Cell Tab Tension Measurement During Lead Bending

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies lack a device to measure the tension applied to the tab of a cell, which can lead to disconnection during bending, especially in pouch type batteries.

Innovation Solution

A tab tension measuring device and method that uses a pair of jigs to fix the tab and bending dies to bend the lead, incorporating a tension meter to measure the applied tension and prevent disconnection by comparing it to a predefined limit value.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a lead of a cell is bent to arrange cells on a bus bar, then the cells can be arranged and connected, but tension is applied to the tab which may result in disconnection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell arrangementVSAvoidtab connection
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by measuring the tab tension before the bending process occurs. The tension measurement device is positioned to detect tension in real-time during the bending operation, allowing the process to be monitored and adjusted before tab disconnection can occur. This preventive measurement approach enables the manufacturing process to proceed safely while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If tension measurement is implemented to prevent tab disconnection, then tab reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional measurement equipment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetab connectionVSAvoidmeasurement device
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a tension measurement device that acts as a mediator between the bending process and the tab connection. This device includes a support structure with a sensor that indirectly measures tab tension without interfering with the bending operation. The intermediary measurement system provides reliability information while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Volume of moving object

If the lead is bent at a sharp angle to save space, then the device footprint is reduced, but the tension on the tab increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice footprintVSAvoidtab tension
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the bending process controllable and adjustable rather than fixed. The tension measurement device provides real-time feedback that allows the bending angle and force to be dynamically adjusted. This enables optimization of the bending geometry to achieve acceptable space utilization while keeping tab tension within safe limits through active control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by using the tension measurement device to monitor tab tension during the bending process. The measured tension information can be fed back to control the bending operation, allowing adjustment of bending parameters to maintain tension below disconnection thresholds. This closed-loop approach enables space-efficient designs while preventing tab failure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4280371B1Cell tab tension measurement device and cell tab tension measurement method
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4280371B1 patent drawingFigure 1(A)~1(B)
  • EP4280371B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

An embodiment of the present invention provides a tab tension measuring device of a cell including a tab and a lead connected to the tab, including: a pair of jigs fixing the tab; a pair of bending dies bending the lead; and a tension meter connected to the cell to measure the tension applied to the tab when the lead is bent.