Battery Cell Sorting Jig With Guide Protrusions for Size Defect Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies struggle to efficiently sort and identify abnormally sized battery cells, which can lead to manufacturing defects and potential safety issues.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus with a transfer device, sorting jig, guide protrusions, detection sensor, alarm, and remover is used to sort abnormal battery cells by guiding normal-sized cells into an insertion portion and alerting operators to abnormal cells, while automatically removing them.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a sorting jig with an insertion portion of normal battery cell size is used, then normal battery cells are properly sorted, but abnormal (larger) battery cells cannot be inserted and remain undetected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracy of abnormal battery cellsVSAvoidcomplexity of sorting system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A guide portion is introduced as an intermediary component between the transfer device and the sorting jig. This guide portion includes guide protrusions that physically guide abnormal battery cells into the insertion portion, enabling detection without requiring complex sensing systems. The guide portion acts as a mechanical mediator that converts the size difference into a detectable positioning event.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If manual inspection of battery cells is performed, then abnormal cells can be identified, but sorting efficiency and productivity are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesorting efficiencyVSAvoidoperational simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The sorting system performs self-inspection through the interaction between the guide portion and the battery cells. Abnormal cells automatically reveal themselves by failing to be properly guided into the insertion portion, eliminating the need for manual inspection. The system uses the physical dimensions of the cells themselves as the inspection criterion, achieving automated quality control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If a detection sensor and alarm system are added to identify abnormal battery cells, then sorting accuracy improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidsystem component count
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex electronic detection systems with a simple mechanical guidance mechanism. The guide portion with its specific geometry serves as the detection mechanism, using mechanical interaction to reveal abnormal cells. This mechanical substitution achieves detection functionality with minimal additional components, avoiding the complexity of sensors, processors, and control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP4647181A1Apparatus for sorting abnormal battery cells
Publication Date: 2025.11.12 SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD
  • EP4647181A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4647181A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4647181A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An apparatus (100, 200, 300, 400) for sorting an abnormal battery cell (11) includes a transfer device (100, 200, 300, 400) including a transfer path, battery cells (11) being transferred along the transfer path, a sorting jig (20) on the transfer device (10), the sorting jig (20) including an insertion portion (22) facing the transfer path of the transfer device (10), and the insertion portion (22) having a shape and a size equal to an outer shape and a size of a predetermined battery cell (11), and an alarm (40) on the transfer device (10), the alarm (40) being configured to notify if the abnormal battery cell (11) among the battery cells (11) has a shape or a size larger than the outer shape and the size of the predetermined battery cell (11).