Gradient-Hardness Pressing Pad for Battery Cell Degassing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional pressing jigs with flat plates fail to evenly apply force, making it difficult to discharge gas from battery cells during the formation process, which can lead to defects.

Innovation Solution

A pressing jig with a pressing pad having regions with varying moduli and hardnesses, where the central region has higher modulus and hardness than the peripheral region, allowing for differential pressure application to facilitate gas discharge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a flat plate pressing jig is used, then the structure is simple, but the force is not evenly applied and gas discharge is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressing jig structureVSAvoidgas discharge efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The pressing pad is designed with spatially varying hardness: the central region has higher hardness (first hardness) while the peripheral region has lower hardness (second hardness). This local quality differentiation enables the central region to apply concentrated force for effective gas discharge, while the peripheral region provides gradual pressure transition to prevent electrolyte loss, thereby resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and gas discharge efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The pressing pad's physical parameter (hardness) is changed across different spatial locations. By implementing a hardness gradient from center to periphery, the system achieves differential pressure application that optimizes both gas discharge capability and electrolyte retention, solving the operational effectiveness problem without complicating the overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If uniform pressure is applied across the battery cell, then the pressing structure is simple, but gas in the central region is not effectively discharged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressing mechanismVSAvoidgas discharge completeness

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The pressing pad implements local quality variation through its non-uniform hardness distribution. The central region's higher hardness enables concentrated force application for effective gas bubble discharge from the battery cell center, while the peripheral region's lower hardness provides pressure transition. This resolves the contradiction by achieving complete gas discharge without requiring complex multi-zone pressing mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The pressing pad deliberately introduces asymmetry in its hardness distribution (symmetric in shape but asymmetric in material property distribution). This asymmetric hardness profile creates the necessary pressure gradient for effective gas discharge while maintaining overall structural symmetry and simplicity, thereby achieving manufacturing precision without device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

3Productivity

If high pressure is applied to discharge gas, then gas discharge is effective, but electrolyte solution is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas discharge rateVSAvoidelectrolyte solution loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The pressing pad's localized hardness variation creates a pressure distribution gradient: high pressure at the center for gas discharge, gradually transitioning to lower pressure at the periphery. This local quality differentiation enables effective gas discharge while preventing excessive pressure-induced electrolyte loss, resolving the contradiction between productivity and substance loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The softer peripheral region of the pressing pad acts as a cushion that prevents excessive pressure transmission to the battery cell edges. This beforehand cushioning effect protects the electrolyte solution from being squeezed out during the gas discharge process, while still allowing effective gas removal through the harder central region.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 jig effectively discharges gas during the formation process by applying higher pressure to the central region, reducing gas trapping and minimizing electrolyte loss.

Implementation Method 1

a pressing pad (140) which is included in at least one of the first and second plates (120, 130) and formed on a surface of the first and/or second plates (120, 130) contacting the battery cell (110). The pressing pad (140) includes a central region (141) and a peripheral region (142), and a modulus of the central region (141) is greater than a modulus of the peripheral region (142)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12500260B2Pressing jig with a gradient hardness pressing pad for a battery cell and a degassing method of battery cell using the same

Publication Date: 2025.12.16 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

AI summary

A pressing jig of a battery cell including a pressing pad, in which the modulus of the central region is different from the modulus of the peripheral region, and a method of degassing a battery cell using the same are provided. The pressing pad can easily discharge gas in the battery cell during the formation process of a battery cell by allowing higher pressure to be applied to the central region than the peripheral region.