Battery Cell Transfer Unit for One-Step Pressure Activation Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure activation apparatuses require multiple transfer operations to move secondary battery cells from a tray to a buffer, increasing time and costs, and complicating maintenance due to a cumbersome transfer mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A pressure activation apparatus with a transfer unit that can load and transfer a plurality of secondary battery cells from a tray to a buffer in one or two operations, using a system of first- and second-side pickers with adjustable spacing, facilitated by opposite-side and inter-picker space adjusters, to simplify control and mechanism, reduce costs, and enhance maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional transfer means is used to transfer secondary battery cells from tray to buffer, then the transfer can be performed, but multiple reciprocating operations are required which increases time and operational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple transfer operations into a single unified transfer means that can hold and transfer multiple secondary battery cells simultaneously. Instead of transferring cells one by one or in small groups requiring multiple reciprocating motions, the transfer means is designed to accommodate all or most cells from the tray in one operation, thereby merging multiple sequential transfer actions into one parallel transfer action.
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer means is designed with adjustable and adaptable characteristics, allowing it to dynamically adjust its configuration to accommodate different numbers and arrangements of secondary battery cells. This dynamic design enables the transfer means to optimize its structure for each transfer operation, facilitating single-step transfer while maintaining flexibility for various cell configurations.
2Ease of operation
If conventional buffer with conveyor means is used, then sequential transfer of battery cells can be achieved, but the structure becomes complicated and maintenance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the conveyor means from the buffer structure, eliminating the complex sequential positioning mechanism. Instead of using a conveyor to sequentially position cells, the invention directly transfers multiple cells from the tray to the buffer in one operation, taking out the unnecessary intermediate conveyor component and simplifying the overall buffer structure while maintaining the ability to handle sequential transfer needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The simplified buffer structure is designed to perform multiple functions without requiring complex mechanisms. The buffer can accommodate cells transferred in bulk, and the pressurizing unit can sequentially process cells from the buffer without requiring the buffer to have active conveyor capabilities. This multi-functional design allows the buffer to serve both as a receiving station and a staging area, eliminating the need for dedicated conveyor means.
3Productivity
If multiple transfer operations are performed, then all battery cells can be transferred to buffer, but the number of operations increases leading to higher costs and reduced efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple transfer operations into a single consolidated transfer action by designing the transfer means to accommodate and transfer multiple secondary battery cells simultaneously. This reduces the total number of transfer operations required, thereby decreasing operational time, reducing wear and tear on equipment, and lowering overall manufacturing costs associated with frequent reciprocating motions.
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer means is pre-configured with cell holders or gripping mechanisms that are ready to accommodate multiple cells before the transfer operation begins. This preliminary preparation allows the system to execute the transfer in one efficient motion rather than requiring multiple sequential operations, thereby reducing total operation time and associated costs.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a pressure activation apparatus, and particularly to a pressure activation apparatus with a transfer unit that transfers a plurality of secondary battery cells accommodated in a tray to a buffer in once or twice, so that the control and mechanism for the transfer can be simplified, thereby reducing costs, facilitating maintenance, significantly shortening time taken in loading the plurality of battery cells, and, consequently, flexibly expanding and operating the number and arrangement of pressure jigs to perform a pressure activation process.