Electrode Tab Geometry for Automated Folding and Alignment Inspection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing secondary battery electrode assemblies face challenges in accurately inspecting tab folding and alignment without disassembly, leading to potential internal short circuits and quality control issues during manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
The electrode assembly features tabs with through holes and inclined portions forming specific angles, allowing for visual inspection and measurement of inner surface areas to determine tab folding and alignment without disassembly, enabling automatic detection of defects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual inspection is used to check tab folding and alignment, then inspection accuracy can be maintained, but inspection efficiency and productivity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical inspection with an automated optical inspection system using cameras and image processing algorithms. The system captures images of the electrode assembly and automatically detects tab folding and alignment defects through digital image analysis, eliminating the need for manual visual inspection while maintaining high accuracy and significantly improving inspection efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy (image) of the electrode assembly's tab region and performs inspection on this copy rather than requiring direct physical inspection. By capturing images and analyzing them through computer vision algorithms, the system can inspect multiple assemblies simultaneously and automatically, improving both accuracy and productivity
2Ease of operation
If the electrode assembly structure is simplified for easier inspection, then inspection ease is improved, but manufacturing precision and reliability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by adding inspection-specific features (through holes and inclined portions) only to the tab regions that require inspection, rather than simplifying the entire electrode assembly structure. The through holes provide reference points for alignment detection, and the inclined portions create distinctive image patterns for folding detection, enabling easy automated inspection without compromising the overall manufacturing precision of the battery assembly
3Measurement precision
If through holes and inclined portions are added to tabs for inspection purposes, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the tab structure into distinct functional regions: the through holes serve as reference markers for alignment measurement, the inclined portions provide geometric features for folding detection, and the remaining tab area maintains its original function for electrical connection. This segmentation allows each feature to serve its specific inspection purpose while keeping the overall structure manageable and the manufacturing process straightforward
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to an electrode assembly and an inspection method therefor, whereby tab folding and alignment of an electrode may be accurately checked. The electrode assembly, according to one embodiment, has a structure in which at least one unit cell is laminated, the unit cell having a structure of a first electrode/a separator/a second electrode/a separator/a third electrode, wherein the first electrode and the third electrode may each comprise a tab protruding toward the outer periphery of one side, and the second electrode may comprise a tab protruding toward the outer periphery of the other side facing the one side. In addition, the first electrode tab and the third electrode tab each have: a through-hole formed in a corner on one side; and a slanted section formed on a corner on the other side so as to form a predetermined angle with respect to an imaginary extension line formed by extending, among the outer peripheries of the respective tabs, mutually adjacent outer peripheries on both sides, wherein the through-hole of the first electrode tab and the slanted section of the third electrode tab may be disposed so as to overlap.