Heated Pouch Cup Molding for Deeper Battery Cell Cavities

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pouch molding apparatuses fail to adequately increase the depth and capacity of the cup part in pouch-type secondary batteries, limiting the moldability of the pouch film.

Innovation Solution

A pouch molding apparatus and method that includes a die with a recessed groove and a punch with pressing parts that apply heat and pressure to deform the pouch film, ensuring a larger clearance and improved moldability of the cup part.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a conventional pouch molding apparatus is used, then the molding process is simple, but the depth and capacity of the cup part are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedepth and capacity of cup partVSAvoidmolding process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The molding process is divided into two distinct stages: first molding to form the basic cup shape, and then clearance forming to create the final deep cup part with adequate clearance. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized independently, achieving deep molding without excessive overall process complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first molding process performs preliminary shaping of the pouch film into a cup form before the clearance forming process. This preliminary action prepares the workpiece for the subsequent deep molding operation, enabling the final process to achieve the required depth and clearance without starting from a flat sheet.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If the clearance in the pouch molding process is reduced, then the depth and capacity of the cup part increase, but the moldability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedepth and capacity of cup partVSAvoidmoldability of pouch film
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The molding process is divided into two distinct stages: first molding to form the basic cup shape, and then clearance forming to create the final deep cup part with adequate clearance. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized independently, achieving deep molding without excessive overall process complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the molding parameters between two stages: the first molding uses parameters suitable for basic cup formation, while the clearance forming process uses different parameters (reduced clearance, adjusted pressure and temperature) optimized for deep molding. This parameter change enables deep cup formation without compromising the overall manufacturability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If the clearance forming process is added, then the capacity and depth molding are improved, but the molding time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapacity and depth of cup partVSAvoidmolding cycle time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The molding process is divided into two distinct stages: first molding to form the basic cup shape, and then clearance forming to create the final deep cup part with adequate clearance. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized independently, achieving deep molding without excessive overall process complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first molding process performs preliminary shaping of the pouch film into a cup form before the clearance forming process. This preliminary action prepares the workpiece for the subsequent deep molding operation, enabling the final process to achieve the required depth and clearance without starting from a flat sheet.

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 apparatus enhances the depth and capacity of the pouch cup part, improving the moldability and accommodation space for electrode assemblies in secondary batteries.

Implementation Method 1

a heating part disposed adjacent to the pressing part to apply heat to the pouch film pressed by the pressing part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP4316776B1Pouch molding apparatus and method
Publication Date: 2025.09.10 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4316776B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4316776B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4316776B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a pouch molding apparatus and method, and more particularly, to a pouch molding apparatus and method, in which a specific process is added in a pouch molding process to deform a pouch so that a large amount of clearance than an existing amount is secured to increase in capacity, thereby improving moldability of the pouch to increase in depth and capacity of a pouch cup part. A pouch molding apparatus according to the present invention includes a die in which a die groove recessed in a shape, in which a pouch is molded, is formed, and a punch disposed above the die groove, wherein the punch includes a body part inserted into the die groove together with a pouch film disposed between the die and the punch, and a pressing part provided on each of both surfaces of the body part to press the pouch film toward an inner surface of the die groove.