Electrode Sheet Cutting With Vision-Based Tab Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for cutting electrode sheets in secondary batteries suffer from inaccuracies due to misalignment of tab detection sensors, leading to defective products.

Innovation Solution

An electrode sheet cutting device and method utilizing a vision system with a vision camera to detect the entire shape of electrode tabs at regular intervals, determining the cutting position based on this detection, and using a controller to guide a cutter for precise cuts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a tab detection sensor is used to detect the straight section of a tab and calculate cutting distance, then the cutting position can be determined, but the accuracy of the cutting position is lowered when the electrode meanders or the sensor is misaligned

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting position accuracyVSAvoiddetection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical tab detection sensor with a vision system (camera) that optically detects the entire tab shape. This substitution eliminates the need for physical contact and straight-section detection, allowing accurate recognition of tabs even when the electrode meanders or when tabs are at different heights, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and detection reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The vision system performs multiple functions: it detects tab position, determines cutting location, and accommodates variations in electrode meandering and tab height. This multi-functional approach allows a single system to handle various detection scenarios that previously required separate adjustment mechanisms, improving both accuracy and reliability simultaneously

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

2Manufacturing precision

If the tab detection sensor clearly recognizes the straight section of the tab, then the cutting distance can be accurately calculated, but this requires precise alignment and stable electrode positioning which are difficult to maintain

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting accuracyVSAvoidalignment requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vision system replaces the mechanically-aligned tab detection sensor, eliminating the need for precise sensor-to-electrode alignment. The camera-based system can accurately detect tab positions without requiring the electrode to be perfectly positioned or the sensor to be precisely aligned, thereby simplifying the device while maintaining high cutting accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from one-dimensional straight-section detection to two-dimensional entire-tab-shape detection. This dimensional change allows the system to recognize tabs based on their overall shape rather than requiring detection of a specific straight section, eliminating alignment requirements while maintaining manufacturing precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP4270572B1Electrode sheet cutting device and cutting method
Publication Date: 2025.10.22 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4270572B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2a
  • EP4270572B1 patent drawingFigure 2b~3
  • EP4270572B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~4b

AI summary

The present invention relates to an electrode sheet cutting device and cutting method. More specifically, the cutting device uses a vision system to identify the shape of an electrode tab and identify a cutting location to determine the cutting location of an electrode sheet, thereby enhancing accuracy when cutting the electrode sheet.