Pouch Cell Stack Alignment Marks for Precise Battery Stacking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies face challenges in accurately aligning and stacking pouch-shaped battery cells due to their deformable nature and lack of precise reference points, leading to increased resistance and safety risks in battery modules.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating alignment marks on the bottom of each pouch-shaped battery cell, such as ink marks, laser engravings, or stickers, that allow for precise alignment and stacking, with imaginary connection lines parallel to the cell's length, and using an alignment mark forming apparatus to ensure consistent mark placement during manufacturing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If alignment marks are added to pouch-shaped battery cells, then alignment precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The battery cell is segmented by adding distinct alignment marks (such as notches, protrusions, or visual indicators) at specific locations on the cell structure. These marks divide the cell into identifiable reference points that facilitate precise alignment during stacking, transforming a featureless surface into a segmented reference system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Alignment marks serve as intermediary reference elements between the battery cell structure and the stacking/assembly process. These marks act as mediators that enable the positioning system to accurately locate and align cells without requiring complex measurement or detection systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If the sealed portion is made flexible for easy deformation, then ease of manufacture is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of deformationVSAvoiddimensional measurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The sealed portion is segmented by incorporating reinforcement ribs or structural dividers that create rigid reference zones within the flexible sealed area. These segmented structures maintain dimensional stability for measurement purposes while allowing the overall sealed portion to remain flexible for manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the sealed portion are given different mechanical properties: areas requiring flexibility maintain soft, deformable characteristics, while areas requiring measurement reference are reinforced with rigid materials or structural features to maintain dimensional stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 enables accurate alignment of pouch-shaped battery cells, reducing positional tolerance and ensuring even pressure distribution, thereby enhancing the performance and safety of battery stacks.

Implementation Method 1

step (c) is performed as a process of performing stamping, ink printing, laser beam irradiation, or sticker application at a constant position on the bottom of the battery case

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectStamping:

Implementation Method 2

step (c) is performed as a process of performing stamping, ink printing, laser beam irradiation, or sticker application at a constant position on the bottom of the battery case

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInk printing:

Implementation Method 3

step (c) is performed as a process of performing stamping, ink printing, laser beam irradiation, or sticker application at a constant position on the bottom of the battery case

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser beam irradiation: Laser

Data Source

PatentEP4336631B1Battery cell stack, method for manufacturing same, and alignment mark forming apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4336631B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(b)
  • EP4336631B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4336631B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

The present invention relates to a battery cell stack in which a plurality of pouch-shaped battery cells is stacked, each of the pouch-shaped battery cells includes an alignment mark formed at the bottom of a receiving portion configured to receive an electrode assembly, wherein the plurality of pouch-shaped battery cells is stacked such that the alignment marks individually formed at the pouch-shaped battery cells completely overlap each other in a stacking direction, and the alignment mark is a reference for measuring the dimensions of the pouch-shaped battery cells, whereby it is possible to manufacture a battery cell stack in which the plurality of pouch-shaped battery cells is accurately aligned with each other in the stacking direction.