Copper Dust Image Analysis for Faster Battery Electrode Inspection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for detecting and analyzing metal dusts in secondary battery manufacturing facilities are time-consuming, inaccurate, and lack a standardized approach for quantifying copper-based dusts, which can lead to performance deterioration and safety issues due to dendrite formation.

Innovation Solution

A copper-based dust analysis system and method using a digital microscope and central processing device for color-corrected image processing, combined with Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) for automated detection and quantification of copper-based dusts, enabling rapid and accurate identification and analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional methods (SEM or XRF) are used to detect and analyze metal dusts, then detection capability is achieved, but analysis time becomes very long and the procedure becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust detection capabilityVSAvoidanalysis time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the necessary detection function from complex conventional methods. By using a digital microscope with color-corrected imaging, the system isolates the essential detection capability while eliminating time-consuming procedures like tape capture, SEM imaging, and XRF analysis, achieving rapid copper-based dust detection without compromising detection capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical and complex analytical systems (SEM, XRF) with an optical system (digital microscope with color correction). This substitution enables rapid identification of copper-based dusts through color analysis, eliminating the need for complex mechanical procedures and lengthy analysis times while maintaining detection accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If conventional methods are used to detect metal dusts, then detection is possible, but the metal composition identification becomes unclear and size measurement becomes inaccurate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust detection capabilityVSAvoidmetal composition clarity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies color correction processing to enhance the visual distinction of copper-based dusts from other materials. By adjusting color channels in the digital microscope images, copper-based dusts are highlighted with enhanced color contrast, enabling clear identification of metal composition and accurate size measurement without information loss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If standardized detection methods are not established, then various dusts can be detected, but selective detection and quantification of copper-based dusts cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust detection scopeVSAvoidcopper-based dust quantification accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality enhancement through color correction specifically targeted at copper-based dusts. The system processes images with enhanced color contrast that highlights copper-based materials while maintaining the ability to detect other dust types, enabling both broad detection scope and precise copper-based dust quantification through standardized color analysis

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

The system provides a standardized, efficient, and reliable method for detecting and quantifying copper-based dusts, reducing analysis time and improving the quality of electrodes by minimizing the risk of internal short circuits and failures.

Implementation Method 1

a digital microscope configured to generate respective images of a specimen and a reference specimen, and to convert the images into digitized image signals

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

The component analysis part may be configured for component analysis by Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy: Laser Ablation

Data Source

PatentEP4726374A1System and method for analyzing copper-based foreign material
Publication Date: 2026.04.15 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4726374A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4726374A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4726374A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed herein relates to a copper-based dust analysis system according to the present disclosure including: a digital microscope configured to generate respective images of a specimen and a reference specimen, and to convert the images into digitized image signals; and a central processing device configured to process the digitized image signals transmitted from the digital microscope to generate image data, and to detect a copper-based dust in the image data of the specimen based on the reference data comprising image information of the copper-based dust, wherein the central processing device is configured to color-correctly process the image of the specimen and the image of the reference specimen, respectively, to distinguish the copper-based dust and the other material based on color.