Battery Lead Tab Gap Measurement for Pouch Cell Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for measuring the position of lead tabs in battery cells are time-consuming and prone to variations due to reliance on manual measurement with rulers, leading to inconsistent results based on worker skill levels.

Innovation Solution

A lead tab position measuring device with a digital measuring part and foldable cell seating portion that supports the battery cell for accurate measurement of the gap between the cup portion's bottom surface and the lead tab, allowing precise measurement in 0.01mm units.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual measurement with rulers is used, then the measurement method is simple and easy to operate, but the measurement precision and consistency deteriorate due to worker skill variations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidmeasurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical measurement system (rulers and visual estimation) with a digital measurement system that uses electronic sensors and digital displays to automatically measure and display the gap between the cup portion and lead tab, thereby eliminating worker skill variations while maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement device is designed to perform self-measurement without requiring operator skill for alignment or reading, as the digital system automatically detects positions and calculates gaps, making the measurement process independent of human expertise

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Device complexity

If manual measurement with rulers is used, then the device complexity is low, but the productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming measurement processes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidproductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces time-consuming manual measurement operations with an automated digital measurement system that quickly captures and processes measurement data, significantly reducing the time required per measurement while the device remains relatively simple in structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement device is pre-configured with digital sensors and measurement protocols ready to execute, eliminating the need for manual setup and calculation steps that slow down traditional measurement processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If manual measurement with rulers is used, then the measurement method is simple, but the reliability deteriorates due to inconsistent results based on worker skill levels

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidreliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes human judgment and manual operation with an automated digital measurement system that consistently applies the same measurement criteria across all measurements, eliminating variability caused by different workers' skill levels and ensuring reliable, repeatable results

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The digital measurement system provides immediate feedback through digital display of measurement results, allowing for real-time verification and consistency checking, which enhances the reliability of measurements compared to manual methods where errors may go undetected

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4644829A1Lead tab position measuring device and lead tab position measuring method using same
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4644829A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4644829A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4644829A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A lead tab position measuring device related to one example of the present invention may comprise a cell seating portion arranged so that a battery cell including a pouch having a cup portion, an electrode assembly accommodated in the cup portion, and a pair of lead tabs electrically connected to the electrode assembly and arranged to protrude to a first end of the pouch and a second end in a direction opposite to the first end, respectively, is seated to be erectable, and a measuring part mounted on the cell seating portion to measure a first gap between a third end connecting the first end and the second end and seated on the cell seating portion, and any one of the lead tabs.