In a recent internal investigation, Samsung has finally revealed the main culprit behind the Note 7 fires: defective batteries. The investigation found that the first version of the Note 7, with “Battery A,” had a slight deflection in the negative electrode, causing the positive and negative electrodes to meet and start fires. The second version, with “Battery B,” had abnormal welding burrs on the positive electrode, leading to direct contact between the positive tab and the negative electrode. Despite placing blame on the battery manufacturers, Samsung takes responsibility for choosing and certifying its suppliers and integrating their technology into their products. In response to these incidents, Samsung will implement an “8 Point Battery Safety Check” to prevent similar issues in the future and improve lithium-ion battery safety across industries. With this investigation, Samsung aims to regain customer trust and contribute to the improvement of battery technology.
Background
The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 fires was a major setback for Samsung, causing damage to their reputation and financial losses. After conducting an internal investigation, Samsung identified defective batteries as the main cause of the fires. The first version of the Note 7, equipped with “Battery A,” had a design flaw in the battery’s negative electrode, which allowed the positive and negative electrodes to make contact and start fires. The second version of the Note 7, which was supposed to address the battery issue, had a different battery known as “Battery B” but it also had problems, as abnormal welding burrs on the positive electrode caused direct contact with the negative electrode. Both batteries were manufactured by different companies, with “Battery A” being made by Samsung SDI and “Battery B” by Amperex Technology.
Although the fault lies with the battery manufacturers, Samsung takes responsibility for selecting and certifying its suppliers and integrating their technology into their products. Samsung acknowledges its role in this process and understands the need to improve quality assurance and testing to prevent such issues in the future.
Samsung’s Response
In response to the Note 7 problems, Samsung implemented an “8 Point Battery Safety Check” to ensure the safety and reliability of their batteries. This safety check consists of eight steps, including durability tests, visual inspections, X-ray tests, charge and discharge tests, leak detection tests, disassembling tests, accelerated usage tests, and tests to compare battery voltage. By implementing this comprehensive safety check, Samsung aims to prevent any future battery-related incidents and regain the trust of their customers.
Samsung also embarked on an apology tour to address the concerns and frustrations of their customers. They have taken the necessary steps to rectify the situation and ensure the safety of their products. Samsung understands the importance of earning back the trust of both consumers and industry stakeholders.
Additionally, Samsung has made a commitment to improve lithium-ion battery safety not just within their own devices but also throughout the entire industry. They contributed significant resources to investigate the Note 7 defects and involve external companies such as UL, Exponent, and TUV Rheinland in the investigation. Samsung aims to leverage this incident as an opportunity to enhance battery safety standards across all industries that rely on lithium-ion technology.
Investigation Details
Samsung’s investigation into the Note 7 defects involved a substantial number of resources. They dedicated over 700 Research and Development staff to the investigation and tested more than 200,000 Note 7 devices and over 30,000 batteries. In addition to their internal investigations, Samsung collaborated with external companies to conduct their own independent investigations into the defects. The involvement of reputable third-party companies such as UL, Exponent, and TUV Rheinland adds credibility to the investigation findings.
Moreover, Samsung aims to contribute their investigation findings to industry standard boards, which will help improve lithium-ion battery safety across various sectors. By sharing their knowledge and insights, Samsung hopes to prevent future battery-related incidents not just in their own products but in the wider industry as well.
Recall and Impact
In response to the Note 7 fires and the identified battery defects, Samsung issued a recall of all Note 7 devices. The recall process aimed to retrieve all affected devices from customers. The recall required customers to return their Note 7 devices and receive replacements or refunds.
The recall process had a significant impact on Samsung’s financials, with estimated losses of at least $5.3 billion in operating profit. Furthermore, the incident tarnished Samsung’s reputation and raised concerns among consumers regarding the safety and reliability of Samsung products.
Despite the widespread attention and negative impact, Samsung managed to achieve a high return rate of 97% for the recalled Note 7 devices. This suggests that customers were responsive to the recall and willing to return the devices, indicating their concern for safety.
The Note 7 incident sheds light on the limitations of current lithium-ion battery technology. As devices become smaller and more sophisticated, companies face challenges in fitting smaller batteries with longer battery life. The industry must develop new strategies and tactics to overcome these limitations and ensure the safe usage of lithium-ion batteries in increasingly compact devices.
Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 fires exposed the issue of defective batteries as the root cause of the incidents. Samsung took responsibility for the battery manufacturers they selected and the integration of their technology into their products. To prevent future battery-related incidents, Samsung implemented an extensive “8 Point Battery Safety Check” and embarked on a thorough investigation involving their own resources and external companies.
The recall of the Note 7 devices and the financial impact on Samsung highlighted the importance of addressing battery safety issues promptly and effectively. Samsung’s commitment to improving lithium-ion battery safety across industries demonstrates their dedication to preventing similar incidents from occurring again.
The Note 7 incident serves as a wake-up call for the industry to reassess the limitations of current lithium-ion battery technology and find innovative solutions for smaller and more powerful batteries. By prioritizing safety and implementing comprehensive quality control measures, companies can regain the trust of their customers and ensure the reliability of their products in the future.
