Dual Separator Battery Lamination for Productivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing electrical energy storage devices, such as lithium ion batteries, face limitations in productivity and manufacturing precision, leading to suboptimal quality and requiring the overturning of cells during production.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that feed two adjacent separators with alternating anodes and cathodes, allowing for the production of electrical energy storage devices where end electrodes are always anodes without overturning, using a constructionally cheap and simple apparatus with programmable control for precise electrode placement and lamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional single separator methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity and manufacturing precision deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction speedVSAvoidapparatus structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the separator system into two separate separators (first separator and second separator) that operate in parallel. Each separator handles alternating electrode pairs independently, allowing simultaneous processing of multiple electrode combinations. This segmentation enables continuous production without the need to overturn cells, directly increasing productivity while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular feeder units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a single sequential separator to a dual parallel separator configuration, adding a dimensional aspect to the production process. By arranging two separators side-by-side with their own feeders, the system processes electrodes in alternating sequence without requiring vertical overturning, effectively utilizing spatial arrangement to improve production efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If cell overturning is required during production, then electrode arrangement flexibility is improved, but manufacturing precision and quality deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrode arrangement flexibilityVSAvoidelectrode placement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of overturning cells to achieve proper electrode arrangement, the invention inverts the approach by using two separators to naturally produce alternating anode-cathode sequences. The first separator carries anodes and cathodes in alternating fashion, and the second separator does the same, eliminating the need for cell overturning while maintaining precise electrode placement through dedicated feeder positioning for each separator.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Manufacturing precision

If traditional feeding methods are used, then device complexity is minimized, but manufacturing precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrode placement precisionVSAvoidfeeder system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The feeding system is segmented into multiple independent feeders: a first feeder for the first separator and a second feeder for the second separator. Each feeder is dedicated to feeding electrodes to its corresponding separator, allowing precise control and positioning for each electrode placement operation. This segmentation improves manufacturing precision by eliminating cross-contamination and positioning errors that would occur with a single shared feeder system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The feeder system is designed with universal capabilities where each feeder can handle multiple electrode types (anodes and cathodes) and feed them to the appropriate separator in the correct sequence. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain high precision electrode placement while managing complexity through standardized feeder design that can be replicated and configured for different production requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3520164B1Production of electrical energy storage devices
Publication Date: 2020.07.15 MANZ ITAL
  • EP3520164B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3520164B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3520164B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A method and an apparatus are disclosed for the production of electrical energy storage devices, in which two separators (2; 3) are fed alongside one another, two anode feeders arrange in an alternating manner a succession of anodes (A1; A2) one after the other between the two separators, two cathode feeders arrange a succession of cathodes (C1; C2) one after the other on the outer sides of the two separators in an alternating manner so that only one cathode is superimposed on each anode, after which a cutting device separates various discrete elements, each consisting of only one anode and only one cathode with the interposition of portions of the two separators.