Cutting Device Integrated Cleaning for Battery Electrode Debris

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional foreign material removal devices for electrode and separator cutting in laminated battery assembly manufacturing fail to collect all foreign materials effectively, leading to potential short circuits and quality deterioration due to missed adherence of debris on the conveyance line.

Innovation Solution

A cutting device with integrated cutting blades and cleaning members that advance and recede together to immediately clean the cutting section, utilizing brushes to collect foreign materials and prevent contamination, ensuring simultaneous cutting and cleaning processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an adhesive roll is brought into contact with the cut surface after the cut electrode material is conveyed to the downstream side, then foreign materials can be attached to the adhesive roll and collected, but foreign materials that have fallen after the cutting and before the contact with the adhesive roll cannot be attached to the adhesive roll

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforeign material collection effectivenessVSAvoidtime delay between cutting and cleaning

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning member is positioned to contact the cut surface immediately after cutting, performing the cleaning action at the earliest possible moment before foreign materials can fall or fly onto the conveyance line. This preliminary cleaning prevents the problem of missed foreign material collection that occurs with delayed adhesive roll contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A cleaning member (brush or adhesive roll) is introduced as an intermediary element between the cutting blade and the conveyed electrode material. This intermediary performs the cleaning function at the cutting location, bridging the gap between the cutting action and the downstream conveyance, ensuring no foreign materials are left on the conveyance line.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If foreign materials are not collected immediately at the cutting section, then foreign materials may fly up onto the conveyance line and adhere to the electrode plate, but collecting foreign materials later reduces the complexity of the cleaning mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforeign material contaminationVSAvoidcleaning system configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning function is merged with the cutting operation by positioning the cleaning member at the cutting section. The cutting blade and cleaning member work together in a coordinated manner, with the cleaning member immediately addressing foreign materials at the source. This integration eliminates the need for separate downstream cleaning systems and prevents contamination of the conveyance line.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If the cleaning member contacts the cut surface immediately after cutting, then all foreign materials can be removed including those that fall before conveyance, but the cleaning member may interfere with the cutting blade operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforeign material removal completenessVSAvoidcoordination mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning member is designed to dynamically contact the cut surface only when needed, immediately after the cutting blade passes. The cleaning member can be positioned to engage the electrode material at the cutting section and then move away, allowing the cutting blade to operate freely without interference while still achieving immediate cleaning of foreign materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

This solution enhances the quality of laminated electrode assemblies by effectively removing foreign materials during the cutting process, reducing the risk of short circuits and improving throughput and cleanliness.

Implementation Method 1

a cleaning member that advances and recedes together with the cutting blade and comes into contact with a cutting section of the continuous body and cleans the cutting section

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

cleaning members that advance and recede along with the cutting blades so as to come into contact with a cutting section of the continuous body and clean the cutting section

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbrasion: Abrasion

Data Source

PatentUS20230136322A1Cutting device

Publication Date: 2023.05.04 PANASONIC HOLDINGS CORP

AI summary

A cutting device includes: a cutting blade that advances toward and recedes from a continuous body of electrode plates or separators so as to cut the continuous body; and a cleaning member that advances and recedes together with the cutting blade and comes into contact with a cutting section of the continuous body and cleans the cutting section.