Pouch Battery Cell Vacuum Degassing Method

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for manufacturing pouch type batteries are inefficient in removing gas and excess electrolyte during the degassing process, leading to increased production costs and potential sealing failures.

Innovation Solution

A method involving puncturing an unsealed part of the battery case to form a through-hole and applying vacuum pressure to pull the top and bottom faces apart, facilitating the complete removal of gas and excess electrolyte generated during activation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional degassing process is used, then production cost increases, but gas and excess electrolyte are not completely removed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing integrityVSAvoiddegassing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

A through-hole is formed at the unsealed part of the battery case before the final sealing operation. This preliminary action creates a dedicated pathway for gas and electrolyte removal, enabling complete degassing before sealing without requiring additional time or resources after assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The conventional mechanical cutting and manual degassing process is replaced by applying vacuum pressure through the through-hole. This substitution uses vacuum physics to automatically draw out gas and excess electrolyte, improving both efficiency and completeness of degassing while reducing production time.

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

2Reliability

If conventional degassing process is used, then production time increases, but gas removal is incomplete

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactivation qualityVSAvoiddegassing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The slow mechanical process of cutting and manual gas removal is replaced by vacuum pressure application. The vacuum field automatically and rapidly draws out gas and electrolyte through the through-hole, dramatically reducing degassing time while ensuring complete removal.

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

Solution Approach 2:

Vacuum pressure is applied through the through-hole to create a pressure differential that actively pulls gas and excess electrolyte out of the battery case. This pneumatic approach is far more efficient than conventional mechanical methods, achieving complete degassing in minimal time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Reliability

If vacuum pressure is applied through through-hole, then gas and electrolyte are completely removed, but additional process steps are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing qualityVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The through-hole is formed at the unsealed part before final sealing, serving as a pre-prepared pathway for vacuum degassing. This preliminary preparation integrates seamlessly into the existing process flow, adding minimal complexity while ensuring complete gas and electrolyte removal before sealing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Gas and excess electrolyte are extracted through the through-hole using vacuum pressure. This extraction approach isolates the degassing function to a specific location and method, making the process controlled and efficient without significantly complicating the overall manufacturing system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

This approach enhances the quality and productivity of battery cells by ensuring complete removal of gas and electrolyte, improving safety and sealing integrity through high bonding ability of the sealing part.

Implementation Method 1

applying vacuum pressure, to thereby remove the gas generated during activation as well as excess electrolyte

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum pressure: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

thermally fusing and sealing the periphery of the battery case except for an end part thereof

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal fusion: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP2648261B1Method for manufacturing battery cell and battery cell produced using same
Publication Date: 2017.03.08 LG CHEM LTD
  • EP2648261B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2648261B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2648261B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a battery cell including an electrode assembly and electrolyte provided in a battery case composed of a laminate sheet having a resin layer and a metal layer, which includes; (a) thermally fusing and sealing the periphery of the battery case except for an end part thereof while the electrode assembly is mounted in the battery case; (b) introducing the electrolyte through the unsealed end part then sealing the same by thermal fusion; (c) charging and discharging the battery cell to activate the same; (d) puncturing the unsealed part inside the end part to form a through-hole communicating with the inside of the battery case; and (e) pulling top and bottom faces of the battery case in the opposite direction to each other at the unsealed part to open the same while applying vacuum pressure, to thereby remove the gas generated during activation as well as excess electrolyte.