Rotary Sealing Block Gap Adjustment for Pouch Battery Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing secondary battery sealing apparatuses require frequent insertion and removal of shim rings to adjust the gap between sealing blocks, leading to inefficiencies and high costs due to the need for multiple shim rings of varying heights.

Innovation Solution

A gap adjustment device with supporting pieces and rotatable gap adjustment pieces having multiple height levels, allowing for stepwise adjustment of the gap between sealing blocks without the need for multiple shim rings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If shim rings of various heights are provided to adjust gaps between sealing blocks, then gap adjustment capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegap adjustment capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The gap adjustment piece is designed to be rotatable relative to the sealing block, transforming a static set of multiple shim rings into a dynamic single component that can assume multiple positions. Each rotational position presents a different height profile to the supporting piece, enabling continuous gap adjustment without changing parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A single gap adjustment piece performs the function that previously required multiple shim rings of different heights. The circumferential surface with varying heights allows one component to provide multiple gap adjustment levels, eliminating the need for multiple specialized components.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If shim rings are inserted or removed to adjust sealing portion thickness, then gap adjustment is achieved, but productivity decreases due to work discontinuity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegap adjustment capabilityVSAvoidproductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotatable gap adjustment piece allows operators to switch between different gap settings by simply rotating the component in place, rather than stopping production to insert or remove shim rings. This dynamic adjustment mechanism maintains workflow continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple height profiles are pre-configured on the circumferential surface of the gap adjustment piece, allowing operators to select the appropriate gap setting in advance by rotating to the correct position, eliminating the need for preliminary selection and physical replacement of shim rings during the adjustment process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple shim rings of varying heights are provided, then stepwise gap adjustment is enabled, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestepwise gap adjustmentVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple gap adjustment functions that previously required separate shim rings are merged into a single integrated gap adjustment piece. The component consolidates what would have been multiple discrete parts into one manufacturable element, reducing material costs, assembly complexity, and inventory requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

One gap adjustment piece provides the functionality of multiple shim rings through its circumferential height variations. This universal component eliminates the need to manufacture, store, and manage multiple specialized shim rings of different heights, significantly reducing overall manufacturing costs.

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

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

Enhances work continuity and efficiency while reducing costs by enabling simple, stepwise adjustment of the gap between sealing blocks, compatible with various pouch thicknesses.

Implementation Method 1

gap adjustment pieces rotatably coupled to respective ends of the other sealing block

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4269074B1Gap adjustment device and secondary battery sealing equipment including same
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4269074B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4269074B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4269074B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides secondary battery sealing equipment that presses and seals a sealing portion of a pouch, the secondary battery sealing equipment including: a pair of sealing blocks configured to press and seal the sealing portion of the pouch; and a gap adjustment device configured to adjust a gap between the pair of sealing blocks. The gap adjustment device includes: supporting pieces provided at respective ends of one sealing block that presses one surface of the sealing portion of the pouch; and gap adjustment pieces rotatably coupled to respective ends of the other sealing block that presses the other surface of the sealing portion of the pouch. Each of the gap adjustment pieces is provided with a plurality of adjustment surfaces having different heights along a circumferential surface, and one of the plurality of adjustment surfaces having different heights when rotating is supported by each of the supporting pieces to adjust the gap between the pair of sealing blocks.