Electrode Supply Air Separation for Accurate Battery Stacking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrode assembly manufacturing processes face issues with electrodes not being properly separated during stacking, leading to defects in the manufactured assemblies.

Innovation Solution

An electrode supply device and method that includes a magazine part, an electrode pick-up part, and an air supply part to reduce pressure on electrode surfaces, facilitating separation by injecting air between stacked electrodes, and an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus that alternately disposes positive and negative electrodes between folded separators using the supply device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If electrodes are stacked closely in the magazine to increase storage capacity, then the quantity of electrodes stored increases, but the electrodes cannot be properly separated during pick-up

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of electrodes storedVSAvoidelectrode separation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies pneumatic pressure control to separate electrodes during pick-up. A pressure control unit applies pressure to the magazine through a pressure transmission unit, causing the stacked electrodes to expand slightly in the stacking direction. This expansion creates gaps between adjacent electrodes, enabling the pick-up unit to successfully separate and retrieve individual electrodes without damage or misalignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Reliability

If mechanical pressure is applied to separate electrodes, then separation reliability improves, but electrode deformation or damage may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode separation reliabilityVSAvoidelectrode structural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state parameter of the electrodes by applying controlled pressure to induce expansion. The pressure control unit regulates the pressure magnitude and duration, causing the electrodes to expand slightly in the stacking direction without exceeding their structural tolerance. This parameter change enables separation while maintaining electrode integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies pressure beforehand to create expansion and gaps between electrodes before the pick-up operation. This preparatory action cushions the electrodes against direct mechanical contact during separation, preventing damage that would occur with forceful mechanical extraction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Productivity

If electrodes are picked up quickly to increase production speed, then productivity improves, but separation accuracy decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode pick-up speedVSAvoidelectrode pick-up accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary pressure application and expansion before the actual pick-up action. The pressure control unit activates first to expand the electrodes and create gaps, then the pick-up unit retrieves the electrode. This preliminary action enables faster pick-up speeds while maintaining accuracy, as the expansion prepares the electrodes for easy separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Prevents electrode surface contact and improves productivity by ensuring proper separation, resulting in secondary batteries with enhanced performance and safety.

Implementation Method 1

an air supply part configured to inject air toward an upper surface of the first electrode and a lower surface of a second electrode, which adjoins the first electrode, to reduce a pressure on the upper surface of the first electrode and the lower surface of the second electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure reduction: Pressure Drop

Data Source

PatentUS20260038865A1Electrode Supply Device, Electrode Assembly Manufacturing Device Using Same, Electrode Supply Method, and Electrode Assembly Manufacturing Method Using Same

Publication Date: 2026.02.05 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

AI summary

An electrode supply device, an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus using the same. The electrode supply device includes: a magazine part; an electrode pick-up part; and an air supply part. An electrode supply method, and an electrode assembly manufacturing method using the same. The electrode supply method includes: lowering a pressure on an upper surface of a first electrode, which is disposed at an uppermost side among a plurality of electrodes stacked in a magazine part, and also lowering a pressure on a lower surface of a second electrode adjoining the first electrode; and picking up the first electrode to transfer and supply the first electrode to a stack table. The lowering of the pressure on the upper surface of the first electrode and on the lower surface of the second electrode includes injecting air toward the upper surface of the first electrode and the lower surface of the second electrode.