurities from adhering to the inner wall of the winding center hole, thus resolving the contradiction between welding accessibility and protection of the electrode assembly.
2Ease of operation
If a tool for welding is inserted through the winding center hole of the electrode assembly, then welding of the object at the closed portion is enabled, but the electrode assembly may be damaged by interference between the inner wall of the winding center hole and the tool
Solution Approach 1:
The protective sleeve serves as a mediator between the welding tool and the electrode assembly. It allows the welding tool to access the object at the closed portion while preventing direct contact and interference with the electrode assembly's winding center hole, thus enabling welding capability without causing damage.
3Productivity
If impurities such as weld spatter and welding fumes scatter to the inner wall of the electrode assembly, then welding process is completed, but physical damage may occur to the electrode assembly and metal impurities may cause an internal short circuit
Solution Approach 1:
The protective sleeve acts as a barrier that prevents weld spatter and welding fumes from adhering to the inner wall of the electrode assembly's winding center hole. By capturing impurities on its surface instead, the sleeve protects the electrode assembly from physical damage and prevents metal impurities from causing internal short circuits, thus maintaining electrode assembly integrity while completing the welding process.
4Ease of operation
If the welding tip of the ultrasonic welding horn is extended to reach the closed portion, then welding of the object is enabled, but the welding tip may be bent or broken
Solution Approach 1:
The protective sleeve serves as a guide and support structure that allows the welding tip to reach the closed portion without excessive extension. The sleeve provides a stable pathway that reduces lateral forces and vibrations on the welding tip, thereby preventing bending or breaking while maintaining welding capability.
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 electrode assembly damage and maintains a controlled atmosphere during laser welding, ensuring smooth and efficient welding processes.
Implementation Method 1
a laser passage portion (111) configured to allow a laser emitted into a housing (220) of a battery cell (200) to pass therethrough
Implementation Method 2
it is necessary to remove the oxygen atmosphere at or near the object 3 during laser welding. Accordingly, there is a need for an approach to easily feed a purging gas into or near the object to remove the oxygen atmosphere during laser welding
Implementation Method 3
there is a need for an approach to properly remove impurities occurring in laser welding
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
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.