Electrode Cutting and Deburring for Battery Separator Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

The generation of burrs during the cutting process of coated electrode portions in secondary battery manufacturing can damage separators, leading to potential electrical shorts and reduced electrical energy capacity.

Innovation Solution

An electrode processing device equipped with a first cutter for cutting electrodes and a deburring unit with second cutters to remove burrs, utilizing guide rails and holders to ensure precise cutting and burr removal, followed by a pressing and winding process to maximize coated portion area and electrical energy capacity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single cutter is used to cut the electrode, then the cutting process is simple, but burrs are generated on the cutting surface which can damage the separator

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting device structureVSAvoidburr damage to separator
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting device is segmented into two distinct cutters: a first cutter that cuts the electrode and a second cutter that removes burrs from the cutting surface. This segmentation allows each cutter to perform its specific function optimally, with the first cutter creating the initial cut and the second cutter cleaning up the burrs without interfering with the primary cutting operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second cutter performs preliminary burr removal immediately after the first cutter creates the cut, before the electrode is wound into the final assembly. This preliminary action prevents burrs from causing damage to the separator during the winding process, addressing the harmful effect before it can manifest.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the electrode is cut without burr removal, then the manufacturing process is fast, but the coated portion area is reduced due to burr interference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing speedVSAvoidcoated portion area
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting operation is divided into two rapid sequential actions: cutting by the first cutter and burr removal by the second cutter. This segmentation allows both operations to be performed in quick succession, maintaining high productivity while ensuring the coated portion area is maximized by eliminating burrs that would otherwise reduce the effective area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If burrs are removed after electrode cutting, then separator damage is prevented, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparator integrityVSAvoidcutting and deburring system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting and burr removal functions are merged into a single integrated device operation. The first and second cutters work in close proximity and coordination, with the second cutter positioned to immediately address burrs created by the first cutter. This merging ensures separator integrity through effective burr removal while minimizing the overall complexity by combining functions in one system rather than requiring separate operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4648115A1Electrode processing apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.11.12 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4648115A1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(d)
  • EP4648115A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4648115A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to an electrode processing device, and provides an electrode processing device including an electrode cutting unit including a first cutter that cuts an electrode; and a deburring unit including a second cutter that cuts a burr protruding from the cut electrode cutting surface in the cutting direction of the first cutter.