Drum Laminating Heads for Continuous Electrode Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional manufacturing devices for laminated electrode assemblies require frequent stopping to cut continuous battery materials, hindering continuous production and slowing down the manufacturing process.

Innovation Solution

A laminating device and manufacturing device that utilize multiple drums and independent head drive units to continuously cut, laminate, and bond electrode and separator materials, allowing for continuous production of laminated electrode assemblies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the drum is stopped to cut the continuous battery material at each break line, then the cutting operation can be performed, but continuous manufacturing is hindered and production speed is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting operationVSAvoidproduction speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into multiple independent laminating heads (first, second, third, fourth heads) arranged around the drum, each capable of performing lamination operations independently. This segmentation allows different heads to work at different stages of the continuous manufacturing process, enabling cutting operations to occur without stopping the entire system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements continuous manufacturing by having multiple laminating heads operate simultaneously at different positions around the drum. While one head performs cutting, other heads continue lamination operations, ensuring the useful action continues without interruption. The drum rotates continuously, and materials are fed through multiple stations in sequence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Productivity

If multiple laminating heads are used to enable continuous manufacturing, then production speed is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction speedVSAvoidnumber of laminating heads

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each laminating head is designed with multi-functionality, capable of performing both lamination and cutting operations. The heads are universally configured to handle different materials (positive electrodes, negative electrodes, separators) and perform multiple functions, reducing the need for separate specialized devices for each operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple laminating heads and cutting functions into a single integrated drum system. The heads are merged around the drum circumference, sharing common support structures and coordination mechanisms, which reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate independent stations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12447727B2Laminating device, and manufacturing device for laminated electrode assembly

Publication Date: 2025.10.21 PANASONIC HOLDINGS CORP

AI summary

A laminating device includes: multiple laminating heads that each hold a unit laminated body; a drum section that holds multiple laminating heads; a drum drive unit that rotates the drum section to advance each laminating head to a laminating position that faces a lamination stage; and multiple head drive units that move the respective laminating heads independently of the move made by the rotation of the drum section. A head drive unit for a laminating head that has reached the laminating position drives the laminating head such as to offset the advancement of the laminating head made by the rotation of the drum section. Each laminating head discharges, onto the lamination stage, a unit laminated body so that multiple unit laminated bodies are laminated.