Electrode Sheet Tab Profile Inspection for Fold and Damage Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for testing electrode sheets in batteries are inadequate for detecting abnormalities such as tab damage or folding, especially when tab heights change consecutively, which can affect the quality and safety of the battery.

Innovation Solution

A method and device for testing electrode sheets that acquire and analyze height data of tabs and non-tab regions at consecutive positions to determine abnormalities, using a sensor with a transmitting and receiving end to measure optical signals as the electrode sheet moves, allowing for high-accuracy detection of tab damage or folding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional testing methods are used, then the testing process is simple, but the detection accuracy for tab abnormalities is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidtesting process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the tab detection process into multiple measurement points along the tab length direction. By dividing the tab into multiple segments and measuring each segment's height separately, the system achieves comprehensive coverage of the entire tab structure, enabling accurate detection of localized abnormalities such as folding or damage that would be missed by single-point measurement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from single-point height measurement to multi-point spatial measurement by adding the dimension of position along the tab length. The testing device measures height at multiple consecutive positions, creating a profile of the tab's top surface that reveals shape abnormalities. This dimensional expansion transforms the detection capability from detecting only extreme deviations to identifying subtle shape changes throughout the tab structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple tabs with different heights are tested, then the adaptability of the testing method is improved, but the complexity of determining abnormal positions increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplicability to different tab heightsVSAvoiddata processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality analysis by comparing the height measurement at each position with its adjacent positions rather than using a uniform reference. The abnormal position determination unit identifies deviations by examining local height differences between consecutive measurement points. This local comparison approach naturally adapts to tabs of different absolute heights while consistently detecting relative shape abnormalities, eliminating the need for height-specific calibration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary data processing by calculating height differences between adjacent measurement points before making abnormality judgments. This preliminary calculation of differential height data simplifies the subsequent determination process, as the system only needs to identify positions where the height difference exceeds a threshold, rather than comparing each measurement against complex reference profiles for different tab types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 method and device enable timely detection of tab damage or folding with high accuracy, ensuring the quality and safety of the battery by identifying abnormalities in the electrode sheet shape and position, without additional hardware costs.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor with a transmitting and receiving end to measure optical signals as the electrode sheet moves

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical measurement: Light

Data Source

PatentEP4253946B1Method and device for testing electrode sheet
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY (HONG KONG) LIMITED
  • EP4253946B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4253946B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4253946B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present application provide a method (100) and a device (200) for testing an electrode sheet (221), the method (100) comprising: acquiring M pieces of test data of a tab (222), wherein the tab (222) protrudes from the end face (223) of the electrode sheet (221) along the first direction (X), the M pieces of test data are the test data of the tab (222) at M consecutive positions along the second direction (Y), the M pieces of test data are the test data of the height (H) of the tab (222) in the first direction (X), the second direction (Y) is perpendicular to the first direction (X), and M is a positive integer greater than 1; and determining whether the shape of the tab (222) is normal based on the M pieces of test data. The method (100) can effectively test tabs (222), and can be applied to cases where the heights (H) of multiple tabs (222) on the end face (223) of the electrode sheet (221) change consecutively, so as to test the shape of tabs (222) with different heights (H).