Pouch Transfer Airflow Control to Prevent Curling and Sealing Failures

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pouch transfer devices suffer from pouch curling and adsorption failures during the transfer process, leading to sealing failures and potential electrolyte leakage in secondary batteries due to gravitational sagging of the pouch edges.

Innovation Solution

A pouch transfer device that generates a lift force on the upper surface of the pouch using air injection, preventing curling and ensuring proper adsorption during transfer by employing nozzles to spray air parallel to the transfer path and a control system to manage the transfer and folding processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the pouch is transferred using a conventional transport part, then the transfer process is simple, but the pouch edges sag due to gravitational force causing curling and adsorption failure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepouch adsorption reliabilityVSAvoidtransport device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies pneumatic principles by using air nozzles to generate upward airflow that counteracts gravitational sagging of the pouch edges during transfer. The air pressure from the nozzles creates lift force on the pouch upper surface, preventing curling and ensuring reliable adsorption without requiring complex mechanical support structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameter of air pressure to generate lift force. By controlling the air pressure from the nozzles, the system dynamically adjusts the upward force on the pouch to counteract gravity during different phases of transfer, improving reliability without increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If air is sprayed to generate lift force on the pouch upper surface, then pouch curling is prevented, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepouch transfer reliabilityVSAvoidair injection energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The air injection is applied periodically rather than continuously - activated only during the transfer phase when the pouch is vulnerable to sagging, and deactivated when the pouch is stable. This periodic application maintains pouch transfer reliability while significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous air injection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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

Prevents pouch curling and adsorption failures, ensuring seamless transfer and sealing, thereby preventing electrolyte leakage and insulation issues in secondary batteries.

Implementation Method 1

a nozzle part disposed on the first path and provided to spray air to an upper portion of an upper surface of the pouch during transfer by the first transport part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir spray: Fluid Spray

Implementation Method 2

generating a lift force on the upper surface of the pouch during transfer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLift force generation:

Data Source

PatentEP4656358A1Pouch transfer device
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4656358A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4656358A1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP4656358A1 patent drawingFigure 7~8

AI summary

A pouch transfer device according to one example of the present invention comprises a first transport part, on which a lower surface of a pouch is seated, provided to transfer the pouch along a first path, a folding part provided to be capable of entering the inside of the first transport part to support the lower surface of the pouch seated on the first transport part, and a nozzle part disposed on the first path and provided to spray air to an upper portion of an upper surface of the pouch during transfer by the first transport part.