Battery Electrode Notching with Tensioned Tab Fixation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing notching apparatuses for secondary batteries face challenges in cutting the non-coating portion accurately due to the lack of fixation, leading to irregular cuts, as the non-coating portion is not securely held, causing movement and poor cutting quality.

Innovation Solution

A notching apparatus with a lower mechanism, stripper, and upper mechanism that includes a pressing member to increase tension force on the non-coating portion, using a pair of second strippers to fix and cut the non-coating surface, and a punch to cut the connection surface, ensuring stable fixation and cutting accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the non-coating portion is not fixed during cutting, then the coating portion can be processed freely, but the non-coating portion moves during cutting causing irregular cut surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing freedomVSAvoidcutting accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The non-coating portion is fixed to the lower plate before the cutting operation begins. The stripper presses the non-coating portion against the lower plate, securing it in position prior to the punch making contact, ensuring the material is stable during the cutting process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the electrode are treated differently: the coating portion remains free and unpressured while the non-coating portion is specifically pressed and fixed by the stripper to the lower plate, allowing localized control over fixation without affecting the entire electrode structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Manufacturing precision

If the non-coating portion is pressed to increase tension force, then cutting accuracy is improved, but the complexity of the apparatus increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting accuracyVSAvoidapparatus structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stripper serves multiple functions: it presses the non-coating portion against the lower plate to fix it, increases tension force on the non-coating portion to improve cutting accuracy, and prevents wrinkles during cutting. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The stripper and lower plate are combined into an integrated fixing mechanism. The stripper is positioned above the lower plate and works in conjunction with it to secure the non-coating portion, merging the fixation function into a unified structure rather than separate components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 apparatus effectively prevents irregular cuts and improves cutting accuracy by enhancing the tension force on the non-coating portion, reducing wrinkles and ensuring precise cutting of the electrode tab.

Implementation Method 1

a pressing member pressing the non-coating portion disposed between the pair of second strippers to increase in tension force when the non-coating portion is cut by the punch

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTension force: Tension

Implementation Method 2

a stripper comprising a first stripper disposed above a coating portion disposed on the lower mechanism to press the coating portion while descending toward the coating portion and a pair of second strippers disposed above a non-coating portion disposed on the lower mechanism to press and fix the non-coating portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3632636B1Notching apparatus and method for secondary battery
Publication Date: 2024.05.29 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP3632636B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3632636B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3632636B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention comprises a notching apparatus for a secondary battery. The notching apparatus comprises: a lower mechanism comprising a die on which an electrode provided with a coating portion and a non-coating portion is disposed and a die holder to which the die is fixed; a stripper comprising a first stripper pressing the coating portion and a pair of second strippers pressing and fixing the non-coating portion; an upper mechanism comprising a punch provided between the pair of second strippers and provided with a cutting blade cutting the non-coating portion disposed between the pair of second strippers and a punch holder allowing the punch to move in a direction of the lower mechanism; and a pressing member pressing the non-coating portion disposed between the pair of second strippers to increase in tension force when the non-coating portion is cut by the punch.