Pouch Film Embossing for Reliable Vision Alignment in Battery Cells

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing pouch forming apparatuses face challenges in accurately forming and recognizing the embossed parts on pouch films due to inconsistent hole formation during the piercing process, leading to reduced vision recognition rates and alignment issues when changing molds.

Innovation Solution

The method involves forming embossed parts on pouch films using an embossing punch part, with a vision recognition step for both inner and outer circular shapes based on punched recessed parts, and using a blank holder to ensure a flat bottom surface during the forming process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If holes are formed in the pouch film by a piercing process to specify position, then position specification is achieved, but holes cannot be pierced intermittently which reduces manufacturing reliability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition specificationVSAvoidpiercing consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the position specification function from the piercing process and transfers it to the embossed part formation process. The embossed parts with recessed portions serve as the new reference markers, eliminating the need for hole piercing while maintaining position specification capability. This resolves the contradiction by removing the unreliable piercing step while preserving the positioning function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The embossed parts with recessed portions are formed in advance during the pouch film forming process, before any subsequent operations. These pre-formed embossed parts serve as reliable reference markers for position specification, eliminating the need for intermittent hole piercing and ensuring consistent positioning throughout manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If the pouch film is pressed with the pressing part to form the electrode assembly-receiving part, then the receiving part is formed, but alignment issues occur when changing molds due to inconsistent hole formation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereceiving part formationVSAvoidmold changeability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The embossed parts with recessed portions serve multiple functions: they form the electrode assembly-receiving part structure and simultaneously provide alignment reference markers. This multi-functionality ensures that the same embossed features used for forming the receiving part also provide consistent alignment references across different molds, resolving the adaptability issue when changing molds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The embossed parts create a standardized pattern of recessed portions that can be replicated across different molds. This copying of the embossed pattern ensures that alignment references are consistent regardless of which mold is used, enabling seamless mold changes while maintaining manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Measurement precision

If vision recognition is performed on the pouch film, then position detection is achieved, but the recognition rate decreases when holes are not consistently formed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevision recognition rateVSAvoidhole formation consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the vision recognition target from the holes and relocates it to the embossed parts with recessed portions. The embossed parts provide a consistent, reliable visual target for recognition systems, eliminating the variability introduced by inconsistent hole formation and thereby improving both recognition rate and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The embossed parts with recessed portions create distinct visual features through their three-dimensional structure and light reflection properties. These visual characteristics provide a consistent and reliable target for vision recognition systems, unlike the variable appearance of pierced holes, thereby improving recognition accuracy and consistency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentEP4113707B1Manufacturing method of battery cell and pouch forming apparatus
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4113707B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4113707B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4113707B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method of manufacturing a pouch type battery cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes forming an embossing part in a part of a pouch film by using an embossing punch part.