Quick-Change Tray Platform for Battery Module Gripper Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

The process of switching between different battery module types in a production line requires manual replacement of jaw teeth and suckers on the battery module transport apparatus, which affects production efficiency and poses safety risks due to the need for manual handling of varying battery module sizes and weights.

Innovation Solution

A quick-change platform with a tray set and movable assemblies for jaw teeth and suckers, allowing for automated switching between pick-and-place positions, reducing interference and enabling simultaneous operations by the transport apparatus and staff, and incorporating detection and locking mechanisms for stability and safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual replacement of jaw teeth and suckers is used for switching battery module types, then the battery module transport apparatus can handle different battery types, but the production efficiency decreases and safety risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to handle different battery module typesVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into two independent platforms: a first platform for automated operations and a second platform for manual operations. This segmentation allows automated jaw teeth and sucker replacement on the first platform while manual replacement occurs on the second platform, eliminating interference and improving production efficiency while maintaining adaptability to different battery module types

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The battery module transport apparatus acts as an intermediary between the two platforms. It can selectively operate with components from either the first platform (automated) or the second platform (manual), enabling flexible switching between automated and manual replacement modes depending on the specific operational requirements for different battery module types

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual replacement of jaw teeth and suckers is performed, then flexibility in handling different battery module sizes and weights is achieved, but operation safety deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility in handling different battery module specificationsVSAvoidoperation safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By separating automated and manual replacement operations onto different platforms, the system eliminates the safety risks associated with manual handling of heavy battery modules. The automated platform performs dangerous replacement operations without human intervention, while the manual platform remains available for handling specialized cases with proper safety measures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The automated platform performs jaw teeth and sucker replacement without human intervention, making the system self-sufficient for routine replacement tasks. This eliminates the need for operators to manually handle heavy components, thereby improving safety while maintaining the ability to adapt to different battery module specifications through automated selection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If jaw teeth and suckers are replaced on the same platform for both automated and manual operations, then device complexity is reduced, but operation interference increases and production efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of platform structureVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the replacement function into two separate platforms with distinct roles. The first platform is dedicated to automated operations while the second platform handles manual operations. This segmentation prevents operation interference between automated and manual processes, allowing both to proceed simultaneously without conflict, thereby improving production efficiency despite the increased structural complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4570718B1Quick-change platform, battery production line, and control method
Publication Date: 2026.04.01 CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY (HONG KONG) LIMITED
  • EP4570718B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4570718B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4570718B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a quick-change platform, a battery production line, and a control method. The quick-change platform includes a tray set. In a first pick-and-place state, the tray set is located in a first pick-and-place position, so as to enable the tray set to receive the target objects removed from a battery module clamp, or enable a battery module transport apparatus to pick the target objects placed on the tray set. In a second pick-and-place state, the tray set is located in a second pick-and-place position, so as to remove the target objects on the tray set, or place the target objects on the tray set.