Electrode Sheet Cutting with Gripper Air Leak Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrode cutting devices fail to ensure uniform cutting of electrodes, leading to misalignment and poor cutting, which increases defects and reduces yield due to air leakage from the gripper cylinder, necessitating manual intervention.

Innovation Solution

An electrode cutting device with a cutting unit, fixing unit, and sensor to monitor the pressure of the gripper, featuring a double-edged cutter and gripper with protrusions or rubber coating for stable fixation, and a pneumatic gauge sensor to detect air pressure changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a worker manually checks air leakage from the cylinder through touch, then air leakage can be detected, but dead time increases and yield is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection of air leakageVSAvoiddead time during manufacturing process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical detection method (worker's touch) with an automated sensor-based detection system. The sensor automatically monitors the cylinder's air leakage status, eliminating the need for manual intervention and reducing dead time while maintaining detection reliability.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-monitoring of the cylinder's condition through the integrated sensor, allowing the equipment to detect and report air leakage issues autonomously without requiring external human intervention, thus reducing downtime and improving continuous operation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If the gripper pressing force is insufficient due to air leakage, then the electrode sheet cannot be fixed properly, but continuous poor cutting occurs reducing yield

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixation stabilityVSAvoidyield
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor provides real-time feedback on the cylinder's air pressure and gripping force status. When air leakage is detected or pressing force becomes insufficient, the system can immediately alert operators or automatically adjust parameters, preventing the occurrence of poor cutting and maintaining high yield.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection of air leakage and pressing force issues before they cause poor cutting. By monitoring the cylinder status in advance, the system can take preventive measures to maintain proper gripping force and avoid defective cutting operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If manual intervention is required to correct poor cutting, then cutting quality can be improved, but manufacturing efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting qualityVSAvoidmanufacturing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual intervention with automated sensor monitoring and control systems. The sensor continuously monitors cutting conditions and gripper performance, automatically detecting issues that would otherwise require manual correction, thereby maintaining cutting quality while improving manufacturing efficiency.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The automated monitoring system enables continuous detection and correction of cutting issues without interrupting the manufacturing process. By maintaining continuous surveillance of the cutting conditions and gripper status, the system ensures consistent cutting quality while minimizing stops and manual interventions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful 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

The device prevents continuous poor cutting by real-time monitoring, ensuring stable electrode fixation and reducing defects without manual intervention, thereby improving yield.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor configured to monitor the driving portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPneumatic pressure detection: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP4120413B1Electrode cutting device and electrode manufacturing device comprising same
Publication Date: 2025.07.23 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4120413B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4120413B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4120413B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to an electrode cutting device including a cutting unit configured to cut an electrode sheet and a fixing unit configured to fix the electrode sheet, wherein the cutting unit includes a cutter configured to cut the electrode sheet by shearing and a cutter lifting portion configured to move the cutter so as to be perpendicular to a surface of the electrode sheet, and the fixing unit includes a gripper configured to press the electrode sheet so as to be fixed, a driving portion configured to drive the gripper so as to be moved, and a sensor configured to monitor the driving portion, whereby it is possible to rapidly and accurately check whether air leaks from the driving portion, which drives the gripper.