Electrode Gripper with Segmented Suction for Clean Sheet Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for gripping and transporting sheet-like electrodes in battery cell manufacturing face challenges in avoiding multiple removals, which can lead to cross-contamination and mechanical damage, and do not meet the requirements of high-speed production.
Innovation Solution
A gripper with dual suction devices and a displacement unit that allows targeted bulging of electrodes, combined with bellows suction, ring nozzles, and double-layer sensors to ensure precise separation and transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bellows suction devices and flat suction devices are used for gripping electrodes, then the electrodes can be held and transported, but multiple removals occur leading to cross-contamination and mechanical damage
Solution Approach 1:
The suction device is divided into multiple independently controllable suction zones (first suction zone, second suction zone, third suction zone) that can be activated separately. This segmentation allows selective gripping of different electrode regions, enabling the system to detect and prevent multiple removals by controlling which zones are active during the gripping operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection using double-layer sensors before the gripping action to identify the presence and position of electrodes. This preliminary action allows the control system to prepare the appropriate suction zone configuration in advance, ensuring that only the necessary suction zones are activated, thereby preventing multiple removals and associated damage.
2Reliability
If shaking motion is applied to separate electrodes during removal, then separation can be achieved, but cycle time increases conflicting with high-speed production requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses controlled airflow through multiple suction zones to achieve electrode separation without mechanical shaking. By selectively activating and deactivating suction zones in sequence, the system creates pneumatic forces that separate electrodes cleanly and quickly, maintaining high-speed production while ensuring reliable separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction zones are activated and deactivated in a periodic sequence during the electrode removal process. This periodic action allows the system to grip, separate, and release electrodes in rapid cycles without requiring continuous shaking motion, thereby maintaining high productivity while achieving reliable separation.
3Reliability
If mechanical retention by stripping plates is used to prevent multiple removals, then multiple removals are prevented, but electrode damage and particle release occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces mechanical retention methods (stripping plates) with a pneumatic control system using multiple independently controllable suction zones. This substitution eliminates direct mechanical contact that causes damage, using instead controlled air pressure and suction forces to prevent multiple removals while keeping electrodes intact and free from particle release.
4Reliability
If separating air is blown into the electrode stack to prevent multiple removals, then multiple removals are prevented, but large-scale particle distribution and cross-contamination occur
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of blowing separating air into the electrode stack, the invention uses controlled suction forces applied at specific zones. The suction device creates localized negative pressure fields that grip and separate electrodes without dispersing particles throughout the system, thereby preventing cross-contamination while maintaining reliable prevention of multiple removals.
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 solution effectively prevents multiple removals, reduces mechanical damage, and ensures reliable, high-speed separation and transport of electrodes, maintaining production quality.
Implementation Method 1
a suction device (14) for aspirating the electrode (50) to be gripped
Data Source
AI summary
A gripper for picking up and gripping individual sheet-like electrodes while manufacturing a battery cell. The gripper has a suction device for aspirating the electrode. The gripper has a first gripper segment and a second gripper segment, wherein the suction device has a first suction device arranged on the first gripper segment for aspirating a first region of the electrode to be gripped and a second suction device arranged on the second gripper segment for aspirating a second region of the electrode to be gripped. The gripper also includes a displacement unit for relatively displacing the first and second gripper segments with at least one directional component parallel to the surface of the electrode to be gripped.