Electrode Sheet Laser Notching Layout for Clean Tab Cutting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing laser notching processes for electrode sheets in secondary batteries suffer from poor notching quality, including poor notch dimensions, tab folding, and non-cutting, due to orientation and contamination issues, which reduce the yield of secondary batteries.

Innovation Solution

A laser notching apparatus and method that utilizes a laser radiator positioned to notch the electrode sheet on a surface with lower light reflectivity, adjusts the movement direction of the sheet to avoid debris contamination, and ensures proper contact between the notching drum and the electrode sheet by aligning surfaces with different reflectivities and curvatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the laser radiator is positioned to notch the electrode sheet from above in the same direction as sheet movement, then the notching process is simple, but debris generated during notching contaminates the electrode sheet causing poor notching quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenotching process configurationVSAvoidnotching quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional notching configuration by positioning the laser radiator and notching drum on opposite sides of the electrode sheet. The laser radiator is placed below the sheet while the notching drum contacts the sheet from above, or vice versa. This inversion prevents debris generated during laser notching from contaminating the electrode sheet surface that contacts the drum, thereby improving notching quality while maintaining process simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of manufacture

If the laser radiator is positioned above the electrode sheet in the direction of movement, then the setup is straightforward, but contamination from notching debris occurs reducing yield

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapparatus setupVSAvoidbattery yield
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reverses the conventional arrangement where the laser radiator is positioned below the electrode sheet while the notching drum contacts from above. This inverted configuration ensures that debris generated during laser irradiation falls away from the contact surface between the electrode sheet and notching drum, preventing contamination and improving production yield without complicating the apparatus setup

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Productivity

If the electrode sheet is notched with poor quality control, then the process is faster, but defects such as poor notch dimensions, tab folding, and non-cutting occur reducing yield

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenotching speedVSAvoidnotch dimension accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a feedback mechanism where the orientation and positioning of the notching drum relative to the electrode sheet are optimized based on the sheet's curvature and surface properties. By adjusting the drum's position and the laser irradiation parameters according to real-time conditions, the system maintains high notching quality with accurate dimensions while preserving production speed

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

Prevents defects such as poor notching dimensions and tab folding, reduces non-cutting, and minimizes debris contamination, thereby enhancing the yield and quality of electrode tabs in secondary batteries.

Implementation Method 1

a laser radiator (300) configured to notch the electrode sheet (10)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Data Source

PatentEP4631667A1Laser notching device for electrode sheet and method for notching electrode sheet using same
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4631667A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4631667A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4631667A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed are a laser notching apparatus for electrode sheets and a method for notching electrode sheet using the same, and more particularly a laser notching apparatus for electrode sheets, the laser notching apparatus including an unwinder having an electrode sheet wound therearound, a notching drum spaced apart from the unwinder by a predetermined distance, the notching drum being configured to support the electrode sheet that is supplied, a laser radiator configured to notch the electrode sheet, and a rewinder spaced apart from the notching drum by a predetermined distance, the rewinder being configured to wind the notched electrode sheet, wherein the electrode sheet wound around the unwinder includes a first surface constituting an inner surface and a second surface constituting an outer surface, and the notching drum is disposed so as to face the first surface of the electrode sheet, and a method for notching electrode sheet using the same.