Method of manufacturing pouch-shaped battery cell comprising jig grading

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Pouch-shaped battery cells face challenges in increasing the rate of electrolyte solution impregnation and preventing deformation during charging and discharging, which affects their capacity and lifespan.

Innovation Solution

A method involving injecting an electrolytic solution into a pouch-shaped battery cell, followed by a primary formation step and a jig grading process where pressure is applied using a jig to fix and press the cell, enhancing the impregnation of the electrolyte solution and reducing deformation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a silicon-based negative electrode active material is used to increase capacity, then the energy density is improved, but the volume change during charging and discharging causes severe deformation and reduced cycle characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecapacityVSAvoidcycle characteristics
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the charging and discharging rates during the formation process. Specifically, it uses a multi-stage charging protocol with different current rates (e.g., 0.05C, 0.1C, 0.2C) and voltage cutoffs to gradually activate the silicon-based electrode material. This controlled parameter variation reduces mechanical stress and volume expansion during initial cycles, thereby improving cycle stability while maintaining high capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the battery cell is severely deformed during formation process, then the activation is achieved, but the defect rate increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveactivationVSAvoiddefect rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by performing a controlled formation process before the battery enters normal operation. The formation process includes gradual charging stages with increasing current rates and specific voltage cutoffs (e.g., 4.2V, 4.35V, 4.4V) to pre-condition the electrode materials. This preliminary activation under controlled conditions prevents excessive deformation and reduces defect rates in subsequent manufacturing and operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If the rate of electrolyte solution impregnation is low, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the lifespan characteristics are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing process simplicityVSAvoidlifespan characteristics
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies continuity of useful action by implementing an extended formation process with multiple charging and discharging cycles. Instead of a single brief electrolyte impregnation step, the battery undergoes continuous formation cycles (e.g., 3-7 cycles) with gradual current increases and specific voltage thresholds. This continuous activation process ensures thorough electrolyte penetration and electrode material activation, significantly improving lifespan characteristics while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP3579323B1Method of manufacturing pouch-shaped battery cell comprising jig grading
Publication Date: 2023.10.18 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP3579323B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3579323B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

Disclosed herein is a method of manufacturing a pouch-shaped battery cell including a silicon-based negative electrode active material, the method including (a) injecting an electrolytic solution into a pouch-shaped battery case, in which an electrode assembly is mounted, (b) charging and discharging the pouch-shaped battery cell having the electrolytic solution injected thereinto (a primary formation step), (c) placing the pouch-shaped battery cell in a jig configured to fix and press the pouch-shaped battery cell, and (d) charging and discharging the pouch-shaped battery cell in the state in which pressure is applied to the jig (a jig grading step