Position Detection for Battery Electrode Deformation Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thin, flexible electrodes and separators in stacked batteries are prone to deformation during manufacturing, which can lead to reduced processing precision in subsequent steps, especially in larger batteries like automotive batteries.
Innovation Solution
A position detection device and method that uses a conveyor with suction and imaging camera to correct and precisely detect the position of electrodes and separators, employing a pressing unit to flatten and stabilize the materials before conveying them, ensuring accurate positioning and alignment during the stacking process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If electrodes and separators are conveyed as single bodies, then they can be processed individually, but they are prone to deformation such as rounding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by using a pressing unit to press the electrode or separator against a pressing surface before and during conveyance. This pre-applied pressure counteracts the inherent curling tendency and prevents deformation from occurring in the first place, rather than correcting it after deformation happens.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing surface acts as an intermediary between the electrode/separator and the conveying system. By providing a flat pressing surface that the material is pressed against, the system mediates the conveyance process to maintain flatness while still allowing individual handling and processing.
2Ease of manufacture
If electrodes and separators are cut out from rolled sheet material, then they can be produced in required sizes, but curl is left causing rounding deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing unit performs preliminary action by flattening the electrode or separator against the pressing surface before conveyance. This preliminary flattening removes the curl generated during cutting from rolled material, ensuring the material is flat before it enters subsequent processing steps.
3Area of stationary object
If large-sized electrodes or separators (B5 to A4) are used in automotive batteries, then they can meet size requirements, but they are more prone to deformation compared to smaller batteries
Solution Approach 1:
For large-sized electrodes and separators, the pressing unit applies preliminary anti-action by pressing the entire large surface area against the pressing surface. This counteracts the increased susceptibility to deformation that comes with larger size, ensuring uniform flatness across the entire electrode or separator area.
4Productivity
If deformed electrodes or separators are conveyed, then they can be processed, but processing precision in subsequent steps is lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing unit performs preliminary action by flattening the electrode or separator before conveyance to subsequent processing steps. This ensures that the material is in its best possible state (flat and stable) before entering precision processing operations, thereby maximizing manufacturing precision.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables high-precision detection and correction of electrode and separator positions, enhancing processing precision in battery manufacturing by preventing deformation and ensuring accurate stacking, thereby improving the overall quality of the battery assembly.
Implementation Method 1
a conveyor (210) that conveys the electrode (22)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3(A)~3(B)
AI summary
The present invention provides a position detection device and a position detection method, which, even if a separator or an electrode is deformed, are capable of correcting such deformation and detecting a position of the separator or the electrode with high precision, and are capable of enhancing precision in subsequent steps. The position detection device (200) includes: a pressing unit (240) that presses a sheet member (22), which is cut out from a sheet material (D) wound up in a roll shape and composes a battery element, against a flat reference surface (215); and a position detection unit (230) that detects a position of the sheet member (22) pressed against the reference surface (215) by the pressing unit (240). Then, the position of the sheet member (22), which is detected by the position detection unit (230), is used as position information of the sheet member (22) in a subsequent step.