Samsung has finally addressed the issue behind the Note 7 fires, attributing the blame to defective batteries. In an internal investigation, Samsung revealed that the first version of the Note 7, with “Battery A,” had a flaw in the battery’s 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 with the negative electrode. While the faulty batteries were manufactured by Samsung SDI and Amperex Technology, Samsung takes responsibility as the one that selects and certifies its suppliers. To prevent future incidents, Samsung will implement an “8 Point Battery Safety Check.” The company hopes to improve lithium-ion battery safety and regain customer trust.
Samsung Finally Addresses Note 7 Fires: Blame The Batteries
Samsung has finally released an internal investigation report that identifies the main cause of the Note 7 fires: defective batteries. The first version of the Note 7, which Samsung refers to as “Battery A,” had a slight deflection in the negative electrode, allowing the positive and negative electrodes to meet and cause fires. The second version of the Note 7, which came with a new battery from a different manufacturer called “Battery B,” had abnormal welding burrs on the positive electrode, resulting in direct contact between the positive tab and the negative electrode.
Samsung’s Responsibility
Although the battery manufacturers were found to have issues, Samsung takes responsibility for the Note 7 fires. The company selects and certifies its battery suppliers, integrates outside technology into its products, and sets the specifications. Samsung acknowledges that its quality assurance and testing process is robust and exceeds industry standards but failed to catch the battery problems. The company promises to improve its procedures to better catch such issues in the future.
Samsung’s 8 Point Battery Safety Check
In response to the Note 7 problems, Samsung will introduce an “8 Point Battery Safety Check” for its devices. This new safety check consists of eight steps, including a durability test, visual inspection, X-ray test, charge and discharge test, leak detection test, disassembling test, accelerated usage test, and a test for comparing battery voltage. By implementing this comprehensive safety check, Samsung aims to ensure that its batteries meet the highest standards of safety.
Apology Tour and Improving Battery Safety
Samsung is now on an apology tour, and releasing the investigation findings is its first step towards making things right. The company has contributed over 700 research and development staff and tested over 200,000 Note 7 devices and 30,000 batteries for the investigation. To ensure transparency and credibility, Samsung also enlisted the help of three independent companies, UL, Exponent, and TUV Rheinland, to conduct their own investigations. Furthermore, Samsung plans to contribute its investigation findings to industry standard boards to improve lithium-ion battery safety across all industries.
Investigation Details
The investigation into the Note 7 fires was conducted rigorously by Samsung, involving extensive testing and collaboration. Over 700 research and development staff were involved, and more than 200,000 Note 7 devices and 30,000 batteries were thoroughly tested. Additionally, three renowned outside companies, UL, Exponent, and TUV Rheinland, conducted their own investigations to ensure impartiality and accuracy in identifying the defects.
Note 7 Recall and Return Rate
To address the safety concerns of the Note 7, Samsung initiated a recall and replacement program for the affected devices. The company achieved an impressive 97% return rate for the recalled devices, indicating the effectiveness of its recall efforts. Furthermore, Samsung reports that only 1% of the over 3 million units sold were found to be defective, underscoring the fact that the battery issues were confined to a small percentage of devices.
Financial Impact on Samsung
The Note 7 incident has had a significant financial impact on Samsung. The estimated operating profit loss is at least $5.3 billion, a substantial sum for any company. This incident serves as a reminder that product safety is paramount and any compromise in quality can have severe financial implications.
Limitations of Lithium-ion Battery Technology
The Note 7 incident sheds light on the limitations of current lithium-ion battery technology. As devices become smaller and more compact, the demand for smaller batteries with longer life increases. However, the industry is reaching a point where new strategies and tactics are needed to meet these demands. This incident serves as a wake-up call for the industry to prioritize battery safety and invest in research and development to improve the technology further.
Industry Impact and Wake-Up Call
The repercussions of the Note 7 fires extend beyond Samsung and serve as a wake-up call for the entire industry. The incident highlights the need for improved battery technology and safety measures across all companies that utilize lithium-ion batteries. As technology continues to advance, it is crucial for manufacturers to prioritize the safety of their products and implement stringent quality control processes.
In conclusion, Samsung has addressed the Note 7 fires caused by defective batteries, taken responsibility for the incident, and implemented an 8 Point Battery Safety Check for its devices. The company is on an apology tour and is actively working towards improving lithium-ion battery safety, not only for its own products but for the industry as a whole. The investigation details, the high recall return rate, and the financial impact on Samsung emphasize the importance of product safety and the need for advancements in battery technology. This incident serves as a wake-up call for the industry to reevaluate its strategies and tactics in battery development and prioritize the safety of consumers.
