Laser Welding Apparatus Blocking Block for Battery Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Laser welding apparatuses risk damaging battery modules due to improper positioning, leading to unintended laser beam irradiation and potential ignition of secondary batteries during the welding process.

Innovation Solution

A laser welding apparatus with a blocking block and pressing jig system that moves in a left-and-right direction to block or allow the laser beam based on the position of the pressing bar, preventing the beam from reaching the battery module and ensuring proper adhesion of electrode leads to bus bars.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If laser welding is performed without positioning control, then welding speed increases, but the risk of laser beam damaging battery modules increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewelding speedVSAvoidlaser beam damage to battery

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pressing jig is positioned in advance at the welding location before the laser beam is activated. This preliminary positioning ensures that the battery module is correctly aligned and the laser beam will only irradiate the intended welding area, preventing damage while maintaining welding speed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The pressing jig acts as an intermediary between the laser beam emitting unit and the battery module. It controls the relative positioning and ensures that the laser beam only reaches the electrode lead and bus bar contact area, not the battery module itself, thus mediating the interaction to prevent harmful effects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a blocking block is added to control laser beam transmission, then safety against laser damage improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety against laser damageVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking function is merged with the pressing jig that already exists in the welding system. The pressing jig serves dual purposes: applying pressure for welding and blocking the laser beam when not in position. This eliminates the need for a separate blocking device, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The pressing jig is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a positioning/pressing device for welding and as a laser beam blocker when positioned away from the welding area. This universal component approach reduces the number of separate parts needed, simplifying the device structure while ensuring safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Prevents damage and ignition of battery modules by blocking the laser beam when the pressing jig is not in the correct position, stabilizes the adhesion of electrode leads to bus bars, and enhances welding reliability by controlling the laser beam transmission effectively.

Implementation Method 1

a laser welding apparatus configured to weld an electrode lead of at least one secondary battery of a battery module and a main bus bar configured to electrically connect a plurality of secondary batteries to each other

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser beam welding: Laser Beam Welding

Implementation Method 2

a blocking block blocking the laser beam generated in the laser beam emitting unit from reaching the at least one secondary battery

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser beam blocking: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS11527805B2Laser welding apparatus comprising laser beam blocking block

Publication Date: 2022.12.13 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

AI summary

Provided is a laser welding apparatus configured to weld an electrode lead of at least one secondary battery of a battery module and a main bus bar configured to electrically connect a plurality of secondary batteries to each other. The laser welding apparatus includes: a laser beam emitting unit including a laser emitting element to irradiate a laser beam to the electrode lead and the main bus bar; a pressing jig including a pressing bar configured to move in a left-and-right direction such that the electrode lead is adhered to the main bus bar; and a blocking block movable to block the laser beam generated in the laser beam emitting unit from reaching the at least one secondary battery or movable to allow the generated laser beam to pass therethrough, according to a position of the pressing bar moved in the left-and-right direction.