Pouch Cell Activation and Degassing Under Vacuum Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pouch-type secondary batteries face challenges in efficiently discharging gases generated during charging and discharging, leading to potential energy inefficiency and safety issues due to increased internal pressure from trapped gases during the manufacturing process.
Innovation Solution
An activation apparatus comprising a first chamber for adjusting vacuum levels, a vacuum chamber for degassing, and a second chamber for sealing, utilizing a carrier with piercing and heating/vacuum pads to perform degassing and sealing of battery cells, ensuring efficient gas removal and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If gas discharge is performed during the manufacturing process, then energy efficiency and safety are improved, but manufacturing precision and air-tightness requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing gas discharge operations during the manufacturing process itself, specifically in the sealing chamber where vacuum conditions already exist. The sealing apparatus is designed to pierce the pouch and remove gases before final sealing, preventing gas accumulation that would later compromise safety and performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the vacuum chamber environment during sealing to create a gas-free atmosphere. By performing piercing and gas removal operations within the vacuum-sealed chamber, the system leverages the inert vacuum environment to facilitate efficient gas discharge while maintaining the air-tightness requirements of the manufacturing process.
2Productivity
If additional gas removal steps are added, then gas discharge efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the gas removal function with the existing sealing apparatus. The sealing chamber is equipped with both sealing capabilities and gas discharge capabilities through integrated piercing mechanisms and vacuum connections. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate gas removal equipment and process steps, maintaining device simplicity while achieving efficient gas discharge.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing chamber is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a sealing environment and a gas discharge station. The vacuum pump and piercing apparatus are configured to perform dual roles: maintaining vacuum during sealing and removing gases from the pouch. This universal design improves gas discharge efficiency without adding dedicated gas removal equipment.
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 apparatus effectively removes gases generated during charging/discharging, enhancing the stability and energy efficiency of pouch-type secondary batteries by simplifying the process and reducing the size of the battery cell without additional gas removal steps.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum chamber spatially connected to the first chamber, the vacuum chamber including an activation unit configured to receive the battery cell so that activation and degassing of the battery cell are performed, the vacuum chamber being configured to maintain a vacuum state in a space in which the activation unit is located
Implementation Method 2
The carrier may include a first member and a second member, wherein the first member includes a heating pad on a first surface
Data Source
AI summary
An activation apparatus for a secondary battery includes a first chamber having a first conveyor for conveying a battery cell and being capable of adjusting a vacuum level in a space in which the first conveyor is located; a vacuum chamber having an activation unit in which the battery cell is disposed so that activation and degassing of the battery cell are performed, the vacuum chamber being capable of maintaining a vacuum state in a space in which the activation unit is located; a second chamber having a second conveyor for conveying the battery cell and being capable of adjusting a vacuum level in a space in which the second conveyor is located; a movement line crossing the first chamber, the vacuum chamber, and the second chamber; and a carrier connected to the movement line to move the battery cell along the movement line.