Battery Separator Insulation Inspection Under Compression

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies lack a reliable method for inspecting the insulation of secondary battery separators in real-time, which is crucial for ensuring the safety and performance of secondary batteries used in devices like smartphones and electric vehicles.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus is developed that applies current or voltage between upper and lower metallic members to inspect the insulation of a separator by measuring resistance and current, utilizing a source meter connected to metallic members with ball bearings for rotation and insulating covers for safety, and resilient members for consistent pressure application.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If insulation inspection is performed without applying pressure, then the inspection process is simple, but the inspection accuracy is insufficient to detect debris or pinholes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsulation inspection accuracyVSAvoidinspection process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus applies pressure to the separator before performing insulation resistance measurement. This preliminary action of pressing the separator between upper and lower pressing members ensures that any debris or pinholes are compressed against the separator, making them detectable during the subsequent insulation measurement phase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If pressure is applied during insulation inspection, then detection of debris or pinholes is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparator insulation reliabilityVSAvoidapparatus structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The upper and lower pressing members serve multiple functions: they apply mechanical pressure to the separator during inspection, provide electrical connection paths for the insulation measurement, and support the structural framework of the apparatus. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The apparatus combines the pressure application mechanism and the electrical measurement system into a single integrated structure. The pressing members are both mechanical components for applying force and electrical components for conducting insulation measurements, merging two functions into one component set.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If real-time inspection is implemented, then production efficiency is improved, but the measurement system becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinspection speedVSAvoidmeasurement system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus enables continuous insulation inspection by maintaining constant pressure on the separator through the pressing members and continuously measuring insulation resistance. The source meter can perform measurements in real-time without interrupting the pressing action, allowing for continuous monitoring of separator quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful 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

Enables real-time inspection of separator insulation, detecting debris or pinholes, and ensuring consistent pressure application, thereby enhancing the safety and reliability of secondary batteries.

Implementation Method 1

a source meter electrically connected to the upper metallic member and to the lower metallic member, and configured to apply a voltage and/or current between the upper metallic member and the lower metallic member, and to measure resistance and/or current between the upper metallic member and the lower metallic member corresponding to the insulation of the separator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical Resistance: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentEP4636412A1Apparatus for inspecting insulation of separator for secondary batteries
Publication Date: 2025.10.22 SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD
  • EP4636412A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4636412A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4636412A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Disclosed is an apparatus for inspecting the insulation of a separator for batteries capable of inspecting the insulation of a separator in real time by applying current or voltage after pressing an upper metallic member and a lower metallic member toward each other. The apparatus includes an upper metallic member, a lower metallic member under the upper metallic member, and configured to press the separator with the upper metallic member, and a source meter electrically connected to the upper metallic member and to the lower metallic member, and configured to apply a voltage and/or current between the upper metallic member and the lower metallic member, and to measure resistance and/or current between the upper metallic member and the lower metallic member corresponding to the insulation of the separator.