Volatile Lubrication in Pouch Battery Case Forming to Prevent Cracks

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pouch-shaped battery case manufacturing processes face issues such as surface damage, pin-holes, and cracks due to frictional forces during deep drawing, especially with thin laminate sheets, which limits the production of high-capacity batteries without significant apparatus modifications.

Innovation Solution

A pouch-shaped battery case shaping apparatus using a volatile lubricant supply unit to minimize surface damage by applying a volatile lubricant directly to the laminate sheet, which is rapidly evaporated post-shaping, combined with a film member to disperse stress and prevent defects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a forming device for battery cases is used, then productivity is improved, but bacterial contamination occurs due to lubricant residue

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidbacterial contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the harmful volatile component from the lubricant by controlling its evaporation during the forming process. The volatile lubricant is applied in a controlled manner where it evaporates completely after forming, leaving no residue that could cause bacterial contamination, thus removing the harmful aspect while retaining the beneficial lubrication function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state and properties of the lubricant by selecting a volatile substance that evaporates at the forming temperature. This parameter change ensures the lubricant performs its function during forming then disappears completely, preventing contamination issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If water-soluble lubricant is used to prevent contamination, then bacterial growth is reduced, but forming quality deteriorates due to poor lubrication effect

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebacterial growth preventionVSAvoidforming quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a volatile lubricant that serves its purpose temporarily during the forming process then evaporates completely. This disposable approach provides excellent lubrication when needed, then disappears to leave no harmful residue, achieving both good forming quality and contamination prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 solution effectively reduces surface damage and defects, enabling the production of high-capacity pouch-shaped batteries with minimized thickness and improved shapeability without altering the conventional shaping apparatus or laminate sheets.

Implementation Method 1

it has been an important issue to prevent bacterial growth and contamination in a forming area where a lubricant is supplied for forming

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP4219122B1Pouch-type battery case forming device including volatile lubricant supply part and method for manufacturing pouch-type battery case by using same
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4219122B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4219122B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4219122B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a pouch-shaped battery case shaping apparatus including a volatile lubricant supply unit and a pouch-shaped battery case manufacturing method using the same, and more particularly to a pouch-shaped battery case shaping apparatus including a punch configured to shape a laminate sheet used as a pouch-shaped battery case into a cuboid, wherein the pouch-shaped battery case shaping apparatus further includes a volatile lubricant supply unit configured to supply a volatile lubricant used to minimize surface damage to the laminate sheet between the laminate sheet and the punch, and a pouch-shaped battery case manufacturing method using the same.