Pouch Cell Electrolyte Transfer to Prevent Separator Folding
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Solution Overview
Problem
During the transfer process of a battery cell after electrolyte injection, the flow of electrolyte inside the pouch can cause the separator to fold, leading to potential damage and performance issues.
Innovation Solution
An electrolyte injection device with a transfer member that moves in a direction orthogonal to the width direction of the battery cell, combined with a clamping unit that securely holds the battery cell along its thickness direction, preventing electrolyte flow along the width direction and thus avoiding separator folding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the battery cell is transferred along the width direction (X-axis) after electrolyte injection, then the transfer process can be completed efficiently, but the electrolyte flows along the width direction causing separator folding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional transfer direction from the width direction (X-axis) to the thickness direction (Z-axis). By transferring the battery cell along the thickness direction, the electrolyte flow is redirected to follow the same path, preventing lateral flow that causes separator folding. This directional inversion resolves the contradiction by maintaining transfer efficiency while eliminating the harmful flow pattern.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the transfer dimension from horizontal (width direction) to vertical (thickness direction). This dimensional change alters the gravity-driven electrolyte flow path, causing it to flow vertically along with the cell rather than horizontally across the separator, thus preventing folding while maintaining productive transfer.
2Ease of operation
If the battery cell is transferred along the width direction, then the transfer process is straightforward, but the electrolyte flow causes the lower end of the separator to fold
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the transfer direction from the conventional width direction to the thickness direction. This inversion changes the electrolyte flow pattern from horizontal to vertical, preventing the separator lower end from folding while maintaining operational simplicity through automated vertical transfer mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary clamping action to fix the battery cell on the transfer member before transfer. This preliminary securing prevents cell movement and electrolyte sloshing during the vertical transfer process, maintaining separator positioning precision throughout the operation.
3Stability of the object's composition
If both sides of the battery cell are fixed by a jig during injection, then the injection process is stable, but the battery cell cannot be transferred efficiently after injection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic clamping members that can change their clamping state. During injection, the clamping members are engaged to provide stability. After injection, the clamping members release to allow efficient transfer. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between stability during injection and efficiency during transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the functions of the transfer system into distinct phases: a clamping phase for stable injection and a transfer phase for efficient movement. The clamping members are designed to be engageable and disengageable, allowing the system to optimize for either stability or transfer efficiency depending on the operational phase.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrolyte injection device for a battery cell according to one example includes a transfer member provided to be transferable along a first direction, a base member, which is disposed on the transfer member, for mounting at least one battery cell, an injection part for injecting an electrolyte into the battery cell located on the base member, and a clamping unit provided on the base member and provided to clamp both sides of the battery cell along the first direction.