Battery Cell Transfer Unit With Adjustable Pickers for Faster 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 the need for a conveyor and separate transfer means.
Innovation Solution
A pressure activation apparatus with a transfer unit that includes first- and second-side pickers, an opposite-side picker group space adjuster, and an inter-picker space adjuster to grip and transfer secondary battery cells from a tray to a buffer in one or two operations, adjusting the spacing between pickers to match the pitch of the cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a separate transfer means and conveyor are used to transfer secondary battery cells from tray to buffer, then the battery cells can be transferred, but the transfer operation requires multiple reciprocating trips and the structure becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the transfer means and buffer conveyor into a single integrated transfer unit. The transfer unit includes a picker that picks up battery cells from the tray and places them directly into the buffer, eliminating the need for separate transfer means and conveyor system. This integration reduces the number of components and simplifies the overall transfer mechanism while maintaining efficient cell transfer capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer unit serves multiple functions: it acts as both the transfer means for moving battery cells from tray to buffer and as the buffer conveyor for repositioning cells within the buffer. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate conveyor means and reduces the number of reciprocating operations required, thereby simplifying the control system and reducing maintenance requirements.
2Productivity
If multiple transfer operations are performed to move all battery cells from tray to buffer, then all cells can be transferred, but the time taken for loading increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer unit enables continuous transfer of battery cells from the tray to the buffer in a single coordinated operation. The picker can sequentially pick up multiple cells and place them into the buffer without requiring the transfer means to reciprocate multiple times. This continuous action reduces the total loading time and improves productivity by eliminating idle time between transfer operations.
3Ease of manufacture
If a conventional transfer means with separate conveyor is used, then battery cells can be transferred, but costs increase and maintenance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the transfer means and buffer conveyor into a single transfer unit with a unified structure. This consolidation reduces the number of components that need to be manufactured, assembled, and maintained separately. The simplified structure with fewer parts lowers manufacturing costs and makes maintenance easier, as there are fewer potential failure points and less complex control systems to service.
Data Source
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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.