Vacuum Pouch Cell Degassing With Integrated Piercing and Pressing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery cell degassing apparatuses face inefficiencies in gas removal and external contamination due to separate rolling and pressing processes, which hinder effective degassing and lead to electrolyte leakage.
Innovation Solution
A battery cell degassing apparatus featuring a vacuum chamber with a piercing unit and a pressing unit, including vacuum pads and anti-contamination guides, that allows for simultaneous degassing and surface flattening within a vacuum environment to enhance gas removal efficiency while minimizing external contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rolling is performed using a rolling device before the battery cell is pressed, then gas removal efficiency is improved, but process complexity increases and productivity decreases due to separate rolling and pressing processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the rolling device and pressing device into a single integrated apparatus. The rolling unit includes rollers that can roll the battery cell, while the pressing unit applies pressure to the same cell. These functions are merged into one device that performs both operations sequentially or simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate rolling and pressing processes. This integration maintains high gas removal efficiency while improving productivity by reducing process steps and equipment complexity.
2Reliability
If the battery cell is pressed to remove gas, then gas removal is improved, but gas near the center of the pouch case is not removed easily
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing unit is divided into multiple pressing portions that can independently apply pressure to different regions of the battery cell. This segmentation allows simultaneous pressing of multiple areas including the center region, ensuring uniform gas removal throughout the cell. The multiple pressing portions can be activated at different times or with different forces to address specific gas accumulation zones effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a rolling dimension in addition to conventional pressing. The rolling unit applies force through rotational motion, creating a different stress distribution pattern compared to linear pressing. This dimensional change in force application helps move gas from the center region toward the edges, complementing the pressing action and improving overall gas removal uniformity.
3Device complexity
If degassing is performed without vacuum environment, then device complexity is reduced, but external contamination occurs due to electrolyte discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a vacuum chamber that creates a vacuum environment during the degassing process. This vacuum atmosphere prevents electrolyte from dispersing into the surrounding environment, containing any potential contamination within the sealed chamber. The vacuum also facilitates gas removal by creating a pressure differential that draws gas out of the cell. This approach adds some device complexity but effectively eliminates external contamination risks.
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
The apparatus improves gas removal efficiency and reduces external contamination by effectively degassing the battery cell within a vacuum environment, ensuring efficient gas extraction and minimizing electrolyte leakage.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum chamber coupled to the chamber cover as the chamber cover slides in a vertical direction and configured to accommodate the battery cell in a vacuum environment
Implementation Method 2
the first piercing part and the second piercing part include vacuum pads vacuum-adsorbable to the gas pocket and lifting the gas pocket to both sides
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a battery cell degassing apparatus for degassing a battery cell having a gas pocket, which includes a chamber cover to which the battery cell is detachably placed, a vacuum chamber coupled to the chamber cover as the chamber cover slides in a vertical direction and configured to accommodate the battery cell in a vacuum environment, a piercing unit provided at the vacuum chamber to pierce a part of the gas pocket, and a pressing unit provided at the vacuum chamber to be spaced apart from the piercing unit and configured to flatten a left surface and a right surface of the battery cell and discharge a gas inside the battery cell to the outside of the battery cell.