Electrochemical Cell Finishing During Continuous Layer Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

The production of electrochemical cells is limited by the need for precise finishing operations, which slow down the movement of semi-finished products, reducing productivity and making it challenging to maintain high speeds in the coupling process.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method that involve a feed unit, coupling unit, and moving devices to continuously move the semi-finished product with an overlapped-layer structure along a path, allowing finishing operations to be performed without stopping or significantly slowing down the product, while coordinating the movement of the finishing device with the semi-finished product.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If finishing operations are performed on semi-finished products, then manufacturing precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to slowing down the movement of semi-finished products

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefinishing operation precisionVSAvoidproduction speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The finishing device is made movable rather than stationary, allowing it to follow the semi-finished product along its path. This dynamic configuration enables finishing operations to be performed at high speeds without requiring the product to slow down, as the device moves in coordination with the product to maintain processing precision while preserving production velocity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A moving device acts as an intermediary between the stationary frame and the finishing device, transferring and coordinating the motion. This intermediary mechanism enables the finishing device to track the semi-finished product's movement while maintaining the precision needed for high-quality finishing operations, thereby resolving the conflict between speed and precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If the movement of semi-finished products is slowed down for finishing operations, then manufacturing precision is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefinishing operation qualityVSAvoidproduction cycle time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The finishing operation continues without interruption as the semi-finished product moves along its path. The moving finishing device maintains continuous contact or coordinated movement with the product, eliminating stopping or slowing down phases. This continuous action ensures both high precision and minimal time loss, as the useful action of finishing is performed throughout the entire movement cycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Productivity

If high speeds are maintained in the coupling process, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates during finishing operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoupling process speedVSAvoidfinishing operation precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The finishing device is configured to move dynamically at high speeds alongside the semi-finished product, rather than requiring the product to slow down. This dynamic setup allows the system to maintain high coupling speeds while the finishing device tracks and processes the product in coordination, preserving both speed and precision simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4439750A1Apparatus and method for manufacturing an electrochemical cell for producing batteries
Publication Date: 2024.10.02 GD SPA
  • EP4439750A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4439750A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4439750A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An apparatus for manufacturing an electrochemical cell comprises: a feed unit configured to feed conductor elements and at least one separator element, a coupling unit for coupling said conductor elements and said at least one separator element into a semi-finished product with an overlappedlayer structure, a first moving device configured to displace said semi-finished product along an operative path between a first position and a second position, distinct from each other, a finishing device configured to perform a finishing processing on said electrochemical cell, and a second moving device configured so as to displace the finishing device so as to perform said finishing processing, at least partially, while the semi-finished product is displaced between said first position and said second position, so that said semi-finished product is displaced along said operative path with a continuous motion.