Electrode Foil Cutting With Electrostatic Splatter Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for cutting electrode foils in secondary battery cells, such as laser cutting, often result in splatter contamination, which can damage the separator and cause internal short-circuits and self-discharge, and gas flow methods to remove splatter are not always effective in ensuring high quality cuts.

Innovation Solution

A cutting device that combines a suction mechanism with an electrostatic field generated by a voltage source and a grid electrode to attract and remove charged debris particles from the cutting area, ensuring consistent removal of splatter particles during the cutting process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If laser cutting is used to cut electrode foil, then cutting efficiency is improved, but splatter contamination occurs on the electrode foil surface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting efficiencyVSAvoidsplatter contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A suction device is introduced as an intermediary component between the laser cutting source and the electrode foil. The suction device includes a suction nozzle positioned near the cutting site and connected to a vacuum source, creating a controlled low-pressure zone that captures splatter particles immediately after generation, preventing their deposition on the electrode foil surface while maintaining high cutting efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs pneumatic principles by using a suction device that generates gas flow (vacuum) to remove harmful splatter particles. The suction nozzle creates a pressure differential that draws cutting debris away from the electrode foil, effectively using gas dynamics to solve the contamination problem without compromising the laser cutting process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If gas flow method is used to remove splatter particles, then particle removal is attempted, but removal effectiveness is insufficient to ensure high quality cuts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesplatter particle removalVSAvoidcut quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The suction device is designed with localized suction nozzles positioned precisely at the cutting site, creating a focused low-pressure zone exactly where splatter is generated. This localized approach ensures that gas flow is concentrated where needed, maximizing particle removal effectiveness and ensuring high cut quality by preventing contamination at the critical cutting area

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The suction device operates with continuous gas flow that responds to the generation of splatter particles during cutting. The system maintains a dynamic balance by continuously removing particles as they are generated, providing real-time contamination control that ensures consistent high-quality cuts throughout the cutting process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 effectively prevents splatter particles from re-depositing on the electrode foil, enhancing the quality of the cut foils by ensuring a clean surface, reducing the risk of internal short-circuits and self-discharge in battery cells.

Implementation Method 1

a suction means configured for applying an underpressure at one side of the electrode foil around an intended cutting site on the electrode foil by intaking gas into the suction means

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

a means for generating an electrostatic field; wherein the means for generating an electrostatic field comprises voltage source, a first electrode adapted for electrically connecting an electrode foil and a second electrode arranged at a distance from the electrode foil at an inlet opening of the suction means

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic field: Electric Field

Data Source

PatentEP4124406B1Cutting device and method for cutting an electrode foil for a secondary battery cell
Publication Date: 2024.03.06 SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD
  • EP4124406B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2(b)
  • EP4124406B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4124406B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention refers to a cutting device for cutting an electrode foil for a secondary battery cell. The cutting device comprises: a cutting means configured for cutting an electrode foil; a suction means configured for the intake of gas; a means for generating an electrostatic field; wherein the means for generating an electrostatic field comprises voltage source, a first electrode adapted for electrically connecting an electrode foil and a second electrode arranged at a distance from the electrode foil at an inlet opening of the suction means, when the electrode foil is placed for being cut by the cutting means. The present invention is further related to a method for cutting an electrode foil for a secondary battery cell.