Electrode Sheet Inspection Layout for Post-Drying Defect Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional notching apparatuses for secondary batteries lack an effective inspection device, leading to the production of defective electrodes due to changes in electrode sheet dimensions and distortion during the drying process.

Innovation Solution

An electrode sheet machining apparatus equipped with multiple detection members, including a first detection member between the notching and drying units, and a second detection member between the drying and rewinding units, to inspect the electrode sheet for defects such as overall length, shoulder line, and surface state, with the second detection member received in a transparent guide roller to minimize additional space requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a conventional notching apparatus without inspection devices is used, then the device complexity is low, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates due to undetected defects in electrode sheets

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrode sheet qualityVSAvoidapparatus structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The first detection member inspects the electrode sheet before the drying process to detect initial defects, while the second detection member inspects after drying to detect defects caused by the drying process. This preliminary inspection approach allows the system to identify and flag defective sheets before they proceed to subsequent manufacturing steps, ensuring high manufacturing precision without requiring complex real-time intervention systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The detection members act as intermediary components between the processing units (notching, drying, rewinding). These intermediaries provide inspection capabilities without being integrated into the mechanical processing paths, allowing quality control to be added to the system without significantly increasing the complexity of the core processing apparatus.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If the second detection member is placed between the drying unit and rewinder unit, then the measurement precision of post-drying defects is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional inspection components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedefect detection accuracyVSAvoiddetection system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The inspection system is segmented into two independent detection members positioned at different stages of the process. The first detection member handles pre-drying inspection while the second handles post-drying inspection. This segmentation allows each detector to be optimized for its specific inspection task without requiring a single complex inspection system to handle all detection requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The detection members are designed to perform multiple inspection functions including detecting overall length, shoulder line position, and surface defects. By making the detection system multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for separate specialized devices for each type of defect detection, thereby improving measurement precision without proportionally increasing device complexity.

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

3Reliability

If multiple detection members are added to inspect electrode sheets, then the reliability of defect detection is improved, but the loss of time due to additional inspection steps increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedefect detection reliabilityVSAvoidinspection time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The detection members are integrated into the continuous flow of the electrode sheet processing line. Inspection occurs during the natural movement of sheets through the apparatus without requiring stopping or pausing the production process. The first detection member inspects sheets as they move from the notching unit, and the second detection member inspects sheets as they move from the drying unit to the rewinder, maintaining continuous production while ensuring reliable defect detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP4712146A1Electrode sheet processing device provided with multiple detection members and electrode sheet processing method using same
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4712146A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4712146A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4712146A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Disclosed are an electrode sheet machining apparatus having a plurality of detection members and an electrode sheet machining method using the same, and more particularly an electrode sheet machining apparatus including an unwinder unit configured to supply an electrode sheet, a notching unit configured to notch the electrode sheet, a drying unit configured to dry the notched electrode sheet, a rewinder unit configured to wind the dried electrode sheet, and a second detection member located between the drying unit and the rewinder unit, configured to inspect a state of the electrode sheet prior to winding, and an electrode sheet machining method using the same.