Efficient Cell Stack Manufacturing with Self-Aligning Features
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Summary
Problems
The existing methods for manufacturing lithium-ion battery cell stacks are complex, unreliable, and not suitable for rapid series production due to the need for precise electrode positioning and alignment of differently sized components.
Innovation solutions
A device with positioning units and a moving unit that oscillates or vibrates to center and align cell assemblies or plies, using air nozzles for alignment and a decoupled support to maintain stability, allowing for quick and simple assembly of cell stacks with varying dimensions.
TRIZ Analysis
Specific contradictions:
General conflict description:
Principle concept:
If traditional stacking methods with manual positioning and vacuum grippers are used, then electrode positioning can be achieved, but the manufacturing process becomes complex and time-consuming
Why choose this principle:
The cell assembly utilizes its own geometric features (edges, corners, or specific markers) to automatically define its position on the support surface. The positioning method requires no external active actuators, sensors, or complex control systems – the assembly self-aligns through its interaction with the support surface geometry, thereby achieving precise positioning while eliminating complex handling devices
Principle concept:
If traditional stacking methods with manual positioning and vacuum grippers are used, then electrode positioning can be achieved, but the manufacturing process becomes complex and time-consuming
Why choose this principle:
The invention extracts and eliminates the complex vacuum gripper and active positioning control systems from the manufacturing process. By using passive geometric positioning features inherent to the cell assembly and support surface, the patent removes unnecessary complex components while maintaining positioning accuracy
Application Domain
Data Source
AI summary:
A device with positioning units and a moving unit that oscillates or vibrates to center and align cell assemblies or plies, using air nozzles for alignment and a decoupled support to maintain stability, allowing for quick and simple assembly of cell stacks with varying dimensions.
Abstract
A device for manufacturing a cell stack having a plurality of cell assemblies. The device comprises several positioning units accommodating the plurality of cell assemblies. The positioning units each comprise a positioning jaw enclosing the plurality of cell assemblies disposed one above the other. The device further comprises a first moving unit moving the positioning unit. The first moving unit comprises a moving plate mounted in a movable manner and an actuator. The positioning units are disposed on the moving plate. The actuator moves the moving plate. The positioning units are arranged such that the individual cell assemblies are centered between the positioning jaws by the movement initiated by the first moving unit. Finally, the device comprises a support, which is decoupled from the movement of the first moving unit, wherein the plurality of cell assemblies and/or plies rest on the support.