Chuck Splicing Alignment for Stable Secondary Battery Electrode Supply

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies lack an efficient apparatus and method for automatically and successively supplying electrodes in various processes for manufacturing secondary batteries, which can lead to electrode distortion or fracture due to positional deviations.

Innovation Solution

An automatic electrode supply apparatus comprising multiple chuck splicing units with edge position control (EPC) sensors to measure and correct positional deviations between traveling and standby electrodes, ensuring precise alignment and preventing defects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual electrode supply method is used, then operational flexibility is maintained, but productivity is low and process defect rate increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveproductivityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode supply system is divided into multiple independent chuck splicing units, each capable of holding and supplying electrodes independently. This segmentation allows parallel operation of multiple units, significantly increasing productivity while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The chuck splicing units are designed to automatically supply electrodes to the manufacturing process without manual intervention. The units self-manage electrode positioning, transfer, and splicing operations, eliminating the need for manual electrode supply while maintaining high productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If electrode supply apparatus is added to improve productivity, then productivity increases, but process defect rate may increase due to positional deviations

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveproductivityVSAvoidprocess defect rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Edge position control sensors are integrated into the chuck splicing units to continuously monitor the position of electrode edges. The system uses this feedback information to detect and correct positional deviations in real-time, ensuring consistent electrode alignment and preventing defects while maintaining high-speed automated operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual mechanical positioning with automated edge position control using sensors and controlled splicing mechanisms. This substitution eliminates human error in positioning while providing precise, repeatable electrode alignment through automated feedback control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If automated electrode supply is implemented, then operational efficiency improves, but electrode distortion or fracture may occur due to positional deviations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoidelectrode distortion or fracture
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The chuck splicing units perform preliminary positioning and alignment of electrodes before the actual splicing operation. Edge position control sensors measure and adjust electrode positions in advance, ensuring proper alignment is achieved before electrodes are joined, thereby preventing distortion or fracture during the splicing process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The edge position control sensors act as intermediaries between the automated splicing system and the electrodes. These sensors continuously monitor electrode positions and provide corrective feedback to the splicing mechanism, serving as a mediator that prevents positional deviations from causing electrode distortion or fracture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4024545B1Automatic electrode supply apparatus for manufacture of secondary battery and automatic electrode supply method using the same.
Publication Date: 2025.04.30 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4024545B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4024545B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4024545B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to an automatic electrode supply apparatus configured to automatically supply an electrode in various processes for manufacturing a secondary battery, the automatic electrode supply apparatus including a first chuck splicing unit including a splicing portion having a traveling electrode located thereon and a second chuck splicing unit including a splicing portion having a standby electrode located thereon, wherein each of the first and second chuck splicing units includes an edge position control (EPC) sensor configured to measure the position of the edge of a corresponding one of the traveling electrode and the standby electrode in order to prevent distortion or fracture defect of the electrode due to positional deviation between the traveling electrode and the standby electrode, and an automatic electrode supply method using the same.