Battery Strip Cutting Slide With Crank Drive for High-Speed Production

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Solution Overview

Problem

Automatic machines for producing electrical energy storage devices, such as rechargeable batteries, face challenges with high-speed production due to the disproportionate size and cost of linear motors needed for accelerating and decelerating cutting and conveying apparatuses, leading to productivity limits and increased bulk.

Innovation Solution

A motion transmission assembly that transforms rotary motion from an electric rotary actuator into reciprocating motion for the cutting and conveying apparatus, using a connecting rod-crank-piston mechanism with adjustable stroke, allowing for efficient movement and reduced motor size, and additional rollers for supporting cut strips, enabling higher productivity and flexibility in producing various battery sizes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a linear motor is used to accelerate and decelerate the cutting and conveying apparatus for high-speed production, then the production speed increases, but the motor size and cost become disproportionately large

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction speedVSAvoidmotor size

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the linear motor with a crank mechanism driven by a rotary motor. The crank mechanism converts rotary motion into linear reciprocating motion, eliminating the need for a large linear motor while achieving the same cutting and conveying function at high speed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a reciprocating motion system where the cutting and conveying apparatus moves back and forth along the strip. This dynamic reciprocating motion allows the use of a compact rotary motor with crank mechanism instead of a continuously operating linear motor, reducing motor size while maintaining high productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the linear motor is used for high-speed acceleration and deceleration, then productivity improves, but the machine bulk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction speedVSAvoidmachine bulk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The linear motor is replaced by a rotary motor coupled with a crank mechanism. This substitution significantly reduces the space required for the motor assembly and eliminates the need for large braking distances, thereby reducing overall machine bulk while maintaining high-speed production capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from linear motion (requiring large space for acceleration and deceleration) to rotary motion with crank mechanism. The rotary motor operates in a compact circular space, and the crank mechanism converts this to linear reciprocating motion, effectively reducing the space requirement in the linear dimension

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If a linear motor with large braking distance is used, then high-speed production is achieved, but the machine requires more space for operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction speedVSAvoidbraking distance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the linear motor system requiring long braking distances with a rotary motor and crank mechanism. The reciprocating nature of the crank mechanism allows for immediate direction reversal without requiring extended braking distances, thus reducing the operational space required while maintaining high-speed production

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 a more compact, cost-effective, and dynamic automatic machine capable of high-speed production with reduced braking distances and increased flexibility in manufacturing different battery sizes, improving productivity and reducing the need for large linear motors.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCrank mechanism: Crankshaft

Data Source

PatentUS20240208101A1Automatic machine for the production of electrical energy storage devices starting from at least one strip of material and motion transmission assembly

Publication Date: 2024.06.27 MANZ ITAL

AI summary

Automatic machine for the production of electrical energy storage devices comprising: a feeding unit for feeding at least one strip of material along a feeding path; a cutting and conveying apparatus for cutting and conveying the strip comprising a slide linearly movable with reciprocating motion parallel to the feeding path between a retracted position and an advanced position, the slide carries a gripping assembly for sequentially gripping the strip at successive portions thereof, and a cutting assembly for sequentially cutting the strip when the latter is gripped by the gripping assembly; and a rotary actuator configured to control the reciprocating motion of the slide; the machine comprises a motion transmission assembly for transforming a rotary motion output from the rotary actuator into the reciprocating motion of the slide.