Auxiliary Notching Mold Layout for Variable Electrode Tab Sizes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing notching molds struggle with limited size flexibility, require mold exchange for different electrode sizes, and face processing deviations due to difficulty in adjusting multiple embossed and engraved parts simultaneously.

Innovation Solution

A notching mold design featuring a main mold with slidable upper and lower molds, and first and second auxiliary molds that allow for individual notching of non-coating portions on both ends, along with a stripper system for precise positioning and support, enabling adjustable and detachable auxiliary molds and strippers to accommodate various electrode sizes and types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single mold structure is used for notching electrode tabs, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate electrodes of various sizes and requires mold exchange

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrode size adaptabilityVSAvoidmold structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mold is divided into a main mold and multiple auxiliary molds (first auxiliary mold, second auxiliary mold, etc.). Each auxiliary mold can be independently mounted or removed from the main mold, allowing the system to adapt to different electrode sizes without requiring complete mold replacement. This segmentation enables flexible configuration matching different processing requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The main mold is designed with a universal structure that can accommodate multiple types of auxiliary molds. The main mold includes a body with a cavity and multiple mounting positions, allowing it to serve as a platform for processing electrodes of various sizes and configurations, thereby achieving multi-functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If multiple embossed parts and engraved parts are formed to process multiple electrode tabs in one stroke, then processing efficiency is improved, but individual adjustment becomes difficult and processing deviation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing throughputVSAvoidnotching precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The auxiliary molds are designed as independent, separable units that can be individually adjusted and positioned on the main mold. Each auxiliary mold can be fine-tuned separately, allowing precise control over the notching process for multiple electrode tabs while maintaining the ability to process them in one stroke. This independent adjustability eliminates the processing deviation issue.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the mold structure is fixed, then manufacturing is simple, but it cannot accommodate thermal expansion and causes jamming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing reliabilityVSAvoidmold structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The auxiliary molds are designed with movable and adjustable characteristics, allowing them to adapt to thermal expansion of the electrode material during processing. The auxiliary molds can be positioned and repositioned dynamically, and the mold structure includes features that accommodate dimensional changes, preventing jamming while maintaining processing reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4239702B1Notching mold
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4239702B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4239702B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4239702B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A notching mold, which molds a non-coating portion when an electrode base material, in which an active material is applied to a surface of a collector, is input, wherein the non-coating portion, on which the active material is not applied, is formed on each of one end and the other end of a coating portion, on which the active material is applied, according to the present invention comprises: a main mold comprising an upper mold and a lower mold, which are parallel to each other, wherein the upper mold and the lower mold are slidable close to or away from each other; a first auxiliary mold configured so that, when the electrode base material is input into the main mold, the non-coating portion on one end of the electrode base material is disposed at a processible position, the first auxiliary mold comprising a first auxiliary upper mold coupled to the upper mold and a first auxiliary lower mold coupled to the lower mold; and a second auxiliary mold configured so that, when the electrode base material is input into the main mold, the non-coating portion on the other end of the electrode base material is disposed at a processible position, the second auxiliary mold comprising a second auxiliary upper mold coupled to the upper mold and a second auxiliary lower mold coupled to the lower mold.